Sharon H.'s Custom Designed Jewelry Set in Ghenghiz Cohen Chainmaille Weave

Not much can be compared to this puppy; nothing ever even come close :-)

When Sharon told me she found a couple of pieces in my studio catching her eyes and would like to have something made to match the B²+1 Maltese Cross earrings, I thought, "Wow, that would be pretty!"

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Well, it's way more than pretty, it's awe inspiring!!

It's substantial, sparkly, eye-catching, ...  100% spectacular!!

The cross focal is 3 inches long including the crystal dangles, 2 inches across, nearly half inch thick, built with mostly 14 gauge SWG round wire rings in bright aluminum and jewelry brass, with the hidden "queen ring" of the B²+1 unit in 12 gauge that called for some serious muscles out of this old lady, LOL!!

Ah, but the end result is a mesmerizing, three-dimensional texture that is extremely sensual to the touch, if you don't mind me saying so.  I seriously pat myself on the back for this most fabulous chainmaille motif I've ever created!!

  Yup, you probably have to be a chainmaille diehard like me to fully appreciate this level of euphoria!  But I won't lie, those big and shiny Swarovski gold and silver crystals are the magical touch that really made the whole thing pop!  By the way, I'll share a little tip just in case anyone ever runs into this:  Apparently Swarovski doesn't make Aurum 2X bicones in 8mm, only up to 6mm, now you know :-)

To match the brilliance of this gorgeous necklace, Sharon picked out the same Ghenghiz Cohen weave for the matching bracelet, but with an upgraded size of my Moon Rise toggle clasp for closure.

I must admit, for as many Moon Rise toggles I've made, each one is still an adventure to create, specially when it's made with thicker and harder metal than pure copper.  What we see here is actually the 4th one that finally fit the bill just right, hence the saying, "No two are exactly alike!" :-)

For more views of the necklace and bracelet, they are currently available in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

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My New Owlet Design

To celebrate the successful fledging of all three owlets at Cornell Lab's Bird Cam, I'm happy to announce the birth of my new chainmaille owlet design!!

It's been a long while since I first started sketching my owlet design.  It had gone from way big, to way complicated, some were too heavy, or too difficult to repeat, .... I looked at many other fellow maillers designs, and there are quite a few excellent ones ....

But it's not until I started following the three little owlets on the web cam, that I had a much better look at their body, the shape, the way they tilt their heads, move their eyes, flap their wings, preening one another, all kinds of antics, that I finally settled on this much stylized design.

Yes, this little guy's eyes, wings, and feet can all move freely, which was an important part of my "design requirement" :-)  I want it to be a "lively" creation, not so much a sculpture.

What do you think?  Maybe a pair of earrings to match?? ;-)

Update, July 16, 2014

It's been suggested to me that I should introduce you to the web cam darling owlets that inspired this chainmaille owlet design; so here they are!!

Aren't they just absolutely adorable?! ♥♥♥

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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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Celtic Rose Sheet Bracelet in Hexagonal Tessellation

I just realized that I've not recorded my Celtic Rose Hex Sheet bracelet in my blog yet!  Guess I was too excited (and exhausted) when I finally got done with it:-)

I made this for one of the 2012 weave challenges on MWW, which I really enjoyed immensely.  Not that I made it through every one of them, but I did try my best, and I learned quite a bit.

So, this lacy little weave, Celtic Rose Sheet Hexagonal Tessellation, wasn't too difficult to make.  The key is to understand where the connection points are from one "rose unit" to the next.  I'm a bit more "free" when it comes to the ring sizes, I noticed that so long as I can fit the small ring just inside of a medium ring, the rest was more or less "negotiable".  It may also helped when I gave up on actually making a sheet which could be more daunting than a straight bracelet form, more or less:-)

btw, this is not exactly my first try at the weave.  Below is my first try:

I actually like this color contrasts better, a more distinct, tri-color look; but the large copper rings are wee bit too large, making the units a little floppy; also with copper rings at such high AR, they are kind of weak, and that is not a good thing.....

Comparing to the final ring combination here:

So much more better, right?  Hee hee:-)

And it lays nicely on the wrist with a low profile, very form-fitting, closes with a handmade toggle bar connecting to the last rose unit on the other end of the bracelet, making the whole thing almost seamless.

In case anyone is interested, here's what I used: JB 18swg 5/16", Bronze 18swg 7/32", BA 19swg 5/32".

Or, skip the DIY steps, just come over to my online studio DaisyKreates.com and pick this one up for yourself, or your loved one!  Easy, peasy:-)  In case of sold-out and you'd still like one made by me, please drop me a note for a custom made piece just for you :-)



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JPL3 Wallet Chain

JPL3, in my book, is the quintessential of rope-like chainmaille chain!

At actual AR about 3.0 up to 3.05, the chain is so flexible that you just want to spin each and everyone of these little rings!

28 inches long, about 1/4 inch in thickness, weighs at 2.8 oz.

Use this chain to hold your wallet, or your pocket watch!  Your choice.  Either way, it'll be stylish, and you'll be the coolest!!!  :-)

Available for purchase at my ArtFire online store.

For more views of the chain, please visit my Picasa web album.

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Double Half Persian 3 in 1 Bracelet in Mixed Metals

Not just doubled as in "kinged".  And no, doubling a Half Persian doesn't make it a "Full" Persian, at least no in chainmaille land.

