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 Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 3:40 pm
I'm a long time Sculpey user, so I have, of necessity, flirted with wire. But now I'm trying to get a better hang of the material. Mostly I'm trying to apply some textile aesthetics to it- knitting it is a complete b***h, so I've been messing around with bad psudeo-weaving techniques. Probably I should be trying some form of macrame.
Anyone else like wire? Anybody actually have good idea of how to use it, or want to share tips? ninja What kinda gauges/metal do you prefer?
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:26 am
I use 20 gauge wire that I bought from a dollarstore in my area. I only use it as a frame to make small, thin cloth bodies posable. I havn't tried getting it wet or baking it. The package doesn't say if it's galvanised or if it has lead in it.
Galvanised steel wire is designed to prevent rust and it also has an appealing silver shine to it. This stuff from the dollarstore doesn't look like it could be used for any decorative purpose.
20 gauge is easy to bend but if you bend the same spot too many times, it will snap.
I've also tried colored wire - it's basically color coated copper wire that you can now find in most craft sections. Stores rarely stock anything harder than 20 gauge and they come in very small spools.
I tried making decorative chainmail with it but
1) when I cut it I discovered that the color was more like a plastic coating and was coming off
2) 20 gauge is MUCh too soft for chainmail. x_x
That's pretty much my experience with wire so far! whee
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:35 am
I'm not good with name terms when it comes to things like wire, but I have used it in sculpting a little. Its very useful when adding structure to sculptures or helping to build support in things like legs.
I personally tend to use the lightweight shiny coloured wire thats easily brought in craft stores, but I've currently run out of this.
I asked my father to get me some new wire and I now own some very thick and hard to bend wire that can only be cut with large wire cutters. I don't expect it would be very useful for the projects I had in mind or for crafts in general. sweatdrop
I've not tried weaving it before. I'm sure that would produce very intresting results. whee
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Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:22 am
eek WIRE SCARES ME!!! LoL, we had a wire project recently and I am still recovering. DO NOT use regular hanger wires!! It's REALLY hard and the old hangers they use to have can really scratch you up if you're a beginner like me. crying Luckly the teacher had some lighter wire that was easy to bend and all that fun stuff.
I find it easiest to make curves with two needlepoint pliers. 3nodding
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:59 am
For things like tiaras and masks, I use 16-gauge, which is difficult to bend, but keeps the structure relatively sturdy. The beadwork and the wire details are usually 24-32 gauge, depending on how delicate they have to look.
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:50 am
I use 22 to 28 gauge wire for beadwork and stuff, and 20 and stiffer for chainmaille. Twenty ga. is fun to work with because it keeps its shape rather nicely if the loops are small enough, and some maille weaves look awesome when done that small.
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:03 pm
I like wire alot.
I've posted some of my wire work in this subsection.
Anyway, in that particular project, I used 16, 22, and 24 gauge wire.
I found it really fun and cool to do. 3nodding
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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:21 am
I don't know haw much this'll help, but I make stuff with pipe-cleaners. They're easy to bend, but that thing about fatiguing the metal is true. In fact, that's how I usually cut my wire! I only use scissors if I have to. I do know something about wire gauges, but if you're looking for an expert, I can't help you. All I can tell you is that 20 and higher is really only good for light-weight stuff like seed-beads (or at least small beads). I've never even seen 18 or 16 gauge wire.
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