Artistic Wire 22 Gauge Tarnish Resistant Colored Copper Craft Wire, 15 yd

Brand: Artistic Wire
Gauge: 22
Length: 15 yards per spool
Colors: Black shown; dozens of colors to choose from on Amazon

Highlights:

• Holds its color. A protective enamel coating helps the wire resist tarnish, so finished pieces keep their look in storage and with everyday wear.
• Soft and easy to shape. The dead-soft copper bends smoothly without springing back, so loops, coils and wraps come easy, even for beginners.
• A wide color range. From classic shades to bright, bold colors, each one clearly named so you can match what you need.
• Part of a full gauge lineup. Artistic Wire runs from heavy 18 gauge to fine 34 gauge; 22 gauge is a versatile middle size for wrapping and jewelry.

Why I Picked It

Wire is the heart of every horseshoe nail cross I make. For most of my crosses, my everyday wire is Parawire in 22 and 20 gauge. Parawire is made by Paramount Wire Company, a wire maker that's been in business since 1916, and I've used their wire pretty much since I started making crosses. I order it directly from them, since their colors aren't really sold on Amazon.

When I want a brighter, bolder color, I reach for Artistic Wire. It costs a little more than Parawire, but the quality is pretty good, and the color range is hard to beat. This one listing offers dozens of shades in 22 gauge, from classic Black, Red and Dark Blue to Amethyst, Rose and Christmas Green.

A shopping tip: Artistic Wire is getting harder to find on store shelves, at least for me. My local Hobby Lobby recently stopped stocking it. These days Amazon is the easiest place I've found to get the full range of colors, delivered fast.

Good for: wire-wrapped crosses and pendants, jewelry making, beading and other wire crafts
Things to know: 22 gauge colored copper wire, tarnish resistant, 15 yards per spool, many colors to choose from
My verdict: If you want bright, vivid color in your wirework, Artistic Wire is worth the few extra cents. It's the brand I reach for when a cross needs to pop.

— John, HorseshoeCrosses, handmade in Hickory, NC