julieooly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721 
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Post by julieooly on Dec 20, 2019 18:14:45 GMT -5
Basically I have a cheap woven plastic basket with some strong dowels to support the spools. The wire is coming out the spaces between the plastic weave and I’ve labeled every size. I put a heavy board on top to create a cover and additional work surface. I’m really happy with the way it turned out. I still need to figure out a way to keep the rods from slipping, still brainstorming this. Now, how do I keep the copper wire shiny? I can already see the oxidation on some I got several months ago and would like to keep the new stuff from turning as much as I can. So, if I figure out a way to wrap the spools or entire dowels in plastic or cloth or ( ? ) and just let the end of the wire come through and then out the side of the basket will this help? I was also thinking if I wrapped with cloth with (something) on it around AND covered with plastic it might be even better? The second tray is a bunch of wire I got from Tela. It’s the same basic idea using bbq skewers with beads to secure them. See the purple beads. Guess where those came from too lol. I’d appreciate any ideas from you all 😀... edit, gosh one of these days I'm going to remember the pics post backwards to the way I think ;(       |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 20, 2019 19:11:04 GMT -5
Here's an idea. Anti-tarnish silver cloth could protect the wires from oxidation, or slow it down. From your photos I think that you would need at least 2 yards. Each basket could have a piece that would line the bottom and fold over to cover the top (when not in use), but you'd have to put your baskets inside sealed containers to minimize air circulation.
A quick check on Amazon showed silver cloth going for $10-$15 per yard.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 20, 2019 20:24:49 GMT -5
I can't see your pictures, but I think I know what you mean by ones I saw previously. For copper spools, I just keep them in a big clear bin which shuts more or less airtight. The copper is very slowly oxidizing. Not enough to worry about. I clean all wire I use for a piece before hand with a polish cloth to harden, clean and straighten and then clean the piece afterwards, so I don't worry about a little oxidation. For silver, I store all the wire in zip lock bags. I never buy silver on a spool. I always buy it coiled. Those bags of silver also go into a bin, laying flat. Never had a problem with tarnish. I like the bins that scrapbook makers use. Nice and flat, big and stackable.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 20, 2019 21:11:21 GMT -5
Copper and silver will oxidize if the air hits it. I store all my metal (silver and copper) in Ziploc freezer bags. I usually buy my wire coiled, like Tela, but I will buy spools of the really fine gauge wire (28 and 30) because it tangles so easy. Spools keep it nice and tidy for those gauges.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 20, 2019 21:40:15 GMT -5
Yeah, what Robin said- I buy the fine gauges on a spool. But, they, too, go in a zip lock.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 21, 2019 11:08:01 GMT -5
I clean all wire I use for a piece before hand with a polish cloth to harden, clean and straighten and then clean the piece afterwards, so I don't worry about a little oxidation.
I smiled when I read this. Of course! Why didn't I think of that rather than my Rube Goldberg "yards of silver cloth" suggestion?!
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Dec 21, 2019 12:41:22 GMT -5
I clean all wire I use for a piece before hand with a polish cloth to harden, clean and straighten and then clean the piece afterwards, so I don't worry about a little oxidation.
I smiled when I read this. Of course! Why didn't I think of that rather than my Rube Goldberg "yards of silver cloth" suggestion?!
I'm planning on adding some anti-tarnish tabs to the bags when I order again. They also have this: www.riogrande.com/product/intercept-anti-tarnish-full-size-tray-cover/403451 |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Dec 21, 2019 13:03:19 GMT -5
I had used anti-tarnish plastic (3M? Not sure), but then I switched to silver cloth. I place pieces in bags with my wire and sheet stock, as well as in each finished piece. A yard goes a long way. BTW, I also have some silver findings that are in plastic bags without any anti-tarnish material, and they haven't shown any tarnish after nearly ten years. So anything that you do should work fine. |
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Post by fernwood on Dec 21, 2019 13:08:46 GMT -5
I can relate to cat proofing. Did not do that on most recent shipment, as I had to get to work shortly after delivery.
