Friday Random Jump Ring Surprise

Happy Friday,

I might as well tell you now, there is no surprise, well maybe some of you will be surprised.  I don’t know.

I am at a loss for subject matter today, and as I sit here and stare at the blank screen, mocking me, and urging me to type something, I got nothing.

As many of you know I am just mad about Maille, Chainmaille that is.  Spelled properly, Chain Mail is the process of connecting metal rings to each other to create clothing or other items, commonly referred to as Armor.  Although Chain Mail is the accepted spelling many Maillers use the spelling maille, as do I, to separate the terms from the mail you receive at home or “Chain Letters“.  Some are attempting to have the word changed to “Maille” in the dictionary.

So what does that have to do with anything?  Absolutely nothing, just a neat piece of information.

Some of you are aware that I am in the process of attempting to fulfill an invitation / request to create an on-line or e-book about Maille, “In Chains“.  In my research and trying out different weaves, I made a mistake in a pattern, and thought it looked kind of neat. I continued playing with the position of the rings until I came up with a short length of chain seven units long with individual links that resemble an eye or lace.

Nicknamed “Odin’s Eye”, until I can come up with something better, this weave is from the European 4-in-1 family.  The “Helm” weave, of which Odin’s Eye is a variation, consists of two outer rings connected to each other, supporting an orbital or floating ring that is sandwiched between them.  This weave is thought to originate in Scandinavia.  This sample below is Mini or Micro Maille, with an AR of 4.8 and 2.9 for large and small rings, I cannot manage to get the same twist to occur with larger scale rings.

“Odin’s Eye”

This variation turns the pattern inside out, with the floating rings connected and capturing the inside chain with smaller rings on the outside and twisted, knotted, or mobiused through each other, creating an X or crossed shape at the edges.  This gives each individual unit the appearance of an eye.  Created from hand–spun and antiqued Copper wire.

“Odin’s Eye” a Helm Weave variation

There are similar patterns to this one, and after a little more research I will be submitting this to M.A.I.L. (Maille Artisans International League) as a weave variation for their gallery.

“Odin’s Eye” – Twist may be formed to left or right

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

 

Wednesday Tutorial Video Coil and Cut Jump Rings

Good Morning,

After spending much of yesterday trying to figure out how to use and navigate the new blog pages for Blogger, I thought we might test out a new post with something fun.

As I posted previously, I will attempt to upload one tutorial video a month.  This one (as well as others) May be found on Youtube, Dailymotion, alchemistsvessel.net or the Facebook fan page.  All links to these pages may be found on the menu to your right.

Today’s tutorial is coiling and cutting your own jump rings.  Youtube has some new features which include auto fixing the video you upload.  Perhaps it will make the video look better, one can hope.

Our next tutorial will cover making a pair of earrings.  Now that you have the basics down, we might as well put it all together and make something!

The video will not be posted until May, 2012, so you have plenty of time to prepare.  Want to make a pair along with the video?  The Supply list may be found below.

“Beaded Earrings” (sounds fun and interesting, yes?)

Supply List

Tools: 

2 pairs of pliers – Round Nosed and Flat or Chained nosed. 

Wire or Jewelry Cutters (aka “Flush Cutters”)

Materials:

1 pkg. of Jump Rings 4mm (or coil and cut your own, you need 2)

1 pkg. of Head Pins. (you will only need two, but extra is good!)

1 pkg. of Ear Wires (common in craft stores are Fish Hook Style)

2 Beads of your choice. (They should be 6mm to 8mm in size)

*6mm round red glass beads will be used for the tutorial.

Most of the items may be found at your local craft shop.  Don’t want to spend more than a couple of bucks? Checkout a Wal-Mart or other variety store, they usually have these kinds of things for $2.00 to $5.00.No special equipment is necessary, I bet most of you have pliers and a wire cutter at home.  If not, try a Wal-Mart or other variety store for inexpensive tools.  It’s not the tool it’s the craft-person using the tool that makes the pieces unique and wonderful.  Paint Brush or Power Tool, a human hand is still required to operate them.


When someone asks you where you got them, you can smile and say, “I made this.”

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  We would like to wish you a pleasant week.