which wire? HELP!!

[urbanfairy]

hi,
i make wire jewellery, and have so far used silver plated and sterling silver wire from a company i know on the internet, but they only have limited size range for the sterling silver wire. when looking for an alternative source, i discovered what seems to be a great site with variety in abundance, but have found the terms 'hard' half hard' and 'soft' describing the wire. now i'm confused!! what is the best one to get?

one more thing, at the risk of sounding daft - how do you oxydise (sp?) silver?

any advice very gratefully received!!

:confused:

[BeadsbyLili]

Hello UrbanFairy, cant help with the oxydising bit (not sure what you meant or wanted to do..?) but I think in answer to your question the main difference in wires is pretty much as it sounds i.s. the soft wire is more pliable and easily bent into shapes but would not hold its shape if under tension from heavy beads or where it was being used as a clasp or such. The hard wire would be more suited to making clasps, jewellery pins or rigid shapes and the half hard somewhere in between the two ! Hope that helps.

[urbanfairy]

thanks so much for your help mel, makes sense i spose!! still not quite sure what to get - have some of the wire from hobbycraft (needs must!) and would like to get similar to work with, so what is that wire then? anyone know, please point me in right direction, i really need to get some more supplies!

[Bea]

I'd ask the supplier. If they sell it, they should be able to give you some advice :confused:
I don't really make wire jewellery so not much help...

[Kay]

Oxidising Silver is done with chemicals, Silver Black is one but it can be blackened in a cup of normal household bleach. As this will not be as strong as the chemicals mentioned above, the silver may take a few minutes to blacken.

[BeadsbyLili]

thanks so much for your help mel, makes sense i spose!! still not quite sure what to get - have some of the wire from hobbycraft (needs must!) and would like to get similar to work with, so what is that wire then? anyone know, please point me in right direction, i really need to get some more supplies!

I went to hobbycraft at the weekend and they had both simple craft type wire and some plated wires on their jewellery section so you've probably got something to get you started (it should say on the packaging).

Looking at Kays description of oxidising I'm not sure why you'd want/need to do any of that....

[beadsbydesign]

oxidising is the natural discolouring of silver to an aged look. There are far less harsh options including putting the item in a bag with a hard boiled cracked egg or with a peal off a banana.
for some items it looks reallly nice. You get an effect like you get on bali beads or tibetan silver beads.

[silvermaid]

The best place for coloured craft wire ( copper wire covered with coloured enamel) is the scientific wire co no minimum order and very quick to post. Their special offers are often good value. If you want sterling silver then there are a few online like cookson gold, palmers metals and goulds jewellers.
I tend to use soft for wire wrapping and half hard for making earrings and clasps. All wire will harden as you are working with it or you can tap it gently (several times) between two blocks of wood or plastic.

Melanie

[Jangle]

Tiger Tail wire is very good

[urbanfairy]

oh poo. i've just 'invested' in some soft sterling silver wire. i'll just have to see (when it finally arrives!).

by the way, the stuff at hobby craft doesnt say what 'strength' it is....................... and the people at wires.co.uk when i phoned couldnt help me with my querie either!!!

i'll let you know how it goes with my new supply............................... i'll iether be jumping around happy as larry, or jumping around going mad at everyone and the dog!

thanks for your help though lovely people. i'm gonna google oxidising later...................................!?