Simplicity

This summer I decided to try some very simple designs. Since my natural tendency is to over embellish this was a lesson in keeping the embellishments down and letting the beauty of the beads and weaves shine through. The results were even better than I’d envisioned.

This is the Classic Gold Necklace. Graduated gold filled balls on a curved wire are suspended by a gold filled hand crafted chainmaille chain. Because if its simplicity, it could be worn with jeans or with an evening gown and not look out of place.

This necklace is the Love Knot Maille Necklace. Sterling silver rings are woven into a “love knot” and suspended from a very fine chain. I tried using a hollow Sterling bead to hold the chain together just above the knot so it won’t slide around. Another very basic piece that could be worn almost anywhere.

The matching Love Knot Maille Earrings are suspended from Sterling silver ear wires. 

All of these pieces can be found in my Etsy shop. 

http://beadedbaubles.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?

Green is IN!

I was just shopping for some spring/summer clothes and noticed that the colors this year are more muted and grayed than they have been in the past. The lime green is still popular but a softer shade that I think more people can wear. The same was true for the blues, taupes and greens. Dusty pink is also popular again and crocheted sweaters are back! 

There were lots of greens this season in various hues. This titanium chainmaille necklace would go with just about everything. The gemstone nuggets reflect the muted colors perfectly. 

Smokey Quartz Maille Necklace

Combining beading with chainmail designs is the look I love. Here is one of my favorite chainmaille necklaces with spear head beads and a beautiful smoky quartz focal briolette. I think the beads soften the chainmaille and give it a more modern yet antique look. What do you think?

Speaking of Weddings

Here is a necklace that would be perfect for the bride.

With wedding season fast approaching, it’s time to look at wedding jewelry. Not only for the bride on her special day, but also for members of the wedding party. 

Give each attendant a lovely necklace and bracelet they can wear for your wedding and also for years to come. I still wear the necklace my sister gave me for her wedding and that was over 30 years ago!

Fleur-de-lis

Another weave that I created is called Fleur-de-lis. It is a beautiful weave for a necklace or bracelet. 

Here is a close-up of the weave.

If you would like to learn how to make Fleur-de-lis there is a tutorial on my website.

http://www.beaded-baubles.com/tutorials.html#Fleurdelis

Coda Maille Weave Tutorial

The front section of this necklace is box chain but the back is Coda which is one of the chainmaille weaves I designed.

I’ve had a lot of requests for the tutorial so here it is. Enjoy!

http://www.beaded-baubles.com/tutorials.html#Coda

Dragonscale

One of my favorite weaves is Dragonscale. You can see the depth of the weave in this Dragonscale necklace. Each row “stacks” up on top of the previous row. Gold filled and Sterling rings add to the “WOW” factor of this beautiful weave.