Introducing Doktor Nix

This week we meet another new member of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. We are going to meet Nick, the creative force behind Doktor Nix. We asked Nick our regular questions, so let's see how he answered.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? I have been making chainmaille for about a year and a half now. 

Why do you like Chainmaille? I love the feel of the chain and the mesh, as well as the strength of a finished work. It's both functional and beautiful. It has also provided me with a point of focus that has helped me with my severe adult ADD. Working with chain calms and quiets my mind.

What is your favourite type of ring? I personally enjoy working with small diameter copper rings. I love the feel and weight of copper as well as the beautiful way it tarnishes. For sellable items, however, I prefer to work in steel for its durability and resistance to the elements. 

What kind of items do you prefer to make? I like making anything that's new. Anything I haven't made before. Every new challenge is a thrill and an adventure. I'm always looking to find what else can be done with the medium.

Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? I really want to learn Japanese weaves and to learn Turkish round. Both are absolutely beautiful and I have not had the opportunity to work in them yet. Turkish, specifically, has given me a lot of trouble so far.

Which piece are you most proud of? I would say that I'm most proud of the flogger/cat-o-nine tails that I made of chainmaille. It was a challenge offered to me and I enjoyed rising to meet it. The piece always attracts the most attention.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Chainmaille takes a great deal of patience, focus, and endurance. If you can make it past the repetitive tedious nature of the work, it can be deeply rewarding. There is simply no way to get through a piece without putting some of yourself into it, and that shows in the end. If you rush the work or try to work around the time and effort it should take, that will show as well.

Thank you Nick, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. You can see more great creations at Doktor Nix on ArtFire.

Introducing kiwimaille

This week we introduce you to another of our newer guild members. This week we meet kiwimaille. We asked them our regular questions, so let's see what they have to say.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? Roughly about 12 years, off and on. I started by helping a friend of mine, coiling and cutting rings, then I wanted to start learning how to actually make maille. The rest is history. :-)

Why do you like Chainmaille? It is an amazing stress reliever, and I love making things that others can enjoy. 

What is your favourite type of ring? Currently, I've been using a lot of aluminum 3/8th and steel 5/16th.

What kind of items do you prefer to make? Things that are unique and useful. I love finding a piece that is a challange to figure out. Mostly jewelry and inlays.

Which weave would you like to learn that you don't currently know?  Jens Pind, this is such an interesting looking weave.

Which piece are you most proud of? To date, the piece I am the most proud of would be the Chainmaille inlay I made and donated to our new office building, its 8777 rings of Epic. Only not purple... :

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Start small. Not micro maille small, just a small project, something that you will use and be proud that you made. Because you totally should be proud that you -created- something. It's an amazing feeling. And find a pair of pliers and cutters that you will not kill your hands using.

Thanks kiwimaille and welcome to the guild. You can see more of their fabulous creations at kiwimaille on Artfire.

Introducing Tangled Metal

We are here again to introduce another of our newer members. This week we are meeting Eric from Tangled Metal. We asked Eric our regular questions, so let's get to know him.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? I started making chainmail in 1986 after reading the complete Lord of the Rings series. I wanted to have a suit of armor like the warriors in the books. So, I guess I have been making chainmail for a little over 25 years.

Why do you like Chainmaille? I like the how you can take metal and weave it so that it becomes almost like cloth. I have done some very tiny chainmail (2mm outer diameter in a 30 gauge wire) and it had the feel of very fine silk.

What is your favourite type of ring? I enjoy working with stainless steel rings. I like the strength of the metal and the shine you can get from it. Of course I also like titanium rings for the strength and light weight.

What kind of items do you prefer to make? I prefer to make jewelry, but I am never opposed to make armor, clothing, home decor and accessories. I just enjoy working with chainmail not matter what I am making. It is really fun to watch a piece take shape.



Which weave would you like to learn that you don't currently know? After 25 years of weaving chainmail, I am not aware of any weave that I do not know. I do however have a lot of fun finding new ways to make 3D items in chainmail.

Which piece are you most proud of? I have chainmail on every continent except Antarctica, I have had pieces in movies, television shows, on Broadway and on thousands of people over the years and yet I am most proud of the small scrap of the very first piece of chainmail I ever made. It is a learning scrap from a shirt made from metal coat hangers.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Be prepared to learn a lot about patience. Spend the extra money on professional grade tools. Take the time to do it right the first time. And lastly, if you end up making chainmail as a job, never underpay yourself. You may only be a minimum wage crafter at the start but as you get better you should pay yourself a fair wage.


