With the many varieties of beading wire available it is easy for you to become overwhelmed. Silver, gold, coper and brass are some of the finishes and materials available to use. Variations of gold and silver are also available including silver and gold plated, sterling silver and gold filled. Brass, craft wire and copper are most commonly packed in 10 to 40 yard spools, but the more expensive varieties of beading wire are commonly sold by the ounce or foot. Brass and copper are easier to manipulate so along with being a cheaper option are easier to practise with when starting out..
Hardness of beading wire
The wire's malleability or temper is described as it's hardness. Half-hard and dead-soft are the two main categories of sterling silver. Dead-soft is used when you want to bend the wire with your fingers. A slightly stiffer wire which will hold it's shape better is half-hard. Hammering a peice of beading wire will flatten it and make it a more ridgid piece, although you will find that most wires will harden a bit as they are manipulated..
Shape of the Wire
Most types of beading wire are available in various shapes, these include square, triangle, twisted, round and half-round.. The shape you choose will depend on the piece you are making and the style you want.
|The style of peice you want to make will help determine what shape wire you choose.|Choosing the shape of wire required will be easier if you know the type of style you want to have.[/spin]Scale of Wire gauge?
|Wire Gauge Scale[/spin]
The thickness or diameter of the wire is measured by the gauge. Between 12 and 28 are the most common sizes used for wire and bead jewelry making. The lower the gauge number is the bigger the thickness of the wire will be.
Gauge 28
Wires like this or even thinner wires are usually used for applications such as twining and crochet which are delicate. Also your beads, pearls or gemstones have tiny holes then this gauge wire may be the only option.
Gauge 24 - 26
This size wire is sometimes called ultra fine wire.. Beaded flowers, wire wrapping and wire crochet are all uses for this gauge of wire. But is also regularly used with small gemstones and small pearls.
|Along with being regularyly used for small beads, pearls and gemstones.|Alongside beading small gems, pearls and beads.[/spin]
Gauge 20 - 22
This wire is an all-purpose wire and used for many findings such as loops jump rings, head pins and eye pins. This is available in two types, half-hard or dead soft.
16-18 Gauge Wire
The medium thickness of this gauge wire makes it fairly sturdy.. This wire is regularly used to make clasps, large jump rings and chain mail.
|The regular use for this wire is for large jump rings, chain mail and clasps.|Chain mail, clasps and large jump rings are usually made using this gauge wire.[/spin]
Gauge 12 - 14
This wire is only available in the hardness - dead-soft and is best used for wire shapes that are unsupported such as neck wires and bangle bracelets.
For bead supplies in the UK check out our website or visit our blog to see the new beads and findings that we have available!
