- There are a lot of times I end up working with several wires at a time, doing a bangle or other pieces that need multiple wires for support and shape as well as design. To control those wires I use a tiny bit of masking tape at the ends, to hold the wires together and keep them straight and in order until it’s time to use them.
- Want to add a tiny bit of detail, or a small accent to your work. If you are working with square wire, grab the point closest to your stone with a pair of flat or needlenose pliers, and insert the other end of the wire into a pin vise. Use the pin vise to twist the wire, (Be careful not to twist the wire too much or you’ll twist it off!) and create a filigree effect. Then use the ‘filigreed’ wire to finish your piece for a totally different look. If you are using hard or half hard wire, twist only an inch or two at a time.
- Finding out that your pliers are leaving marks on your wire? There’s a great silicon product that you can dip pliers into that ‘rubberizes’ the tips. Or, put a small piece of masking tape on the ends of the pliers.
Very useful tips. Thanks fro sharing!