[Jewelry making - Article 00175] - Re: [Orchid] Making handmade chains

[Sandra Noble Goss]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


    Carol I make sterling silver chains by fusing the ends of the wire
    together. I use "extra spring hard" 0.8 mm sterling wire and make
    some quite large links (up to 1" diameter) that will retain their
    temper as entire jump ring does not have to be heated as in
    soldering. I bend up the ends of the wires at right angles to the
    jump ring curve so the two ends are parallel to each other leaving
    about 3-4 mm sticking up from the circle of the ring. To do this I
    make a coil of wire but pull and extend the coil so I can fit wire
    cutters in between each loop. I cut the rings so there is an overlap
    of wire. Then I fuse these ends together until a small bead forms. It
    makes for a jump ring with a small bead or lump which makes for an
    interesting chain with small reflective beads.  I then tumble polish
    the chains. It's fast and makes for a sturdy but fine chain.  No need
    to harden the links afterwards. 

    I also use a heavier guage (1.25mm) wire as well and make heavier
    versions of these chains.  They certainly don't look machine made,
    but have a unique look which customers seem to like.


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________