Artistic Copper Wire Colors
All wire used in my Fashionably Wired® jewelry collection is authentic artistic copper wire. I do not use cheap imitations, or inexpensive coated craft wires. The colors you see here are permanently enameled to the copper core and clear-coated to prevent tarnish and color fade.
Why do I use artistic copper wire?
501 Black |
502 Blue |
503 Navy |
504 DkPurple |
505 Purple |
506 Jade |
507 Green |
509 Lavender |
510 Burgundy |
511 Red |
512 Fuschia |
513 Pink |
514 Orange |
515 DkAqua |
516 LtBlue |
517 LtGreen |
518 Lime |
519 White |
520 Silver |
521 Brown |
522 NaturalCopper |
523 BrightGold |
524 Bronze |
525 Amber |
526 Smoky Quartz |
527 Vintage Bronze |
Why Do I Use Artistic Copper Wire?
Many people have asked me why I use copper wire instead of the finer gold and silver wires, or the cheaper craft wire.
I choose artistic copper wire primarily because of the beautiful color assortment. My designs would have very little variation if they were only made in gold or silver. And while the gold wire would wear well, the silver would require constant polishing, as sterling tarnished no matter how careful you are.
Inexpensive craft wires are fine for practice, but they have a cheap look and feel to them. I require something with a more natural feel to it for my pieces.
Artistic copper wire is wire with a pure copper core, enameled with the beautiful colors you see in my work. The enamel does not flake or tarnish, as they have (in the last few years) begun applying a clear coat (like clear nail polish) to the wire to preserve the color.
The bright gold and silver artistic copper wires do not tarnish. They stay bright and require little maintenance beyond a little shine now and then.
Copper is a precious metal; it is just not as precious as gold and silver, so it costs less. This keeps my pieces in the proper price range for my customers to afford. The same cannot be said of gold and silver.
I use 24 gauge copper wire for most of my coiling work. For stringing the necklaces, I use an under-wire of 20 gauge copper. I work the hook and eye closure directly into the string wire for strength. I will, on occasion, use 26 gauge wire for finer coiled pieces -- the finer wire just provides a lighter appearance -- but 26 gauge is too soft for the finish coils, which need to be firm.
Another option in wire for coiling is brass wire. I don't use it except for home decoration pieces (hanging wires, mostly). The brass has a bit of a tarnished look to it from the start, and requires the same maintenance other polished brass does. It's just not as nice for jewelry.
So, that is the answer to Why Copper Wire? As an artist, it simply works for me. I find it to be a forgiving substance, which allows me to focus on the beauty of the piece more so that the technique. The wire performs consistently for me, and my supplier adds new colors every year or so, giving me more inspiration.
For more information about artistic copper wire, visit www.parawire.com.