Is Work-Hardened Half Hard Wire, Hard Enough
Question:
Hi Dale, I just made a wire bangle bracelet out of square half hard wire. How do I harden it to retain its shape? I'm new at this and don't have a clue! Thanks.
-Lisa in Beaverton, Oregon
Hi Dale, I just made a wire bangle bracelet out of square half hard wire. How do I harden it to retain its shape? I'm new at this and don't have a clue! Thanks.
-Lisa in Beaverton, Oregon
Instructions
Answer:
Congratulations Lisa! You have just made an heirloom piece of jewelry.
It has been my experience that when a bangle bracelet is created from square half hard wire, there is no need to find additional ways to harden it. As you wrapped the wire bundle, the wrap wires hardened, which will keep the main construction firmly together. After finishing the bundle, while you shaped the bracelet around either a found item or a mandrel, the base wires were hardening. Bouncing the clasp ends toward one another helps to further harden the formed shape. Most wire artists make their bracelets in the same oval shape as a human arm. In this manner, when the finished piece is worn, it shouldn't spin around easily, which could cause the bracelet to lose its shape.
Of course there are some folks who like to play it safe by putting their finished jewelry into a tumbler with a bit of burnishing compound or Dawn dish detergent and mixed steel shot to get a final shine and further harden their finished creation. The choice is yours!
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Congratulations Lisa! You have just made an heirloom piece of jewelry.
It has been my experience that when a bangle bracelet is created from square half hard wire, there is no need to find additional ways to harden it. As you wrapped the wire bundle, the wrap wires hardened, which will keep the main construction firmly together. After finishing the bundle, while you shaped the bracelet around either a found item or a mandrel, the base wires were hardening. Bouncing the clasp ends toward one another helps to further harden the formed shape. Most wire artists make their bracelets in the same oval shape as a human arm. In this manner, when the finished piece is worn, it shouldn't spin around easily, which could cause the bracelet to lose its shape.
Of course there are some folks who like to play it safe by putting their finished jewelry into a tumbler with a bit of burnishing compound or Dawn dish detergent and mixed steel shot to get a final shine and further harden their finished creation. The choice is yours!
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
Entire Beginner Series with Bonus DVDs
DVD-BEGset
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $244.65
- Gold Club Price: $183.49
Wire
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
Premium Steel Bracelet Mandrel - Oval
MAN-217.00
- MAN-217.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $42.97
- Gold Club Price: $32.23
Medium Rawhide Hammer 1 1/4 inch - Pack of 1
G3-7
- G3-7
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $32.95
- Gold Club Price: $24.71
WireJewelry Single Barrel Rotary Tumbler, Jewelry and Metal Polishing Kit, Includes 1 Pound of Jewelers Mix Shot and 8 Ounces of Shinebrite Burnishing Compound (2021 Version)
G24-1V2-KITSS
- G24-1V2-KITSS
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $159.93
- Gold Club Price: $119.95
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Wrapping, General Education
Dale Armstrong
Other Tips by Dale Armstrong
Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
All About Soft Wire
Chain Lavaliere
Wire Metal Substitutions
Glue for Finishing Cords
My Fingers Hurt
Taming the Wild Wire Bundle
Making Matching Freeform Earrings
What is My Wire's Circumference
Testing True Ivory
Is My Coral Real
Wrapping Tiny Cabs
Finished Leather Cord
Prevent Scratches on Cabochons
Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips
Purity and Sensitivity with Argentium Silver
Wrapping Coins for Jewelry
Wrapping a Large Pearl Ring
Perfect Chain for Wire Jewelry
How Do I Keep Square Wire From Twisting When Wrapping
