What kind of wire do I use for headpins?

[catsarthouse]

I'm sure this was asked before but I can't find it. Thank you in advance!

[Eileen]

I know copper works, & the black piano wire from the hardware store works.

I think I've seen that some have used silver (very carefully to not get too hot & melt). Are you going to want to do wrapping with it? Stainless steel should work, but it seems to me that it would be pretty stiff to wrap.
Don't get any galvanized, the zinc on it is really bad to heat & breathe from what I've been told.

PS. I'm assuming you mean to make glass decorated head pins.

[catsarthouse]

Thanks Eileen! Yes, I want to make glass bead headpins where after made on the wire you can use the wire to attach it to jewelry.

[Mr.Smeeth]

I have been using 20 and 18 gauge stainless steel from McMaster Carr. buy it in the annealed spools. It is very hard to wrap with but very durable and takes a beating. I bought a pair of piano wire cutters to cut it. It will tear up a pair of cheap side cutters. I have used sterling in past and will probably again now the price has fallen.

[AmorphousDesigns]

I've used 22g, 24g copper and bronze. I had problems burning it up in the flame, so now I get the glass molten hot at the tip and then, out of the flame, shove the wire in molten glass. After that I keep adding glass, etc. keeping the wire completely out of the flame

[catsarthouse]

Thank you Mr. Smeeth and Elizabeth. I have some copper to try. I have 20 gauge fine silver but I know that won't work since I see how quick it balls up when making headpins. Would I use a half hard silver wire to overcome that? Mr.Smeeth.

I liked your description of getting the wire started then keeping it back out of direct flame on the wire, Elizabeth.

[Sheila D.]

I use copper also, either 18 or 20Ga. There is a thread about sterling headpins. from the wonderful Sharon Peters..
http://lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212284

[Floorkasp]

I use Kanthal wire, which is apparantly the metal used in the lampworkers tradition in the Czech Republic. That's where I got it. Very pleased with it, and can hold the wire with my fingers while working.

[catsarthouse]

Thanks Sheila,
I read the instructions and I have made headpins on the end of a mandrel then cleaned and used two part epoxy to attach. I have to say, that epoxy is very strong. It also dried clear which is good. I just wasn't sure people would feel they are secure long term. The ones I glued this way I have not tried to sell. I have it in my personal collection but it's stayed glued in for the last year. If I use the copper should I use a pickle to clean the wire? Does it affect the glass?

[catsarthouse]

Floorkasp,
That is interesting. I never heard of Kanthal wire. What color is it?

[SharonP]

I've been making headpins on small mandrels then epoxying sterling wires since 1997, and nothing has ever come apart. I posted a free tut here a few years ago, check it out!

[catsarthouse]

That's good to hear Sharon! I just wasn't sure long term. Thank you for the tutorial too!

[labelleperle]

I use copper, sterling silver, nickel silver and stainless for my headpins. Sterling and copper are the easiest to wrap once they're made. I haven't had a problem with balling up, just flash the tip of the wire so it glows and start adding glass. I have used 0.6mm wire up to 2mm wire for different purposes.

[cgbeads]

Hobby Lobby has steel headpins, I love them.

-Donna

[ESC]

I've used both sterling and nichrome.

[Floorkasp]

The wire is like a darkish grey. Here are some pins I made with the wire. I have not cleaned the wire after making the headpins, this is how it comes out of the torch.

[Sheila D.]

I don't clean the copper ones, except for a quick polish with Renaissance wax. People like the "antiqued" look of the wire.

[beachbeads]

I ask this wire question awhile ago and the artist said she used STEEL WIRE. like what florist use. She said the green coating melts off in the flame. She then polishes the wire with a stainless steel brush.