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Daily Wire Tip May 31: What Chain Sizes Are Best?

By on May 31, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
May 31, 2010

Question:

Dale is it possible to have you tell me, when making pendants or working with beaded necklaces, what chain sizes are the best sizes? Do you go by the size of the bead or just sort of match up what you think is best for the styles?

Answer:

Seriously, ‘been there, done that’ fully describes my experiences with having chains for my pieces, either providing them as an ‘add on’ sale or including them with a purchase. There are so many different styles of links and clasps, lengths, and metals available that even if you were to have a monster supply, you probably would not have what some customers would prefer. In my opinion, we are wire jewelry artists who create and sell wired pieces, not manufactured chains and with the exceptions to follow, neither my personal students nor I sell anything we do not make ourselves (which BTW is the focus of many juried shows). The few exceptions are offering an organza ribbon or silk, suede or rayon cord (either offered with a pendant or sold separately) to provide instant gratification to the customer; to whom the versatility of a piece is mentioned, as an item can also be worn on their favorite chain, causing the piece to become more affordable because it can be worn either casually or more formal.

Of course the best (and most affordable) way to offer your work or to add a sale is to make your own necklace options such as a Finished Ribbon or Cord, or a Simple Wire Collar and sell your work ‘with/on your work’. To find a variety of cord options, conduct an Internet search for ‘necklace cord’. To read another discussion on this subject: Where Can I Find Gold Chains?. Always keep in mind that ‘versatility=affordability’.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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One Comment

  1. avatar

    Jeanne

    February 11, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    I agree I have a few necklaces of different widths to display some pendants. I put similar pendants around it. I use 14 or 16 inches because they’re less expensive and are not designed to be sold. If someone requests to buy the necklace with a pendant, then I will sell it.