*note more info will be added to this section some info is for the buyer and some for the artist.*

Wire facts:

A person can be allergic to any kind of wire/metal be it more expensive or not

Caring for wire artwear:

All wire will oxidize some faster then others but some appreciate the antiqued look it gives. In any case storing your artwear in a plastic bag is very wise.

Copper wire can be cleaned with a quick dip in vinegar and salt then a rinse in cool water and then a thorough drying. (Note* keep in mind the gems a piece may have as they may be sensitive to this type of cleaning. See more in my section on cleaning gems.)

Sterling Silver has been sucessfully cleaned with toothpaste just rub it on and wash off thoroughly and dry well. Another option if it has gotten a patina you don’t want is to put 3 inches of water, 1 teaspoon  of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt in a pan you have lined with aluminum foil. Bring to a boil then add silver pieces and boil 2-3 mins more ( make sure pieces are thoroughly covered with water). Then rinse, dry and buff with a soft cloth.

Don’t forget to keep a polishing cloth available to polish items before use.

Patinas:

Of late I heard about using gun blue to protect and add a great patina to copper, brass & bronze. I will let you know my feelings on it as i experiment with it more.

K here is a link to diffrent patina’s for various metals.  http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

I have tried the gun blue for copper and i am not really impressed with it. I know some love it it just don’t like the look it gives.

Buying copper from the hardware store:

(This is probably one of the most useful bits of information I have come upon from a great wire wrap group I am part of.)

12 gauge THHN contains
6 bare strands of 26 gauge wire
13 bare strands 24g wire

10 gauge THHN contains
6 of 24g
13 of 22g

8 gauge THHN contains
19 strands of 20g (Woo! My favorite)

6 gauge THHN contains
6 of 20g
13 of 18g (My second favorite)
0/1 (what they call "aught one") gauge THHN contains
6 of 14g
13 of 12g

0/2 (aught two) gauge THHN contains
6 of 14g
12 of 11g
1 of 10g

0/3 (aught three) gauge THHN contains
6 of 12g
13 of 10g

Wire size for making ear wires

20- 21 guage for ear wires ( many favore 21)

18-20 guage for ear cuffs

*note make ear wires available in diffrent wires to make up for allergic reactions to various metals.*

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