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Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry: Creating with components
Most chain mail project books focus on long chains of traditional chain mail weaves. In Fabulous Chain Mail Creating with Components, noted designer and teacher Marilyn Gardiner offers a fresh, component-based approach to chain mail jewelry. Gardiner teaches readers to create short segments of chain ― components ― and then combine these units with bead links and metal connectors. Readers will also learn to build custom shapes, bails, beads, pendants, and tassels to incorporate into their creations. The 25+ projects in Gardiner's newest book use sterling silver, copper, and some colored rings, all in her signature “office jewelry" style ― jewelry women will feel comfortable wearing in any setting. Gardiner also offers design variations for some projects, allowing readers the freedom to make each piece their own. The projects include familiar weaves, but the emphasis is on the beautiful jewelry readers can create with short segments of chain mail rather than long chains. The book includes clear, easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of photos that will appeal to beginning jewelry makers. Readers with intermediate or advanced chain mail skills will enjoy using their skills in a new, innovative way.
112 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2018
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October 3, 2018
Show off your chain mail making skills with this wonderful book as your guide!
Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry by Marilyn Gardiner is a terrific book for novice chain mail jewelry makers as well every other level. For the beginners, it is especially great because the designs are all created from sections of mail which are then connected to make each project. The techniques build all sorts of pretty offerings, in lots of different metals. You don't have to use sterling alone. There are plenty of projects which employ much less expensive metals, such as bronze, copper, gold plated metal, black enamel plated metal, and more.
The book begins with an introduction which include the author's guiding beliefs. These beliefs encourage experimentation and creativity on the part of the reader. This provides you with ways to examine projects in a different light, such as changing the weave, making a project more dressy or more casual, and many more ways to play.
After the introduction, the tools and materials used are explained. The reader will learn about wire gauge, ring size, imperial vs. metric measurements, and Aspect ratio. The author gives examples to assist the reader in understanding why this will all be necessary when using the book.
There are some basic techniques following this, and then the projects begin.
Each project offers a great design with lovely photographs. They will draw you in and you will want to try at least one of them right away. They each include a plan of action, to organize the student, and a tip sidebar called Explore & Experiment, which, as explained in the introduction, brings out further creativity.
The sections of the body of Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry are divided into seven parts, with a comprehensive technique appendix of weaves at the back to refer to.
The first section is Link Metal Connectors. In here I was attracted to the extremely feminine "Butterfly Wings Neckchain". Made of flat mesh in jeweler's bronze, it can also be made from Argentium sterling, 10% silver-filled, or copper jump rings. The shape of the butterfly wings and the mesh components go together to positively scintillate. If you try this one, you will find it hard to resist making matching earrings!
The second section is called Link Beads. It focuses on projects using segments of beads as attachments for the chain mail. I found the "Love Knot Sparkle Necklace" to be enchanting and very original. It uses crystal rondelles between each chain mail love knot, and has a one of a kind Raku pendant up front and center. The nice thing is that the pendant's source is listed, so you can get a similar one for yourself. Again, the author gives different metals which could be used.
The third section offers projects which work off of building dangles. I love the "Mobius Drop Earrings", so elegant finished with AB bicone crystals. These will make a wonderful gift, as the author suggests. If you want to make a matching bracelet, check out her suggestions in the Explore & experiment sidebar.
Section four is called "Build Bails and Beads". This has truly interesting projects where chain mail gets to shine. The "Oriental Beads Pendant" is an absolute knockout! It has a glamorous frontpiece of Japanese Balls which you will find are almost impossible to stop admiring. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous artpiece as well as a lovely necklace.
Following this is "Build Pendants and Tassels". I particularly enjoyed the "Princess Tassel", here. Made of Byzantine chain mail and crystals, it has front tassels which you can detach when you wish. I think that is very clever. It is very sparkly and lovely.
The last section of projects is called "Build Shapes". Within this intriguingly named section you will find a jawdropping necklace called "Oriental Drama In Black Necklace". The intent of this necklace is to teach the reader how to make the lovely chain mail shape called Japanese flower. There is a beautiful pendant finishing off this necklace which is very appropriate to the design.
