Thursday 30 April 2009

First Tutorial - Easy Chain

Today I want to show you how to make a lovely chain without jumprings. It is ultra smooth, because the cut ends of the wire do not touch the skin, so no scratchy feeling. To make the chain you will need the following: flush cutters, stepnose pliers (or roundnose pliers), chainnose pliers, 20g wire. When you have made this chain, you can use larger gauges for a chunkier look.
Step 1: Cut 5 or 6 pieces of wire 4 cm long, each end cut flush.
Step 2: Using the largest step of the stepnose pliers bend the pieces into a U-shape, making sure both legs are level.
Step 3: Use the smallest step to curl both ends of the U into closed loops. Make sure the ends sit flush with the main link. In this picture you see the ends poking out. If that happens use the chainnose pliers to adjust. If you do not have stepnose pliers use the roundnose pliers, but mark them for the larger U and the smaller loops for consistency.
Step 4: Squeeze the two loops together with your fingers. Insert another U-shape through the two previously made loops, form two loops again, squeeze together etc. etc. Pay attention in which direction to coil the loops; if you make a mistake that link will be lost! When you have joined 5 or 6 links together measure the length so you will know how many more pieces of wire you need to cut for your project.
This picture shows the right side up.
Here you see the reverse side.
When you are done attach a clasp of your choice. On the other hand you can make a hook in the same U-shape but use a longer piece of wire and after forming it bend it over to make a hook. Then you build your chain from there. The hook will easily fit into the last link to close.
It also looks lovely if you hammer all the U-shapes flat before forming the loops, the choice is yours.
I hope you enjoy playing with this design!

5 comments:

  1. Hi there! What a great tutorial, I had no idea how this was made!! I wanted to stop over and thank you for allowing me to mention your work on my blog!! It is amazing! http://alscreations.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thank you. You did a great job explaining.

    Jeanne

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  3. Hello Anne! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments on my Klimt-inspired piece. The Kiss is truly one of my favorite paintings. I would love to see it in person, I imagine that it would be stunning.
    I saw your woven piece on A Bead A Day...didn't realize that it was you! Those remind me of the God's Eye crafts I did as a kid. I appreciate your tutorial on the chain...I am taking my first attempt at chainmaille earrings in a class at the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee Wisconsin coming up in about a month. Can't wait! If it turn out I will certainly be posting about it! Enjoy the day! Erin

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  4. Great tutorial! I love the chain!

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  5. Hallo Anne,
    richtig! Das ist genau die Kette, die ich meinte. Danke für den Kommentar!
    you're right! That's exactly the chain I meant. Thanks for your comment!

    ReplyDelete

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