Organizing Wire | Saving Wire Scraps
Plastic zip-top bags come to the rescue in storing wire and look for empty beading-wire spools to help you organize scraps.
1 branch out
Create wire branches easily by drawing them first. Put the tip of your pencil on a piece of paper. Without lifting the pencil, draw a branch shape and limbs, not crossing any lines. The drawing will give you an idea of what pattern to follow and where to bend the wire. - Pat Ritter, via e-mail |
2 labeling wire
Store wire in a plastic zip-top bag to see its gauge at a glance. Attach a piece of transparent tape to the bag and label the wire gauge, type, and hardness. It's easy to remove the tape and recycle the bag once the wire has been used. - Grace Carter, Denver, CO |
3 extending your options
A bracelet is a handy extender for a necklace; simply finish both pieces with the same size lobster claw clasps and soldered jump rings. To wear, attach the bracelet's clasp to the necklace's jump ring and vice versa. Wear the new length as a long necklace, or wrap it twice for a choker or three times for a chunky bracelet. - B. Davis, via e-mail |
4 scrap storage
Keep empty beading-wire spools to store cut pieces of beading wire. The spool helps the wire retain its shape, free of kinks. - Christie Nagata, Hilo, HI |
5 magnetic personality
Organize findings in metal tins that previously held mints or candles. Attach self-adhesive magnetic tape to the tins and place them on a magnetic bulletin board. (Magnetic tape and bulletin boards are available at office supply stores.) You can also display lists or photos of design ideas. - Laura Georgy, Quincy, MA |