Finally, there is a delightful Artist Gallery for the reader to view. It imparts even more inspiration, and actually incudes directions for the two pieces found within.
When you get to the appendix of weaves you will be happy to see great photos and thorough decriptions of numerous weaves which you have used in the book.
I enjoyed reading this beautiful book, Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry, by Marilyn Gardiner. I like her clear style of teaching by creating using components, and her beautiful projects. This super book is a wonderful addition to any jewelry designer's library!
Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry by Marilyn Gardiner is a terrific book for novice chain mail jewelry makers as well every other level. For the beginners, it is especially great because the designs are all created from sections of mail which are then connected to make each project. The techniques build all sorts of pretty offerings, in lots of different metals. You don't have to use sterling alone. There are plenty of projects which employ much less expensive metals, such as bronze, copper, gold plated metal, black enamel plated metal, and more.
The book begins with an introduction which include the author's guiding beliefs. These beliefs encourage experimentation and creativity on the part of the reader. This provides you with ways to examine projects in a different light, such as changing the weave, making a project more dressy or more casual, and many more ways to play.
After the introduction, the tools and materials used are explained. The reader will learn about wire gauge, ring size, imperial vs. metric measurements, and Aspect ratio. The author gives examples to assist the reader in understanding why this will all be necessary when using the book.
There are some basic techniques following this, and then the projects begin.
Each project offers a great design with lovely photographs. They will draw you in and you will want to try at least one of them right away. They each include a plan of action, to organize the student, and a tip sidebar called Explore & Experiment, which, as explained in the introduction, brings out further creativity.
The sections of the body of Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry are divided into seven parts, with a comprehensive technique appendix of weaves at the back to refer to.
The first section is Link Metal Connectors. In here I was attracted to the extremely feminine "Butterfly Wings Neckchain". Made of flat mesh in jeweler's bronze, it can also be made from Argentium sterling, 10% silver-filled, or copper jump rings. The shape of the butterfly wings and the mesh components go together to positively scintillate. If you try this one, you will find it hard to resist making matching earrings!
The second section is called Link Beads. It focuses on projects using segments of beads as attachments for the chain mail. I found the "Love Knot Sparkle Necklace" to be enchanting and very original. It uses crystal rondelles between each chain mail love knot, and has a one of a kind Raku pendant up front and center. The nice thing is that the pendant's source is listed, so you can get a similar one for yourself. Again, the author gives different metals which could be used.
The third section offers projects which work off of building dangles. I love the "Mobius Drop Earrings", so elegant finished with AB bicone crystals. These will make a wonderful gift, as the author suggests. If you want to make a matching bracelet, check out her suggestions in the Explore & experiment sidebar.
Section four is called "Build Bails and Beads". This has truly interesting projects where chain mail gets to shine. The "Oriental Beads Pendant" is an absolute knockout! It has a glamorous frontpiece of Japanese Balls which you will find are almost impossible to stop admiring. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous artpiece as well as a lovely necklace.
Following this is "Build Pendants and Tassels". I particularly enjoyed the "Princess Tassel", here. Made of Byzantine chain mail and crystals, it has front tassels which you can detach when you wish. I think that is very clever. It is very sparkly and lovely.
The last section of projects is called "Build Shapes". Within this intriguingly named section you will find a jawdropping necklace called "Oriental Drama In Black Necklace". The intent of this necklace is to teach the reader how to make the lovely chain mail shape called Japanese flower. There is a beautiful pendant finishing off this necklace which is very appropriate to the design.
Finally, there is a delightful Artist Gallery for the reader to view. It imparts even more inspiration, and actually incudes directions for the two pieces found within.
When you get to the appendix of weaves you will be happy to see great photos and thorough decriptions of numerous weaves which you have used in the book.
I enjoyed reading this beautiful book, Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry, by Marilyn Gardiner. I like her clear style of teaching by creating using components, and her beautiful projects. This super book is a wonderful addition to any jewelry designer's library!
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review