Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Introducing Eyecandy Chainmaille
This week we get to introduce another of our new ArtFire Chainmaille Guild members. This week it is Candy from EyeCandy Chainmaille. Let's go and learn more about Candy.
1) How long have you been a Chainmailler? I have been mailling for about 3.5 years now. There is an odd story behind why I started, but the fact is that I was interested in belled pieces and was not able to find what I wanted. I somehow ended up at mailling sites and was off and running.
2) Why do you like Chainmaille? Honestly, because it is tedious to do. It requires thought, effort and creativity that is constrained to the way the rings attach and interact. Making a peice requires not only a spark of creativity, but some idea of how to engineer the peice in such a way to have it lay correctly. That can be harder than one thinks when the piece shows itself in their heads. For example, I like beads to look like they are floating, meaning flowing with the design rather than being attached as afterthought. I also like clasps to stay on the bottom of the wrist instead of wheeling up. Assymetry is also a good study in engineering, because with chainmaille, which is heavier and much more solid than commercial grade necklace chain, you have to consider how to even the weight of the silver with the stones and which style of stone will flow with the design you are trying to achieve. Yeah, okay, lecture done... Sorry!
3) What is your favourite type of ring? Round, tiny and shiny. Wait that describes them all! :-D
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? Jewelry pieces. I really like bracelets but I make lots of earrings and pendants because those are easier to sell.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? JPL and Elfweave.
6) Which piece are you most proud of? Uhm... well there are two. My Crosses, of course. Anyone who sees them knows they are on my site, my blog... of that it is my sending a message to them. I am also really proud of the Goddess Necklace I made for Sophia. It is Forads Keade weave with set stones with handmade settings, wrapped cabs that have handmade prongs hiding inside the HP-4 surround for security and because she did not want glue, wire-wrapped strand seperators, handmade nuggets with the stones set on them, and it features black opals, black pearls, tourmalines, and some stones that she had from rings she sold as scrap. The thing that really makes me proudest is the engineering of it all. Even with all that unlike material, the whole piece lays perfectly even across the front weightwise and when she puts it on, it so incredibly forms, almost melting, to her skin that no one can say the peice was not made just for her.
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Find a really good tutorial. I can recommend one :-). I would tell them to find someone they can talk to, even if it is exchanging messages and pictures with, about mailling and any problems they may be experiencing. I would tell them to get the best tools they can afford. I would tell them to find suppliers they can rely on, not just for availability of goods, but also for consistent quality, consistent color if that is relevant, and good customer support. I would also say don't be afraid to try. The first metal I learned on was silver. I made mistakes, I accumulated waste and I learned. The waste can go to good use, how do you think I make nuggets.
Thanks so much for answering our questions Candy, and welcome to the guild.
1) How long have you been a Chainmailler? I have been mailling for about 3.5 years now. There is an odd story behind why I started, but the fact is that I was interested in belled pieces and was not able to find what I wanted. I somehow ended up at mailling sites and was off and running.2) Why do you like Chainmaille? Honestly, because it is tedious to do. It requires thought, effort and creativity that is constrained to the way the rings attach and interact. Making a peice requires not only a spark of creativity, but some idea of how to engineer the peice in such a way to have it lay correctly. That can be harder than one thinks when the piece shows itself in their heads. For example, I like beads to look like they are floating, meaning flowing with the design rather than being attached as afterthought. I also like clasps to stay on the bottom of the wrist instead of wheeling up. Assymetry is also a good study in engineering, because with chainmaille, which is heavier and much more solid than commercial grade necklace chain, you have to consider how to even the weight of the silver with the stones and which style of stone will flow with the design you are trying to achieve. Yeah, okay, lecture done... Sorry!
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? Jewelry pieces. I really like bracelets but I make lots of earrings and pendants because those are easier to sell.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? JPL and Elfweave.
6) Which piece are you most proud of? Uhm... well there are two. My Crosses, of course. Anyone who sees them knows they are on my site, my blog... of that it is my sending a message to them. I am also really proud of the Goddess Necklace I made for Sophia. It is Forads Keade weave with set stones with handmade settings, wrapped cabs that have handmade prongs hiding inside the HP-4 surround for security and because she did not want glue, wire-wrapped strand seperators, handmade nuggets with the stones set on them, and it features black opals, black pearls, tourmalines, and some stones that she had from rings she sold as scrap. The thing that really makes me proudest is the engineering of it all. Even with all that unlike material, the whole piece lays perfectly even across the front weightwise and when she puts it on, it so incredibly forms, almost melting, to her skin that no one can say the peice was not made just for her.
Thanks so much for answering our questions Candy, and welcome to the guild.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Introducing Venus In Chains!
