Comments on: How Do I Hide My Wire?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 20:08:59 +0000

Hi Jess, I am wondering what jewelry findings I can use that stay bright, shiny and do not tarnish? I know there is a lot out there about putting things in airtight bags etc… but was hoping there was a miracle metal to work with? Thanks

By: dawn

dawn — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:52:58 +0000

Jess — If I am doing a sterling silver or gold filled, rose-gold etc., I use a cone to finish the necklace or bracelet. It is worth the extra money to not have ANY beading wire showing. But, you can also use pewter cones for less expense bead necklaces.

I’m going to try to explain the process–hopefully it will make sense. I cut a piece of wire the same finish as the clasp about 3 inches, make a wired loop out of one end. I then put the beading wire through a crimp, then through the wired loop and back through the crimp, snug the beads up to the crimp but not too tight and crimp securely. Then take the other part of the wire, pull it through the appropriate size cone, then wire-wrap it to the clasp or to a jump ring which then attaches to the clasp. This makes a nice finished necklace or bracelet. I even use that technique for earrings if I want to use beading wire for a softer look. Hope this helps. Have fun!

By: Ellie

Ellie — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 23:54:32 +0000

Hi Jess
If you go to FireMountain beads online they have several good tutorials, videos, on how to use French wire, and Screw Tite crimp covers, these are very expensive yet excellent products to totally hide your wires.
Good luck in your selling
Ellie

By: Val

Val — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:12:11 +0000

Hi Jess, I agree with the suggestions above. One thing I would add is trying colored wire. Soft Flex and Accu-Flex come in a variety of color finishes to match your work. It may lead to a more polished finish piece.

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:50:03 +0000

Hi, Jess. I had that dilemma too, and I have a devil of a time with crimp covers–closing them carefully without any dents. Anyway…what I do when I want a polished, professional look is use clamshells. They are like a little pod that opens so you can feed your wire/thread through it, then close it and there is a rounded loop on the other end to hook onto a jump ring or clasp. If you have 2 strands of wire or thread, just feed them through the hole and tie a surgeons knot and add a drop of glue before you trim the ends. If you have only one strand, feed it through the hole and through a tiny bead, like a size 15 seed bead, then loop it back around the bead and go through again. Then add a drop of glue to the bead with the wire through it and trim the wire. Takes a bit of practice when there is only one strand of wire, but once you get it, it is easy.

By: sandi

sandi — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:12:32 +0000

As stated above, the bullion is the only thing you can use to 100% hide the beading wire that loops through a jump ring such as the end of a clasp. Then a crimp cover will hide the crimp tube itself.
Does this shop carry other jewelry designers’ work – how are their pieces finished? Just a personal comment, if you’re selling to a high end shop, at presumably higher prices, you may want to consider using SoftFlex. It is the product used by professional designers and much better product than the other company. Good luck!

By: Nancy n

Nancy n — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:18:32 +0000

Look up how to use French bullion wire, it has a nicer look than the wire guardians and serves the same purpose. The crimp covers are great for covering the crimp beads.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 23:38:43 +0000

I’ve always had a problem with crimp covers or threading the wore back through, as was suggested above. If you have the same problem, I would suggest finding larger hole beads that will slip over the crimp once you’ve finished the strand. Then you can secure it to the chain or findings with a jump ring.

By: Pegi Ione

Pegi Ione — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:51:17 +0000

Hi Jess! First-good job selling to a high end store! I’m an instructor and I too use crimp covers like Ramona. I also cut my beading wire longer than I’ll need and then after the crimping etc I thread the extra tail back thru the design about an inch or so (doesn’t work w/ all designs of course) and then flush cut the wire. It will usually-almost always- then pull itself up into the nearest bead and hide there.

By: Ramona

Ramona — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:37:51 +0000

Jess, Hi. Have you tried crimp covers? They come in different metals, and can be added even after the jewelry piece is finished. You can get them at most any jewelry findings supplier.