That's a good point Bentiron, and I don't think you can safely anneal coated coppers!

 Hi Maureen,  I'm sorry if you were offended, but I can say Bentiron is anything but arrogant!  The thing is that we've been innundated by advertisers bringing coals to Newcastle and are a bit twitchy about anything that might be construed as trying to sell the product here.  FWIW.  For a while, half the posts ...

 At the risk of hijacking the thread -- apologies -- Edmund, what does it take to anneal brass and how soft will it get?  I have the feeling that just being wound on the spool it was delivered on hardens it, maybe it would be easier to work with if I heated it prior to shaping.

 All metals will work-harden and anneal.  HOW hard or how soft varies.  The craft wire, as far as I know, is always dead soft, but not usually specified as such.  Not all the "craft wires" are the same.  Some are enameled, some are anodized. Some have clear-coat over the color -- I've had pretty good luck ...

Santa Barbara is a couple hours drive.  I work in Pasadena, I really have no excuse not to check that out.

 Yes, definitely something to consider!

Wow.

Know what is unique about your style and product and try to create a coherent image around that.  Maker's mark may be another item, depending on what your material is.  I have sterling silver tags for strung items and a specific way of inscribing my initials for PC and MC.  May get a stamp for metal work.

 I struggle with the same thing.  I generally feel OK about selling it if I've only worn it briefly and it's still in "new" condition. I have  a couple of pieces that were "near misses" I wear regularly -- those have been good from a "test drive" aspect.

Hmmm... that's local to me...