If you're a beginner, it can be overwhelming with all the choices presented before you to make a piece of jewelry... or any bead project! One of the things you need to know to have a successful project is the type of wire to use for your beading projects.
If you're a beginner, it can be overwhelming with all the choices presented before you to make a piece of jewelry... or any bead project!
One of the things you need to know to have a successful project is the type of wire to use for your beading project.
Here are few tips to help you make the right decision:
Use 14 to 16 gauge wire (very thick and heavy) if you are going to make a bracelet, free-form shapes, neckwires, lampshade forms, and napkin rings.
Use 18 gauge wire (thick) if you are going to make your own clasps, string ethnic glass beads and other large bone, wood, or ceramic beads with large holes or wire wrapping candlesticks and chainmaking.
Use 20 gauge wire (Medium) if you are going to make earwires, headpins and small wire clasps and stringing glass beads.
Most base metal headpins and earwires are made from 20 gauge wire.
Use 22 gauge wire (medium thin) when 20-guage is too thick. It is good for stringing Crystals or transparent semi-precious beads including amethyst, quartz and fluorite.
Want to learn how to use 24, 26, 28 and 30 guage wires?
Click here to read part 2 in "Choosing the right wire guage" series...
Happy Beading!
Jennifer Thoden
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Jennifer Thoden shares her joy for design, creativity and jewelry on her free bead pattern web site http://www.beadpatternsonline.com where you will discover designer bead patterns, expert beading instructions and an online bead store directory. |
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