Posts Tagged Wirework
How to use crimp covers
Crimp covers come in various sizes from 3mm to 5mm. 
1/ Add a crimp bead to fit the desired cord/wire.
2/ Use crimp pliers to close up crimp bead in usual 2 step procedure
(use inside jaws first,then fold crimp using front jaws to get crimp as compact as you can).
3/ Place crimp cover in front jaws of crimp pliers with the opening facing forwards.
4/ Place crimp cover over the folded crimp bead on your cord/wire and press gently with crimp pliers to close opening.
5/ Your crimp covers should now be tidy and round with only a fine slit visible when close up (as shown on the right side of the pearl bead).
Where to buy crimp covers online:
UK
Palmer metals.co.uk Sterling Silver Crimp Covers
Princess Jewellery Findings UK Sterling silver & gold filled
Silver Moon Beads.com UK Sterling silver & silver plated
crimp covers at CJ Beaders.co.ukGold plated, sterling silver ,silver plated, copper, fancy finish
Crimp Covers at Spellbound Beads UK Gold plated, sterling silver & silver plated
EJR Beads.co.uk Sterling silver & copper
thebeadstore.co.uk Copper, G/p & s/p
Just Beads.co.uk Sterling silver, gold filled, g/p & s/p
Spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk Sterling silver, gold filled & S/P
The Bead Shop.co.uk G/p, S/p, Copper plated, Black plated
Beadaddict.co.uk Sterling silver, gold filled & copper
Beadsunlimited.co.uk Sterling silver, s/p & g/p
Crimps Clasps – Beadsisters UK G/p, s/p & copper
Bluestreak Beads S/p
World of Beads G/p & S/p
AUS & NZ
Polymerclay.com.au Australia Sterling silver, ant copper, ant gold, ant silver, black plated, copper plated, g/p, s/p, gold filled.
AJMS.co.nz G/p, S/p
USA
Land of odds.com USA ***All types of crimp cover
Crimp covers at TheFind.com USA ***
Charmfactory.com USA Sterling silver & gold filled
You’ve GOT to be Beading.com USA G/f, Sterling silver & copper
Auntie’s Beads.com USA Sterling silver & gold filled
Bluesage Beads.com USA Sterling silver, gold filled & copper
Abeadstore.com USA Sterling silver & copper
Artbeads.com USA Sterling silver, gold filled & copper
JewelrySupply.com USA S/s, g/p, s/p, g/f, ant brass, ant copper, gunmetal
Inmcrystal.com USA S/s, G/f, g/p
Brightlingsbeads.com USA S/s & G/f
Add comment July 27, 2009
How to make viking knit chain
Good Viking Knit Tutorial Links
Check out the list of informative links below, 24 to 26 gauge soft wire seems to be the most popular type used.
Viking knit chain/trichinopoly history
http://www.fineartbyrocio.com/vikingknitdirections.html
http://www.janra-jewelry-designs.com/viking-knitting.html
Perfect Finish – Free Projects – Beading Daily
(You’ll need to register with Beading Daily)
Viking Knit Chain Video’s
YouTube – Viking Knit Chain Making
http://www.diynetwork.com/cr/cda/playerex/1,1979,DIY_45263,00.html
1 comment June 5, 2009
How to do Beadwork
This weeks feature is on Beadwork: find all about beadwork weaves
and stitches from Emma Warrillow, an Australian living in England
and has been beading for many years; as well as beadwork she has
dabbled in wirework and bead stringing.
Visit her Website/blog: http://glitterglowbeading.com/
Gallery: http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=389
Learn how to do netted beadwork, peyote stitch, brick, herringbone as well as
right and left angled weaves, (scroll down the page to ‘Learn Beadwork Links’ )
http://www.squidoo.com/learnbeadwork
Free Beading Tutorials http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=380
Beading Forums and Groups
http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=385
Beading Book Authors and Their Books
http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=378
2 comments March 23, 2009
How to make chainmail from scratch
A handy list of chainmaile and wire wrapping resources from Longcanyon.com
Includes how to make jump rings, recommended ring sizes for chainmaile weaves, aspect ratio of jump rings, and wire gauge charts.
1 comment February 7, 2009
Jewellery making tools video tutorial
Here’s a great list of video tutorials on essential jewellery making tools from Connie Fox at http://www.jatayu.com/
Connie Fox – Video Jewelry Tutorials
For making chainmail click on the Wire Winder link
1 comment February 5, 2009
4 of the Best Chainmail instruction sites on Net
Check out these four best chainmaile sites on the Net:
M.A.I.L. – Maille Artisans International League – Articles
CGMaille.com – Chainmaille Tutorials & Graphics
Add comment January 29, 2009
Wirework 5 part Email Course
Here’s an excellent 5 part email course on wirework
from Christine Gierer of Wireworksecrets.com
Wire Work Secrets 5 Part Video Email Course
Add comment December 9, 2008
What’s the best wire for wire wrapping?
