Fine silver wire

[Ciel]

Is there a technique for making the fine silver smooth after wrapping it around a bead?  I've found myself sanding it down and wondered if I was missing something?

[Charli]

The more your melt it in, the 'smoother and blobbier' it becomes, but it will always stick out from the surface somewhat (and, melting it in too much kind of boils it away! and can leave sharp bits too)

[Ciel]

Thank you - it's kinda what I thought, so I may use it sparingly or encase it instead, if this works.

[Bluebottle]

What you need is a burnisher this is a hard object like a small semiprecious stone mounted in a handle and you use the stone end to rub over the silver to produce a smooth shiny finish. Other things can be used as a burnisher I think the secret is to use an object which is harder than the silver HTH

Mike   

[turnedlight]

If you are careful you can flatten the silver dots and press it more flush into the surface with a marver or press. If the silver dot looks sharp you can always gently warm it again until the silver just melts.
I am cautious about having the silver wrapped around in a random line and dot style, you need to make sure there are no loose or pointy ends as they can lift and the whole bit of silver come off (which has happened on one or two of my early core beads).  I love the way it looks in lines but I'll often encase it just to be sure.

[Lush!]

Plenty of very gently heat, make sure your 'line' looks kind of 'stapled' in place - takes practice!

[Ciel]

Thanks for the help - I'll go play a bit more over the weekend to see what I can do.