WIRE How To
WIRE How To
Tips and Tricks to Wire Up
Wire work (or wirework) is an interesting, diverse, and expanding field. If you are a beginner, it often feels over-whelming. All those terms and jargon. All the things you need to know to be able to tame your wire to do what it is told. Here we hope to bring more and more wire tips, tricks, and how to so that you and your jewelry wire become better friends.
Straighten Wire
Straighten Wire
Tips and Tricks: work hardening wire
The jewelry wire you buy often comes coiled (as in spools). There are times when it is just handy to have a straight piece of wire to work with - like if you were contemplating making some ear wires.
There is a very simple way to straighten wire as well as make them stronger.
1) Uncoil a short length of wire. Grip one end tightly with a flat nose plier. Tip: use pliers with non-serrated jaws so that you don't mark the wire. |
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2) With a second set of pliers, grip a point along the wire - away from the first one. The distance apart should be approximately the length you would like to straighten. Pull both pliers away from each other with some strength. You should feel the wire straightening. This work hardens [definition] the wire. |
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| 3) You should now end up with a usable, strong, straight piece of wire. |  |