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Beaded Chain Mail Jewelry: Timeless Techniques with a Twist
Chain mail is one of the hottest jewelry trends out there; add beads and the style positively sizzles. Who could resist? Bestselling author and chain mail expert Dylon Whyte presents his time-tested, time-saving techniques with more than 30 breathtaking projects, ranging from extremely simple to challenging.
A thorough introduction, illustrated with computer-generated pictures, covers the basics of chain mail techniques. Then Whyte reveals his patented, perfected beading method: rather than using difficult wire-wrapping, he threads the beads directly onto the rings before they’re fashioned into chain mail.
The exciting collection of 30 projects includes a delicate Persian patterned anklet, embellished with tiny silver bells; an amethyst opera-length necklace; and silver earrings shaped like inverted peacock feathers, edged with rings and turquoise beads.
A thorough introduction, illustrated with computer-generated pictures, covers the basics of chain mail techniques. Then Whyte reveals his patented, perfected beading method: rather than using difficult wire-wrapping, he threads the beads directly onto the rings before they’re fashioned into chain mail.
The exciting collection of 30 projects includes a delicate Persian patterned anklet, embellished with tiny silver bells; an amethyst opera-length necklace; and silver earrings shaped like inverted peacock feathers, edged with rings and turquoise beads.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2009
About the author
Dylon Whyte
11 books3 followersThe Art of Chainmail - THE BEST BEGINNER`S GUIDE http://artofchainmail.com dylon@chainman.me #Authentic #Independant #Adventurer #Author #Fortean #Artist #Whytes.tv
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 12, 2017
Good, but not what I was hoping for.
December 14, 2011
I generally love the crafting books published by Lark and this book exemplifies why. It starts with the very basics, materials, tools and how to read the diagrams. It then gives detailed explanations of the various chain techniques used in the projects. It assumes the reader may have no previous knowledge of the skills required and is clear yet thorough. For an experienced crafter it is easy to skip past the basics (though there are some interesting tips) and onto the complex material without missing any vital information.
Most project books have a few designs I'd like to try but also plenty that are repetitive or just don't capture my interest. In Whyte's book I was eager to try nearly every project. Some were very straight-forward while others were more intricate but nearly all were well designed and appealing. I particularly liked the Gypsy Cuff Earrings, Dancing Bells Anklet and Red Carpet Cable Set. The majority of the projects are chain varieties, which are generally the most useful in jewelry making but not necessarily what jumps to mind when one hears "chain mail".
Whyte's instructions are clear and concise with nearly every step illustrated. The diagrams are large and color-coded for clarity. All levels of crafters should be able to comprehend the instructions for every project and make nearly all of them. Very few of the projects "stack", you can make any design without having completed the previous projects.
Whyte gives exact requirements for each design, from the number and size of the jump rings used to bead color and type. He does not give many tips for modifying the designs but it would not take much to slightly adapt the projects to add a little personal touch.
The one problem I have is that the jump ring sizes are given in fractions of an inch. For someone who buys their jump-rings pre-cut (which Whyte suggests) this is useful. However if you make your own jump rings and don't have a set of mandrels labeled in inches this creates quite a problem. Measuring 5/32-inch and 7/64-inch dowels is a pretty significant challenge requiring math (not my strong suit) and a finely calibrated caliper (my non-digital hardware store special doesn't cut it). If you buy your rings then you won't have to worry but if you don't you may want to consider it if you want your pieces to come out as perfectly as the ones in the book.
Overall this is a fantastic project book that adds interest and appeal to sometimes tired chain mail designs. You can use it simply for the projects included or as a base to build your own creative works off of. I plan on adding this book to my personal library as soon as possible and hope Lark keeps publishing such valuable crafting resources.
Most project books have a few designs I'd like to try but also plenty that are repetitive or just don't capture my interest. In Whyte's book I was eager to try nearly every project. Some were very straight-forward while others were more intricate but nearly all were well designed and appealing. I particularly liked the Gypsy Cuff Earrings, Dancing Bells Anklet and Red Carpet Cable Set. The majority of the projects are chain varieties, which are generally the most useful in jewelry making but not necessarily what jumps to mind when one hears "chain mail".
Whyte's instructions are clear and concise with nearly every step illustrated. The diagrams are large and color-coded for clarity. All levels of crafters should be able to comprehend the instructions for every project and make nearly all of them. Very few of the projects "stack", you can make any design without having completed the previous projects.
Whyte gives exact requirements for each design, from the number and size of the jump rings used to bead color and type. He does not give many tips for modifying the designs but it would not take much to slightly adapt the projects to add a little personal touch.
The one problem I have is that the jump ring sizes are given in fractions of an inch. For someone who buys their jump-rings pre-cut (which Whyte suggests) this is useful. However if you make your own jump rings and don't have a set of mandrels labeled in inches this creates quite a problem. Measuring 5/32-inch and 7/64-inch dowels is a pretty significant challenge requiring math (not my strong suit) and a finely calibrated caliper (my non-digital hardware store special doesn't cut it). If you buy your rings then you won't have to worry but if you don't you may want to consider it if you want your pieces to come out as perfectly as the ones in the book.
Overall this is a fantastic project book that adds interest and appeal to sometimes tired chain mail designs. You can use it simply for the projects included or as a base to build your own creative works off of. I plan on adding this book to my personal library as soon as possible and hope Lark keeps publishing such valuable crafting resources.
September 17, 2010
Crafts. Twenty-six projects that use beads along with traditional and modern chain mail designs to make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, zipper pulls, and wallet chains.
The introduction touches on the origins of chain mail and goes through the materials and tools needed to make it. There's a lot of attention paid to the properties of different metals, how strong or light they are, what they do in prolonged contact with skin or air, and how to clean them. Also what kind of beads work best with chain mail. Very useful.
Each project has at least one color picture and tells you precisely what materials you need to make it, and the pieces vary from super complicated and heavy, to light and simple. Some of the earrings, like the Shell Spiral Earrings on page 83 are absolutely beautiful. And the wallet chain just looks super cool. Personally, I found some of the necklaces way too busy; I'd prefer to have just six or seven beads in the front rather than beads all the way around, which I'm sure can be done with a little bit of tinkering.
Four stars. Has both written and diagrammed instructions, which makes these complicated pieces seem approachable.
The introduction touches on the origins of chain mail and goes through the materials and tools needed to make it. There's a lot of attention paid to the properties of different metals, how strong or light they are, what they do in prolonged contact with skin or air, and how to clean them. Also what kind of beads work best with chain mail. Very useful.
Each project has at least one color picture and tells you precisely what materials you need to make it, and the pieces vary from super complicated and heavy, to light and simple. Some of the earrings, like the Shell Spiral Earrings on page 83 are absolutely beautiful. And the wallet chain just looks super cool. Personally, I found some of the necklaces way too busy; I'd prefer to have just six or seven beads in the front rather than beads all the way around, which I'm sure can be done with a little bit of tinkering.
Four stars. Has both written and diagrammed instructions, which makes these complicated pieces seem approachable.
August 14, 2009
Eh. A couple of faintly interesting patterns, but in general I'm not sure adding beads onto the links of handmade chain does either any favors, and there are other chain and bead books that provide more useful general instruction.
July 11, 2010
My first book on chain maille jewelry and I love it. I can only give it 3 stars, though, because the instructions for the different weaves are not very clear. I had to YouTube them and it still took several replays to actually figure out some of them.
Want to Read
May 18, 2008release in 2009
Read
July 22, 2018Can't really claim to have read this, just looked at the pretties. Plenty of inspiration here for another time when I'm not preoccupied with other projects.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews