Comments on: The Wire Which Wouldn’t Wrap https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/ free jewelry tutorials, plus a friendly community sharing creative ideas for making and selling jewelry. Tue, 22 May 2018 12:52:16 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.15 By: Margaret https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-593361 Tue, 22 May 2018 12:52:16 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-593361 Parawire. I’ve always been happy with the wire I’ve gotten from them. They have even very patiently sent me samples of wire when I haven’t been sure about this or that wire.

]]> By: Diane https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-473890 Wed, 07 Sep 2016 21:07:04 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-473890 I recently bought Parawire because I was trying to do different color wire in Viking knit. I had a big issue with their coral colored wire flaking off as I was working with it so contacted them. The customer service representative was great and in the end sent me new wire which unfortunately had the same issue with flaking. She also sent me another color to try which wasn’t as bad but still flaked. I am going to try to stick to the brass, silver, and copper wire from now on but may use the colored wire for other projects although I don’t have any in mind right now.

]]> By: marlene https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-434663 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 11:29:34 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-434663 Plated and coated wire will flake, peel, wear away with time. I don’t care what brand you use. It is the nature of the beast. I use brass, bronze(phospor), and silver filled and silver. Silver filled should last for a good period of time, just get the one with a brass core not copper. I have seen rings that were made of silver coated wire that wore away in spots leaving a two toned effect, not what you want for your customer or your reputation.

]]> By: Autumn https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-425272 Fri, 01 Jan 2016 23:53:21 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-425272 When I was using plated/colored wire, I used Darice and Beadalon/Artistic Wire. I stopped using Darice after I bought several bad (tarnished/pitted) spools. The company replaced my purchases free of charge, but the plating started flaking off…and I went exclusively to Beadalon/Artistic Wire. I no longer use plated wire, but the items I made years ago with the Beadalon German silver wire look brand new. Beadalon offers anti-tarnish coating on their wires, which may start to flake depending on how much pressure you put on the wire. As with any plated wire, it’s horribly easy to chip.

The whole mess is why I finally went to using bare bronze and copper, along with stainless.

]]> By: Lisa https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-406387 Fri, 11 Sep 2015 08:28:39 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-406387 Oh my. Haven’t been so well lately, and I return to find I have all kinds of help and comments. Thank you so very kindly, folks. I am looking at all those other options suggested. Right now I am anxiously awaiting samples from Parawire. Gratefully the Bronze and Antique Copper I have from The Beadsmith both wrap with no flaking, peeling, or bad spots…so I am able to make some pieces since show season starts next weekend…however I REALLY need that silver color for moons and clouds.

I gather I was lucky from what I hear, to have had it work so well these last few years. Oh if only I had the money and foresight to buy up every spool they had at the time before they went bad.

I recently, tragically wrapped a very detailed hot air balloon and basket with the gold stuff only to realize the last section of the balloon peeled terribly.

I am so sorry to hear so many have had issues, but I am pleased if this helped anyone else find answers as I have.

]]> By: Molly Jaber https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-406368 Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:54:20 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-406368 I also buy from Unkamen and they are great. They also carry Artistic wire, I believe. What I really like about them is that they have so many types of wire in every gage, from sterling silver to different colors of brass. Also, I can get wire that doesn`t have that “anti-tarnish ” coating on it that peels off when you hammer it.

]]> By: Alexandra Marshall https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404899 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:49:54 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404899 I strongly recommend Softflex Craft Wire. It has a nice silver finish and a realistic gold finish, as well as an easy to use temper. Available from numerous suppliers, I always purchase mine from Lima Beads as I have had issues with irregular color of the gold wire from other vendors, and Lima seems to exercise very good quality control.

]]> By: Susan https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404837 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 04:22:19 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404837 This late spring I order various gauges of gold plated artistic wire off eBay. Only my 26 gauge has peel and flake. I assume it’s a bad batch or seconds.I made a beautiful gold plated wire woven bracelet and recently sold it to a dear friend’s sister and I hope it does not peel. I think I may order from a more reliable source next time. I have not had any problems with my rose gold artistic wires yet.

]]> By: Lyone https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404834 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 04:05:13 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404834 I have often had problems with plated wire and plated findings flaking off. All brands.

]]> By: H Rose Drummond https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404781 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:08:55 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404781 I had a problem with artistic wire flaking in larger sizes-now use Parawire with no peeling or flaking.

]]> By: Cheryl https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404783 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:14:22 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404783 I have trouble with silver filled wire and sheets. I will not use them again. I too will try Unkamen. Thanks for bringing up this issue.

]]> By: Nadine Ocker https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404664 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 14:43:02 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404664 So glad you asked this question. I have had problems with the coating flaking off, too…and I couldn’t remember which brand it was that caused the problem. I have been using Artistic wire and not had any issues. I had wondered if you could tumble it or not, so am going to give that a try. I order from Amazon, but will now have to check out their website.

]]> By: Deb Fortin https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404619 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:06:40 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404619 I have used Artistic wire almost exclusively for 8 years or so, and have not had any issues with any of the colours. I also hammer and tumble this wire without issue. I have used parawire as well and it is a good alternate. I avoid Zebra wire and bead smithor other craft wire as I don’t like the colour of the silver and they can flake with over bending.

]]> By: Tammie https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-404604 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:30:23 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-404604 I have also ordered from Unkamen Supplies and highly recommend them.
You can also order directly from Artistic Wire artisticwire.com and Parawire is pretty good too in a pinch.

]]> By: Lisa https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-402586 Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:58:08 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-402586 Thank you Shelly, I will try that.

]]> By: Shelly Cardwell https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/the-wire-which-wouldnt-wrap/#comment-401809 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 06:04:42 +0000 http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/?p=40738#comment-401809 Try Unkamen supplies on etsy. He is hands down the wire guy. And knows any and all about it.

]]>