In recent times the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild has had a few new members join. As we do with all our members, we asked them a whole lot of questions so we can all get to know them just a little better.
This week we are introducing Victoria from Venus In Chains. So let's go and find out more about Victoria.
1) How long have you been a Chainmailler? - About 20 years! I started when I was a kid. I got really interested in Chainmaille from going to Renaissance Festivals, and I was fortunate enough to receive some mentoring from the really talented craftsmen and women at the Faire. From there, I just practiced, practiced, practiced until I mastered some of the basic weaves and could start designing my own.
2) Why do you like Chainmaille? - I find it very relaxing. I read once that doing a repetitive task is a form of self-hypnosis, sort of akin to meditating. I really believe that to be true, because making chainmaille has always helped me to relax and focus my thoughts. Sometimes, all I need to do in order to solve a difficult problem is just lose myself in a piece of chainmaille for a few hours.
3) What is your favourite type of ring? - 4mm 22 gauge silver plated round :) It's a totally versatile ring that I can use in many different patterns. It's especially great for variations of Japanese Chainmaille, which is my favorite.
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? - Honestly, I think there is nothing more fun than making a chainmaille bra or bikini top. Not just because the item itself is fun and different, but also because it is a complex shape. I find it is a real engineering challenge to create just the right balance of strength and flexibility necessary to construct a bra or bikini top. I spend a lot of time working out not only the pattern but exactly the right size and gauge of rings for my chainmaille bras and bikini tops.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? - Byzantine. For some reason, that one has always been a mystery to me.
6) Which piece are you most proud of? - I think I am most proud of my "A Celebration Lariat Necklace." I almost feel like its a combination of Japanese Chainmaille with the base of round jumprings laid side-by-side and Plate Armor with the massive amount of Swarovski Crystalized Elements attached to it. That piece weighs a ton and feels like it could stop a bullet, but is still feminine and fashionable!
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? - Get some cheap, base metal rings and practice. Practice opening and closing jumprings. And find the type of pliers that feel right for you. Some people use a jumpring tool. I personally use two pairs of pliers (one flat nose, one pointed nose) but you need to find what feels comfortable in your hands.
Thank you so much for answering our questions Victoria, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild.
This week we are introducing Victoria from Venus In Chains. So let's go and find out more about Victoria.
2) Why do you like Chainmaille? - I find it very relaxing. I read once that doing a repetitive task is a form of self-hypnosis, sort of akin to meditating. I really believe that to be true, because making chainmaille has always helped me to relax and focus my thoughts. Sometimes, all I need to do in order to solve a difficult problem is just lose myself in a piece of chainmaille for a few hours.
3) What is your favourite type of ring? - 4mm 22 gauge silver plated round :) It's a totally versatile ring that I can use in many different patterns. It's especially great for variations of Japanese Chainmaille, which is my favorite.
4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? - Honestly, I think there is nothing more fun than making a chainmaille bra or bikini top. Not just because the item itself is fun and different, but also because it is a complex shape. I find it is a real engineering challenge to create just the right balance of strength and flexibility necessary to construct a bra or bikini top. I spend a lot of time working out not only the pattern but exactly the right size and gauge of rings for my chainmaille bras and bikini tops.
5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? - Byzantine. For some reason, that one has always been a mystery to me.
6) Which piece are you most proud of? - I think I am most proud of my "A Celebration Lariat Necklace." I almost feel like its a combination of Japanese Chainmaille with the base of round jumprings laid side-by-side and Plate Armor with the massive amount of Swarovski Crystalized Elements attached to it. That piece weighs a ton and feels like it could stop a bullet, but is still feminine and fashionable!
7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? - Get some cheap, base metal rings and practice. Practice opening and closing jumprings. And find the type of pliers that feel right for you. Some people use a jumpring tool. I personally use two pairs of pliers (one flat nose, one pointed nose) but you need to find what feels comfortable in your hands.
Thank you so much for answering our questions Victoria, and welcome to the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September Challenge - Halloween
We are back again to see the fabulous creations made by members of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild for the September Challenge. You voted for the theme Halloween, so let's see what they came up with.
Wonderfully work by all. Please remember to vote in our poll to the left of the blog and help us choose our next theme.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Stormy Weather Guild Challenge
The time has come for us to share with the wonderful pieces created by member of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild in response to your winning theme for August. The theme you helped vote for was 'Stormy Weather'.
And here are our entries!
And here are our entries!
Harmony In Metal
Wonderful creations from everyone!
Please help us choose our next theme by voting in the poll to the left of the blog. Thanks for visiting!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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.
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.
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.
I like 18g. It is a good size for men and women, and the rings don't pull apart as easily.
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.
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