what's the best way to repair links in a necklace?

[policywonk]

My little sods darlings keep breaking my necklaces - just cheapo ones from Accesorize mostly. I've tried fashioning new links from fuse wire, but it's just not working for me. Is there somewhere I can buy strong wire-y stuff for this purpose? Do I need to solder? TIA.

crafty bump

dogged bump

You can mail order 'jump rings' as they are called in the jewellery biz from ebay. But you might have to buy them in bulk and might be limited to a certain size. Get them in silver or gold as its stronger. Or, if you have a local arty crafty place nearby (esp. one that sells beads then ask in there as they usually stock wire for making jump rings, or would sell you the rings individually). If you live in London you can always go to the jewllery makers haven - Hatton Garden (one shop is called, or used to be called Exchange Findings) and buy a length of silver wire, max 1mm thick and some round nose pliers and make your own. You shouldn't need to solder if the wire or rings are thick enough, just make sure they are closed tight - if you invest in some decent wire cutters/pliers to cut the ends of the wire then they should meet up nicely or you might have to file the ends down.
good luck!

Ooooh, thank you very much.

I'd buy jump rings rather than trying to make them - just measure the ones you are replacing & try & find the same size. When opening the, though - don't pull the ends apart, twist the ends away from each other as it makes it easier to close them
If they are not sterling silver or gold - I'd buy silver plated jump rings not silver or gold.