I've been learning a new skill, making chainmaille jewelry. Oh boy, it is challenging! But the rewards are so nice and somehow almost addictively satisfying. I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe the puzzle-solving that is involved in order to figure out how to put these things together. Maybe just that the results are so beautiful. Whatever it is, I feel myself being drawn in a little more with each piece I complete!
Spiral Bracelet
A 'unit' of Scherzo in the first pair of earrings.
The second pair is just links, my way.
Of course my 'maille' is not going to look quite like the pieces that other people make. I love the beautifully polished and perfect pieces out there. The chainmaillers I've met do incredible work!
But my pieces are something you would dig out of an ancient ruins, so I use dark annealed steel in a heavy gauge. This is rugged stuff. It's hard on the hands because it is thick and stiff. It polishes to a nice pewter color, with a nice dull sheen. The ends of the links are never going to be perfectly smooth and perfectly seamed together just because of the nature of this wire. I like that rugged look so it suits me perfectly.
Here are the pieces I've made so far. I'd love to hear feedback! Always feel free to leave comments!!
A bit of European 4-1 in this necklace
A bit of European 4-1 in this necklace
Spiral Bracelet
A 'unit' of Scherzo in the first pair of earrings.
The second pair is just links, my way.
great good stuff! i told you how much i love the first pair of earrings, and the spiral bracelet reminds me of relics from Atlantis.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for saying that!!!!!!! It's JUST what I want to make - relics!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteThey look great! All the piece maintain your unique style as well. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Candy!!! :D What a wonderful thing to say!
ReplyDeleteThese certainly do not look like the works of a beginner. Most excellent job!
ReplyDeleteI love chainmaile even though I have only done a couple of pieces, I could see myself getting very hooked on it. Your pieces are great. I love your use of Annealed Steel, it's a great choice!
ReplyDeleteAW thanks so much NaLa!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy! I love steel!!! :D
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