Silver Wire Jewelry

II\RI>KM\G TIIK U IKK

When makłng finger rings. it's bcnefl-cial to hardcn thc wire by hammering it lighlly while ilu* ring is on a mandrel. The ring will then kccp its shapc better. (8ee also thc cornmcnts in ilu* section on thc pasta ma ker. page 9.)

Gl.tliMC

If ihc cml picccs can t be attached any other way. you ll havc to glut* them with a two-part epoxy. Shapc thc jcwclry ends into ihc end picccs beforc mixing thc glue. A tighi fil will give thc gluc a bellcr hond.

Mlx thc glin* according to direciions on thc Container. Dip thc ends of thc jcwclry into the gluc and push thc end picccs on. Immcdiately wipc off any excess gluc.

Al Iow thc gluc to harden complctcly. up to 21 hours. beforc attaching rings or a clasp. If thc jewclry is to bc oxidlzed. do that beforc any gluing.

0\ll>l/l\G

The casiest way to color metal Is to usc livcr of sulfur. which can bc purchascd in any drugstore. Uvcr of sulfur is ycltow and sold in Ihpiid or in a lump form that musi be dlssolwd tn water. I)issolvc a '/4-ouncc (7-g) lump of liver of sulfur in 1.6 (piarts (1.5 I.) of warm walor In a glass (ar willi a lid. Adding a lllllc amino-ulom blcarbonatc will Incrcasc thc shelf lift* of thc solutlon. hut u won't allcr thc rosulting color of thc metal.

First, wash thc jewclry willi dish detergent. Holding thc jcwclry with a wire, so that your skin won't como in contact with thc llvcr of sulfur solution. submerse thc piece and elose thc cover quickly. as ii smclls awful. When thc piece is thc nght color. lift it out and rlnse it thoroughly in running walor. Rubbing cxposcd surfaces with powdered pumlee brings out thc color. Many effeets can be achievcd with o.Mdizing and polishing. <>.xidized jcwclry can be safely lumblc-polishcd.

Jcwclry madę froin copper. sllver. and silvcr piąte can bc oxidizcd.

M\i\tk\a\ck

In use. icwelry occaslonally needs to be cleancd or frcshened up. If thc piece has freshwater pearls. a soft brass-bristlcd brush can be used on ilu* metal only. but never on thc pearls. The tumblcr is thc bosi way to clcan silver or copper jcwclry. and silver platc is best cleancd in a flatwarc clcaning solution. lising a clcaning solution is also an altcrnative if no tumblcr is available. bul don t usc it on oxidizod jcwclry or ilu* dark color will disappear.

Notes About Suppliers

I sually. thc suppltes yon need for makłng Hu* projccts In l.ark books can bc found al your looal crafl supply slorc or rctall business rclcvant to Ihc topie of thc book. Occaslonally. ho\vcvcr. you may need lo hu> rnatcrials or lools from spcclalt\ suppliers. In order to providc you with thc most up-to-tlatc Information. wc havo created a listing of suppliers on our Web sile. which we uiulate (tn a regular basls. \isil us al w ww.larkltooks.com. click on “Crafl Supply Sourres." and then click on thc rclevam topie. You will llud numerous compa-nlcs llstcd with thclr wclt address and/or inaillng address and pltonc number.

to