learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 6, 2011 18:05:53 GMT -5
I read couple tutorials here and see that they recommend wires with specific shapes and hardnesses, like square or 1/2 round soft and hard.
If I just wanted to learn without putting in order to a supply house for a bunch of materials, it there one wire that would suffice for learning?
My wife shops at a local bead shop and I noticed they have spools of wire in various gauges and various colors. Would one spool of a certain size be decent enough to experiment with?
Or should I just forgot about dabbling until I feel like taking a plunge on another hobby?
Recommendations?
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by peachfront on Apr 6, 2011 19:01:48 GMT -5
I learned by stripping the plastic coating off of old copper electrical wire that was surplussed when hubby's employer went bankrupt. These days, I guess they would have sold the copper to a metal recycler, the price of metal being what it is, so maybe this option doesn't exist any more.
I found both copper and silver to be annoying if I wore the pendant infrequently, because of the need for constant cleaning. The copper ones, eventually I cut them out and put them in 14 Karat Gold-Filled. But it's all practice, right?
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Apr 6, 2011 19:08:13 GMT -5
The best wire to learn with is copper in my opinion, it is cheap cheap cheap, and that way you can order a lot and in a couple different shapes/sizes to play with. I get my copper here:http://www.brandywinejewelrysupply.com and would recommend getting 20 gauge round and square in dead soft and 21 gauge half round in half hard. It's like 105 feet of wire for $15 plus a little shipping. Happy wrapping!  Krista |
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Post by upsided0wnducks on Apr 6, 2011 19:11:32 GMT -5
OH! Just read Peachfront's post, don't turn away from silver too quickly, there's a kind called Argentium Sterling Silver and it doesn't take much polishing, really tarnish resistant. I also wouldn't recommend Gold Filled for learning... that would be wasteful and very expensive. But I get my Agrentium and Gold Fill from here if you ever get in the mood to try it out: www.riogrande.comKrista |
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Apr 6, 2011 19:15:32 GMT -5
I've been using this www.beadalon.com/germanstyleplatedwire.asp to practice on before I do one in sterling or gold filled. I've found it at Hobby Lobby and Michaels and also have bought on Amazon.com from merchant Beadaholique. She has it for 13.1 feet for ~ $6.30. I don't remember what I paid at the big box stores, but it was a couple dollars more. |
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 6, 2011 20:15:36 GMT -5
If I were to go with just one style of wire for practice, what gauge and type would I want?
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blr2449
has rocks in the head
Can I retire now?
Member since January 2011
Posts: 554
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Post by blr2449 on Apr 6, 2011 20:49:18 GMT -5
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Post by drocknut on Apr 6, 2011 21:19:12 GMT -5
If I were to go with just one style of wire for practice, what gauge and type would I want? Just one style is hard since square wire would look bulky as binding wires and half-round would look weird as the main wires plus it would be more flimsy. If you are really wanting to just buy one style I'd go with round in 22 gauge (if available) in whatever color you want (silver, copper, or gold colored craft wire) but I believe most on the spools is silver or gold colored. Most bead stores have this type of wire or you can find it at craft stores sometimes for less money. Hope that info helps. |
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dbrealityrocks
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Post by dbrealityrocks on Apr 6, 2011 22:37:35 GMT -5
copper @ riogrande.com is $22.80 for 1 lb = 356 feet for 21 gauge
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TByrd
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Post by TByrd on Apr 7, 2011 12:34:57 GMT -5
They now make the copper with non-tarnish qualities, but you need to use the stuff for crafting not what is in the wiring for your house or from construction sites.
Copper is inexpensive and is quite malleable and easy to work with. I agree that you need both 1/2 Round and Square or Round craft wire. I have always used 21 gauge Square, Dead Soft, and 18 gauge 1/2 Round, Dead Soft when I wrap my pendants, this is the info that is pretty much basic in the industry.
If you are going to make rings and bracelets, you should go to a heavier (smaller number) wire as it will hold up better, usually 18 gauge Square and 1/2 Round. You will also need to change from Dead Soft to Half Hard, these will help to insure that your project will last a very long time.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Tammy
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
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Post by peachfront on Apr 7, 2011 15:00:58 GMT -5
Yeah, I was just thinking how cheap gold was back in the 90s. I had some jewelry made back then in 14Kt and 18 Kt but I still have stones that will never be set at today's gold prices. What a shame. And most of the pieces I had made, now I don't feel like wearing them, I keep them at the bank. Hard to enjoy something if you're worried about somebody stealing it and melting it down...14 karat Gold FILLED used to be the cheap stuff for casual. This inflation in metal prices is just crazy.
I will look into the Argentium Sterling Silver someone suggested when and if I start wrapping again.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 22, 2011 13:32:31 GMT -5
Okay, I think I'd like to try just some cheap copper. Unfortunately, www.brandywinejewelrysupply.com doesn't have one of the types I need in stock. I found this place called www.wired-dragonfly.com/CopperWire.html but their order form makes you type in your credit card security code on an unsecured page. I really don't think a modern ecommerce site should ask you to do that. |
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 22, 2011 13:43:22 GMT -5
this place has 21 gage square and 21 gage half round in non tarnish silver plated copper, non tarnish gold plated copper, antique bronze and non tarnish copper www.parawire.com/22gaugeParaWire.shtml |
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 22, 2011 14:17:36 GMT -5
parawire has $25 min. I really just want to spend $10-12 on a couple things.
I actually put in a $12 order with the Wired Dragonfly place and put in the info box that I entered "ZZZ" for the CVC code and they can call my cell phone if they want the real one. We'll see what happens.
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 22, 2011 16:01:42 GMT -5
Hobby Lobby ( at least my local one does ) carries copper square and half round. They are sold together it a wire wrapping kit. I think it was about $8. Probably enough to do two or three wraps...
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Apr 22, 2011 18:01:42 GMT -5
Check the web site and there's only one Hobby Lobby in New England and it's not near where I am. Seems like the northeast is the one area where they are not.
If that dragonfly place won't process my order, I guess I'll just wait until brandywine has both kinds in stock.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 22, 2011 19:20:30 GMT -5
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