Jewelry Wire
First some background facts on jewelry wire. Almost all jewelry wire in the US is sold in sizes defined by the American Wire Gauge. In this standard as the gauge of the wire increases, the size of the wire decreases. As an example 16 gauge wire is much larger than 22 gauge wire. To view the size of jewelry wire in each gauge and the diameter of that wire in inches and mm, please visit here. As the wire gets larger, or the gauge gets smaller, the wire becomes harder to bend. Simply put, it is easier to bend thin wire than it is to bend thick wire. In general, wire components for earrings are made in 20 gauge wire, wire components for bracelets are made in 18 or 20 gauge wire, and wire components for necklaces are made in 16 or 18 gauge wire. 18 and 20 gauge wire are relatively easy to bend and durable enough to stand up to the wear necessary. 16 gauge wire is harder to bend and probably isn't appropriate for beginners.
With inexpensive wire, like copper, brass, or Artistic Wire, the wire is generally made in only one hardness -- soft. With more expensive jewelry wire like sterling silver, gold, or gold-filled wire, the wire is commonly manufactured in one of five hardnesses -- soft or 0, 1, half-hard or 2, 3, or fully hardened or 4. For the jewelry making projects described in this web site, we generally only use soft or half-hard wire according to the project. Soft wire bends easier than half-hard wire and tend to remain in place once it is bent. Half-hard jewelry wire is somewhat springy and tends to spring back some once it is bent. Soft wire is perfect for making spirals and other rounded shapes, but doesn't make crisp angles. Half-hard wire makes crisp angles and wraps around itself well, but because it is springy, it must be pushed beyond where you want it to end up.
Beads
Along with some examples of possible bead shapes:
Whether they be glass or crystal, oval or teardrop, beads can add beauty to any wire jewelry, and can be found in any variety at WigJig - Beads, Jewelry Wire, Jewelry Supplies, Jewelry Making Tools and Jewelry Making Kits.
Jewelry Making Tools
No machines necessary!
Just as there are almost limitless options in making jewelry with wire and bead, there are also many options in the tools you may use to make these pieces. The WigJig company was formed because we wanted to use these tools for our own jewelry making . We have also worked with vendors to develop some new hand tools, that we now sell, for the simple reason that we found that the then existing pliers did not meet the needs for our approach to making jewelry. In short we do things differently because we think we found a better way to do many of the basic tasks involved in making jewelry by hand with no soldering. Our goal is simple. We want to make jewelry by hand that is so consistent that it looks like it was made by a machine. Our company was founded by a combination of Marge Helwig and her son, Gary Helwig. Marge was an instructor teaching how to make jewelry with wire and beads. Gary is an engineer who viewed Marge's hand made jewelry and proposed some different ways to make wire components more consistently by using a jig or pattern. Working together they developed the WigJig family of jewelry making tools and accessories. Here you will find a look at the selection of jewelry tools and jewelry making supplies available at Wigjig. Wire & Bead Jewelry Making Kits
Easy Enough for Any Beginner!
They also make great gifts! Here are two great jewelry making kits from WigJig!
INTERNET STARTER KIT - EARRINGS - Jewelry Making with Jewelry Wire and Beads
Description: This kit has the tools, wire, beads and findings necessary to make the four earrings in silver with cobalt beads shown above-left. The instructions for making these earrings are provided by the Internet. This kit does not include a book or video and is not appropriate for people who aren't comfortable using the internet. This kit includes a WigJig Delphi.
Advantages: This kit includes everything you need to get started making some basic earrings. This kit is moderately priced and if you are comfortable with using the Internet is an excellent way to get started making jewelry that you can wear.
Disadvantages: The instructions for this kit are only available via the Internet. The kit does not include components for making bracelets or necklaces. This kit does not include Super Pegs or a Spiral Maker.
BEGINNER'S KIT - Jewelry Making with Jewelry Wire and Beads
Description: This kit has tools, wire, a book, and a DVD video. This kit does not include findings or beads. The Beginner's Kit is appropriate for people who are move comfortable learning from a book or a DVD. This kit includes a WigJig Olympus Lite, Small Round Super Pegs for the Olympus Lite and a Spiral Maker for the Olympus Lite.
Advantages: This kit includes a DVD and book and is therefore more suitable for people who aren't comfortable learning from the Internet. This kit also includes Super Pegs and Spiral Maker.
Disadvantages: This kit is focused on training people to use our WigJig jewelry making tools and wire. It does not include the beads, findings and other components necessary for making any jewelry.
Interested in Wire & Bead Jewelry Making?
- Jewelry Making Kits from Beads and Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig
- Jewelry making kits sold in the Beads & Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig web store. The kits include the supplies to make jewelry using beads, wire, gemstones and findings
- WigJig Beads -- Our Online Beading Supplies Store
- Beads by WigJig an online beadstore. We also include Beadology -- information on the sizes, shapes, types and styles of beads. Page includes links to jewelry designs.
- Jewelry Wire by WigJig -- Our Online Wire Store
- Jewelry Making Wire and the styles and sizes of jewelry wire sold in the Beads & Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig Store.
- Free Wire & Bead Jewelry Designs
- Free jewelry making designs using beads and jewelry wire. Links to all our free bracelet, necklace, earring and other jewelry making designs.
- Beads, Wire & Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig Jewelry Tools
- Jewelry tools on sale in the Beads & Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig online store.
- Beads, Jewelry Tools, Wire, & Jewelry Making Supplies by WigJig
- Making jewelry with wire, beads and gemstones. 2500+ free web pages of designs. Online store selling jewelry tools, beads, wire and jewelry making supplies. This is our home page.
- Great Gift Idea for Her!
- Beautiful jewelry for less bucks!
