The sterling silver wire is the one you put the glass on and the other wire is the one that keeps the sterling silver wire on the mandrell. The sterling silver wire gets to hot to hold and is easier to push into the glass with the stiffness of the mandrell. I just reuse the mandrell and the scrap wire after I get the leaves out of the kiln. I used to just hold the sterling silver wire with tweezers but it wasn't safe. With the silver wire wrapped onto the mandrell you also have a handle to place in the kiln without getting your fingers hot.
Take care
Bobby
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