Starting out with Wirework - Organizing Your Wire
I'm convinced there are 2 types of artists:
Neat and Tidy
Messyheads
I fall into the Messyhead category, so organizing my studio and supplies is like eating raw liver...seriously that painful!
I'm not sure if you can relate or if you fall into the N&T category (lucky you). One of the benefits of starting out in jewelry making is that you can get a handle on organizing before acquiring massive tools and supplies (which you will, trust me).
Neat and Tidy
Messyheads
I fall into the Messyhead category, so organizing my studio and supplies is like eating raw liver...seriously that painful!
I'm not sure if you can relate or if you fall into the N&T category (lucky you). One of the benefits of starting out in jewelry making is that you can get a handle on organizing before acquiring massive tools and supplies (which you will, trust me).
Instructions
When you purchase wire, it can come on a plastic spool or in a coil. The plastic spool will have a label identifying the wire gauge, item number and other type of information which can be handy when reordering. This is already organized for you and easy to identify. The coils of wire come in a plastic bag or sleeve and have the label affixed on the bag but not on the actual wire. Seems like no big deal until you have dozens of these coils, start losing their bags and they all look the same. The gauge guessing game only works so long!
So, here's a tip for labeling your wire coils. Save those plastic tabs that come on bread bags. Using a permanent marker, write the wire gauge number on the tab, take a piece of masking tape and adhere it to the tab. Then wrap the masking tape around the wire end. You can also write any other wire descriptions on the tab back as well. Reuse this tab over and over again and it won't mar the wire or cause any wire to be cut off before using. You also won't waste time trying to get the end of the tape off the wire (you KNOW how frustrating that is). You can then hang all the coils on the wall or put them in a drawer and have no worries about confusion.
Take the few minutes to do this every time you receive a wire order and you won't be sorry!
Creatively,
Kristal
Creatively,
Kristal
Materials
20 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $3.39
- Gold Club Price: $2.54
24 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-24D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $1.24
- Gold Club Price: $0.93
18 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-18D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $4.93
- Gold Club Price: $3.70
16 Gauge Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-16D
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $8.35
- Gold Club Price: $6.26
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
Supply Detail
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Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Storage
- Technique(s): Storage
Kristal Wick
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