Chain Maille Jewellery
Chain Maille consists of a number of rings. These rings should be opened and closed with ease.
A perfect closed ring should have an almost imperceptible join, feel smooth to the touch, and not catch on the skin or clothing.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
The correct way to open a jump ring
- Use two pairs of pliers
- Hold the cut portion of the ring in the 12 o'clock position between the two pairs of pliers, which are at a vertical position
either side of the open end.
- Use the pliers to twist the cut ends: Right Handers - left end away from you and the right end towards you.
Left Handers - the opposite (left end towards you and the right end away from you).
The correct way to close a jump ring
- Use the two pairs of pliers
- Close the ends back together (in the opposite way to when opening) while pushing them slightly together
Never open a ring by spreading the ends apart laterally. This will enlarge the ring and prevent it from closing properly.
Evaluating your closed ring
- Check the points by holding them up to the light. If you can see light through the joint, it is not sufficiently closed.
- If the joint feels rough when you run your finger over it, your skin will feel it as well should you wear it.
- Close the ring ends together again using the two pairs of pliers (do it with a wiggly movement).
Chain Maille variations and patterns
- Different patterns are created by using different techniques of linking the rings.
- Beads can be weaved into the maille.
- Rubber rings can be added.
- Use rings made from different metals, e.g. brass, copper, nickel, silver; as well as different sizes.
Classes
Classes take place on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and last approximately 3 hours (9am-12pm).
Bellville Class Dates (Saturdays):
- 24 January 2009
- 7 February 2009
- 7 March 2009
- 4 April 2009
- 2 May 2009
- 13 June 2009
- 4 July 2009
- 8 August 2009
- 5 September 2009
- 31 October 2009
- 14 November 2009
- 19 December 2009
Somerset West Class Dates (Wednesdays):
- 21 January 2009
- 18 February 2009
- 18 March 2009
- 29 April 2009
- 27 May 2009
- 24 June 2009
- 22 July 2009
- 19 August 2009
- 16 September 2009
- 14 October 2009
- 11 November 2009
- 6 December 2009
Please note that some classes scheduled for Somerset West may be cancelled depending on the number of students enrolled for a particular day.
Back to Pergamano...