yesterday...

[medusa]

I was mostly making chains.

I've never made chain before, but I have this mad idea for one which will basically be made from odds and ends. I do actually have more links to add on, but I suspect that in rolling the wire I over did it and they are too thin (I rolled a short length of 2mm through the small square roller. I got interesting wire, but not terribly substantial!).

The links are a mix of 1mm square wire wound with twists onto a triangular mandrel and then bashed with a hammer and roughed up with a file before cutting into links. Those are connected with an odd end of 2mm roundish wire. I think those will be patinated.

One of the connectors is a pearl which is caged in twisted square wire which had been patinated beforehand. I might make another one or two but with some of my daughters' baby teeth inside.

At this rate, I figure it will take me about two years to get a wearable length, but it's fun.

[ShinyLauren]

Cool!

I've never tried making a chain either - it's on my ever increasing list of things to do one day.

[medusa]

I think you need to be either, obsessive, bored or insane actually.

[caroleallen]

I actually think all of the above. I've made a few in my time but I usually lose the will to live. They're great for students though, as it keeps em happy all day!

[medusa]

well I wasn't doing it all day, I was making a couple of rings plus working on a closing device for a collar but It was fun seeing if I can makes links like ~this~*




*insert whatever harebrained idea you choose

[camalidesign]

I must be weird becase I actually find it quite exciting to see a chain grow in front of me when all the bits are ready to be solderered together!

I don't make chains often, only for one off necklaces really. Here is an example of one which didn't take very long, must make more like this...



Carin

[medusa]

ohhhh this are nice links! I like that. is the cab that Fordite stuff?

I like chains to either be totally inconspicuous or interesting objects. My daughter was examining it today and asked what else was going on it. I said I was going to put her baby teeth in a spiral. She said I was weird.

[Patstone]

How did you make the square links please as I would love to make a chain for me like that.

[MeadMoon]

I enjoy making chains and can get quite meditative when doing chainmaille (unless it's a *really* complicated weave). Handmade chains always add something a bit special. Here's a bracelet that I made after buying a set of different shaped mandrels and getting slightly carried away and one made while learning how to do loop in loop chains.

[LydiaNiz]

I do get into some kind of trance when making chain - and often find I've made too much. Having said that, I've got a commission involving making 40" of 10mm hammered links soon. I may go a bit funny. Or my eyes will.
ETA: Re the baby teeth, I've set one of my daughter's, one of my son's and one of my wisdom teeth into resin ready to be made into a pendant. I figure someone might use it to clone us in the future ;-)