Thank you Eric, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. You can see lots more of Eric's creations at Tangled Metal on ArtFire.

Introducing Enchained Treasures

After a small hiatus, we are back with another introduction to one of our newer members. On this occasion we are meeting Susan, the creative goddess behind Enchained Treasures. We asked her our regular questions, so let's go and see how she answered.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? I started during the tail end of college in 2004 so 6 years.

Why do you like Chainmaille? I've always done art. went to school for it. And I always gravitated
towards 3d. Sculpture and 3d design were always my favorite classes. I see jewelry and chainmail specifically an extension of this.

What is your favourite type of ring? Hmm, I tend to use anodized aluminum in 5/16 a lot.

What kind of items do you prefer to make? Something that challenges me either in design or size. I've been doing a lot of inlays lately. Also, full on outfits can be fun if the creativity is left to me.

Which weave would you like to learn that you don't currently know? helms chain, it looks easy but i've never done it. I tend to perfect the weaves I know and leave the experiments to Beth our "mistress of weaves".

Which piece are you most proud of? My maille banner. It's 3 feet long.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Start with an easy to work with metal. I started in steel and then did blackened steel and it KILLED my hands. And my friend who was also learning never got past the rings flinging around the room to make a piece. Try bright aluminum first, your hands will thank you.

Thank you Susan and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. Be sure to check out Enchained Treasures on ArtFire to see more of her fabulous work.

Chain Maille Summer Rainbow

Collection curated by The Lucky Dogs

Chain Maille Summer Rainbow

   Curated By: TheLuckyDogs

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

Introducing JTRJewelryStudioLLC

Here we are again introducing another of our ArtFire Chainmaille Guild members. This week it is our pleasure to introduce Janice of JTRJewelryStudioLLC. Let's see how she answered our regular questions.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? I am a novice chainmailler. I did not begin until I had a Flex Shaft and was able to ensure the quality of my rings. I have been making chainmaille jewelry for approximately 4 months and still have a lot to learn.

Why do you like Chainmaille? I rapidly became hooked on the art of chainmaille. I love its intricacies and the challenge it presents and feel a great sense of accomplishment when I have mastered a new weave.

What is your favourite type of ring? So far, my favorite type of ring is the box ring. I like its deceptive simplicity and its rather "streamlined" look. My second favorite ring is Japanese lace, primarily because it so much fun to weave.

What kind of items do you prefer to make? I have made bracelets, earrings, and necklaces utilizing chainmaille. Overall, I prefer to make bracelets probably because I don't usually wear necklaces.

Which weave would you like to learn that you don't currently know?  There are many, many weaves that I don't yet know. Therefore, I can't pick just one that I would most like to learn. I would like to learn as many as possible.

Which piece are you most proud of? I think the piece I am most proud of is my first Japanese Lace bracelet. I was so pleased to be able to master the weave and immediately sold two of them when I posted a picture of my first bracelet on my Facebook page.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? The advice I would give to anyone considering chainmaille is... Don't let it intimidate you! Also, if you are able, purchase a Flex Shaft so that you can control the size and quality of your rings. In addition, purchase as many books as you can on the art of chainmaille, as each has something different to offer.

Thanks Janice! Welcome to the guild. Be sure to check out JTRJewelryStudioLLC for more of her fantastic work.

Introducing Isis Arts

It is time to introduce another of our newer members. This week's featured ArtFire Chainmaille Guild member is Linda Faigen aka Isis Arts. We asked Linda our regular questions, so let's see how she answered them.

How long have you been a Chainmailler? 2 years approximately

Why do you like Chainmaille? Because of its design possibilities and also because it's relaxing for me to work on. Sort of like knitting is for some people.

What is your favourite type of ring? I'm not sure what you mean by "type" of ring. If you mean which metal I prefer, that would be sterling silver

What kind of items do you prefer to make? Necklaces and bracelets

Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? Jens Pind

Which piece are you most proud of? The piece shown here, which combines Helm, Spiral and Wire Wrapping.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Go for it!

Thanks Linda and welcome to the Guild. You can see more of Linda's amazing work at Isis Arts on ArtFire.

