Craft Wire
Craft Wire is permanently colored copper wire that resists scratching, peeling, and marring; it can be tempered to half hard and is 100% lead and nickel free. Three brands of craft wire are available at Let's Bead!: Softflex, Artistic Wire, and Parawire.
Dozens of colors of craft wire in gauges 28 to 14 are available at Let's Bead!
Memory Wire
Memory wire is made from stainless steel. It's called "memory" because it is already formed in the shape of rings, like a spring, and it stays in this form even if you pull it apart to string on beads. Memory wire is very easy to work with, and one size fits most anyone.
Memory wire is great for kid’s projects because it is easier to hold and string than regular beading wire. It comes in bracelet, ring, and necklace sizes. Finish the ends of memory wire either by bending the wire with a round-nose pliers, or gluing on a memory wire bead. Cut memory wire only with a memory wire cutting tool.
Memory wire in ring, round and oval bracelet and necklace sizes in gold and silver plated is available at Let’s Bead!