Artistic Wire

[BlueSoulDesigns]

Hi there! I am looking for a good source for silver plated artistic wire. I'd love nothing more than to switch on over to silver filled or sterling wire, but it's just too expensive right now.

I can pick up silver plated artisitc wire locally, but I am having issues with the wire as it seems to flake? Shed almost?? Does anyone else find that to be an issue? I will not use it when it's like that and that makes for a lot of wasted wire, which isn't cost effective.

So, I am wondering if anyone has an Etsy source for silver plated artistic wire that will not do that, or is that the nature of that wire? Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I haven't used silver plated personally, but from what I've heard that's pretty common across the board.

It might be worth switching to silver filled just to avoid the waste... 30 feet of 22g silver filled at Rio Grande (which I haven't used, but which I've heard good tings about) is $14 right now. That's not bad at all, compared to sterling which is $38 for the same amount.

[Former_Member]

I use this artistic wire for some of my jewelry. http://www.firemountaingems.com/shopping.asp?skw=KWCORDZEBRAWIRESILVER

I haven't had a problem with it tarnishing or flaking, though I'm using a 26g wire and only use to to wire beads to components. It is very soft though and I haven't tried hardening it so don't know how it will respond to that. But its inexpensive and good quality if soft wire will meet your needs.

But if you find a good source, sterling silver doesn't have to be too expensive. I just bought about 30 feet of sterling silver 24g wire from Santa Fe Jewelry Supply for about $25.

Also, while Sterling or even Silver-filled does cost more, you can also charge much more for your product. And, you can recycle your sterling and silver-filled scraps and get some money (or store credit) back to put towards buying more wire.

[Former_Member]

Artistic Wire is a brand name. Are you looking for that brand or a good silver plated craft wire? I have used a silver plated wire by Beadsmith for years and had great success with the plating. I don't sell all the sizes but can order it for you if you would like to try it.

[BlueSoulDesigns]

Thank you for the sources for silver filled or silver wire, I will check those out!

Elementbeads, do you know if craft wire is non-tarnishing and nickel free? I guess that's why I stick to the Artistic wire brand, because it is.

[BareMoose]

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantingBeads/search?search_query=artistic+wire&search_submit=&search_typ...

[Former_Member]

Nope, I use Artistic Wire and never had any problems with it flaking. I even tested it personally by wire wrapping a small gemstone and wore it on myself 24/7, even in the shower. It only started showing brown spots/signs of rust after over a year.