May Challenge - Summertime

Another month draws to a close and with it comes another ArtFire Chainmaille Guild monthly challenge wrap up.The theme for May was 'Summertime' and we have some lovely results. So let's go check them out!

Little Metal Merchant

Nightmaiden Designs

Nightmaiden Designs

Barb's Designs

HaffinaCreations

Lovely creations once again. Please help us choose our next theme by voting for your favourite idea over on the left of the blog.

Introducing Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe!

It is time to introduce another of our ArtFire Chainmaille Guild members. This week it is the youngest member we have, the lovely Shaylynn from Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe. We asked her our regular questions, so let's see what she had to say.

How long have you been a Chainmailler?  I first heard about chainmaille at a local summer fest this summer. So... about 7 months, although I took my sweet time learning! I'm still limited by the fact that I can't buy every tool or ring that I want, so I'm forced to make do with what I've got (which leads to some unique little designs).

Chainmaille isn't the only style of jewelry design that I do, and I am not very advanced in chainmaille, so it is strange that I do think of myself as a "chainmailler." I started learning chainmaille just a couple of months after I first tried making my own jewelry, and I have to say that learning chainmaille is one of the best things I've learned as far as jewelry techniques go. The way you have to think about the way the wire and rings interact is a great mindset for other jewelry techniques, too.
 
Why do you like Chainmaille? It's such a unique and versatile art form... why *wouldn't* I like it? I'm not a patient person, but (strangely) I am obsessed with details and making things beautiful. Chainmaille is right up that alley! Plus, the historical ties add a thousand awesome points. I also like how chainmaille can be classy, bold, spunky, feminine, or very masculine... Like I said, it is versatile!

What is your favourite type of ring?  Colorful ones! Seriously... I love color. Color adds an extra, magical dimension.
On an even more serious note, I'll have to say enameled copper. It is very easy to work with and has a quality feel.

What kind of items do you prefer to make?  I prefer making intricate pendants and fun bracelets, but I seem to be making more earrings than anything else right now. In any case, I like making jewelry.

Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know?  ALL OF THEM! I think that the Persian and variants are next on my list-to-learn, though.
 

Which piece are you most proud of?  Oh, dear. What an unanswerable question. I love almost every chainmaille creation I've made.... Since you are making me pick, I'll pick the Celtic Flower necklace. It was my first big chainmaille project, and I couldn't make heads or tails of the tutorial. But it all worked out in the end, and I wear this necklace almost every day.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille?  To have fun and jump in the deep end!




Thank you for answering our questions Shaylynn and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. You can see more of her wonderful creations at Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe on ArtFire.

Introducing Circles of Stone!

 

Here we are again introducing another member of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. This week we are meeting Circles of Stone. We asked her our regular questions, let's see how she answered. 

How long have you been a Chainmailler?  I think I've been doing chainmaille for about 12 years off and on. I say off and on because I like to try different techniques. I'm currently learning to stamp and rivet metals. Now I need to combine that with my chainmaille!

 

 Why do you like Chainmaille? It amazes me the beautiful pieces that can be created from simple round rings. I also like the history behind the art of chainmaille.

 

What is your favourite type of ring? I started out working with sterling 16 gauge/4.5mm, but because of the economy I'm also working with aluminum and rubber rings. I'm having fun adding color to my designs this way.

 

What kind of items do you prefer to make? In chainmaille I mostly make bracelets and earrings. I really enjoy the byzantine link.

 

Which weave would you like to learn that you don't currently know?  I just can't seem to get the hang of full Persian or even half Persian. I need to make sure I'm in a very patient mood before trying this again!

 

Which piece are you most proud of? My current favorite is the sterling silver bracelet I did in the European 4 in 1 weave.

 

What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? There are a lot of good books and online tutorials to help you learn the weaves.  Enjoy your creative journey and be patient with yourself.

 

You can see more of her lovely work, not just Chainmaille, in her studio, Circles of Stone, on ArtFire.

Evening Elegance and Male Maille Monthly Challenge

It is time to see the results of another monthly challenge for the members of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild. This month we ended up with two themes when the vote was a tie. The themes we had were 'Evening Elegance' and 'Male Maille'.
So let's take a look at what was created!

Venus in Chains

Saniki Creations

Lunargent

Barb's Designs

Little Metal Merchant

Haffina Creations

Wonderful creations from everyone who participated.

Please take the time to vote in our poll for our next theme over on the left of the blog, and leave a comment to let our members know what you think of their work.