jintachi
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2018
Posts: 19
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Post by jintachi on Mar 27, 2019 21:55:31 GMT -5
Hello!
I'm just starting to get back into posting on this site (not that I posted much to begin with... ^^; ) as well as getting back into this lapidary / wire-wrapping hobby. I thought it might be fun to post a few wraps that I've done since kinda taking a break and see what everyone thought!
Also, does anyone have any recommendations on how to prevent the green-ish tarnish that can show up on wraps? I've heard you can paint the wraps with nail polish or dip it in some sort of glaze-stuff to prevent it, but I worry about what it would do to the stones... I'm also starting to worry about the silver plating starting to wear thin on some of these wraps. I'm starting to see the copper come thru on some of the wire, which could be because I'm using not the most high-grade wire out there, but any suggestions on preventing that?
Anyhow, thanks for looking!
Mexican Crazy Lace:
Some sort of Chrysocolla:
Larimar: I attempted to flatten the wire on this one. I think it turned out ok for my first attempt at that, but I think I have a lot of work to do to make it look not so...uneven. :/
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 27, 2019 22:22:27 GMT -5
I like the last one a lot! Very fanciful, like a fairy would wear it.
Can't help with the wire. If you can, try using pure copper and oxidize it to make it wear longer, or use sterling silver.
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Post by fernwood on Mar 28, 2019 5:10:47 GMT -5
All are very nice, but the last one is my fav.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 28, 2019 10:16:31 GMT -5
Nice wraps! I like the last one the best, too.
On wire, copper will eventually develop verdigris (the green patina) if it's not coated or cleaned regularly. I know some people use spray clear coat on their copper to keep it shiny, but this will wear off eventually and need to be reapplied. You can keep the pieces stored in small ziplock bags with those little packets of silica gel that keep the moisture out. Same with silver. Make sure the pieces are clean before you store them.
Plated wire is going to wear off no matter what. The only way to avoid it is to use Sterling or 999 silver.
Use a domed chasing hammer on a steel block to flatten your wire. The technique to spread the ends of the wire involved bringing the hammer down lightly and then moving it outward in the direction you want the metal to move. YouTube has lots of videos on hammering techniques.
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