Helpful Chainmaille Links

Maille Artisians International Leauge This website has a huge number of weaves, including descriptions of traditional historical weaves and the newer, decorative weaves. While some of their tutorials are confusing, this is the place to go with all chainmaille questions. Look here for inspiration, too.

CG Maille Computer generated images that clearly explain the weaves. Best tutorials I have found.

UnkamenGifts' Flickr Wonderful tutorials, although sometimes a step or two is left out.

Etsy The online site for everything handmade. Type "chainmaille", "chainmaille jewelry" or any number of chainmail related words into the search bar. You can purchase other artisian's work, or simply look for inspiration. You can also purhase quality handmade jumpring supplies here.

I'm sure there are other good sites out there-- these are just the ones that I find the most helpful. Chainmaille is a relatively small niche in the jewelry community, so instructions can be scarce. Of course, it is quite easy to find instructions on making chainmail armor-- but that takes FOREVER.

Firework Orbitals

Chainmaille! Little random things like these earrings are the result of having a limited number of jumprings to work with-- and an even smaller number of similar color and size.

Orbitals are chainmaille rings that are not hooked into anything-- they are trapped inside of other rings to be held in place. (The Helm weave which I have used in my Geometric Flower and Chainmaille Bracelet uses orbitals).

While the firework dangles are not technically orbitals, they look like it. And the little red rings on the top certainly are.

Pearl Bracelet

What a boring name. "Pearl Bracelet".

I took some memory wire (the wire that stays in a bracelet shape even when stretched) and threaded on some glass pearls and little beads inbetween them.

Tiaras

A few days ago we had some families over. Of course, for much of the time I got stuck with the little girls instead of my friends my age (well, some of my friends my age hung out with me and the little girls). That's just the curse of being a hostess. I thought I'd give them some jewelry tips. I helped one girl make some clip on earrings.

The above picture is the creation of 9 year old S. I was occupied with the other girls for awhile, but she simply paid attention to what I was teaching them and made that tiara-- all by herself! I was very surprised when I turned around she said, "Shaylynn, look what I made!"

My good friend G. made this one. The simple elegance is so understated, I love it!

K., modeling the Crown of Stars. K. and I were both actors in Skits at VBS (aka, Catholic Camp). This year was the Glorious Mysteries, and we needed a crown of twelve stars (Revelation... I forget the verse) for Mary's coronation.

Beaded Ring

This is my second ring of this kind; the first was much better. However, I had gotten it out to show my little cousins and can't find it now. I made this one to teach them how to make it.


I used an 18 ga wire as the base of this ring. I twisted it around my finger twice, finshing off the ends with a flourish (as pictured).

Next, I took some golden floral wire (the really thin wire) and wrapped it around the two "levels" of wire. I wrapped it around the top level once, added three beads, wrapped it around the bottom level once, added three little beads, and wrapped it around the top once...

You know what, the picture itself does a much better job teaching you how to make this. So I'll just shut up. :)