Two New Chainmaille Bracelets

I’ve been making some new bracelets getting ready for Christmas. The first one is made using anodized aluminum. Aluminum is very lightweight and comes in vibrant colors. This bracelet is done in a bright turquoise color and has stainless steel trim. Two silver plated clasps make it easy to put on by yourself. I don’t think it is too feminine for a guy to wear – what do you think?

Turquoise chainmaille bracelet

 For more views of this bracelet go to my Etsy shop at: http://www.BeadedBaubles.etsy.com

The second bracelet is made using Sterling silver rings. The pattern is called HoneyBee and if you look carefully you can see the tiny little bees with their striped bodies and wings. This is really a gorgeous bracelet and a weave that is one of my favorites. The weave was designed by Legba on The Ring Lord’s forum.

HoneyBee Chainmaille Bracelet

You can see alternate views of this bracelet at: http://www.BeadedBaubles.etsy.com

Mother’s Day is Coming

What are you getting your mom for her special day? My mother loves jewelry – especially bracelets. Her favorite earrings are a small pair of pearls I made for her when I was a Brownie in 3rd grade! We glued pearls to screw type earring backs and thought they were so glamorous. She still wears those earrings today.

This is a bracelet I made for my mother a few years ago. I fitted it to her wrist so that we were sure it wasn’t too loose or too tight. 

Remember, whatever you get for your mother this year, the gift isn’t nearly as important as letting your mom how much you love her and what she means to you. 

Blizzard!

It is cold and yucky and starting to snow. I thought Spring was here! The weatherman says we are in for a blizzard that will rage from 1 PM today through 7PM tomorrow night. 

Weather like this can be very depressing or occasionally inspiring. Who hasn’t looked out at softly falling snow and enjoyed the beauty of the snowflakes? 

On one one such day during the winter months I designed the bead weaving pattern called snowflakes. Here is a bracelet made in the snowflake pattern. I chose the red color to cheer up the dark dreary days of winter as well as to contrast with the white snowflakes. 

Do colors influence your mood?

The perfect clasp

Following up on my thoughts about finding the right clasp, today I’m posting a new bracelet I just finished called Chantilly. The bracelet is absolutely gorgeous and I didn’t want to add a clasp that wasn’t as beautiful as the bracelet itself. Pulling out my stash of Sterling clasps I began to try various shapes and sizes. 

The slide clasp was taller than the width of the bracelet so that was eliminated. The spring ring and lobster claws were too small.  I didn’t have any Sterling barrel clasps at all. That left me with toggle clasps to sort  through. There were several that were OK but when I got to this beautiful, simple, geometric Saki clasp I knew I’d found the perfect clasp. 

Do you think I’ve made the right choice?

I think Spring is finally here!

I thought Spring had arrived but then we had another 5-6 inches of snow last Monday. Yesterday I noticed that the wind felt softer and no longer chills the bones. My honeysuckle vine has a few green leaves peaking out so it won’t be long until the grass greens up and the flowers start poking their heads out after the long winter.

I love this bracelet because the African turquoise beads look like new leaves poking out from under the snow. The freshwater pearls remind me of snowdrops in the Spring.

Process of creating the Art Deco Bracelet

Today I thought I’d tell you about how I designed my new bracelet. I started out making my Rondo chainmaille weave according to the instructions. I used bronze and stainless steel rings. When I got to step 4, I noticed that the central part of the weave had a nice art deco look when the rings were pushed toward the ends. 

Then the experimentation began to keep the rings in that position. I decided that the best way to “hold” them in place was to add more rings along the sides so that they couldn’t shift too much. Adding too many rings made the bracelet too stiff so I compromised by adding enough rings to keep the pattern going but still allowing the rings to shift a bit for flexibility. 

The Art Deco bracelet was born.

For more images and a close-up, visit my etsy shop: http://www.BeadedBaubles.etsy.com

The Maille Mystique

Today I am interviewing a fellow Etsyian and chainmaille artist, Deb, from the Maille Mystique. Thank you for agreeing to be featured on my blog.

How long have you been making chainmaille jewelry?

For approximately 3-1/2 to 4 years.

What is your favorite material to work with?

Sterling silver.

What inspires your creations?

Seeing different weaves on forums or the M.A.I.L. site.

How would you describe your style?

I mostly make ‘plain’ chainmaille because that is what I prefer. I like classic and streamlined pieces.

What is the most important advice you can give to someone wanting to get into making chainmaille?

Buy good pliers, several pairs and practice with bronze or copper.

What is your favorite piece?

Oh boy. Hmmm. I would have to say a Japanese weave bracelet I made with a focal piece that Hawkwolf made for me. (see photo)

How did you choose the name, The Maille Mystique?

I took an opinion poll on a forum and this name won.

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.

For two years a friend, Carol, and I tried 2 different websites. We had a lot of traffic. Plenty of traffic but not many buyers. It was proving to be a site for people to gather ideas rather than a selling site. For the price we werent’ getting a return. I decided to re-open my Etsy shop after giving it alot of thought and it seems to be working fairly well. I think people feel the Etsy shop is more ‘friendly’ and less austere than the website we had. They aren’t afraid to ask for something special. I don’t think it’s as intimidating possibly. I mostly make bracelets because it’s what I wear. I also make earrings and have done 2 special order chokers.

It has been nice talking to you, Deb, and thanks for the interview. You can check out Deb’s shop at: http://www.maillemystique.etsy.com

Chains for Him

Chainmaille neck chains and bracelets make wonderful gifts for gentlemen of all ages.  Many young men like the look of stainless steel, copper  or bronze rather than gold or silver. 

Chains are great graduation or Father’s Day gifts.  Do you like the look of Stainless Steel or Bronze best?