References for Rockhounds Chain Making

Chain Mail Jewelry shows you how to make dazzling, distinctive jewelry by interlocking anodized aluminum, gold, or silver rings. Once employed to create protective garments, chain mail techniques and patterns have now been adapted for jewelry making by innovative artists. Making chain mail jewelry requires very few tools, yet you'll be able to achieve impressive results. From an inlaid Chain Mail Pendant to a Japanese Hexagonal Mail Collar, the 29 extraordinary fully illustrated, step-by-step projects presented in this book will introduce you to a variety of exciting techniques for all skill levels.

If you have two pairs of flat or chain nose pliers, you're almost ready to start. Chain Mail Jewelry gives you a handsome selection of projects that can be constructed using just pliers while you sit at your dining room table or even while you watch television. Chain Mail Jewelry is project-centric and organized into four major sections. The first section, Chain Mail Basics, covers What is Chain Mail?, Tools, Materials, Finishing Touches, and Making Chain Mail. The three project sections organize the 29 jewelry projects by skill level.

Beginning Projects presents Titanium Duet Necklace and Bracelet, Hana-Gusari Anklet, Japanese Cascade Earrings with Pearls, Double Triangle Earrings, Gold and Amethyst Parure, King's Mail Bracelet, Golden Lariat, Möbiused Rosettes Bracelet, Natasha Necklace, Inlaid Chain Mail Pendant, Spiraling Chain, and Red and Black Cuff.

Intermediate Projects presents Byzantine Parure, Crochet Mandala Pendant & Earrings, Free-Form Flat Mail, Hana-Gusari Bangle, Japanese 4-1 Chain Mail Bracelet, Lace Mail Cocktail Collar with Pearls, Flexible Chain Mail Watchband, and Japanese 6-1 Chain Mail Bracelet.

Advanced Projects presents Japanese Lace Collar, Braided Bracelet, Chandelier Earrings, Coif Cage Amethyst, Diamond Chain Mail Earrings, Double Strand Japanese Cube Necklace, Rain Earrings, Japanese Hexagonal Mail Collar, and Tasseled Snake Lariat.

Also included is a photographic artist's gallery providing further ideas and inspiration, a bibliography of contributing designers, a wire gauge chart, and index. Chain Mail Jewelry belongs in the personal library of any jewelry maker and will be especially appreciated for its beautiful projects and excellently executed step-by-step diagrams and easy to follow illustrations.

Chain Making Link by Link provides the versatility of a master index as well as chapter indexing and makes for easy accessibility to over 50 detailed and illustrated chain instructions, potential ideas for over 10 catches/claps to unique combinations with a variety of chain links (31) and to diverse segmentation. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 127 pages.

Chains by Becky is illustrated, edited and published by Helen Goga and Alan Gooding, the ample talent behind Wire Artist Jeweler magazine. This how-to book is outstanding in its genre, presenting 20 chain making projects suitable for novice to advanced chain makers with completely illustrated step-by-step instructions. Several sections provide basic chain making information regarding the modest tools required and their various applications, as well as detailing several techniques for skillfully and efficiently making your own jump rings, the cornerstone of the chain maker's art.

Lavishly illustrated step-by-step projects include: Byzantine Chain, Celtic Visions Variations, Contessa Chain, DNA Chain, Double Lace Chain, Double-Infinity Bracelet, Enigma Chain, Flat Queen's Link Chain, Flip-Flop Chain, Foxtail Bracelet, Graduated Byzantine Chain, Half-Persian 3-in-1 Chain, Jazzi-Chain Bracelet, Lacey-Chain Necklace, Little Princess Bracelet, Paradigm Bracelet, Queen's Link, Rosette Link Necklace, Scary Weave Bracelet, Serendipity Chain, and Simplicity Chain.

In addition to the how-to specific to making each of the presented projects, numerous helpful hints regarding various chain-making techniques in general fill out Chains by Becky as a must-have reference in any chain maker's personal library.

