Finally Learned HP3 In 1

It took me quite a while, but finally I've learned the HP 3 in 1 chainmaille weave. It's not easy to start, but Spider's second DVD makes it almost a breeze. Of course it also helps that the AR of the rings is around 5, so you're working with larger rings to start with, so you can keep the first few rings between your fingers without letting them slip.

Made my first chain in bronze. Not very happy with the closures, reason being the rings I got about 4 years ago from TRL in a jewelry kit, where the ends have all burrs and are pointed. Very bad quality. I should have bought instead saw cut, but what did I know at the time.

Anyway, here is my first half persian 3 in 1 chain, regardless of the closures, I'm quite pleased with it.

Zigzag Silver Chain Maille Bracelet

This is a simple European 4 in 1 weave in a zigzag pattern. While I've seen diamond shapes and grape shapes, I haven't seen many (actually any) zigzag shapes in this design. The pictures really don't make the bracelet justice. It's really sleek and elegant.

Measures 19.5 cm (7.5") and I love how it's a bit lose on my wrist. It's really comfy. Made of sterling silver.

Byzantine Spikes Chain Maille Necklace

For me making jewelry mostly means wire wrapping and chain mail. I used to bead early on, but the beading bug completely left me at some point. So wire, mostly silver wire, is my real passion. I'm glad that during the last few years of absence this passion hasn't left me.

This time I'm back, with a few 'warm up' chain maille pieces that I did entirely hand-made (except the clasps). I cut the sterling silver wire into jump rings, which I've then used to create the jewelry below. All sterling silver.

In this post I'll showcase the necklace, a mix of byzantine 'spikes' with 2 in 2 chain. Initially I wanted to make it all the way through in byzantine, however the choker was becoming too heavy as it were. Now it has just the right weight without it being overwhelming. It measures 44 cm including the clasp (17.5"). Made from 19 ga (0.9mm) silver wire on 3.5 mandrels. About 3.8 or so AR if I remember correctly. The large rings are 1.5mm WD with 6mm ID with an AR of 4.

I know the 19ga wire size is not the most common one, but that's what I have in hard temper right now, so that's what I have to use for the moment. It's not so easy though to find too many chain maille weaves due to the rather limited amount of mandrels that I currently have combined with this particular wire size.

Anyway here is the necklace on display.

The second photo is not the most flattering one, but it shows the clasp, all sterling silver.

Round Waves Earrings With Red Garnet

Back again to making jewelry. Sometimes I need some time off when I feel I'm getting bored, or tired or lacking energy. Plus there were lots of things going on in my life, so I took a leave of absence. However my fingers were itching to do something creative again, so I've picked up one of Nicole Hanna's tutorials and made this pair of earrings. She used studs, however I prefer danglies.

The earrings are made of sterling silver, the two gemstones are red garnet and in the middle are two freshwater pearls. The garnets are really cute and sparkle when held up against the light. Earrings measure almost 5 cm (2 inches) with the earwire (also handmade from sterling silver).

Been Away For A While

I'm sorry everyone for the rather long absence. A lot has happened here, and sadly not much in terms of jewelry. I've been away in the hospital and then to doctors for quite a while (lung problems) - I'm much better now. Also I've just come back from a holiday abroad, where I spent time with my family in Hungary.

What else is new? I've got the 'perfume bug' and I'm currently adding new gorgeous perfumes to my collection as we speak. Yeah, it's expensive, but I love it! Just got myself a second bottle of Innocent by Thierry Mugler (a toned down version of Angel), and I can't get enough of it.

In terms of jewelry, the price of silver has increased quite a lot, so I have to stock up on it again before I make more pieces - why oh why does it have to be so expensive and why can't it for once decrease in price? *sigh*

Oh btw, just checked Jewelry Lessons site to check out new goodies, and what's with the new Premium membership option - is it worth upgrading?