Newb ? about buying/making loops

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 10:56:49 -0500, snipped-for-privacy@msn.com wrote (in message ):

And that's almost all you need. You can easily make jump rings by winding wire around a dowel, then using a jeweler's saw (something like a handheld jigsaw) to cut through the coil, making a pile of jump rings. Artists who make chain maille do that all the time.

Of, if you're me and lazy, just buy some Sterling Silver jump rings. Actually, I use split rings almost exclusively, because I give away my jewelry and can't do any soldiering. (That's going to change, though. My FIL is going to teach me.) BTW, I cannot begin to imagine annealing a jump ring. I swivel the things shut and be done with it.

In some cases, I use the fragility of a jump ring as a safety factor. On very long necklaces, I make sure that the jump ring will give way long before the necklace, so the person doesn't get hurt if the necklace gets caught in something. I put a couple into a beaded purse I made for my sister (she wears it when she rides her motorcycle) for the same reason. I make my beaded pieces on either wire or Spectra (which is stronger than steel), and would never want to see anyone get hurt when a necklace caught on a wheel or something.

Kathy N-V

Kathy N-V

Thanks for the response, Kathy.

I'm not concerned about jump rings as much as making rosary-type bead loops. I'm new so not up on the lingo, but if I want a bead (or two) on a wire with a loop at each end, I've been buying eye pins and making the other loop myself. That's expensive (and wasteful) and I'd wondered about using using straight SS wire and snipping and looping to suit. Since these would be for dangles on bracelets and other things (bookmarks) that get banged around quite a bit I wondered about the strength of the wire.

Sorry if I wasn't too clear on my original post. :)

Hera

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 15:54:19 -0500, snipped-for-privacy@msn.com wrote (in message ):

Oh yes, just buy the wire. I don't ever bother buying eye pins. Personally, I buy my wire from monsterslayer, because they are terrific and well priced.

I believe that they'll buy your silver scrap, too.

Kathy N-V

Thanks for the tip on buying the wire (and for the source.) Is there a suggested all-around gauge I should shoot for?

This brings up another point: The jump rings that connect the bars and rings on sterling silver toggles... are those SS too? I'd think they must be otherwise when I buy by gram weight, I'm paying for scrap. I've been saving those, and my snips of head pins et al, and throwing them in a baggie, just because. Thanks for letting me know they're of use to someone!

Hera

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 20:07:46 -0500, snipped-for-privacy@msn.com wrote (in message ):

Depends on what you're using for beads. If you want freshwater pearls on your connectors, then 24 gauge wire is about right. 26 might be too delicate, but if it were used in an earring, you'd have no problem getting through those dinky little FWP holes.

Beads with good sized holes? 22 or 20 would be just fine. I use some larger gauges as well for my budding experiments in wirework, and just ordered some

8 gauge Sterling half round to make into bracelets. (I'll share photos when I get a chance)

You bet they are. I use them as jump rings or to attach little charms here and there.

Kathy N-V