Business Tips, Tutorials, and Technical Help > Technical Help in Creating

Wire-Wrapping, I'm Doomed!!

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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.

 8)

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

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