Wire-Wrapping, I'm Doomed!!

[aimeesrockworks]

So if I was to *ahem* decide to torture myself by trying to learn wire-wrapping (natural stones/cabachons, not drilled beads) would anyone have a recommendation of a wire to start out with?

I like silver, but don't want to spend $$$ on stuff I'm most likely going to destroy.  Guess I'm looking for...

1) Easiest for a n00b to work with.
2) Inexpensive but not cheap.
3) Something that's still nice enough I could wear it in public if I actually pull this off.

My research tells me that I'm probably looking at 20/22 gauge, but no one is really spilling the beans as to brands/types.

Cross your fingers 'cause this girl is headed for CRAZY TOWN (oh wait, too late).

[Dragonclaw]

You can use copper craft wire, (I get lots of mine from Joannes fabric stores)it comes in a variety of colors and sizes. It is a good source and the 20-22 g is a good number to work with (even 24 is good) depending what you are trying. When you shop for craft wire take a small magnet with you because some of the real cheap craft wire is colored steel (you want to STAY AWAY from the wire the magnet is attracted to, it's steel wire) Also you do come across brass wire and it is stiffer and harder to use.Also many hardware stores carry copper wire.  Another source of free wire is old appliances and house wire but it's all copper
I wear lots of my jewelry wrapped with copper.
This one was done entirely with repurposed copper wire.
http://handmadeartistsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,95.0.html
It won first place/peoples choice at a local art show!

[Nárrína]

Copper is a great metal to try out a new technique in if you don't want to risk mangling silver.

If you plan on wire-wrapping stones, I'd recommend using square wire.  For some reason it seems to work better than round (I've tried both).  Also, half round wire is great for binding the wire you plan to wrap your stones with.

[aimeesrockworks]

Copper, hadn't thought of that!!  Thanks for the great idea... might have to drop by the craft store today in fact.

 

[Chainmaille By MBOI]

Ditto on the copper, but I don't wire wrap. Kimberly does all the wire wrapping, I just mangle wire. LOL

[aimeesrockworks]

Oh, I'm sure some 'wire mangling' will occur on my end as well.

Probably more of it than I want too.   

[KayzKreationz]

Aimee, use copper to start (and maybe finish) with. I do mainly copper. I buy all my copper wire at Lowes/Home Depot.  Only drawback is you have to strip the insulation off (it's in the electrical dept.) but that isn't that hard to do or take that long.  With my first wire wrapping class we did use half round and square which is easier to wrap with, but it can be done with just plain wire. It's just a little more challenging for the beginner.  (I'm no expert, but I've done enough I can do it with regular wire) We used 21 and 18 gauge for the wire-wrapping. I think 24 gauge would be too light weight, although I have done it with that. Wasn't as fond of the look with the 24.  Hope this helps.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Definitely start with copper and 20/22 is a good start.  It is thick enough that you can get the hang of it but not so thick that it won't bend.  Let the wire do a lot of the work because if you try to force it in a way it doesn't want to go you will end up with a kink and a mess!  Much better to fines it into place than try to force it.

[MichaelaJewelry]

To you experts who use copper. I've never used it before but with sterling silver and gold filled becoming so expensive I'd like to make some pieces using copper.  Do you know if there is a coating you can put on copper to stop it from going green on your skin?

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

To you experts who use copper. I've never used it before but with sterling silver and gold filled becoming so expensive I'd like to make some pieces using copper.  Do you know if there is a coating you can put on copper to stop it from going green on your skin?

There is copper that is coated, and some use Future floor polish.  Instead of coating ours, we just dip it in lemon juice for a minute and rinse it off and it comes back to shiny.  As for your skin?  Well, that means your body is leaching a mineral from the metal...basically you are short on something that your body wants.

[trusk4u]

To you experts who use copper. I've never used it before but with sterling silver and gold filled becoming so expensive I'd like to make some pieces using copper.  Do you know if there is a coating you can put on copper to stop it from going green on your skin?

There is copper that is coated, and some use Future floor polish.  Instead of coating ours, we just dip it in lemon juice for a minute and rinse it off and it comes back to shiny.  As for your skin?  Well, that means your body is leaching a mineral from the metal...basically you are short on something that your body wants.

I didn't know that about the lemon juice. Thanks!

[CrochetHooked]

Wow everyone... Thanks for all the info!  I think I will make a trip to Lowes real soon... ;o)

Lemon Juice!  who'd a thought! 

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Wow everyone... Thanks for all the info!  I think I will make a trip to Lowes real soon... ;o)

Lemon Juice!  who'd a thought! 

You can also use Ketchup, but lemon juice smells so much nicer 

[Nárrína]

To you experts who use copper. I've never used it before but with sterling silver and gold filled becoming so expensive I'd like to make some pieces using copper.  Do you know if there is a coating you can put on copper to stop it from going green on your skin?

I've been experimenting with coating bare copper with Fixattive. Fixattive is a spray we used in some of my art classes to prevent layers of charcoal, pastels, or even graphite from rubbing off.  I figured if it worked to protect them from coming off, it might provide enough of a layer to help prevent tarnish on copper.  It's worked so far, although I definitely would not recommend using it on a pieces that have stones or beads in them.

Otherwise, copper is very easy to clean.  Vinegar will clean copper, but you need to be careful not to etch the copper (I've done this before by accident).  Or, if you have a tumbler, you can clean your copper in that with some tumbling shot, water, and blue Dawn dish soap.  It takes longer to clean, but it works great.

[NicoleHannaJewelry]

I know this is an older topic, but figured I'd throw in my druthers. I think raw copper and bronze are perfect for practice and for sale. I'd steer clear of coated or enamel coppers if you can, not to mention that raw copper is less expensive anyway. Plus, you can oxidize it and it looks phenomenal, but you can't oxidize coated metals. If you like the look of silver, the only kind of plated wire I like is at JoAnns (though I think MonsterSlayer sells it as well) and it's a sterling silver plated copper core wire. The plating holds up phenomenally well. The draw back is that it can't be balled and it can't be oxidized, but for a beginner, this is a great quality wire.

I avoid Parawire at all costs because their dye lots are inconsistent and if you get into wire weaving, the enamel comes off way too easily.

For standard wrapping (a la wire sculpture website), usually a 20 or 22 gauge is good. For wire weaving, I prefer 20 or 22 gauge for the base wire and 28 gauge for the weaving wire, but it really depends on the project.

www.jewelrylessons.com has a TON of free weaving and wrapping tutorials. You can download 2 freebies a week, so it's a good place to visit for tips.

Hope this helps.

Nicole