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Daily Wire Tip Oct. 4: 28-Gauge Wire Project Ideas

By on October 3, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 4, 2011

Question:

I have 28-gauge wire in various colors. I was going to use them for bobbin lace, but it is too big for that. I had to use 30-gauge. Can I ply a few strands by twisting say 3 or 4 or 5, and be able to use the result for making jewelry?

-Marj in San Jose, California

Answer:

Hello Marj, there are several jewelry items that can be made using 28-gauge wire. Many folks (including Faculty member Lena Bugrimenko) use it to make crocheted jewelry like bracelets and necklaces. Small, soft, round wire is also the favorite product for coiling and weaving wire jewelry designs like those taught by WS Faculty member Albina Manning in her Coiling and Weaving DVD series! (Once you learn how much fun and easy it is to coil wire, you will find that you may not have enough 28-gauge wire!) Your 28-gauge wire can also be used to “string” natural and cultured pearls (that is, if you don’t have our large-hole freshwater pearls) and it will make a beautiful Viking Knit chain!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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7 Comments

  1. avatar

    Robin Burns

    October 4, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    About using two or more strands of small wire twisted together to make a larger gauge: I’ve done that with pretty good success using 2 strands of 24 gauge to make a 20 gauge length of wire. It looks very interesting with the twist, similar to twisted square wire! My instinct for using more than 2 is this might cause problems, kind of like steel cable that tends to break one or more strands that would poke you. You’d need a wire gauge to determine exactly what size wire you end up with.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      October 4, 2011 at 2:34 pm

      Yes Robin, you surmise correctly. Several strands of smaller wire can be twisted together to make a more bulky wire, but as you add more individual wires to the mix, you also will need longer lengths due to the amount taken up as they wind around one another. This does make an interesting “cable” styled wire that can be used for many different projects, however it can be difficult to “finish” the ends attractively and securely. If you try it, would you let us know your results? Thanks!!

  2. avatar

    beverly

    October 4, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Yes it can be done Marj, Dale and Robin, and the results are amazing. I took 26g gf and used the kumihimo disk to make a braid similar to the viking knit and have finished the ends with individual stones strung and each wire and then wrapped back upon itself with cones at the ends. If I knew how to send the results to you Dale I would gladly share with everyone. I wrapped a gorgeous agate in gf that begged for a unique way of showing it off and this is what I came up with. I love the kumihimo braiding and have been having loads of fun experimenting with it. Try it and see what you can come up with. BeBe az

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      October 4, 2011 at 7:27 pm

      Hi Beverly, I just sent you a private email so you will be able to send me a photo to share with this tip – thanks so much!!
      Dale

  3. avatar

    Tammy

    October 4, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    Hi Marj
    I have made lots of neat designs using that gauge of wire, and I love to coil it. Mostly I have used it to crochet as well, you can get some nice results.

  4. avatar

    Donna Arena

    October 19, 2011 at 9:24 am

    I LOVE this gauge of wire…I order it in bulk to make my “Tree of Life” pendants. When making the tree I twist around a bangle 12 pieces which of course gives you 24 to work with. Twist it up divide in sections of 2,3 or 4 individual strands, twist those and then shape your branches. I received my first wholesale order for my tree’s so I’m knee deep in this gauge of wire now as I also use to coil abound the bangle I use as a base.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      October 19, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      Awesome Donna – congratulations!!