Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

Wanda W — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:21:11 GMT

In am hooked on making different types of wire chains. I love the wire-wrapped and bead or gemstone in between look. I try to wire wrap where ever I can. I have an old distrust of jump rings and I still don't trust them to hold things together. Why do you trust your jump rings? What info am I missing? Thanks great chain ideas. Wanda

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

Gyspy Mary — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:54:30 GMT

I got started by taking a wire wrapping class, in order to get my husband interested. I am hooked. I love it. I ordered "All Wired Up". This is a great Information Artice and Forum for us beginners. Mary

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

CatherineB@48 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:49:48 GMT

I have been working on a chain (off and on) that uses green glass oval rings and peyote bands in copper to conect them. I think the rings are vintage, but I'm not sure. Catherine, Williamsburg VA

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

AndreaM226 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:22:35 GMT

"Getting Started Making Wire Jewelry" by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey is a great book for beginners. The Beading Daily Project Library has designs for all skill levels. www.ArtJewelryMag.com also has a lot of designs for wire and chain maille. www.about.com has a section on jewelry with lots of wire projects and instructions. I've started a notebook, just a three ring binder, to keep all my "wire" instructions and design ideas together in one place. My best advice for beginners is to buy "craft wire" and practice, practice, practice. Knitting needles make great mandrels for making jump rings and once you've got that down the possibilities are endless.

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

Paula Vincent — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:21:41 GMT

I make sterling silver chain using jump rings or other soldered wire designs, but I've been wanting to try working with steel. Can you provide more information about the differences in working with steel vs silver?

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

KatinaH — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:05:57 GMT

When I took a wire wrapping course my instructor, Dale Nichols, showed us a really simple but pretty link that you can make from scrap. He advised that we make the links after we finished each wire wrapped piece and after a while we'd have a unique chain.

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

Tracy Gonzales — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:03:55 GMT

I find toggle clasp rings and the eyes from hook & eye clasp sets to offer a wealth of chain ideas. Use jumprings (or bead some rings) to link together.

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

Sunshine Dancer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:16:23 GMT

I like using jumprings to make chain. It gives a unique form and character to the chain. The homemade feel really radiates when you do this!

re: Create Chain with Wire, Beads, or Yarn: 10 Ideas

claudiaclaudia — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:44:44 GMT

Would you consider writing out the instructions for the unpolished steel chain pictured in today's article as a free project? I've done memory wire jewelry since 2001, but I am an absolute beginner with other kinds of wire. Your black chain looks simple, but elegant - which is what I strive for in my pieces.