Wire Jewelry Tips Of The Week January 4Th-10Th
Question:
I’m so new to wire that I don’t even know what “pattern” wire is or what one would use it for. Could you clarify this for me?
Answer:
Pattern wire is made by using a rolling mill to produce thinner and textured metal sheet and/or wire. The metal/wire is inserted into the mill and as it is rolled through two wheels (one or both of which have a pattern on them) the pattern is embossed into the metal/wire. Most studio jewelers use a hand-cranked mill and refineries use an automated one. To view samples of gold-filled pattern wire: http://wire-sculpture.com/gold-pattern-wire-1.html View samples of sterling silver pattern wire: http://wire-sculpture.com/silver-pattern-wire-1.html
Question:
If Argentium tarnishes to pale blond, how does one remove the tarnish? Can a regular anti tarnish cloth be used?
Answer:
The light and rarely occurring tarnish that appears on argentium silver can easily be removed with just a piece of lint free cloth such as a piece of clean tee-shirt. Any polishing cloth will work just fine as well.
Question:
In one of the recent “Tips of the Day” you mentioned “a frame bundle to make a cabochon pendant” when answering a question about pattern wire. What is a frame bundle?
Answer:
What I often refer to as a ‘frame bundle’ is the group of wires organized and then wrapped together before forming into a setting that goes around or ‘frames’ a cabochon or gemstone pendant made with wire.
Question:
What is a 7 prong, or any prong for that matter, bell cap used for?
Answer:
As a child, my mom taught my brother and me to tumble rocks, and then to make ‘rockhound’ jewelry. These pieces were made by gluing bell caps to the tumble polished stones and then attaching these stone charms to base metal, chain bracelets or key chains and were proudly given as holiday gifts to family members.
Bell caps are generally made of a base metal (sometimes plated) and are in the shape of a baseball cap or a cone head. They have several prongs (which can be shaped as scallops, petals or spikes) that can be bent as needed to fit over the top of an item (such as a tumbled stone) and are then glued to whatever, forming a charm. See a photo here: http://wire-sculpture.com/silver-plated-bell-caps/10mm_Silver_Plated_Bell_Cap_Pack_of_5-2727-161.html
Question:
I am making the gemstone bracelet. Preston had a figure 8 that he used in the video, how do I make one ?
Answer:
We have a video tutorial showing exactly how to make a Figure 8 component. Sherrie teaches you how here: http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-blog/?cat=274 Scroll down to the last video tutorial on the page for this particular one and while doing so, check out all of our other free video tutorials too!
Question:
How does one keep stainless steel shot, used for tumbling a piece, free of black oxides that build up and can impart a dark residue to silver?
Answer:
First let me say that if you use a tumbler to work-harden and clean your jewelry pieces, that you should never mix metals in the same tumbling batch. Each batch needs to be one pure metal such as all copper or all silver or all brass (this means no mixed metal pieces such as one made with silver and copper, etc.) Stainless steel shot needs to be cleaned between each and every run.
Now let’s look at a few reasons why the shot turns black. When using a new rubber barrel (even if you cleaned it well before the first use) until it is ‘broken in’, often the rubber on the inside comes off during the first 3 or 4 runs, leaving an undesirable coating on both the shot and your jewelry (especially if it is one of the inexpensive barrels, in my personal opinion, Lortone is best). If you were running a batch that included mixed metals, copper and brass will tumble off a bit of residue that will adhere to all of the material in the batch, including the shot. If you used a dish detergent with a citrus additive like ‘lemon fresh’ or something, the citrus will turn all of the metal black. If you use city water, check to see if it contains additives that could be reacting with your metals and if so, use purchased water in a jug.
Now here are a couple of methods to clean the shot. 1. Make a thick mixture of backing soda and water and run it with the shot for 2 or 3 hours; remove the shot, rinse everything clear and if still blackened a bit, repeat. 2. Run the shot in clear water with a good dose of pure (no citrus) Dawn dishwashing detergent with grease cutter. Using fresh water each time, repeat either cleaning method chosen, as many times as necessary to get rid of the collected grime.
Question:
What type of tumbler (vibratory or rotary) is best for tumbling finished wirework jewelry to remove any small nicks or scratches on the wire? What is the best media to use in either type of tumbler?
Answer:
We have a great new article with comparisons of both tumbler types as well as tips about how to tumble your jewelry pieces here: http://wire-sculpture.com/wire-jewelry-artists/269/tumbling-your-jewelry
