Chainmaille Wrapped Coins and Mirror

Happy 2016, everyone!!

Hope the new year finds you well, and all ready for a fantastic year ahead!

Me, as the ever diehard mailler, ringed in the new year with some new chainmaille projects (of course) of my own: Chainmaille wrapped objects.

Been seeing many talented maille artists' work in using chainmaille weaves to wrap all kinds of stuff, stones, bottles, disks, wind chimes, coins, you name it, but I'd never found the right projects for me, until now...

Yup, it's a 八卦鏡!  Jean has this on a plastic channel wrap that originally came with the mirror; but that wrap finally broke from exposure to the sun for many years.  Perfect timing for me to try my hands on replacing the wrap with metal rings!

So before I start on wrapping this 6" diameter mirror (and its separate cork backing), a little proof-of-concept is needed.

That's right, this POC is not anywhere close to what's finally on the mirror, and that's because I couldn't get this Japanese 2 in 1 based wrap to stay put around the mirror, no matter what... But I had no problem in closing the wrap on these two US nickles.

My guess of the issue is because this wrap doesn't have its own "structure", it mostly forms to the shape of whatever is being wrapped.  Plus, the "channel" depth of this wrap needs to come in more over the face of the coin, somewhat like 1/7 of the coin diameter, in order to securely hold in the object being wrapped.

1/7 of the diameter is OK on small objects like a coin of a donut pendant; but it won't look right on a mirror that's over 6" across, so...  the search was back on.

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Thanks to the internet, there is a huge collection of wrapped objects in pictures and in detail specs.  Almost too many to choose from :-)   In the end, I settled back on the good old Alligator Back, which is also the belly/base of all my chainmaille pet dragons :-)

The deep channel of Alligator Back can keep its shape with or without an object to hold onto.  In addition, I "cinched" the outside HP3in1 rings with the smaller rings in Euro6in1 (although in this case, it's really one ring thru 3 rings since they're on the edge.)

An extra piece of wire is also threaded thru the middle of Alligator Back, which is the center column of its Euro4in1, to give extra support to the wrap, as well as a separate and stronger point to connect the spiral chain on top.

Now it's all very secured, and very pretty :-)

Stats:

All jumprings are bright aluminum, 18 gauge SWG, 1.2 mm; power-coiled on 3/16" mandrel and saw cut on my Ringinator, except the outer edge rings on the Alligator Back are 1/4".

Yup, those metal rings are going to last a whole lot longer than the old plastic loop:-)

Holiday Trinket 2015

Apologies for being a little (more than) tardy for my yearly holiday trinket creation...  But, better late than never :-)

Ta Da!  A minimalist, tall and skinny Christmas tree made in European Vertebrae with graduated sizes of rings, in various materials and colors, complete with its own decoration of dangling rings!  Plus a tree topper with a Rosetta-edged whirlybird and a wire wrapped bead cap.

OK, let me guess what you're thinking, "That's not much of a tree"...  Hey, there's nothing wrong with ad hoc mailling, specially when my hands are still hurting from wrestling with those thick niobium wires, not to mention it's a great way to recycle, improvise, and learn something new at the same time.

So, what have I learned in making this tree?  Quite a few:

1.  The dangling rings in the middle of the "tree trunk" add colors, dimension, and movement.  They are forgiving in AR, so great way to incorporate the orphan rings!

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2.  Got any bead about the right size to fit in one of the big rings?  Put a wire thru the bead, wrap a single loop on each side, and thread thru the big "tree trunk" rings, for extra bling!

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3.  Then there's the tree topper.  Well, I cheated a little on this one ;-)  If you had visited this blog from back when I first started mailling, you may have seen my Rosetta whirlybird bead from 2010, and the wire wrapped bead cap from even before my chainmaille days.  I've been saving them for the right spot to shine, and here they are!  String them together on top of a white flower bead, form a double loop on each end, and there is the adorable angel with the fluffiest ruffle collard!!

Well, what can I say, imagination has always been my best friend, LOL!

♥ Happy Holidays, everyone ♥

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Tibetan Mandala Pendant - Chainmaille Style

I don't stand a chance when it comes to colors.

The more, the merrier!!!



A circle of all inclusiveness, as a symbol of compassion for all.