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains is the ultimate resource for jewelers interested in the fabulous chains of ancient cultures. With clear instruction and foolproof illustrations, Jean Stark teaches dozens of variations on classic chains. This book is a tribute to the beauty and variety of chainmaking technique that has been in use for over five thousand years.

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains is organized into nine major chapters: Chapter 1 Origins and Applications of Loop-in-Loop Chains, Chapter 2 General Information, Chapter 3 Single Loop-in-Loop Chains, Chapter 4 Pinched Loop Chains, Chapter 5 Double Loop-in-Loop Chains, Chapter 6 Multidirectional Loop-in-Loop Chains, Chapter 7 Multiple Soldered Loop-in-Loop Chains, Chapter 8 Multiple Woven Loop-in-Loop Chains, and Chapter 9 Claps and Terminations.

Complete, illustrated instructions are provided for making 34 different chains: Basic Single Loop-in-Loop, Centerball Single, Foldover Link, Side-Weave Single, Single Through-Bead, Basic Pinched Loop, Roman Pinched Loop, Pinched Loop with Wrapped Beads, Pinched Loop Plus, Pinched Loop Through-Beads, Basic Double Loop-in-Loop, Double with Wrapped Beads, Side-Weave Double, Weave-Off Double, Thai, Two-Way Single Loop-in-Loop, Three-Way Single Loop-in-Loop, Four-Way Single Loop-in-Loop, Two-Way Double Loop-in-Loop, Three-Way Double Loop-in-Loop, Four-Way Double Loop-in-Loop, Tapered Two-Way Double Loop-in-Loop Bracelet, Tapered Two-Way Double Loop-in-Loop Necklace, Tapered Two-Way Double Loop-in-Loop Section, Multiple Soldered Single, Curved Multiple Soldered Single, Multiple Soldered Pinched Loop, Curved Multiple Soldered Pinched Loop, Pinched Loop with Spacers, Multiple Soldered Double, Multiple Woven Single Mesh, Curved Multiple Woven Single, Multiple Woven Double, and Curved Multiple Woven Double.

Illustrated how-to is presented for fabricating various clasps and terminations including: Single-Wire Hook-and-Eye, Wrapped Single-Wire Hook-and-Eye, Multiple Hook-and-Eye for the Pinched Loop with Spacers, Toggle Clasp, "S" Hook, Bead Terminations, Hook-and-Eye for Side-Weave Single and Side-Weave Double, Tubular Termination, Flat Termination and Tapered Termination.

An Appendix covers Recommended Dowel Diameters and Wire Gauges for Basic Chain Types, Dowel Diameter Relationships, Troy Weights, Alloying 22k Gold for Fused Loop Chains, Drawing Wire, Working in Gold, Melting Points of Silver and Silver Solders, Melting Points of Gold and Gold Solders, Equipment, Tools and Supplies Some Sources of Equipment, Tools and Materials.

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains is a comprehensive how-to reference that belongs in the personal library of any jewelry maker with an interest in chains and chainmaking.

Handmade silver chains are actually miniature kinetic sculptures, created by joining together a series of links. Now you can learn how to make exquisite chains, as well as coordinating earrings, that will become the backbone of any jewelry collection. Complete with 20 sophisticated projects and a thorough introduction to basic chain making and silver working techniques, Creative Silver Chains will show you how to create striking jewelry that will never be seen anywhere else.

Contents include: Artful Chain Making, Materials, Studio Essentials, Technique, Design, and the Projects. Presented is detailed how-to for 20 project necklace and earring sets including the Circle Necklace and Earrings, Amoeba Necklace and Earrings, Geometric Necklace and Earrings, Spine Necklace and Earrings, Wiggle Necklace and Earrings, Bar Necklace and Earrings, Scallop Necklace and Earrings, Spiral Necklace and Earrings, Teardrop Necklace and Earrings, Tadpole Necklace and Earrings, Demi-Circle Necklace and Earrings, Baseball Necklace and Earrings, Oval Stack Necklace and Earrings, Joined Snakes Necklace and Earrings, Square Cross Necklace and Earrings, Paddle Necklace and Earrings, Square Scale Necklace and Earrings, Butterfly Necklace and Earrings, Layered Circles Necklace and Earrings, and the Bubble Necklace and Earrings. Appendices include a key to wire gauges and glossary.

