Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
May 12, 2011

Question:

Dale, I have some square wire in coils that I want to use for making wire bundles. It takes forever to straighten out. Any suggestions?

-Cecilia in Rochester, Washington

Answer:

Hi Cecilia, in my classes I have noticed that the main challenge folks have when straightening wire by hand, is that they put too much power into it! It really does not take a lot of strength to straighten wire. Please watch this short video, Straightening Your Jewelry Wire. Go ahead and watch it, then come back!

Now, let me verbally explain what you just watched. When you place your thumb on top of the curve and your index finger is placed under the curve and slightly to the outside of your thumb, when the wire is drawn through your fingers, the index finger slightly pushes the wire over the side of your thumb, thus “countering the curve” in the wire and straightening it. If you use a lot of pressure, and handle the wire roughly (especially with sterling silver), the wire will end up with lots of little “waves” in it. That particular piece should probably be used as a twisted wire, so it will straighten it easily.

Just be gentle and use bare fingers (meaning no polishing cloth) so you can actually feel the wire as you counter the curve. Practice makes perfect! Before long you will be able to easily straighten you wire without hurting with it or your fingers – then you may use a polishing cloth to clean as you straighten. I also use just a piece of t-shirt as a wire cleaner. Good luck!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 6, 2010

Question:

When I receive the wire I’ve ordered, is it better to leave it as it is, coiled, until I use it? Or should I loosen the fasteners and let it relax so it’s easier to straighten?

-Kathy in Greenfield, Indiana

Answer:

When the WS Faculty members or I work with wire (always from a coil) we loosen the ties and slip out about two feet at a time, straighten, measure and then cut what we need and repeat if necessary. Personally, I have made the mistake of untying a 3 ounce coil of 21-gauge square sterling – made the prettiest slinky you have ever seen! But I had to make about seven cuts to get it under control again.

It really is up to you and how you store your wire. If you keep it in a large zip-loc bag and have about 30 feet or less, you could let it relax a bit, retie it and put it back into the bag.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

Wire purchased by the foot usually arrives loosely coiled in a plastic bag which gives cut segments a natural curve that I can never straighten with nylon tipped pliers. This is especially difficult with half hard square wire. How can the curve be removed so the wire segments are flat and straight?

-Yvonne in Waldorf, Maryland

Answer:

Yes Yvonne, all of Wire-Sculpture’s wire, from 1 foot to 50 feet, or even more, comes hand-coiled; this is because the wire begins in a coil and as it is milled into whatever gauge, it naturally coils. This is also an easy way to store it for everyone involved in the process! (Excepting color-coated craft wire, which the manufacturer spools)

Nylon jaw pliers are not allowed in my classroom, as using them is not the best way to straighten wire! (I can hear students laughing now.) It doesn’t matter what shape the wire is, or what gauge or temper! Wire is best straightened by hand.

Straightening by hand doesn’t take a lot of strength – actually, too much strength can ruin it. If you will watch this video on Straightening Wire, you will see how easy it is; sometimes even calming. If you would like lots of practice and more detailed info, DVD #1 in the Beginner’s Series is perfect!

Just remember, take your time and “counter the curve” with your fingers, making the wire straight. It makes sense if you think about it. If the wire is curved in one direction and you roll it over the edge of your finger slightly against the curve, it becomes straight! Practice makes perfect.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
July 12, 2010

Question:

Dale, I have almost memorized the instructions for straightening wire, both from your DVDs and book, yet I cannot obtain a well-fitting bundle. Do you have any additional suggestions to master this seemingly simple technique? While practicing, I use 21 or 22-gauge half hard square copper.

-Fran in Reston, Virginia

Answer:

Good for you for practicing so hard! If you have followed all of the directions with regards to making a bundle with your wire as straight as possible, the wire should cooperate. If not, are a couple of troubleshooting tips:

1. Make sure the ends of your wires are straight as possible! When they are not, they tend to push away from each other and may even jump over one another, causing the bundle to bunch up even after you think it was tapped straight.
2. If the ends are straight but the centers or tops are slightly curved, move each wire individually so that they are all waved in the same direction. Next, tape one end and smoothly run the wire through your fingers, making sure they all lie neatly next to one another before taping again off the center. Smooth again from that point to the last end, and tape again.
3. If, while you are smoothing the wires together from a taped point and they seem to want to “fight” each other, don’t force them! That is where some folks make the mistake of not taking them apart and moving each wire around until they lie neatly next to one another, where they want to be.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
July 11, 2010

Question:

I am a beginner with wire sculpting. My thumb and pointer fingers have become quite sore and even a little swollen from wire straightening and holding the wires tight. Is there some secret to prevent this, or do I just have to toughen my fingers up?

-Jeanne in Waukesha, Wisconsin

Answer:

I had to smile when I read your question, Jeanne, because even now there are days when my fingers and hands still become sore and sometimes swollen. If I have not worked with wire for a few days, or if I have been working for 6 or 7 days in a row, 8 to 10 hours a day, my digits still become overworked.

Yes, holding the wire tightly while straightening can cramp your non-dominant hand; some folks place that end of the wire in a vise to hold it while straightening. The dominant hand that you use to straighten the wire shouldn’t become too sore if you are not “white knuckling” the wire to straighten it, as your fingers should only be countering the curve, not trying to “pull” the wire straight. If you have developed good straightening skills, use a polishing cloth while straightening the wire, which will offer a cushion for your fingers while cleaning the wire as you straighten it.

With time, you will develop thin calluses that will help to protect your fingers. To relax your hands, try a paraffin wax hand spa.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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