Mother's Day

The monthly challenge for the ArtFire Chainmaille guild was to create something with Mother's Day in mind. Below are the creations submitted.

Little Metal Merchant

HaffinaCreations

HaffinaCreations

If you have any great ideas for challenges for the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild, then let us know by leaving a comment for us.

Question of the Week - Do You Make Your Own Rings?

This week's Chainmaille Question of the Week is Do you make your own rings? Why or Why not?

Here are the answers provided by some of our members.

Yes I do. Now that I sell chainmaille kits and teach chainmaille classes, it is more economical that I make my own rings. But I do prefer to buy them because I would rather pay someone else for the process so that I could just sit and weave silver! - The Chainmaille Lady

I don't for a few reasons. First, it's not really feasible for me to set up to do it. I'm a student who moves every year, and currently don't even have a kitchen table, let alone a workshop. Another reason is time, or lack thereof. I'd rather pay extra for someone else to do it.
If this were to become my full time job, then I'd probably start making my own rings. But right now it's just not worth it for the amounts I use :) - Chained To The Strange

I don't currently make my own rings, but I've been looking into it. I can get a pretty good price for rings from other suppliers, and I think it equals out when you consider the extra time it would take to make my own rings. Sometimes when I need a ring just a little bit bigger or smaller, I wish I could just sit down and make the ring exactly how I want it instead of having to order them and wait for them to come in the mail! - Lanza Creations

I buy mine for a few reasons. I work a full time job and I can be a bit impatient so I'd rather conserve my patience for diving right into making jewelry rather than to first sit and start cutting rings. Also I have to take into consideration that the main rings I use are stainless steel and cutting those myself just ain't gonna happen..hehe. - Little Metal Merchant

If you have any questions you would like our members to answer, please leave us the question in the comments area and we will answer it for you.

Maille Cuffs

This collection of cuff style bracelets from ArtFire Chainmaille Guild members was put together by Creations By Uli

BnB Creations

Cheli

Mirricat

Flower Maille

Lanza Creations

Savoir Faire Creations

Creations By Uli

Mailler Question of the Week

Welcome to a new series on the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild Blog. Each week we will pose a question to the members of the Chainmaille Guild, and get their answers.
This week's question was - "Why did you start doing Chainmaille?"

'Chainmaille appealled to me because I have an eye for detail. The weaves were so beautiful and intricate and I knew right away it was something I would love to create. Also, there is so much versatility! I have bold and colorful pieces, designs that appeal to men, and my favorite, the feminine and elegant sterling silver pieces. It's a great craft for someone with attention to detail, and a lot of patience!' - Lanza Creations

'It all started after my husband needed surgery and had to be hospitalized. That summer, I was looking for something to do as a distraction for my daughter who was understandably upset. We took a class in wire working at a local bead shop, where we learned how to make spirals, and do a little wire wrapping. My daughter soon gave up and moved on, but I became intrigued by all of the things I could accomplish with a little wire. I bought a book with chainmaille patterns, and taught myself the various weaves. My first piece was a Byzantine chain - it wasn't very well done, but I sure was proud of it! This may be the most expensive hobby/craft I've ever taken up, but it has kept me sane in the midst of some recent personal upheavals. I now not only create chainmaille, I teach it to others at, you guessed it, my local bead shop! By the way, my husband made a complete recovery, and is healthy and strong again, for which I am very thankful!' Savoir Faire Creations

'For me it was something unique and crafty. I've been a crafter since I could first use glue, but have also always marched to the beat of my own drummer. Chainmaille allows me to express myself artistically despite the fact I can't draw my way out of a paper bag!
There's also the added bonus of having a hobby that pays for itself!' - Chained To The Strange


Do you have a question for the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild members? Because we would love to answer any questions you might have about Chainmaille. Leave us your question in the comments and we will do our best to answer it.

Spring Inspired.

In this blog post we are presenting a couple of recent pieces by two of our members that were inspired by the March into Spring.

Little Metal Merchant

 HaffinaCreations