nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
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Post by nancyid on Feb 6, 2009 11:26:31 GMT -5
First I have to say you all are creating beautiful stuff! made me want to try it. I'm usually pretty good at this sort of thing but . . . I can not do it! I got some cheap wire from Micheal's to try it out. I failed badly. I may have to go back to my original idea of PMC. I was also trying it on odd shaped, small stones from my first tumble.
Question: IF I wanted to ever get good wire ;D, can any explain to me how much I get in length, approximately from a "pennyweight" ? I noticed that that seems to be the way it is sold?
You guys have my deepest respect to be so good at wrapping.
Nancy
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Post by akansan on Feb 6, 2009 14:49:53 GMT -5
Hi Nancy - First, it might not have been you! The wire from Michael's doesn't behave the same as "real" wire. It kinks easier, it's harder to straighten...
If you really want to give it a try, I'd suggest picking up some square copper wire. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes it! One place to get the copper wire is Brandywine Jewelry Supply.
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Feb 6, 2009 15:15:41 GMT -5
Don't give up now! Throw that cheap wire away and take Ronda's advice! Copper is great to learn with and using square wire will make it that much easier.
I don't know from "Pennyweight" but you should be able to find wire sold in 5' lengths or longer.
Good luck! Dan
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Post by sitnwrap on Feb 6, 2009 22:02:38 GMT -5
Nancy, you did not fail, you practiced . Get that copper wire but also, just play with it a while, twisting and bending it. Wire sometimes has a mind of it's own. If you are usually good at this kind of thing then you will do fine. Maybe I should dig out my firsts, you'll see wrappers all start the same way, all twisted up ;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2009 22:06:46 GMT -5
Nancy, My first wrap was with cheap craft wire. I made it for my daughter. It was hideous. Even my husband had a hard time covering his real thoughts on it when I first showed it to him. LOL You know.........long pause.........then he says "oh....thats nice". Ive tried to make my daughter give it back so that I can redo it but nooooo, she says its special because it was mom's first one. Hmmm, maybe I can sneak in her room when she isnt here. My point being, do not give up!!! You will improve by leaps and bounds with each and every one. Shannon
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Post by frane on Feb 7, 2009 8:32:17 GMT -5
My first attempts were so bad the stones were cut free and had to be redone. I was using the craft wire from Wal Mart. I couldn't get the craft wire from Micheal's to work for me at all! I then ordered the copper wire and it is so much easier to work with! You will get there, just keep on trying. Fran
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nancyid
has rocks in the head
No stone goes unturned.
Member since January 2009
Posts: 563
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Post by nancyid on Feb 7, 2009 11:24:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight and encouragement everyone! I checked out the Brandywine supplier and looks like my kind of place. Thank you Ronda. Looks like great prices even on the silver and gold. I'll be placing an order today for copper and even some silver since the prices are lookin good I was surprised that Micheal's didn't have "real" stuff considering the inventory on beading and jewlery. Not my favorite place anyway ,LOL. Nancy
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Post by Tweetiepy on Feb 7, 2009 12:55:52 GMT -5
round wire is much harder to work with that square & half round for the bindings - craft wire would be good to practice on if you could get it in square - I also suggest soft wire to start, half hard is difficult to work with when you,re not used to manipulating it.
some craft wire wraps are nice but do the same in the better wire and you can see the difference (You'll get less "threw-it-across-the-room-into-the-corner" marks on the wrap with the better wire.
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Post by Bejewelme on Feb 7, 2009 13:18:10 GMT -5
Nancy: I am with you, me and wire just do not get along!!! It usually ends up across the room!
These people didn't tell you that they are freaks from another planet, they have 16 fingers and 10x mag vision!!! That is why they are so good!!!
It might help to try to find a class nearby that offers lessons. Tony and I did that, thinking I would wrap and he could cab, only I can't wrap and get really ticked trying! But he picked it up right away. I think you got good advice to get the better wire and just start out practicing wrapping bindings, and bends on little pieces to help get the feel for it!
And get some nice tools that feel good in your hand, good tools are worth it with wire wrapping!
Good luck!! Amber
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hkswrapsody
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 109
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Post by hkswrapsody on Feb 7, 2009 19:59:13 GMT -5
Hi, my first attempts with cheap wire were a dismal failure. Follow the advice above and start with square and half round wire. Twenty gauge is a good general gauge to start with which will accommodate most of your projects.
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Post by akansan on Feb 8, 2009 19:02:55 GMT -5
I agree with Tweety - once you've got wrapping down, you can use just about any type of wire. But learning on the stuff can be a defeat in practice! Taking a class if there's one nearby can greatly speed up the process, especially if it's with a good teacher.
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Post by mohs on Feb 8, 2009 21:43:19 GMT -5
Those are some informative comments! I'm real interested in trying. But like said before: I get 2 ==== wires==== going in computer hardware & I get really confused/ Heck walking & chewing gum at the same time is a problem
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