Wire is metal which is drawn out into rods or threads. It is made from such metals as silver, gold, copper, nickel, aluminium, platinum, iron and certain alloys such as brass, bronze and steel. Its uses depend on flexibilty and gauge. You can bend, bow, coil, crochet, kink, knit, shape, string, thread, turn, twist, wind, weave and wrap it. The most common types of wire used in beading are craft and jewellery wire, tiger tail and memory wire.

Craft and Jewellery Wire is the most versatile because it can hold a shape once formed. Most commonly round in cross section, it also comes in half round, square, flat, triangular or patterened styles. Its use ranges from making bangles to findings to fine lace work. Available in many gauges (thickness) and a myriad of colours which won’t tarnish, craft wire is usually made from colour coated and silver or gold plated copper. Gold, sterling silver and gold filled wires are readiliy available though not as cheap. The thicker gauges, 18 to 22 are useful for making plain or fancy findings. The middle gauges, 24 to 28, are great for threading and wrapping. The finer gauges, 28 to 36, are best for knitting and weaving. The lower the gauge, the thicker the wire.

The table below gives the metric thickness of each gauge.

Tiger Tail is actually a fine cable made from twisted strands of steel and coated in clear or coloured nylon. Used for stringing, it is a stronger alternative to thread where sharp edges might cut through but, being stiff doesn’t have the collapsabile quality or softness of thread. Tiger tail goes hand in hand with crimps, which are used to join the wire, as stoppers at the tips and to space beads. It isn’t malleable and can’t be worked like craft wire, however it will hold kinks, whether you mean it to or not!

Memory Wire is an industrial strength heavy steel wire which comes in continuous coils and retains its preformed round shape. There are roughly three sizes - finger ring, bracelet and necklet. The size of the loops or turns varies from child to adult sizes. Never use jewellery weight tools on this wire as they will be damaged. Heavy duty pliers are more appropriate.
Tip: Don’t cut, break. Even with the toughest cutters, memory wire takes serous effort to section. So once you’ve decided on the length or number of turns, just break it by bending it from side to side until it snaps.

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