French Bullion Wire

[Pearlcat]

Can anyone advise me as to a good source of french wire. Although I've done a search on the internet, prices seem to vary widely. I have never used it before and I'm wondering if I should get a supply of different sizes or if you experienced beaders find that one particular size works well for most of your pearl stringing work? Thanks.

 

[pearlescence]

Hi
I just have gold and silver finish and one size. It seems to cover all eventualities

 

[Sueki]

Hi Pearlcat,
I use mostly medium size, silver and gold colour.
I have used fine and heavy, but not very often.
I get mine from here:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/search.asp?skw=french+wire

 

[Hanaleimom]

Artbeads.com has them:http://search.artbeads.com/?gallery_view=&lcr=1&view=&q=french+wire&x=18&y=19

Ebay store: Hye on Beads, maintained by vintagesuzanne

I have only used medium in silver and gold for these sizes: 6mm through 11mm, silk used size E (?) (normal size), Power Pro 20 through 50 lbs.

 

[knotty panda]

Wow! Look at all the pretty colors! I haven't bought bullion in ages but I think I have a couple of sizes on hand. What I do remember is I don't like plated bullion. It breaks down. I do like sterling silver (never had a tarnish problem) and the vermeil. But those colors sure are tempting!

 

[laurenb]

Pearlcat, where do you live? We might be able to help you find a beading store with french wire so you can at least see it before you decide what size to order.

I like "fine" size wire with up to 20 test PowerPro because you can barely see it, but some silk might not want to pass through it without snagging. I center it on the string, put a jump ring (or the clasp, if I'm sure I won't want to take it off) on, then I make an overhand knot and tighten it (just like I do between pearls.) That was more info than you asked for, but I'm not sure I could use fine wire if I didn't get the ring/clasp in there at the beginning.

 

[Hanaleimom]

I was under the impression that they were all made from the same material. Did not know they come in colors and silver-plated, vermeil, etc. I've bought from artbeads and vintagesuzanne; and I don't think they are plated.

 

[jerin]

Hi Pearlcat,
I have silver and gold (plated) I think in all the 3 sizes, fine, medium and heavy. The fine I use almost never as it is so small so I have problem to slip it over the needle. Medium works for most sizes and the heavy one could be used with large pearls with a large clasp. So far I have hade no problems with deterioration. Other colours I have not seen. As for the vendors, as already mentioned above, Hye, Firemountains, Artbeads, Rio Grande and Pearlescence.

 

[Nerida]

Hi pearlcat - I also try to keep to sterling silver and gold vermeil, but occasionally use a matte finish plated one if that matches the clasp I am going to use.
Cathy - love the heliconias!!

 

[BeadersSecret]

I have found that Koodas here in Melbourne sells exceptional quality
french wire. (they call it gimp).

 

[Caitlin]

We have several threads discussing gimp. It is the best search word, because it is the only unique word for the product and the best search word, too.

 

[Pearlcat]

Thanks for all your advice. Decided to order from Artbeads. Also ordered some Power Pro -- can't wait to use them both!

 

[danachit]

Hi Pearcat....one thing to keep in mind. Handle it very very gently. It is quite easy to 'crush' so when you pick up a strand to snip off a tiny bit, handle it with extreme care. Good luck!

 

[pearlescence]

When I start to use a new length I always now cut it all up at once. Otherwise it does indeed stretch, kink, tangle, crush and otherwise self-destruct.

 

[Sueki]

When I start to use a new length I always now cut it all up at once.

Same here - saves a lot of waste.....

 

[jerin]

When I start to use a new length I always now cut it all up at once. Otherwise it does indeed stretch, kink, tangle, crush and otherwise self-destruct.

Wendy, is your gimp real gold and sterling silver and not just the plated type? The price would suggest that as the ones I bought were a bit cheaper.

 

[pearlescence]

Then buy them

 

[knotty panda]

Wendy, is your gimp real gold and sterling silver and not just the plated type? The price would suggest that as the ones I bought were a bit cheaper.

Her site says they are plated.

 

[Pearlcat]

Thanks for all the great information! I found some at a bead store last night (plated) and cut it up as Wendy suggested. I can definitely see how that prevents one from handling it less in the long run and thus preserving it.

 

[Mervione]

Wendy, is your gimp real gold and sterling silver and not just the plated type? The price would suggest that as the ones I bought were a bit cheaper.

I was thinking the same. Ooops, someone already said they are plated.