re: 5 Tips for Getting Started with Wire

JKINO — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:26:28 GMT

I accidentally discovered a new jewelry idea. This was one of those "Oops, I could've had a V8" moments...moment of discovery. I was given some old electrical wire (wire covered by plastic). By cutting away the plastic (same motion has peeling a carrot with a sharp blade) you'll find "gold"...actually it is copper. Using a little bit of lemon juice or Brasso, you'll be able to bring out a shiny lustre. The average size of the wire usually is anywhere between 14gauge - 20gauge. Because of the thickness of the wire, you would be smart to use a good wire cutter from a hardware store. Save your jewelry tools. I learned the hard way.

Using either a dowel or a store bought loop maker, start to wrap the wire around and around and around. Personally I don't use anything smaller than 1/2" dowel. Anything smaller is not strong enough to hold its form when wrapping. After you've wrapped an inch or two (it comes off the dowel easier and it is easier when cutting), squeeze it together with your hands, then pull it off the dowel. Pull the wrapped wire by the ends to allow an 1/8-1/4" space (this is so you can cut the wire). Now, using a good wire cutter (again, I wouldn't use your jewelry cutters---Get one from the hardware store) begin to snip off individual rings. The ends should meet in the middle, but don't overlap...It isn't necessary. Repeat this process until you have the desired amount.

After you've got your li'l rings, file down an sharp points, then using a rubber mallet or a rawhide mallet, place the rings on a smooth, hard surface and hammer each ring once or twice. This hardens the loop, even though you may not see it, the molecular structure changes. If not mallet, take two hardback books (that you don't care if it gets a ding), place the rings between the two, then slam the top one on to the bottom. You may want to do this a couple of times.

Now you can use them as big jump rings, or what I did was I linked them together to create a bracelet/necklace. You can link one-to-one or two-to-one. Get creative. Have fun!

BTW, the step where you hammer the rings is a great stress reliever...Just make sure you control yourself so you don't flatten the rings. BAM BAM!