A lot of learning this weekend!

I have expanded my chainmaille weave arsenal. I accomplished learning a couple more weaves this week, including Jens Pind and Captive Inverted Round and have posted a couple more bracelets on my site showcasing these. Here is a sneak peak:




I also managed, and this was tough, the Half Persian 4-in-1. Half the battle with this weave is just getting it started. The first ten or so rings are crucial in order for this to work and it took about 40 minutes just to do that. As soon as I accomplished that, the rest of the weave was fairly quick. However, the ring size I used, 20 gauge 3.5mm, were just too small and the bracelet and the flexibility was not as I would have liked. Aspect ratio is everything in weaving rings. So, needless to say, I ripped it apart and decided to complete my full persian bracelet. This is so pretty with the blue opal cubes :)

Chainmaille

One particular area of jewelry designing that I adore is chainmaille. There are still a couple of weaves that I just cannot master but I am not giving up, those being the Half Persian 3 in 1 and the Half Persian 4 in 1. I understand the concept and can visualize what I have to do. I just can't get the rings stationary to begin the weave. I think my next step will be to try taping the first few rings down on my bench block and see how that goes.

However, I had no problem completing a full Persian (go figure!). Well, maybe a little bit. After spending the better half of Saturday morning, computing the aspect ratio's issue and what ring sizes I needed,  I decided to go with 20 gauge, 4mm rings. Not the smartest move....darn those rings are small! But I actually got it pretty quick, with the minor issues of jump ring projectile flying from my pliers....all I can say is thank god for my magnifying glasses to protect my eyes! I should have a bracelet up with this weave, this weekend.

I also attempted a Jen's Pind weave, this weekend with 18 gauge, 2.75mm rings. I actually picked this up, only after staring at the tutorials on my computer screen working simultaneously with my rings. This is a very pretty weave too and hopefully I can complete a bracelet with this, this weekend as well.