My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Shipton — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:55:30 GMT

A good source of ring is theringlord.com in Canada and also check out Maille Artisans International League at http://www.mailleartisans.org/ for more weaves and tutorials.

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

ChainOfBeauty — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:46:16 GMT

Gripping chainmaille projects: Chain nose pliers coated with Tool Magic. Much better grip on rings, and no marring the finish.

Ring size: When making chainmaille, you have to pay a lot of attention to the aspect ratio (AR) to make sure the rings will fit and the final piece has a professional appearance.

AR = Inner diameter / gauge

Example using 20 gauge wire, which is 0.81 mm thick: 3 mm inner diameter / 0.81 = 3.7 AR)

You can pick up an AR calculator here: chainofbeauty.wordpress.com/chainmaille-resources (It's an Excel spreadsheet with all the formulas built in)

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

wini1 — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:30:08 GMT

Does anyone know if that helm chainmaille pendant with the swarvorski drop is on the site anywhere? I tried finding it but couldn't. Thanks

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

wini1 — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:29:59 GMT

Does anyone know if that helm chainmaille pendant with the swarvorski drop is on the site anywhere? I tried finding it but couldn't. Thanks

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

puddytatsmama@yahoo.com — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:13:21 GMT

Whenever I need to grasp something like jump rings, I use forceps. They hold tightly and the long handles give me something strong to hold on to for easy manipulating. Makes chain maille work faster and easier with no dropping!

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Tamara Sellman — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:32:36 GMT

Thanks so much for this post, Jennifer. I am new to jewelry construction and don't have any plans to be an artisan, I just want to make jewelry for myself and my friends as a creative and meditative outlet. I don't expect to take a lot of classes, so I must rely on posts like this to teach me things (even books can be too complicated for me!). I really appreciate you sharing your experiment (failures as well as successes) because then it makes me a little less intimidated when considering a new technique. Now I'm inspired!

Tamara

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

KerMommy — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:36:46 GMT

I actually started with chainmaille and only recently got into other beading and wirework. My favorite supplier is Metal Designz, best quality I have found and very consistent rings. It helps that they are Canadian ( as I am) so I don't have to worry about duty and customs on my delivery. TheRingLord is good too for the metals I can't get elsewhere. Unless you have the right machine (the 'jumpringer'), making your own rings in large quantities and a variety of metals is more problematic, and you still have to find a quality supplier for the wire. I prefer to concentrate on the weaving myself, and leave the coiling and cutting to the experts :)

As well, good kits with the right sizes of rings and instructions are available from both suppliers. It isn't a technique for everyone, but I love it.

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Wirefly — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:20:01 GMT

As a woman who makes her living off making chainmail, I urge you to look at the Ring Lord for rings. The prices are amazing (even better when you're buying in quantity), and he's got a ridiculous variety in materials, sizes, and pretty colors.

Also, the people on the forum are crazy helpful when you're trying to figure out ring sizes, what to price your jewelry at, and chainmail meetups.

Dive in head first! My first steel project was an entire scale mail vest. She's gorgeous.

a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/.../408471_10151105979350495_329993500494_23624175_593188704_n.jpg

Also, Jennifer, continue that helm chain all the way around the necklace! It'll match perfectly, and beaded ropes + chainmail are often too much conflicting texture.

Rebecca Rudaski

Wirefly Jewelry

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Rachele5 — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:14:52 GMT

I've completed a few chain maille projects that I'm very proud of. However, I'm having difficulty picking metals that are strong enough to stand up to a boyfriend who is a bit rough with the necklaces I've made for him. I like working with Sterling Silver because it holds up well, but some enamel covered copper and aluminum rings I've purchased have proven to be too soft and flimsy to withstand everyday wear and tear. Any suggestions for incorporating color and strength in my designs?

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Qatpaw — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:09:32 GMT

I love chain maille! I started about year ago and found that it's the perfect "portable" craft. I can fit everything I need to work on a project in a small pouch.

It's pretty easy to learn and the possibilities are endless from a simple bracelet to an intricate pendant and then on to some more unusual projects. There are cool ideas all over the internet. I found a lot of good advice and instructions at mailleartisans.org.

My favorite place to purchase supplies is Cheri at Jumpringlady.com. I started out buying the limited choices at Michaels, but I think they are discontinuing the chain maille supplies.

Try it, if you haven't yet!

Vivian

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

knunez57 — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:37:04 GMT

I started making chain mail bracelets that incorporated seed beads about a year ago, and found quickly that all jump rings are NOT equal! After repairing two or three bracelets I'd given friends, I learned my lesson. Buy good rings of the right gauge wire. And yes, the math of aspect ratios is daunting - but once the concept "clicks" in your brain, you'll be set. Enjoy your new skill!

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

revlondoll — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:16:59 GMT

Hi Jennifer, I just got into chain maille myself so I can relate to both your joys and tribulations! I find that different kinds of rings have different tempers and therefore some are hard to open and close and others easier! I had the most fun with the Byzantine chain...might like to try it just for a bracelet or large necklace. I find it relaxing if not a little hard on the hands after a while. Love your articles...Lynn.

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

Rundex — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:55:29 GMT

I've just started doing Chain Maile, after getting a Chain Maile Necklace Kit for Christmas. My Husband Bought it from, ChainWeavers.com. Now I get all of My Chain Maile supplies from them, they always have the Sizes that I need!

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

nadagraf — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:15:31 GMT

Jennifer, I love to do chainmaille. But can not buy enough of the rings. One ounce at a time is not enough. And some are high priced. I really think that you will enjoy doing it. Mixing in beads and gemstones makes the item even more beautiful.

Give it a try and I know that you will enjoy it.

Nada

re: My First Adventures in Chain Maille!

uncommonfirings — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:53:59 GMT

I am totally addicted to chain maille and find that I would rather make my own chains for my jewelry than any other part of jewelry-making. I make my own jump rings, since I have found that buying them from others is a haphazard way to get the quality I want. Many jump ring suppliers do not remove the burs from sawing the rings and others do not size them correctly. Before making my own, I tried many of the Etsy suppliers and preferred Simply Unwired's rings.

To get the lovely drape and comfort of a chain maille piece, pay attention to the aspect ratio of the rings!

Chain maille is a lovely, ancient art and I'm thrilled to see it gaining interest.

Marilyn of Uncommon Firings