When you choose a project one of the most im****tant decisions to make
is what size of
wire you are going to use for that particular project. You will also
need to decide what hardness of wire will work best. There are mainly
three types of hardness to choose from. Which type is selected is
primarily based on what part of the piece it will be used on, such as
the clasp, connector, or jump ring. You may find the need to use a
mixture of hardness in the same piece of jewelry. Thus, it is crucial
to understand the differences and how each type works best.
The hardness of the wire will be related to silver or gold-filled
wire. Once you have gained experience, more than likely you will move
on to wires that fall in this category. You now will need to select
the wire that best fits your needs by size, type, and hardness. The
three degrees of hardness are dead soft, half-hard, and full-hard.
Part of the process of making wire includes the wire being pulled
through a tool the diameter of the wire. The more times it is pulled,
the harder it will be. Being familiar with the use for each type is
im****tant to the jewelry artist.
The first type of hardness is called Dead Soft. This type of wire is
easy to work with because it is soft. It is also easy to locate.
Jewelry artists who work on wire sculptures normally work with this
type of wire.
The next type of hardness is Half-Hard. This wire is harder than dead-
soft. It is strong yet it is still easy to bend into desired shapes.
This type of wire is used for many purposes including earrings,
bracelets, and necklaces. It can add an extra interest to any piece.
The final type of hardness is Full-Hard. This type of wire is used by
jewelry artists who do not want to solder pieces together. They hold
their shape nicely when wrapped. This eliminates the need to be
soldered.
There are many qualities to think about when selecting the type of
wire to use. Another one to remember is the shape of the wire. You
will see a variety of shapes including round, half round, and square.
It is very easy to create a different look of your jewelry just by
merely changing the wire you use. Before proceeding with a
substitution of your wire type, make sure you consider what part it
will play in your new piece of jewelry.
Amy
The Painted House and More
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
www.picturetrail.com/photos/aressa
614-530-0219
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