finished necklaces- what wire to string with

[DebraK]

I've been away for a while. Lots going on death in the family, summer months on vacation, my husband and I are both teachers, and I'm a granny. My step daughter and her husband had their first. A beautiful girl Jenna Leigh. My daughter's volley ball season just ended so I can now get back to the torch. I have a question about making finished necklaces, what wire is the best to use I've seen ads for Accu Flex, Soft Flex, and Beadalon, anybody know the difference between them and where can I get the best prices?
Thanks for any info,
Debra

[Vince]

If you search the forum and the archive, you will find lots of discussion on this subject. The consistent consensus is that Softflex is the very best to use.

Vince

[Becca]

Soft flex is the best, Accuflex is pretty good quality, and I only use beadalon as a last resort.

Soft flex has a beautiful gold wire that I have used to crimp beads in place and leave the rest of it showing. An inexpensive way to use use lampwork beads with gold instead of silver for a change, and popular around the holidays!

I have found the prices online cheaper than at stores...do a search on eBay or go to one of the big suppliers listed on the vendors link.

Becky

[debkauz]

Hi Debra,
Congrats on your new grandchild! I only use SoftFlex. I always get the results that I want using it, so why switch?
Deb

[margi]

SoftFlex, hands down. There's nothing else of equal quality.

However--I did buy some of the brand new 21-wire 24-kt. gold SoftFlex at the Gathering, and am not totally happy with it. It is very beautiful, but I find that it kinks much more easily than any of their other colored wires do. I had a spool unwind on me in my toolbox and get jumbled around at a show, and found a bunch of bends in the unrolled wire, which NEVER happens with the older colors, like the clear (which is really steel-colored) or the "old" gold (which is a dull gold color). I think that maybe this new product needs a bit more work, as I worry that things strung on it with beads spread apart and some of the lovely wire exposed won't hold its shape without kinking. It sure is PRETTY, though!

Margi

[twofire]

One additional question here concerning Softflex (I'm a newbie and this is my first post!)--I noticed that Softflex comes in different sizes. Which size do you all recommend? When do you use the .019 and when do you use the .024? thanks for your help!

[Gisele]

You will some answers here also:





Beadalon, Softflex or? Beadalon, Softflex or?

[Becca]

I would suggest using the heaviest soft flex that will still go through your beads. Remember, it will be doubled on the ends where it is crimped. The heavy doesn't go through alot of smaller beads such as seed beads or pearls. I probably use the .019 the most, with the .014 only for light and delicate pieces....usually NOT lampwork.

If making a neckwire with the softflex where it is left showing, I use the heaviest, .024. I also use the heavy for keychains as they take alot of abuse!

Becky

[twofire]

Thank You! Thank You! This is exactly the information I was seeking. And thanks Gisele for that EXCELLENT link! I can see I'll need both the .024 and the .019, depending on the project. Thanks to you both for your help.

[Karen]

I saw an ad recently in Bead and Button, I think, for the gold in 49 strands. Was quite irritated since I just bought 2 spools of the 21 strand.