Hello from NW London

**IanSF** · 11-08-2009, 05:43 PM

I enjoy making jewellery, but don't spend nearly enough time at it to call it a hobby. Whenever a birthday or celebration comes around I'll make a necklace and ear-ring set or something similar, always gladly received along with comments like, 'You should make more of these and sell them!'
My favourite materials are Haematite and Silver but lately I've been trying out chain mail weaves and become quite drawn in by the sheer versatility and variety of this medium. I'd prefer to use gold and silver but getting large quantities of precious metal jump rings is rather expensive!

**mizgeorge** · 11-08-2009, 05:54 PM

Hi Ian and welcome to the forum!

I make a lot of maille pieces, but cut all my own rings either by saw or using a koil kutter. You don't need an expensive setup, a jeweller's saw and a bunch of charity shop knitting needles will get you started nicely

**julie** · 11-08-2009, 05:57 PM

hello and welcome to the forum

**Solunar Silver Studio** · 11-08-2009, 06:28 PM

Hi Ian,

. I'm glad someone was brave enough to say hello to us all!! As for not really making jewellery - I think we all started the same way - with someone saying 'you should sell these!!'...that's the beginning of the slippery slope!!

I love the look of chain maille too but I make chain from fine silver wire which is a rather weak wire and means the rings have to be fused closed - and although I have tried it is just too hard to do the really intricate maille patterns like that. I have seen some designs made with enamelled copper wire which look pretty good...and you can always work up to precious metals!

**Di Sandland** · 11-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Hi Ian

I've seen some beautiful chain maille done using non-precious rings and, like George says, you could always make your own. It truly isn't difficult.

Anyway, welcome. Come on in and be friends, I'm sure the very outnumbered guys on the forum would welcome you with open arms

**EmmaRose** · 11-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Hi there Ian

I'm sure you will soon be addicted like the rest of us! Where abouts in NW London? I was brought up in NW London and my Mum is still there..
Em

**kymbi** · 11-08-2009, 08:10 PM

Hello Ian

**IanSF** · 11-08-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by EmmaRose

Hi there Ian

I'm sure you will soon be addicted like the rest of us! Where abouts in NW London? I was brought up in NW London and my Mum is still there..
Em

Stonebridge, within sight of the new Wembley arch.

**bustagasket** · 11-08-2009, 08:34 PM

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooo (see i was polite!):P

**Lindyloo** · 11-08-2009, 09:33 PM

Welcome Ian.

So Barbara, does that mean that if someone said I should sell my stuff that I actually should give it a go? I feel too hopeless to even know where to start.