More pix?  Come visit my online albums on Google+.

This cheerful pendant/necklace is now available in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.  Come by for a visit!

Staggered Corduroy with Japanese Overlay Bracelet

Yep, that's a mouthful for a name!  "Staggered Corduroy" is the under structure, or backside, of the bracelet; "Japanese Overlay" refers to the large and small rings combination on the top side of the bracelet, which pale blue fresh water pearls are set in.  So it's really 2 weaves in one!

Don't let the terms backside, topside fool you; they're both beautiful on its own.  Even when done without the beads, the pattern is already mesmerizing!  But setting the pearls softens the chainmaille edginess, adds an undeniable flair.

For closure, I selected one of my original design of hand forged heart shaped S hooks in anodized niobium in blue-green color fade.

As a first go around on this intricate design, I'm pretty happy with the result!  Lots of potentials!!  Very exciting!!!

Complete views of this lovely experiment available in my Picasa web album.

Credits

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Thanks to Anne E. Mitchell for creating this beautiful design!

Vertebrae Finger Ring

Ring made of rings.  Circles into circles.  That's the magic of chainmaille finger rings.

Many times, I started out weaving a bracelet, or a necklace; then somehow when I wrap it around my finger......

Oh look, a perfect size for a finger ring!! :-)

Vertebrae is the name of the weave; or technically, it's known as a basic European 4 in 1 Scaled, with the "scale" referring to the smaller rings nestle inside the larger ones.  But enough of the maille-tech lingo!

Try this ring on for yourself.  It's substantial at 1/2" wide, but still nimble, fits comfortably with a low profile shank at 5/32" thick.

At ring size 7 1/2, it is a popular medium size ring for most gals, or a fashionable pinkie ring for the guys.

This ring is currently available for purchase in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.  Matching style of bracelet and pendant are also in the plan.  Stay tuned:-)

Visit my Picasa web album for more views of the ring, as well as my other handmade creations.


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Cyberpunk Chainmaille Finger Ring

A challenge is good thing, specially when it comes to reinventing ancient coolness in a futuristic setting: Cyberpunk:-)

A stainless steel chainmaille finger ring, woven in European 4 in 1 on the bias, with brass trim, steel fringes, and blow-in-the-dark beads!  Yes, those beads glow in the dark!  Put them under a bright light source for a minute or so, take it into a dark room, and see the 8 beads (3 in front, 5 at the back) emitting pops of green light, reminiscent of fireflies in mid summer's nights!  Cute and fun!

Unlike most traditional finger rings, my Cyberpunk finger ring evokes motion as the chainmaille strip that forms the ring clearly steps up as it wraps around your finger, with offsetting ends and uneven fringes that are seemingly tapping into the unseen power flowing through the aether.

The inspiration of my design came from a gizmo called The AirMouse.  Ha ha, just as folks tease me about still tightly hanging onto my 7-year-old Palm Treo, I'm not big on the latest electronics, but I am fanatic about all things sci-fi!  Taking cues from the AirMouse (and the hand pieces created by the Ancients of the Stargate stories), my Cyberpunk ring design goes beyond just another mesh-like ring, its shape pointy, its style semi-organic, and its spirits practically out of this world.

It has been a pet peeve of mine that chainmaille finger rings must meet at least two requirements:  durability and comfort.  Let's face it, finger rings get probably the most abuse among all jewelry items.  Given the fact that chainmaille, as we construct them today, uses butted jump rings that are mostly unsoldered, I make my finger rings only with dense weaves, strong materials, and at the lowest possible aspect ratio without losing flexibility.  This ensures the ring will maintain its overall shape under your most daily stresses.

I also want my rings to be comfortable on the finger, not too bulky, not too pokey (well, unless pokey is part of objectives:-)....  Despite of its width, the wall of my Cyberpunk finger ring is less than 2.8 mm thick, that's under 1/8".  It will feel great on any finger that fits!

My Cyberpunk finger ring fits about size 8 1/4; at the widest, it measures 7/8"; on the back of ring, which is the narrower side, it's under 1/2".  The longest fringe is near 3/4" long, the shortest just over 3/8".  It is made of stainless steel, jewelry brass, and glass beads.

