tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6961789.post-85780359713792312342008-02-07T10:54:00.000-06:002008-02-07T12:32:44.443-06:00I have some issues with the standard cut off wire. They can break and it usually isn't easy to replace the wire. Sometimes you need a longer wire to cut off a big platter. And sometimes you want something different from you wire - either a thinner wire or maybe something that will add texture.<br /><br />To make a cut off "wire" that fits your needs, this is what you need to get started:<br /><ul><li>A pair of corks. I prefer the rubber wine corks.<br /></li><li>A drill with a small drill bit.</li><li>A wire of some sort: fishing line, thin wire, a stretched out spring.**</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/drill_into_the_cork-705160.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/drill_into_the_cork-705153.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Drill a hole into the center of your cork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/thread_wire_through_hole-715566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/thread_wire_through_hole-715564.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Thread your cord, wire or spring through the cork. If you're using fishing line, thread it through multiple times and tie a couple of knots. If you're using beading wire, use a crimp bead. If you're using a spring or other single ply wire, twist the wire after you thread it through the cork.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/assorted_wires-760163.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/assorted_wires-760160.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/curly_cut_off_wire-730847.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://potteryblog.com/uploaded_images/curly_cut_off_wire-730842.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />An added bonus: they float!<br />Next blog post will have some images of the wires in action.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">**Some ideas for "wires:"<br /></div></div><ul><li>Fishing line of whatever thickness you prefer. You can find it as hardware stores, Target, craft stores, sporting good stores, etc...<br /></li><li>If you prefer to have an actual wire, beading wire is perfect! There are a bunch of different brands out there. Look for multi-strand braided wire. You can find it at craft stores and anywhere they sell beads. Or you can find it <a href="http://www.firemountaingems.com/accuflex.asp?navsrc=2">here</a>.</li><li>To make a wavy texture wire, you need to find a spring that is made from a thin gauge wire that will be easy to stretch out. I have found the BEST springs at one of my favorite stores - <a href="http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm">American Science Surplus</a> in Chicago (and they only cost 20 cents!). Unfortunately, they don't sell the exact wire online, but you can get a package of assorted springs from them <a href="http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm/scategory/SHS/term/spring">here</a>, and I'm pretty sure that you can find something that'll work in the package.</li></ul>Check out some more of my <a href="http://potteryblog.com/labels/how-to.html">"How to" posts</a>. If you have any suggestions for future tutorials, send me an email or add a comment!Emily Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02405853235523900054noreply@blogger.com