Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
August 3, 2011

Question:

Dale, I have seen your reference several times in describing how to do certain wire performances as wire “to show,” but I have no idea what that means. Could you give an explanation? Thanks.

-DeLane in Bentonville, Arkansas

Answer:

Hi DeLane, the term "to show" refers to how many wraps to put on during the construction of a wire jewelry piece.

Let’s say you are using a half-round wire to wrap a bundle of square wires together and the directions say "4 wraps to show." This means that on the back of the bundle, where the wrap wire begins and ends, you can see 5 wrap wires (including both ends) and on the front you will see 4 wraps: these are the wraps that "show."

It is simply my way of cutting down on wordiness in a written pattern or while giving oral directions to a live class. Thanks for asking!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
May 31, 2011

Question:

What are some ways you hold together bundles of wire when you are working on them?

-Kirsten in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Hi Kirsten, there are a variety of techniques that can be used to help hold your wire bundles together. Personally, I prefer to use a tape that does not leave a lot of sticky residue after it has been removed. White quilter’s tape is my favorite because it can be purchased in a quarter inch width. There is one negative issue that can occur with white quilter’s tape: if the tape is old or has been stored in high heat it will become extremely sticky and need to be thrown away. For this reason when I am purchasing it, I take the tape to the check-out register and open it in front of the salesperson. If it has gone bad, I do not purchase it. Please be aware that quilter’s tape also comes in a green color that I do not recommend, because it has a lot more adhesive on it.

In my classrooms, I see a wide variety of tapes. For example, I had a student who once brought me some acid-free tape that is designed for use in scrapbooks, and another student had a small roll of pinstripe tape (used when customizing motor vehicles) both tapes performed very well. However, those who have tried using a paper masking tape were disappointed, because it sticks so tightly to itself that it is difficult to remove from a wire bundle.

Blue Painters Tape

Large, wide bundles of heavy-gauge wire stay together nicely by using painter’s tape. The Blue style has less adhesive than the Lavender, so in areas with high humidity I recommend the latter. Painter’s tape comes in several widths. One of my students prefers the wider version, and uses a sharp, thin blade (like an X-acto knife) to cut strips down the width of the tape while it is on its roll, so she can easily tear off the perfect size as she needs it.

Helping Hand (left) and Clamp (right)

A Helping Hand (weighted metal stand with an alligator clip attached) can be a useful accessory when you need to hold something small together and up, off your workspace. However, it can also be difficult to control, because you have to work with and around the unit, where it stands. In the past, other pattern authors have suggested using coated telephone wire to temporarily wrap wire jewelry bundles together, but to me this seems redundant and a waste of precious time. I have had a few students who like to use little Clamps with rubber heads to hold their wire bundles together. They do so with success; however, to me, the additional weight of having things hanging from my bundles is very cumbersome, and can bend the bundle.

When I have forgotten my tape, I have used many different substitutes! For example, grip or electrical tape (not recommended unless in a pinch, because plastic tapes stretch) and once, in an area with extremely high humidity, my class and I used strips cut off fabric-style band-aids! Whatever works for some may not work well for others, Kirsten. Experiment to find the product and procedure that works best for you!

I’d like to ask my fellow wire artists, do you have a suggestion for Kirsten? Thanks so much for sharing!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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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
April 14, 2011

Question:

Dale, thank you so much for your advice on markets in The Definitive Guide. I just did my first outdoor market on Saturday and even with the extremely strong winds, and our inexperience, your lists had us totally prepared, even down to the pain killers. Now for my question –

How in the world can I wrap three narrow pattern wires with square accent wires between so that the pattern wire does not overlap before it is finished? I made 5 attempts at this before giving up. Thankfully the wrap wire was copper.

I even tried taping everything with blue tape except the areas for the wraps – that was lovely. Then I tried the same thing with large needle nose pliers (hardware type) to hold the unwrapped end, but they still managed to sneak across one another after the third set of wraps. Little demons!

-Betty in Jackson, Mississippi

Answer:

Yeah Betty, Congratulations on a "totally prepared" show!

The most common challenge folks have when working with pattern wire is not using the proper square and half round wire combination. In your case, the square wire used between the patterns wires has to be the same width as the pattern wire. If the square wire is either not wide enough, or too wide, it will slip under or over the pattern wires. You didn’t mention what you were using for the wraps, so I will tell you that I use either the same square wire or a heavy, half hard half round wire (such as 16- or 18-gauge) for the wraps. Also remember that you were practicing in copper; some copper is very soft and may not hold the entire bundle together. When wrapping, begin at either the center or one side of the center, and work toward corresponding ends. That should give you more control over keeping those little demons in line. Please let me know how this works for you!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
August 22, 2010

Question:

I do quite a bit of wire wrap jewelry and have some difficulty when I bring the square wires to the top of the stone and securing it by wrapping. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this easier?

-Melanie in Glenville, New York

Answer:

I am answering this question using an oval or round cabochon as an example.

After you have wrapped the frame bundle, use an item just a bit smaller than the bottom curve of the cab to shape the center of the frame bundle.

Next, use your fingers to slightly round the inside of the frame, so it more closely matches the cab shape. When bringing the wires to the top, make a 90° angle in each end of the bundle, where they meet at the top of the cab. Place a piece of tape about 1/2" above the junction to hold the frame together while you use wire to wrap them together at the junction. By spending a bit more time with the shape of the frame, the stone will be less likely to want to jump out.

Often I wrap the frame together without the stone in it. Beginner Series Disc 2 shows exactly how to shape and formulate frames for about any size or shape item, including cabochons!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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