Question of the Week - What is your favourite wire gauge?

It is time for another Question of the Week. This time the question posed to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild was 'What is your favourite wire gauge and why?' Let's see the answers we received.

Little Metal Merchant -
It's hard to choose because I think I get just as much out of one gauge as I do with another gauge. But with stainless steel, 16 is definitely easiest to open and close since there's more to grip on to than the smaller gauges.

Harmony In Metal -
I use several gauges for clasps and other things but my favorite gauge for my maille work is 20 gauge. I like how it gives a more delicate look to the various weaves.

Barb's Designs -
I like 18g. It is a good size for men and women, and the rings don't pull apart as easily.

Haffina Creations -
I love the density and chunkiness of 16 and 14 gauge, but I also love the fragility of making micromaille with 24 and 26 gauge.

Question of the Week - What sort of pliers do you prefer to use?

It is time for another ArtFire Chainmaille Guild question of the week. This week we asked 'what sort of pliers do you prefer to use?'.

Harmony in Metal - Hands down my Lindstrom RX. I use a flat nose and a chain nose. They are so much easier on my hands.

28 Sides Designs - I have some cheapos I got from Joanns that work pretty well...Don't know the brand but I really like using the round nose pliers since they have really fine tips so it's great for working with tiny rings and they have no edges to mar the rings.

Barb's Designs - Flat nose but don't know the brand...not expensive though.

Haffina Creations - I prefer to use my Baby Wubbers, they are the perfect size for my little hands. I have a pair of flat nose and a pair of chain nose.

Question of the Week - What is your favourite weave?

We are back with another Artfire Chainmaille Guild Question of the Week. The question posed this week was - "What is your favourite weave and why?"

Harmony In Metal - Such a tough question. I think my absolute favorite would have to be Viperscale. I love it's bold, chunky look but it still has an element of sleekness. It has flex but is still very solid and sturdy.

Little Metal Merchant - It's a toss up between the byzantine and the barrels. Both just seem practical and easy to throw into a design, especially when working with pendants or focal points.

Barb's Designs - Wow, I really like so many. I figure any one I can finish is a good one. I just did Turkish round maille and really like it but love to wear tryzantine.

28 Sides Designs - I am still have a ton to learn but I love elfweave, it makes me think of celtic knotwork.

If you have any questions you would like answered by the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild, leave us the question in a comment here and we will answer it.

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.

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.