Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

Klaudete — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:26:15 GMT

I can only guess Velma, but it sounds like your wrapped loops are laying in the same position on both ends. I did this once too. If you anchor both loops on the same link with pliers in each hand, then twist gently in opposite directions till the loops are opposite each other, or form a +, it should fix the kinking if you do this going in the same direction with each link in your piece. If you didn't wrap them together, if links are independent, try jump rings between the links. Worked for me :) hope it helps. Klaudete

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

vjmeitl — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:29:42 GMT

A question, I like to make wire links with beads much like a rosary except my loops are wrapped. They just don't lay right, what am I doing wrong? They seem to want to twist and get kinked up on each other when you are wearing them. Any ideas? Thanks, Velma

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

TarrynM — Thu, 07 May 2009 03:55:05 GMT

I realise that this is a VERY old topic, but I just stumbled across this link while looking for a colour chart for artistic wire and I thought I could help. I find that if I cut the length of wire I need, plus 1 to 2 inches extra (which will not get hardened because these are the bits that are in the drill or being held by the pliers!) then put one end of my wire piece in a hand drill (cordless ones are best, power drills go too fast!), then hold the other end with my pliers (wrapping it once around the pliers and then gripping the handles will prevent the wire from slipping out and hitting you in the face once the drill starts!) pull the wire taut (but not so taut that you yank it out of the drill!) and then start the drill up (this is just like using a pin vise but much faster and less labour intensive!!). Keep the wire taut and keep spinning for about 20 to 30 secs (or less depending on the guage of the wire). This not only straightens out all the tiny kinks that you get on the wire just because it was on a spool, but it also hardens the wire magnificently! (I've always found straightening wire with nylon jaw pliers can sometimes result in more kinks if I don't pay attention to what I'm doing!) If you arent sure if the wire has hardened up enough for you, stop the drill and feel it, if its still a little too soft for you, pull the wire taut again and go again - you wont mess it up I promise! Also you don't end up with any scratches or removal of the coloured coating like can happen with hammering it. I also use this method with two or more wires of contrasting or the same colour to make awesome twisted wire - it really adds an eye catching feature to my designs! Whew! Now, after all that typing I'm off for a coffee! Good luck all!

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

Sara Richardson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:08:19 GMT

Hi Meredith, Yes, I have hammered the craft wire before and the copper core does not get exposed. You have to hammer a bit more gently and cut with more precision than you would with sterling or gold-filled, but it works out great...especially with heavier-gauge craft wire. Thanks for your question! -Sara Assistant Editor, Step by Step Wire Jewelry

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

Meredith@16 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:44:13 GMT

I'm wondering if you can hammer craft wire without exposing the copper? Thanks, Meredith

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

BarbaraH@105 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:39:03 GMT

I found that colored wire, such as Artistic Wire, chips and rubs off in jewelry with lots of movemen , such as bracelets and eyeglass leashes. It worked best when I knitted a tube for a necklace. Now I just used colored wire for myself, but not for paying cusomers!

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

elnordman99 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:47:09 GMT

ricki, one thing you can try (if you have the tools) is hammering the wire a bit. I really like the results, since the wire holds it's shapes better. It may not be the most practical if you're making a lot of jumprings though. Also, better quality craft wire should be less bendy, although I'm not an expert. On another note, I really appreciated this post! I've gotten into a wire-making jewelry phase, and have been wondering which brands are good quality craft wire. Now I have an idea of where to look. Thanks!

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

DebWAZ — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:11:55 GMT

Debbie, You could try a gun metal colored earring - if it's nickel free, it shouldn't bother your ears. I'd worry that liver of silver might cause a problem if your ears are sensitive.

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

ricki@3 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:51:25 GMT

I've tried craftwire and have found it too soft for some of my projects. The wire bends, the jump rings open. Any suggestions.

re: Pros and Cons of Using Craft Wire for Jewelry

DebbieC@63 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:05:37 GMT

More a question than comment... I've been picturing making chandelier earrings to go with the little black dress--made of black wire and black swarovsky facets. Here's my question: is there a black ear wire available that would be hypo allergenic enough not to cause infection? My second thought was that for the ear wires, I could liver sulfur up some silver ones enough so they'd work with the black wires of the chandelier portion. Any thoughts? Thanks so much and just FYI, I thoroughly enjoy your website! Debbie BC