The Phaedra© Craze!

After a month hiatus from AJE, I'm back!  While I was gone, I spent a lot of time exploring chainmaille.  One of the things I'm having a LOT of fun with right now is the Phaedra© tutorial.  The Phaedra© was created by Karen Snyder and it's a gorgeous design!

Photo by Karen Snyder

A sparkling crystal rivoli is the centerpiece of this chainmaille unit.

Photo by Karen Snyder

Karen has designed the tutorial to accommodate several different sizes of rivoli crystals making this perfect for earrings, pendants and components.

I purchased the tutorial from C&T Designs but it can also be purchased directly through Karen's website.  C&T carries ring packs in Argentium, silver-fill and Niobium. You can also buy bulk bright and/or anodized aluminum (which is what I did). Swarovski rivolis need to be purchased through other sites (FusionBeads and Beadware IL are a great sources for them). 

The tutorial contains a complete list of materials, lots of step-by-step photos and excellent instructions.  

10.5mm Fail and Success 

I tried the 10.5mm rivoli first.  The first attempt I came close but had a fail right at the very end.  I'm not really sure what happened but I went in for a second try and was successful! 

12mm Fail and Success 

After completing the 10.5mm I decided to try the 12mm.  The 12mm requires an extra section and was definitely a challenge.  You can see my fail on the right of the photo.  It's a bit of a tight squeeze at the end with the final unit but with the right pliers (Xuron bent nose) and some patience I made it happen!  

Completed Phaedras

I'm currently waiting on an order of rings so I can try making earrings with the 8mm rivolis.  Apparently I forgot to order 1 particular size (oops)!  

Phaedra© with Square Rings.  Photo by Karen Snyder.

I can't recommend this tutorial enough.  If you have some basic chainmaille experience you can make them.

If you decide to join the Phaedra© craze you should check out Facebook groups Chain Maille and ChainMaille Jewelry & More.  Lots of people are showing off their finished components AND the jewelry they are creating with them. 

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Ch...Ch...Chained!

I always like to encourage people to try new things when it comes to their jewelry.  In the short time I've been teaching myself chain maille, I've noticed that many maillers are purists or typically only include metal or crystal beads in their work.  I also see that there aren't many art bead enthusiasts using chain maille.  If you are curious about giving it a try then start with Byzantine weave.  It looks complicated but it's actually pretty easy!  

You can find a free tutorial for Byzantine weave over at The Ring Lord by clicking here.

Earrings are a quick and easy way to start when incorporating chain maille into your work.  I've made a couple of pairs recently.

These stoneware seashell charms are paired with Byzantine links made from turquoise and brown anodized aluminum rings.  I created them for the Bead Cruise Jewelry Inspiration Challenge that I hosted over the weekend on Facebook.

I made these cuties a few days ago.  They feature enameled frog charms from Gardanne Beads, my own aqua-glazed stoneware beads and half a Byzantine weave link out of green and brown anodized aluminum rings.  See, you don't even have to use a full link to incorporate some chain maille in your work!

I also have these fiery Byzantine links ready to go.  I want to pair them with a smaller, porcelain version of my chili pepper charms similar to these stoneware ones...

I hope these inspire you to give chain maille with art beads a try!

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Further Explorations in Chain Maille

I can't stop.  I was warned that chain maille was addictive.  It's true.

I'm working on two projects right now, both of which I hope will become samples for my booth at Bead Fest.  The first involves these pretty autumn-hued anodized aluminum jump rings.

This is a box chain weave.  It was supposed to be a bracelet but I've decided to go ahead and turn it into a necklace.  Still needs several more inches before it's finished.

I'd like to add some of my ceramic leaf pendants and/or charms to it when it's done.

The other necklace I"m working on is for showcasing one of my clowny face pendants.

This is a Byzantine weave.  I love how the rainbow rings pop next to the black rings.

I'm still trying to get my technique right when it comes to opening and closing the rings properly.  Once I'm confident I have it down, I may start making jewelry to sell again.  I love the combination of chain maille next to my ceramic beads.  

If you find yourself wanting to explore chain maille I highly recommend C&T Designs and Blue Buddha Boutique for your ring supply.  All the rings I used in the above pieces were from both these sources.

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Adventures in Chain Maille: The Beginning

Chain maille has been on my to-do list for years.  No really, years.  I bought this kit at a Bead Fest several years ago and just never got around to actually doing it.

The kit is from fe Maille and includes detailed instructions on both jewelry basics and the weave pattern (byzantine variation), jump rings, seed beads and an artisan clasp.  You just need to supply your own pliers.

It only took me a few minutes to understand the basics of making the first byzantine link.  I did have a couple of "What the heck?" moments but they didn't last long.  The instructions really are that good.

I was able to get through making five more links relatively quickly with only minimal destruction to a few jump rings.  I've always suffered from plier death grip-itis.  

I left the house for a bit and when I came home I easily completed the large jump ring and seed bead connectors.  It doesn't hurt either that I have tiny baby-sized wrists so I didn't have to create as many links.

Well look at that!  I made my first chain maille piece....a Byzantine variation bracelet!

And since my wrists are so ridiculously small, I had enough jump rings left to make some earrings!  I paired them with my porcelain ammonite charms.  I think they look pretty spiffy!  Yes, I said spiffy.

I was warned that chain maille is addictive.  It's true.  I've since ordered a practice kit from The Ring Lord and plan to order higher quality saw-cut rings from C&T Designs once I'm confident I won't wreck all the good stuff.  I also purchased two books on Amazon; Chained and Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop.  

I hope you'll enjoy following along with me while I embark on this jump ring-filled adventure!

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC