Colour Coated Copper Wire: What are the options?

by Poonam.
(Virginia USA)

 I am new to jewellery making… In the experimenting phase really.
I’m having a tough time figuring out my wires and I don’t want to buy the more expensive precious metal wires as yet.

I want to make mainly earrings , ear wire designs but I don’t know which metal is best to use. I bought aluminum. It’s too soft. Colour coated copper I can’t seem to find in different hardness levels.

Does it only come in dead soft?

I also want to try out some hammering and small bent designs and so on. I’m becoming quite frustrated and I’ve only just started. But I do not want to give up. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Poonam