If you are looking for chain and earring making ideas and how-to, you will appreciate Creative Silver Chains.

Imagine creating beautiful jewelry using only wire, jump rings and a few basic tools. It's true! Both beginners and experienced jewelry makers will appreciate the ingenious yet simple techniques used to braid, twist and knit silver, copper and brass wire into stunning bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more. These techniques, first used by the Vikings, allow even novices to make great looking jewelry, without using solder or expensive equipment.

Great Wire Jewelry features more than 70 projects, each fully illustrated with color photographs and step-by-step diagrams. Each project is rated by difficulty; some of the designs are easy enough for children to do. In addition, once you have learned the basic techniques, you can start creating your own designs.

So get ready to be impressed by what you can make, whether you start with a knit ring with silver end beads... twisted earrings... a copper and silver braided bangle... or a brass double flower chain necklace. There are patterns and styles certain to appeal to everyone!

Great Wire Jewelry is organized into two major parts. The first part presents knitted, twisted, and braided wire jewelry. The second part presents jewelry made from jump rings. Sections include Materials, Oxidizing and Polishing; Viking Knitting; Getting Started with Viking Knit, Braids, Knit on 3 Nails; Crown Sinnet Braiding; Cross-Linked Chain; 3-in-3 Chain; Single Flower Chain; Double Flower Chain; Flat Chain Mail; Round Chain Mail; Open Round Chain Mail; Queen's Chain; Criss-Cross Chain; Rope Chain; Double Rope Chain; Cross Chain; Jens Pind's Linkage; Snake Chain; Foxtail; Byzantine Chain; Key to Inside Diameters and Tools; and Index of Techniques and Terms and A Note About Suppliers.

There's no doubt about it, silver chains are the backbone of any jewelry collection. Make yours different from anyone else's by creating them yourself. These gorgeous showpieces, while simple to make, could never be fashioned by machine. Imbue them with the care and personal meaning that store-bought pieces just can't match. And most of the projects presented in Making Silver Chains can be crafted over the weekend.

Walk through the basic process of silver-working - from soldering to pickling, which removes oxidation. See what materials and tools are required. Each one is explained along with how and what it's used for. And they're readily available at jewelry-supply and hardware stores.

The basic trace design is a great first project because the simple steps will familiarize you with the fundamental process of chain-making. Switch from round to square wire to add extra sparkle - and see how to adapt this chain for a pendant. Try very small oval links to achieve a polished and sophisticated appearance. Now give the pattern you first learned a spectacular twist - by twisting each of the links 90°. Another version calls for filing flat spots on the top and bottom surfaces. The Idiot's Delight (a gorgeous piece that's well worth the skill it takes to put it together) and other circular link chains.

The loop-in-loop projects present a distinct or round appearance and all have a sense of volume to them, while the fancy links don't fall into any one category and will inspire you to try your own ideas. Finish all the necklaces off with simple fastening findings fabricated from plain wire. Whether as distinctive gifts or exquisite additions to your wardrobe, silver chains appeal to every taste and enhance every style. If you are interested in learning how to make silver chains, this well illustrated and easy to follow book is highly recommended.

Chapters include: Introduction, Gallery of Projects, Techniques, Materials and Tools, Trace Chains, Curb Chains, The Idiot's Delight and Other Circular Link Chains, Loop-in-Loop Chains, Fancy Link Chains, and Finishing Touches: Fasteners.

Table of Contents

Bob Keller