Came home after work to find a certain cat had scattered assorted packages of findings and beads across my living and dining room.
He had gotten into the bag I had left everything in.
He has plenty of cat toys.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Dec 21, 2019 17:16:30 GMT -5
I can relate to cat proofing. Did not do that on most recent shipment, as I had to get to work shortly after delivery. Came home after work to find a certain cat had scattered assorted packages of findings and beads across my living and dining room. He had gotten into the bag I had left everything in. He has plenty of cat toys. After about 100 cat toys and much spent money, I’ve come to find the best one to be a piece of rope/string or a laser light. I bought a little disco ball and shine an LED flashlight on it and they have the time of their life chasing all the dots. Heck, you just say the word dots and they all come running. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 25, 2019 13:15:11 GMT -5
Wow, for someone that just finished their first wrap, Julie, you seem to have this whole hobby all figured out already! I mean, I only have 1/4 of the wire, after 6 months, and it is all over the place. Not all organized like this! All of my stuff is just in a big pile. I guess I don't own any cats, and that is helpful for keeping stuff all together. But just wow! You seem to be like the most awesome flower in the garden that is just starting to bloom. I think you are going to produce some interesting pieces in short time! I like Sunshine clothes for brightening up wire. But I can't really advice anything really.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 25, 2019 13:17:03 GMT -5
If you don't want the dowels to pull out from the sides of the basket so easily, I would just rubber bands. Easy to take on/off, and nothing will pull that stick out of the hole in the basket. Hmm.
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julieooly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2018
Posts: 721
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Post by julieooly on Dec 25, 2019 14:08:46 GMT -5
Wow, for someone that just finished their first wrap, Julie, you seem to have this whole hobby all figured out already! I mean, I only have 1/4 of the wire, after 6 months, and it is all over the place. Not all organized like this! All of my stuff is just in a big pile. I guess I don't own any cats, and that is helpful for keeping stuff all together. But just wow! You seem to be like the most awesome flower in the garden that is just starting to bloom. I think you are going to produce some interesting pieces in short time! I like Sunshine clothes for brightening up wire. But I can't really advice anything really. Awesome idea with the rubber bands on the previous post except cats LOVE rubberbands and will go out of their way to find and eat them whole. The most awesome flower in the garden touches my heart as I have an extensive garden that goes all around the house and the perimeter of our almost acre lot. I've had to give up on most of my gardening due to chronic pain and took up cabbing to replace it. Now I have jewelry to work on also, a good trade but will need to hire some help for outside. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 25, 2019 14:19:58 GMT -5
I have always had at least one cat. Except recently I am cat-less, right now. I like to find a good one at the humane society and adopt. My wife is strongly resistant though so far. So I remain without cat.
I am sorry to hear about chronic pain. I also have this, and must remain an absolute workout junkie in order to keep my back "In". If I lax for even 3 days, it is sure to go "Out".
Well, it has always been my belief that when something you love walks out of your life (for instance your love for your flower gardens), then something else equally wonderful will walk in. And I am happy to see that your new wire wrapping hobby might just be that thing!
Happy Holidays! I wish you a wonderful wire wrapping day! I am out as well. Need to get on the treadmill!
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Post by TheRock on Dec 25, 2019 19:30:24 GMT -5
WoW the Queen of Organization I like that! It's good to find another Like Minded Individual on the Forum. To prevent oxidation on your wire you would need to coat it with a light film of grease or oil. I know your not going to do that so you may slow the reaction down by doing what NevadaBill mentioned. Oxidation also needs moisture in the air to Oxidize so you may do what welders do and use a small old fridge with a light bulb in it to keep moisture out to protect their welding rod and keep them dry. Now I use MIG & Tig so I have no need for one now. I like your storage looks nice.  |
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