Tips for making Disciples Crosses

This is an overview of what you already know, but we feel it is important to focus on the most important aspects of making the Disciples Cross, so you don't ruin your Disciples Cross supplies.

As you know the Disciples Cross Necklace is even prettier in person than a picture can show.

Time:
The time it takes varies, and practice makes perfect.

Most believe bending the nails properly is the hardest and most time consuming part of the cross making process. We specialize in sending you prebent nails in your supplies. The nails are the foundation of the cross and just like building a house, the foundation and walls must be perfect in order for the rest of building to be uniform.

Our Kits include enough supplies, including prebent nails, to make 25 beautiful crosses.
We do offer unbent nail kits, if you prefer to bend them yourself.

Tools Chuck uses to make the crosses:


Wrapping wire:
Your fingers will be very sore if you try to hold the wire too tight while making the cross.

Chuck says the trick to wrapping your wire tight, so you don't mess up your wire supplies, is to let the wire roll off the previously wrapped wire. So you will keep steady pressure downward toward each previously wrapped wire, while letting the wire slip through your fingers.
If you are still having trouble making the wire tight, pull wire downward to tighten after each wrap.

Dipping your cross:
You definitely want to dip your crosses, and the dip does not come in any of the disciples cross supplies.

Chuck uses Delta Ceramcoat EXTERIOR/Interior Varnish. Gloss.

You can find it at Michaels or craft stores. Walmart use to carry it, but ours doesn't anymore.

Mix anywhere between 1/3 Delta with 2/3 DISTILLED water up to 1/2 and 1/2.
Don't shake to mix, stir; or you'll have tons of bubbles.
Dip once.

Make sure the temp of the room is above 70 degrees.
The warmer the better.
A heat lamp can heat area the crosses are being dried, if needed.

So the most important parts: warmer the better drying temperature, make sure the bottle says "Exterior/Interior" and use ONLY distilled water.

Chuck has also used Deft; Clear Gloss Brushing Lacquer, which can be found in the paint section of Walmart. This works very well and is a thick non-yellowing dip, but it is toxic and has strong fumes.
As always, we recommend you read all of the manufactures directions and cautions, and strictly follow them. You can read more about Deft here.... http://www.deftfinishes.com/trade/OurProducts/index.cfm

 There are many choices of dips out there for you to choose from.

Hanging to Dry.
It is much easier if you can come up with a way to hang multiple crosses in the same place, so that you can make more than one at the time. Chuck made a drying area, and strung up long wires to hang his crosses on, once they are made.
He does use the unbent paper clips as cross hangers.

Attaching the cord.
Yes, you all know how to tie the cord, but just incase you need a refresher just look for a demo of the double fishermans knot I think is quite neat.

Now for your display.
Many choose to put their crosses in the ziplock baggies which work well. Especially if you are putting them in your purse or even a binder with plastic sleeves.
You can also hand them on jewelry stands for displaying them in stores.

Where to sell.
Many producers find good results in Christian book stores, Consignment Shops, Craft Shows, Churches, Youth group fundraisers, Christian school fundraisers, and large local events.
Many producers say they just wear them and give them away. This always seems to bring customers to them.

Price:
That is all according to where you will be marketing them and who you will be marketing them to. Usually if you are trying to raise money for a certain group, people will tend to buy, just to help send support.
The internet is saturated with Disciples Cross Makers, so your best bet is to sell them in your area. High society areas may pay $12 for a cross, where lower income areas may only buy them at a discounted price($5-$6).
People are always looking for good deals, so the two for one prices can generate sales as well.

Colors that sell best:
That is another variable that is according to your area.
We have some people that sell the orange like wildfire, and other people that do not sell any orange at all.
I have noticed the black and pinks are the best sellers around here.
School colors, and Sports team colors sell well if you find the right avenue.
It does seem like those we have sold to, one on one, tend to pick their favorite colors.

Wire and nail size:
We have pictures of pre made crosses that compares the different wires and nail sizes.
The 22 gauge wire is thinner and easier to wrap than the 20 gauge wire.
The 20 gauge wire seems to show off the bold color more while the 22 gauge makes a more refined piece of jewelry.
The 22 gauge on the size 3 nail is chosen by ladies and children more often. The 20 gauge wire with the 3.5 nail seems to be sold to men more often.
I am careful saying that because if you only have one size wire cross available, men and women will buy what you have. And of course this is only a general statement, because we know men who prefer the 22 gauge and women who prefer the 20 gauge. Ok, are you totally confused?

Lastly, we have pictures of adding a fifth nail to your cross. It is a lot harder to make. The double wrapped crosses are for making after you have practice making the regular single wrapped crosses.

Well, we hope we have helped to make your cross making experience easier, and not waste as many of your cross supplies.
If you would like to buy any of your Disciples Cross supplies from us, we'd be honored to serve you.


God bless YOU ALL for spreading the Gospel, while generating a little income for your family at the same time.
The eternal rewards will be worth it all.

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