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#1
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Newb ? about buying/making loops
Hi all,
Just started making beaded jewelry and I'm using all sterling components. SS eyepins and headpins are pricey and I'm finding myself snipping off better than half the pin. The snipped piece isn't quite long enough for me to use again hence I'm tossing them, wincing each time. I've got a Rio Grande catalog and wonder if I shouldn't just buy SS wire and make both ends of the loop myself, now that I've got the technique down. Can I just buy a spool and get moving or do I have to do 'something' to the wire? I see references to annealing when making jump rings and whatnot, but I have no soldering equipment, no hammers, nothing like that. Just a humble pliers. g Thanks, Hera |
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#2
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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 |
#3
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I'm using all sterling
components. SS eyepins and headpins are pricey and I'm finding myself snipping off better than half the pin. The snipped piece isn't quite long enough for me to use again hence I'm tossing them, wincing each time. Oh dear -- save those snips and send them to someone, if only for the sake of recycling precious metal. (There are several people here who would delight in receiving them!) ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#4
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I've got a Rio Grande catalog and wonder if I shouldn't just buy SS
wire and make both ends of the loop myself, now that I've got the technique down. Can I just buy a spool and get moving or do I have to do 'something' to the wire? I see references to annealing when making jump rings and whatnot, but I have no soldering equipment, no hammers, nothing like that. Just a humble pliers. g Yes, definitely! Buy the right gauge wire for your needs, and make wrapped loops (not just a loop). Wrapped loops: How to Make a Hangman's Noose--- http://www.mavissmith.com/neweb/wire...mansnoose.html ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#5
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Of, if you're me and lazy, just buy some Sterling Silver jump rings.
Actually, I use split rings almost exclusively Yes -- so much more secure! ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#6
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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 |
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