This is "doubling" as in "layering", emphasizing the "stacking" effect of Persian weaves.

Very tactile.  Somewhat lacy, but sturdy enough to feel like a rope.

Not a particularly difficult weave either, just tricky to start, as usual with many Persian weaves, specially when the ring size is way bigger than the classic Half Persian 3 in 1.

From the side, it looks kind of feathery.

and the bottom (or valley) side is still wider than the top.

Very supple.  Both feminine and masculine.  A classic modern!

Available for purchase in my online studio DaisyKreates.com!

Complete views in my Picasa online album.

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What "NOT" to do: JPL with Rubber Rings

This should be pretty self explanatory.

Interesting to look at, and maybe play with, but only if one knows how to put each ring back to its proper place.  Could be a good learning tool for JPL.....

Yeah, I had just realized I never logged this here in my own blog .....  so this is a catch-up from back in early 2012.

More catch-up's coming up:-)

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Confused Chameleon Bracelet

No, I didn't make up the name.  It's called "Confused Chameleon", that's the name of the weave, see for yourself.

Does a close-up help?

I don't know the back story of the weave name, but I do see those big old, somewhat dazed looking eyes, not to mention the whole 7" length can also be contracted back down to 4"!  That would qualify for a chameleon of some sort:-)

I think they are very cute, either way!

I found this weave on M.A.I.L. by accident, and I don't remember what I was looking for when this weave showed up.

It's one of those unruly looking weaves no matter how you look at it; it says so in the weave description: "... highly chaotic-looking weave, even when it is consistent"!

Cool!  I like those!

Turned out, once I got going, the pattern becomes obvious.  Do you see it now?  It's a very "touchable" kind of bracelet ....

.... the kind you want to feel it, hold it, try it on for yourself.

I'd describe it as "lacy, festive, attention-grabbing"!

With the tube slider clasp, the bracelet will fit up to 7 1/2".

If you prefer your bracelet to be on the weighty side, the shiny jewelry brass jump rings give you plenty of that.  Brass will tarnish over time, but the shine can be brought back easily by a few quick dips in household white vinegar.

This cute little chameleon bracelet can be made to order via my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

Complete views of this little critter is in my Picasa web album.  Please come by for a visit!

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Strangemaille

You know what people say about things they don't understand.....  "That's strange..."  Got your attention, didn't it? :-)  It did for me!

It looks a bit strange (duh!), but in a very attractive way:-)  Saw several gorgeous bracelets made in the weave, looked almost like fuzzy loops out of yarns.  I want one!

So last night, I set out for my first go at Strangemaille; I was aiming for a short test strip.  It was rather easy, to my surprise.  So I kept going.  Wow, this weave is additive!  I couldn't stop!  Went for nearly 4 inches when it happened again, my eternal nemesis:  Running out of rings!  Ugh!

So I broke off a section of the strip, counted a few multiples of 3 center rings, decided to connect it end to end for a finger ring, instant gratification, right?!  But ahh.....  (you may have guessed it) The connecting part took me longer than learning and making the 4-inch strip!!

Lucky for me, when I nearly decided to give up and call it a night, it clicked!  Like a zipper!!

Not exactly prim and proper, more funky and loopy, LOL!!

It definitely is not as thin as a Oops ring would feel, but still pretty comfy on the finger, about the size of a chunky pinkie ring.  I'm very happy with this:-)

This ring is now available for purchase in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.  Please come by a visit.

As to the rest of that test strip?  I put a pink drop bead on one end, a simple bail of triple rings on the other, and turned it into a funky little pendant!

More pictures of the pendant to come in my future blog entry.  Please stand by! :-)

(I noticed how many times I used the word "funky" here; it's either it really is very funky, or I should expand my vocabulary beyond "funky"....:-) )

Complete views of the "Strange" stuff, please visit my Picasa web album.

~~~~~ Credits ~~~~~

Strangemaille is a weave by lorenzo on M.A.I.L.  To learn how to make this weave, I followed this tutorial by hysteria101, an excellent article.  Several inspiring work there as well as on M.W.W.


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PawPrints Chainmaille Bracelet

Presenting another new daisykreates' original design in chainmaille:

My PawPrints bracelet!

Although the idea of paw prints is not new, and there are plenty of images symbolizing our love for our critter friends, my PawPrints design is my tribute to all the dogs and cats who have graced our land with their paw prints, and showed us the true path to enlightenment!

This design has been quite a while in the making, tracing back to my original prototype in July of 2012.  It had since gone through several experiments using other chainmaille weaves, but in the end, I came back to the classic Japanese weave for its clarity and manga-like simplicity, because ...

Less really is more!

Made with a variety of sizes and materials of jump rings, my PawPrints bracelet presents my stylized version of paw prints using nothing but round metal rings to achieve the delicate balance between strength and flexibility.

PawPrints bracelet measures at 7 1/4 inches long, 3/4 inch wide, and 3/16" thick; is made with jewelry brass, stainless steel, and bright aluminum jump rings, fastened with a plated lobster claw clasp into the large double rings of the last paw print on the other end.  Very low profile and just the right amount of weight (0.5 oz), ensuring comfortable daily wear on the wrist.

Interested in purchasing this item?  It is available for purchase in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

Want your PawPrints in different materials and colors?  Leave me a message here on this post's comments section and let me help you choose a combination of your own.

Check out more views of the cutie in my Picasa web album.

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