lampwork.com

How to Substitute Silver Wire with Silver Foil.

Recently I ran out of 30ga .999 pure silver wire and decided to try an idea. I’m glad I did.

The process is a bit tricky and the silver foil can tear apart if too much force is used. This is not a very economical or efficient use of silver foil…there is some waste. But if you just can’t wait for your silver wire to arrive, this is a pretty good substitute. Or if you have never used wire, try this process to get an idea of what wire looks like on a bead.

• Start out by cutting off about 1/8th of a 3-5/16″ x 3-5/16 sheet of silver foil.

• Gently twist the strip in the middle and then on either side of the middle.

• Gently twist the strip in the in-between spaces. Continue twisting until the foil can be rolled between index finger and thumb.

• This is a piece I successfully twisted without breaking off either end.

• Since the twisted foil has some thickness, a hot bead will not readily fuse to it. I place my foil on a marvering paddle and hold it under the flame close to the bead so the bead will not have as much time to cool.

• When applying the silver foil the bead should be as hot as possible without slumping.

• Note: If you would like a ring around the bead, place bead perpendicular to foil.

• Note: If you would like a diagonal ring around the bead, place bead diagonal to foil.

• After the foil fuses in one place, use your marvering paddle or other marvering surface to marver the remaining foil into the bead. Then reheat the bead. As long as the bead is not overheated, the silver will ball up nicely, like silver wire.

• After the bead has cooled…

Please feel free to leave a comment or use this Contact Link for any questions or suggestions.

Liz