Chainmaille supplies

For a long time (since I went to my first Ren Faire at the age of 14), I have lusted after chainmaille jewelry. Of course I wanted the more expensive chokers and chaplets. Being the crafter and creative person, I would rather learn how to make it instead of purchasing it. So I put it on the back burner since clothing came first as fabric and a mentor were readily available to me.

Flash forward 11 years and a few months, I breakdown and find a ring supplier and a place with wonderful tutorials on weaves. I ordered two different sized rings, a bag bright aluminum and a bag of mixed anodized (colored) in each size. With much help from my friend Diana of Nightmaiden Designs and supplies from The Ring Lord, I started my first project:

My first Row

Chainmaille European 4-1 Bracelet

Chainmaille European 4-1 Bracelet (clasp)

The first row (above) came out pretty well so I start in on the second and the results can be see to the left, right and below. The pattern is called European 4-1 as it is built with 4 rings all connected with 1 in the middle. It is a fairly simple weave (from my reading this and the byzantine are the two best to start with). This was made with 18ga 1/4″ rings aluminum rings.

Chainmaille European 4-1 Bracelet

My initial response to this is “Oh my god, new obsession!!”. I, for one, am happy with this reaction since it means when I cannot bear to look at another piece of fabric I have a good craft to go to and one that is a bit more portable. Although, I believe my husband may be less than thrilled. I have many other projects in mind for this new obsession.

Filed under: Costuming, jewelry