Wire-Sculpture’s Tip of the Day FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Wire-Sculpture is proud to be the only website dedicated to “traditional wire jewelry” information, education and supplies. We do not crimp, string, solder, glue, weld, fuse, torch or knot – there are many, many other websites that work with these techniques.

While we’re here to support you and your jewelry dreams, please keep in mind that we are all about wire jewelry: really, that’s it! We do not sell the equipment for, nor do we have the experts to discuss crimping, stringing, soldering, gluing, welding, fusing, torching, or knotting techniques. In this modern age, there are many, many sites with a wealth of information about those topics. If you have questions about soldering, torches, beadwork, or any non-wire jewelry crafts, we recommend you type your topic in Google to find more information. We’re proud to be the only website that’s totally dedicated to the art of wire jewelry.

What is the difference between wire tempers?

• Copper Wire Temper
• Silver Temper for Stone Pendants
• Intro to Gauges

What wire is good for which project

• Transferring Designs from Artistic Wire to Argentium Wire
• Non-Tarnish Wire and Children’s Jewelry
• Options for Practice Wire
• Wire Temper for Wrapped Rings
• Wire Gauges for Chunky Rings
• Choosing Wire
• Part 1: What Type of Wire Should I Use?
• Part 2: What Type of Wire Should I Use?
• Wire Gauges for Various Jewelry Styles

How to print things from our blog and site such as patterns, gem profiles, etc.

• Printing Jewelry Patterns
• Printing Wire Jewelry Instructions Found on a Website
  

How to keep base metal wires from tarnishing (or not!)

• Working with Copper Tarnish
• How to Clean Copper and Brass Jewelry Wire
• Resources for Preventing Tarnish on Copper
• Keeping Argentium’s Silver Sheen
• Patina Silver-Plated Wire?
• Removing Condensation Marks from Wire
• Keep Copper Wire Shining
• Prevent Tarnish on Copper and Nickel Silver
• Protecting Copper from Tarnishing
• Silver Colored vs. Genuine Silver Wire Pieces
• To Tarnish or Not To Tarnish
• Commercial Jewelry and Tarnish
• What is White Gold?
• The Sterling Silver Tarnish Culprit
• Argentium vs. Fine Silver
• Fight Tarnish with Chalk?
• White Gold in Wire Jewelry
• Argentium Silver Care
• Polishing Cloth Basics
• Removing Tarnish from Argentium
• Can I Store Wire on a Spool?
• Organizing ALL of your Jewelry Wire! (Video)
• Should I Use WD-40 to Prevent Tarnishing?
• Cleaning Tarnish off Turquoise Jewelry
• Storing Your Jewelry
• A Few Words About Copper
• Cleaning Tarnish Off Silver Jewelry
• Cleaning Sterling Silver
• Anti-Tarnish Paper
• Why Would My Silver Tarnish?
• Mixing Sterling Silver and Argentium
• Cleaning with Baking Soda
• How to Prevent Tarnish
• Sterling Silver and Fresh Water Pearls

How to twist wire

• Getting Twisted: Jewelry Making Tools
• Extremely Easy Ways to Twist Jewelry Wire (Video)
• Twisting a Length of Wire Evenly
• A Pattern Calls for Twisted Wire
  
• How to Use an Automatic Wire Twister (Video)
• Wire Wrapping with Coated Wire
• Twisting Wire Evenly
• Twisting Wire to Replace Round Wire
• Twisted Wire Tips
• Square Wire for Ear Wires
• Twisted Wire Tips
• Pattern Help
• Pin Vise Vs. Automatic Wire Twister

How to use a tumbler and why/why not

• Tumbling Your Jewelry
• How to Keep Stainless Shot Free of Residue
• Black Goop on Tumbled Silver
• Tumbling Chain Maille Jewelry
• What Stones Can Be Tumbled?
• Is Work-Hardened Half Hard Wire, Hard Enough?
• Dawn for Tumbling
  
• Strengthening Jump Rings
• Vibratory and Rotary Tumblers
• Rotary Tumblers vs. Vibratory Tumblers
• Tumbling Lapis and Other Natural Stones
• Tumbling: It’s a Toss-Up!
• Rock Tumbling 101
• Fine Silver and Wirewrapping
• Tumbling Finished Jewelry
• Forging Copper Wire
• Work Hardening Finished Jewelry
• Can You Use Flitz in a Tumbler?
• Tumbling Your Jewelry
• Shining Gemstones
• Strengthening Jump Rings
• Metal Jump Rings in a Tumbler
• New Drums Leaving Black on Silver
• What to Use in Jewelry Tumbler

How to sell your jewelry

• Starting to Sell Jewelry
• Resources for Jewelry Selling and Marketing
• Wire Jewelry Display & Booth Ideas
• How to Price Your Wire Jewelry
• Learning How to Sell Jewelry
• Taking Checks at Shows
• Pricing Jewelry by the Carat Weight
• Tips for Selling Jewelry at Shows
• Raising Table Legs For Your Next Show
• Dealing with Difficult Customers
• Selling Jewelry: Boutique Markup
• Jazz up Your Jewelry!
• How Dale Sets Up and Dismantles Her Jewelry Displays
• Home Jewelry Party Tips
• Birthstone Jewelry in Craft Fairs
• What Are Some Better Selling Beginner Items?
• American Indian Jewelry Laws
• A Magazine for a Craft Business
• What Chain Sizes Are Best?
• How Many Rings Should I Make For a Show?
• Ideas for Inexpensive Jewelry
• What’s the Most Popular Ring Size?
• Customer Order Policies
• What’s the Average Size for Bracelets?
• Which Wire Pieces Should I Take to a Show?
• Customer Satisfaction
• Taking Orders and Payment at Shows

Where to sell your jewelry

• Where to Sell Your Wire Jewelry
• What is a Juried Craft Show?
• Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
• Making Wire Jewelry While Selling It
• Selling Two Different Lines of Jewelry
• Packing Finished Pieces for a Show

How to choose and work with tools that are kind to both your hands and designs

• Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
• Ring Mandrels 101
• Jewelry Making Tool Time: Measuring Tools
• Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers?
• Wrapping a Bail is Simple with Technique and Tools
• Flattening Wire with Hammers
• Wire Wrapping with Coated Wire
• Marking Round Nose Pliers
• Smoothing Sharp Wire Ends
• Determining Carat Weight
• Flush Cutting Jump Rings
• Dale’s Fave Flat Nose Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Why Use a Designer’s Notebook?
• Lapidary Saw Tips
• How to Use a Wire Gauge
• Removing Rust Without Damaging Tools
• Wire Jewelry Tool Care
• Flying With Jewelry Making Tools
• Getting Twisted: Jewelry Making Tools
• Setting Up Your Jewelry Making Work Space
• Red Rouge
• Beginning Wire Jewelry Tools
• Ring Mandrel

Other good posts:

• Working with Inches and Millimeters
• Faceted Gemstone Terms