Available for order via my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

For more views of the ring, please visit my Picasa web album.
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Plum Flower Dream Catcher Pendant

A totally unique chainmaille pendant that is both delicate and unbreakable. The plum flower motif is a brand new daisykreates' original design for the spring season; beautifully presented in a frame of steel ring, which is one of many fabulous designs from Joshua Diliberto of Maillers Worldwide.

This is one of my many experiments with the Joshua's idea of mini mailled dream catchers.  Given the fact that this is really up to the individual designs, every ring size matters, as well as the big ring, and how tight or loose the motif will be when framed.  But I can see lots of possibilities now that a big ring on the outside can be used to anchor something not-so-symmetrical or rigid. I totally love it!

Here're the specs:
The pendant measures 1 1/2 inches across; it is made with bright aluminum rings and the frame ring is steel for just the right weight, all making the pendant entirely maintenance free. The genuine leather cord is 18 inches long, in rich dark brown and closes with a sterling silver clasp.

Want to take this cool trinket home with you?  It is available for custom orders.


Check out more pix here!

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'33' Watch Bracelet - BSG Inspired

'33' - As in, "Every 33 minutes, the Cylons find us."



'33' is the very first episode of BSG season 1, and my favorite!  Talk about being on the edge of my seat, feeling the extreme fatigue of having no sleep for 5 days straight running for your life....  I was exhausted just from watching it.

front view

When I set out for a design that captures the episode, in my head I had the scenes of multiple watches, clocks, digital, analog, flashing, all marked at 33 minutes.  Do you see it?

back view

side view

Made in European 4-in-1 in circular form with Persian edging.  The bright aluminum, copper, and bronze rings give this 'watch face' an interesting asymmetry.  It's clearly not half-half, but more of a 5/7 split.  The front and back sides are slightly different in looks because of the severe tension held by the double ring Persian edging.  I improvised the smaller rings on the outer rim to stabilize the plane.

Now comes the fun part, the watch band.  I want something that looks a lot like a common metal watch band, while still coordinates with the watch face.  I stayed within Euro family but this time in scale form as in 8-in-2, plus small double ring connectors running down each edge.



However, the rings used here are with much smaller ARs than required for typical Euro 8-in-2.  That's why the left strip slightly overlap the right strip, allowing the center strip to look more dominant.



Then comes the closure.  I tried so many, but none looked right.  They are either too tight, too loose, too flimsy, or too bracelet-like.

As this "watch" sat in idle for months waiting for a closure, I stumbled upon a box clasp on Rio Grande.  This simple box clasp not only is the perfect size, 2-connector style, but it has "cut corners', or octagon shaped!!  That's totally BSG!



btw, I had tried to make a box clasp myself using wire.  Not working, even with memory wire.  The spring mechanism is the key to a box clasp, and I still haven't found a way to duplicate that function with wire.  A bit disappointed... Well, no fear.  As a prototype in shape and size, I'm still pleased.

So, what do you think?  Does it look like a watch that's permanently pointing at 33?



Postscript:  Since the watch face has sat on my table for a while, it's starting to tarnish naturally.  Notice the slightly different colors of bronze and copper?  The large double rings are bronze and tarnish bit slower than copper in the back.  Didn't plan on it, but now I know:-)



Note to readers:

I create the BSG-inspired line of jewelry solely as a challenge to myself to design/create within a theme. I'm fascinated by the storyline and totally enjoyed watching the entire series from day 1 back in 2003. These jewelry pieces are not endorsed by anyone related to BSG, and are not intended to infringe upon
any of BSG rights. I'm just an admirer showing appreciation for the best TV program EVER! If any official BSG representative feels otherwise, please let me know; the last thing I want from this line is to upset the BSG creation.

Chainmaille Kabob

OK, so these are not really kabobs, they're Whirlybirds with odd size rings and frilly edges, but don't they look yummy on a stick?!!

Whirlybird is a fun pattern, lots of possibilities if you just let your mind go (which I do on a regular basis:-) Don't worry about the ring sizes, the metal, colors, or even the number of rings, you can always compensate with even more variations. Just wing it as you go:-)

In the picture, left to right: Rosetta edging, bi-cone shape with even rows on top and bottom, lop-sided by using different size rings on top and on bottom, HP 3-1 edging (this is a Persian Vortex by Clever Wench).