What gauge wire should I use for LOC jewelry?
Cut a piece of 20 gauge craft wire approximately 8 to 10 inches long with the wire cutters. Wire and tools can be purchased at craft and hobby stores.
Is Loc jewelry bad for your hair?
Yes, loc jewelry looks great in your hair, but it actually prohibits your locs from collecting the shed hair and forming a solid internal matrix. The results of wearing loc jewelry too soon, before your locs are mature, include weak spots, bumps, and indentations in the lock.
How long can you leave LOC jewelry in?
I would advise that if you have just started your loc journey, that you refrain from wearing loc jewelry for the first six months or so, or until your loc has formed.
Is 20 gauge wire good for rings?
In a round shape, 20-gauge wire is good for clasps, double wrapped hooks, head pins, ear wires and many other handcrafted components. The square 20-gauge wire is most often used to make heavier jewelry such as bracelets and rings for men, as well as to create neck collars for women.
When should I start wearing LOC jewelry?
Loc jewelry can be worn in all types of locs, from Sisterlocks to Freeform locs, however the maturity of your locs is what matters the most. It is strongly recommended NOT to wear loc jewelry for at least the first 6 months of your loc journey.
What kind of wire do you use to make LOCS?
Craft wire comes in a variety of colors as well as silver, gold and copper; 20 gauge wire is easy to manipulate with tools and your hands, and sturdy enough to maintain your design shapes. Choose a mandrel approximately the same diameter as the loc you wish to decorate. A mandrel is a device to wrap wire around to make a cylindrical shape.
What kind of jewelry can you put on a LOC?
One style of loc jewelry that allows you to express your creativity is wire cuff jewelry. Cuff-type jewelry has a cylindrical portion that slides onto the loc. Designs are created in the remainder of the wire, to which you can add beads if desired.
When to use 24 gauge wire for jewelry?
• wire settings for small stones. 24 gauge wire is not recommended for open link chains in most cases. It can be used as a frame to wrap smaller wire around in some applications* – like earrings, when the finished piece is not structural. It can be shaped by hand and with the use of regular jewelry making tools.
What’s the difference between high and low gauge wire?
A higher gauge can be more useful for something like a frame, while a lower gauge is usually better for making more sturdy jewelry like bracelets and bangles. So let’s get into the various gauges associated with jewelry wire and evaluate the best uses for each. High gauge wire covers everything from 24 gauge upwards.