An informative article from Jewelrywirewrap.com:
What’s the best wire to use for wire wrapping?
This is a common question for most new and aspiring wire wrap artists. However, the “best” wire to use is wire that’s appropriate for the design or project you want to create and then personal preference as you become more experienced. Most artists will experiment with different wires to create new and unusual designs and end up choosing their favorite which dominates most of their work.
There are many types of wire from Stainless Steel craft wire to Gold Filled and Solid Gold wire. The most popular craft wire is available in a variety colors usually coated with colored or clear vinyl and is made with multiple strands for durability and flexibility and is used for beading. There is also solid or thick single strand stainless steel spring wire used for a lot of popular bracelet and necklace designs. On occasion I use gold filled and solid gold wire for some of my work. But my favorite, which happens to be the most popular for a variety of reasons, is sterling silver. Copper wire is the second most popular wire used for making jewelry.
Wire for Wire Wrap Jewelry, including Sterling Silver wire, is available in many shapes like oval, triangle, square, and round profiles. Each profile lends itself well for the various styles they are used for. Sterling wire comes in other shapes or profiles, but those listed above are the most commonly used. Wire also comes in different thicknesses or gage and hardness levels also known as malleability. Wire gages range from 6 gage to 28 gage with 28 being the thinnest; which is about the thickness of human hair.
Hardness levels range from Dead Soft (DS) to Soft, Half Hard (HH) to Hard. Soft and Half Hard are used more often because it’s easiest to work with. Dead-Soft wire does not hold its shape well when used for wide looping or elaborate designs so I stay away from it for this reason.
I use Half-Hard and Hard Sterling Silver Round wire for 99.9% of my work with the majority falling between 18 and 24 gage wires. I simply prefer round wire and it happens to be the easiest to obtain. Half-Hard and Hard wire is difficult to work because it is hard to bend and requires a strong hand and tools. The wire nicks or damages easily as well because you must firmly clamp down on it to get the wire to bend correctly. However, I still prefer HH and Hard wire because once it’s bent , it’s done, and will usually not get damaged through wear and tear. Durable is the word I’d use. These pieces should last for generations and even become heirlooms.
- Earrings: I use 22 to 24 gage sterling wire.
- Pendants: I prefer 18 and 20 gage sterling wire.
New wire wrap artists and beading enthusiasts may want to practice with copper wire. Not the multi-strand wire you buy for speakers or lamp cords, but electrical wire like the type used for light load household use. These wires can be purchased at major hardware or building supply stores. A 12 to 18 gage *ROMEX works well and is a common brand of 3-conductor (3-wire) solid copper wire that comes in various gages and is sheathed with white or black plastic. The profile is a flat oval due to the 3 wires inside. Simply stripe away the outer insulation as well as the insulation around the wire inside. Each inner wire is insulated with black, white and green , and one wire may not be insulated at all. A non insulated copper wire inside the outer sheath is the ground wire and will not need to be striped; which can save you time.
*Romex is a brand name and copyright is held by the Romex company. This is not an endorsement, merely a guide.
Sterling Silver and Copper wire can become tarnished over time; keep its luster by storing in plastics bags. This is a nice way to keep your wire shiny or to preserve the luster for a longer period coiled up in a plastic bag. The kind with a tight seal , or zipper style works well; just press out as much air as possible before you seal it. Air is the culprit of oxidation, removing the air keeps you and your wire happy for a longer time!
The wire I use for Pendants spans the gamut and depends on the size and shape of stone or other material that I am wrapping. But I mostly use 18 and 20 gage wire for pendants since I prefer a specific size, shape, and stone or bead type.
Hope this tid-bit of info helps you.
Happy Wrapping!
Raymond Ihrig
http://www.jewelrywirewrap.com/index.htm
How to wire wrap crystal points tutorial
http://www.jewelrywirewrap.com/Tips/Wire%20Wrap%20Instructions.pdf
1 comment November 12, 2008
How to make hoop earrings
Check out this great tutorial from Elizabeth Scott of Esdesignsjewelry.com
ES Designs » how to make sterling silver hand-forged hoop earrings – tutorial
Add comment September 23, 2008
How to make european pattern 4-1 chainmail
Add comment April 6, 2008
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