Wire Temper by Number
Will Liver of Sulfur Harm Lampwork Beads
Forging Copper Wire
Insurance for Art and Craft Shows
Wire Temper for Ear Pins
Wire Size for Wrapping a Cabochon
Can I Use the Copper Wire From Electrical Wire
Wire Jewelry for a Home Party
What is a Juried Craft Show
Wire Wrap Ideas for Beginners
What is the Difference Between Different Plated Jewelry
Wrapping Pearls onto a Hair Grip
Formulas for Pricing Jewelry and Selling Jewelry- Boutique Markup
White Gold in Wire Jewelry
What is White Gold
How to Clean and Repair Ivory Jewelry
Twisted Wire Tips
Forging Wire
Gemstone Ratings Explained
Finishing a Cabochon Frame
Making Tiny Headpins Larger
Sorting and Using Scrap Wire
Silver and Nickel in Ear Wires
Options for Practice Wire
Help with Pricing Wire Jewelry
Flush Cutters vs. Side Cutters
Wrapping Small Gemstones
Argentium Silver Care
Proper Care of Pearls and Opals
Wire Wrapping Stones with No Holes
Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges
Learning How to Sell Jewelry
Seashell Jewelry with an Underwater Finish
Anodized Aluminum and Chipping
Rock Tumbling 101
Home Jewelry Show Inventory
Wire Wrapping Term - To Show
Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers
What is Niobium Wire
Can Lindstrom Cutters be Repaired
Trillion Ring Designs
Copper Hat Pins
Making Wire Jewelry from Patterns, and Copyright
Removing Nicks and Scratches
Pricing Jewelry Made with Gold Wire
How to Polish Apache Tears
Which Wire Should I Use to Make My First Bracelet
Working with Small Jump Rings
Repairing a Bead Wire
What is Silicon Carbide Cloth
Mixing Sterling Silver and Argentium
Wrapping a Pear-Shaped Cut Stone
Wrapping a Rectangle Cab
Oxidizing Sterling Silver
What to Use in Jewelry Tumbler
Wire Gauge for Hoop Earrings
Using a Ring Mandrel
Protecting Copper from Tarnishing
Resizing a Shank with Wire
Setting Stones in Jewelry
Bending Pattern Wire
Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles
Enlarging Holes in Gemstones
Best Way to Make Jump Rings
Removing Marker from Jewelry Wire
Wire Size for Earrings
Where to Place Wraps on Free-Form Pieces
How Do I Find Shows in My Area
Master Wire Gauges with Draw Plates and Draw Plate Tips
Holding Bundles of Wire Straight
Twisting Wire Evenly
Why Use a Designer's Notebook
Embossing Hammers and Wire Texture
Making a Bracelet with Prong Set Stones
What are Cold Connections
Supply Lists for Wire Jewelry DVDs
Patina Silver-Plated Wire
Prevent and Remove Verdigris
What Are Some Better Selling Beginner Items
Removing Glue from Dichroic Glass
One Jump Ring Gauge to Rule Them All
Adjusting Jewelry Prices with the Metal Market
Making Wire Jewelry for Men
Determining Carat Weight
Building on Snake Style Chain
How to Keep Stainless Shot Free of Residue
Crochet Wire Designs
Heating Porcelain Cameos
Storing Your Jewelry
How to Win Awards for Jewelry Design
Wrapping Small Stones
Tips for Working with 18G Wire
Organizing Beads for Easy Jewelry Making
What Is a Cabochon
The Best Wire Temper for Rings
Making Wire Jewelry with Crystals
When to Use Flat Nose Prong Making Pliers
Measuring for a Bracelet
What Chain Sizes Are Best
Pharaoh Ring Wires
How to Wrap a Broken Cabochon
How Do You Use Memory Wire
Organizing Jewelry Wire
Starting Position of Wrap for Ring Shanks
Faceted Gemstone Terms
What is the Average Size for Bracelets
Red Rouge
Rosary Links and Wire Temper
Jewelers' Saws and Jump Rings
Wrapping Cabochons
What is Rolled Gold Wire
Traditional Gemstone Pendant Wrapping
Flattening Wire with Hammers
Foolproof Jump Ring Closures
How to Use a Wire Gauge
Jazz up Your Jewelry
Optivisor Distance and Magnification
Photographing Your Wire Jewelry
Prong-Setting Ideas for a Cut Stone
Sterling Silver and Fresh Water Pearls
Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
Wire Jewelry Tool Care
How to Set Stones into Earring Snapsets
Make a Finished Ribbon Necklace
Sell or Display Valued Stones
Cleaning Sterling with Baking Soda
Purple Turquoise and Turquoise Facts
Irradiated Quartz Necklace
Removing Rust Without Damaging Tools
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart