Welcome! Here is where I will try to answer some commonly asked student questions. If I am highlighting or giving advice about where to purchase and what to purchase, it is from my own opinion, use and/or trial of that method or product. I don't get paid or receive gifts for these opinions from anyone or any company. I'm just trying to take care of my students and their questions by sharing real information based on my 13 years of experience.
I will be adding to this, as well as to everywhere on my website, as we go! Thanks for always checking back. Enjoy your wire!
I will be adding to this, as well as to everywhere on my website, as we go! Thanks for always checking back. Enjoy your wire!
Where do I buy large amounts of wire? And how much is a 'large amount'?
If you are doing only one or three projects, it might be to your benefit to just find wire at a local retail beading or hobby supply shop. If however, you're in an area where that's not available or you've decided to take the plunge into creating a lot wire wrapped jewelry, it might be to your benefit then, to purchase wire online, in larger quantities.
RioGrande.com is a great jewelry supply website, it's huge and is where I purchase most of my wire spools. Given, I'm Teacher, so I purchase wire in pounds and Troy ounces at a time, not by the foot. They sell all flavors of wire from copper to gold. They also sell tools, bench gear, etc etc... still, shop around. I don't promise they are the best price for everything, just a great place to get almost anything, for your jewelry bench.
If you're not familiar with wire yet, or are unsure about it... read the All About Wire article from my blog first. Also read around RioGrande.com. Below each wire type are descriptions and details about the wire and the wire spool.
For example, it will tell you how many feet are on the 1 pound copper spool after you pick the wire diameter size you want. Same for Sterling Silver spools, it will tell you how many feet are in the Troy ounce(s), once you pick the wire diameter size.
Have fun! Come back, read more later.
This is the 22g dead soft, copper, square wire we use in class.
www.riogrande.com/product/copper-square-wire-dead-soft/132410gp
This is the 22g dead soft, copper, half round wire we use in class.
www.riogrande.com/product/Copper-Half-Round-Wire-1-Lb-Spool-22-Ga-Dead-Soft/132541
RioGrande.com is a great jewelry supply website, it's huge and is where I purchase most of my wire spools. Given, I'm Teacher, so I purchase wire in pounds and Troy ounces at a time, not by the foot. They sell all flavors of wire from copper to gold. They also sell tools, bench gear, etc etc... still, shop around. I don't promise they are the best price for everything, just a great place to get almost anything, for your jewelry bench.
If you're not familiar with wire yet, or are unsure about it... read the All About Wire article from my blog first. Also read around RioGrande.com. Below each wire type are descriptions and details about the wire and the wire spool.
For example, it will tell you how many feet are on the 1 pound copper spool after you pick the wire diameter size you want. Same for Sterling Silver spools, it will tell you how many feet are in the Troy ounce(s), once you pick the wire diameter size.
Have fun! Come back, read more later.
This is the 22g dead soft, copper, square wire we use in class.
www.riogrande.com/product/copper-square-wire-dead-soft/132410gp
This is the 22g dead soft, copper, half round wire we use in class.
www.riogrande.com/product/Copper-Half-Round-Wire-1-Lb-Spool-22-Ga-Dead-Soft/132541