On behalf of the members of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild I would like to wish everyone a very joyful and happy Christmas and Holiday season! We look forward to bringing you more fabulous Chainmaille creations in 2011.
Happy Holidays
HaffinaCreations - Guildmaster
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Introducing Viking Jones Jewelry
We are back again with another new member of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. This week we are featuring Sara from Viking Jones Jewelry. Let's see how Sara tackled our questions.
1) How long have you been a Chainmailler?
2) Why do you like Chainmaille?
3) What is your favourite type of ring?
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make?
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know?
6) Which piece are you most proud of?
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille?
Thanks Sara, welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. Don't forget to check out Sara's creations at Viking Jones Jewelry.
Believe it or not, I have only been making chainmaille for about 2 months. I was hooked from the first ring.
2) Why do you like Chainmaille?
I have a 2 year old heathen child and am a stay at home mom. When she goes to sleep for her nap and for the night is the only time I really have to myself, and then I have to do housework. Chainmaille is seriously my escape from life. For a couple hours each day I can sit there and concentrate on just one thing and I don't have to worry about the piece I'm working on running off and climbing into the dishwasher when I'm cleaning the kitchen. :)
3) What is your favourite type of ring?
So far, 20g 3/16" and 1/8" seem to be a major part of almost every piece I've made. One of those sizes seem to be needed for everything. But I prefer working with the smaller gauges. The heaviest gauge I've worked with is 16g AA and I got those rings to give my daughter something to play with so I could finish a piece.
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make?
I love necklace chains, though I haven't had the time or chance to make many yet. I'm not fond of earrings, but I'm sure chainmaille will start making an appearance when I make them. I like making jewelry because there are so many people out there that think of chainmaille as the E x-1 hauberks and coifs only and they don't really think of it in a jewelry setting, especially in my area.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know?
Viperscale. I've tried it, but as soon as I get a small patch done and set it down, I lose the pattern and it's just a jumble of rings when I come back to it. I've done tiny JPL, which is supposed to be hard, but I can't get viperscale with huge rings. Eventually I may get it, but I'm not holding my breath. LOL
6) Which piece are you most proud of?
At the moment, my favorite piece is a dragonscale bracelet made with 20g 3/16" and 1/8" (see, those sizes are EVERYWHERE!) copper. It's not quite finished yet since I'm waiting for the clasp to come in the mail, but I love it. I love the weave in general, but this piece in particular because I actually finished it. It's the first bracelet I've made that I cared where the clasp landed on the wrist and hunted for a week for a four-ring copper tube clasp so that it would sit at the bottom of the wrist and showcase just the weave.
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille?
Find a good supplier of rings - one that has consistent quality in cuts and color (if you use anodized rings). If your supplier constantly sends you rings that aren't round or are broken, find another supplier or learn to make your own rings. Get pliers that are made for the material you want to work with. Don't get pansy pliers if you want to work with steel because they'll break. Then, find some great tutorials. There are awesome free ones online, and they come attached to the people who wrote them so you can ask questions to your hearts content, and these people will love to help you. Oh, and learn aspect ratio. AR is one of those necessary evils, but with it you can go far. :)
Thanks Sara, welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. Don't forget to check out Sara's creations at Viking Jones Jewelry.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Introducing Unseelie Designs
This week we are introducing another of our newer members, Unseelie Designs. Let's see how she tackles are regular questions.
1) How long have you been a Chainmailler? I've been making maille since 2005.
2) Why do you like Chainmaille? It's interesting the patterns that can be made out of just little loops of metal. It seems so simple, but it really isn't and there is so much that can be done. It's like it just keeps pulling me back in with some new weave, some new idea or experiment with what I can pull off with those rings. Also, it's comforting to make jewelry or other items that look great and have some strength to them.
3) What is your favourite type of ring? Stainless Steel 4mm ID
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? Bracelets mostly. Probably because I love wearing them and I really don't need to worry about them too much.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? GSG and Stepping stones
6) Which piece are you most proud of? My Balance the Heart bracelet. Yes, it's a simple Byzantine, but getting the beads in there without the entire piece spiraling was a challenge.
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Just because it isn't easy right away doesn't mean you should give up on it. Sometimes it just takes a while to understand the pattern. It can be easy to get discouraged, but just keep on trying. Eventually you'll get it!
Thank you for answering our questions, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. Don't forget to check out Unseelie Designs' Artfire Studio!
2) Why do you like Chainmaille? It's interesting the patterns that can be made out of just little loops of metal. It seems so simple, but it really isn't and there is so much that can be done. It's like it just keeps pulling me back in with some new weave, some new idea or experiment with what I can pull off with those rings. Also, it's comforting to make jewelry or other items that look great and have some strength to them.
3) What is your favourite type of ring? Stainless Steel 4mm ID
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? Bracelets mostly. Probably because I love wearing them and I really don't need to worry about them too much. 5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? GSG and Stepping stones
6) Which piece are you most proud of? My Balance the Heart bracelet. Yes, it's a simple Byzantine, but getting the beads in there without the entire piece spiraling was a challenge. 7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Just because it isn't easy right away doesn't mean you should give up on it. Sometimes it just takes a while to understand the pattern. It can be easy to get discouraged, but just keep on trying. Eventually you'll get it!
Thank you for answering our questions, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. Don't forget to check out Unseelie Designs' Artfire Studio!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
1920's Inspired Challenge
For the months of October and November, the members of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild were given the challenge to create a piece or pieces of chainmaille that were inspired by the 1920's. We received some amazing submissions. Join with us as we pay homage to the 1920's.
Fabulous work by all.
This is the last challenge for 2010, but be sure to join us in 2011 when we return with more challenges.
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