Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 12, 2010

Question:

I wish to make hat pins with copper wire. Could you tell me what temper and gauge I should use to take beads, and not bend?

-Bev in Melbourne, Australia

Answer:

Bev, as you mentioned, the choice of gauge would depend on the weight of the beads used to make a hatpin, as well as the size of their holes.

One of our WS Faculty members collects antique hats and sometimes makes hatpins. She uses a full hard temper wire in gauges from 18 through 20. Because copper is naturally a soft metal, you might try using a rubber hammer and bench block to harden the wire without changing the shape.

Another way to harden round copper wire would be to put it into a drill and twist it. No, you will not see a difference in the shape of the wire, it will still be perfectly round, but it will be harder. Just don’t twist too much or it will become brittle and could break or snap more easily.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 7, 2010

Question:

I made a mistake, and bought multiple feet of 18-gauge round dead soft sterling silver and gold filled wire, yes, I did. I must not have had my glasses on – I purchased, and bought way too much…now you can laugh! So I need your help, as I now am looking for some patterns or ideas to use these big pieces with. I am hoping to use them in bracelets or rings, but have not found much use for this 18-gauge round besides the Ring Series #1 (pinkie and toe rings). I could use a little help here, well a lot of help, with this wonderful dilemma that I have gotten myself into. Help me?

-Terri in Gold Bar, Washington

Answer:

Terri, with the prices of precious metals going up on a daily basis, you can never have too much!

You can use the 18-gauge round soft for bracelet hook and eye clasps, as well as in single or Double Wrapped Hooks.

Soft 18-gauge wire also makes really cool links that can be forged and/or textured by using a chasing hammer and bench block. For a cool example, check out these photos of the Leaf Link and you will see that 18-gauge round soft wire can also be used to make rings and chains for bracelets or necklaces.

Leaf Link Component

Also, in our Free Jewelry Patterns, Albina Manning shows how to make some Spring Flower Earrings using 18-gauge round soft wire.

Spring Flower Earrings

Now, go have fun with your “excess” wire!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 2, 2010

Question:

I have a pattern that calls for round wire, but I want to substitute two wires twisted together. How do I know what gauges twisted together equal which gauge? Is there a formula for this?

-Valarie in Clifford Township, Pennsylvania

Answer:

Valerie, I don’t know if there is a serious formula out there for this procedure. What you can do is to take two pieces of round wire, twist them together and then use a wire gauge to measure them and record all of your findings for future reference.

I do know that when twisting two round wires together (which looks great), the end thickness will depend on how tightly they are twisted. When twisted very tightly, the end result will be more bulky, because the wires will “stack down” as the twists become shorter and closer together.

Anyone else have any suggestions for Valarie?

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 26, 2010

Question:

I learned how to make “rosary links” through one of the wire wrapping tutorials on your site. I am wondering if dead soft wire would be ok to use for such links? I am using a 24-gauge headpin type wire, and it is half hard. I have a great deal of trouble making the wraps under the loops when I connect the links. I thought maybe a dead soft wire would be easier to work with, but I am afraid it will not be strong enough to support the weight of the finished necklace. Is this a good idea or do I just need to practice more?

-Karen in Porterville, California

Answer:

Thanks Karen! Sherrie and I had fun making the Creating a Rosary Link video, just using a web cam. Yes, you could use a soft wire; however, the gauge choice depends on the size and weight of the beads you are using.

For larger beads (5mm +) you might try using a 22-gauge round soft wire, which will harden enough as you work it to hold more weight, and it should not pull into an oval. And yes, practice will make it easier to wrap more consistently, using two sets of pliers (either chain nose and flat nose or just two pairs of chain nose pliers).

I think that by practicing with a 22-gauge, you will be happier with the results, and then move on to the smaller 24-gauge.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 25, 2010

Question:

What gauge of sterling silver is best for wire wrapping rings? I want my rings to be a little chunky.

-Alice in Denton, Texas

Answer:

Well Alice, the diameter of wire needed for rings, chunky or not, depends on the style of ring you are making. Let’s talk about a couple of design possibilities and how to make them a bit more “chunky.”
If you are making rings similar to the rings below:

I have personally made the Lapis ring (right) using 19-gauge round and a 10mm round bead or a nugget (suitable for larger sizes). I have made the triple bead ring (left) using a single nugget bead and either 19- or 18-gauge round, soft wire. On both, I still use 20-gauge half round half hard to wrap at least the back section of the shank (at least 3/8″) to hold the shank wires together, as well as to make the ring easier to put on and remove.

Both of these styles are quick and easy to make and sell well too!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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