Question:
I am looking to do some windchimes made up of antiques and trinkets. Does
anyone know where I can get copperwire of various sizes and wholesale glass
beads at?
Answer:
-For the beads try going to,
rec.crafts.beads
Also on ebay, amazon, and yahoo...I noticed lots of beads are being
auctioned off.
Some really nice ones I might add .
-Well, if you're the gambling sort, try second hand stores for the beads.
You might have to work a little to destring the things but you'd be amazed
at what you can get if you're willing to scrounge around.
Copper wire can be bought at hardware stores in the form of electrical
cable (you have to untwist the cable) or at jewelry supply stores if
you need specific gauges of wire and are willing to pay through the nose
for it.
I buy most of my wire from the scrap yard. I've gotten everything from
wire fine as a human hair to 3/16" copper round bar. The trick is being
willing to check often as the stock varies from week to week. Also, not
all scrap yards are created equal. Some never have good copper while
others are always rewarding. Also beware...prices can vary greatly
between yards in the same city.
-Well, it's thrown away but it doesn't go into landfill if it hits the
scrap yard. Copper and other semi valuable metals get baled and then
melted down to be used again.
The angle I use in sales is to tell people the copper and components are
recycled. Politically correct and cheaper when doing supply runs.
Yesterday I priced sheet copper (18 ga - brand new) at $220 for a 3 foot
by 8 foot sheet. Same sheet at the scrap yard would be under $2/pound
(probably under $30). The key is being able to find what you need second
hand.
Also, it pays to be nice to all your suppliers. The scrap yard I frequent
most has the best prices in town for copper and brass. On top of that,
they offer me a substantial discount because for some reason they like me
(I think they figure I'm that weird artist, kinda poor so let's help him
out...) Every so often I'll given them something small I've made and
they're always very impressed.
