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.

Daisy Medallion Chainmaille Workshop Recap!

I had the pleasure of taking a chainmaille workshop this year at Bead Fest Philly.  I selected the Daisy Medallion Chainmaille class hosted by Michelle Brennan of HyperLynks.

Photo by HyperLynks

Can you blame me for choosing such a colorful and fun looking project?

Michelle with Medallion Eyes

I should start off and say that Michelle was a fantastic teacher.  She was patient, witty and funny.  These qualities are especially important with someone like myself in a class as I'm horribly impatient and have quite the sarcastic streak (I'm from Jersey, what do you expect?). 

Project Layout

Michelle came UBER prepared!  She provided everything we needed for the project including Xuron pliers, beading mat and all the rings (in a huge variety of color options).  I should note, I loved the pliers so much that I bought some after class was over. 

Diana & Sue

Oh and I managed to convince fellow contributor Sue Kennedy to take the workshop with me.  That made it extra fun...especially at 8:30 in the morning!

First Step

This was my first time working with rubber rings in a chainmaille project.  The first step was frustrating.  Many bad words escaped my mouth for about 15 minutes as I attempted to get the attachment above to work.  Thank goodness we had a class & teacher with a good sense of humor!  

Six Finished Pieces

The first three gave me angst but the final three weren't so bad once I got the hang of it.  

Adding Sections to the Large Ring

After we completed those little pieces, we had to start adding them to the large washer.  Michelle demonstrated this for us first.  She also included a print-out of VERY detailed instructions for us.  HyperLynks has some of the best instructions I've ever seen, in their kits.  

More Progress

You can see some of the project starting to come together now.  I got further than this but was so in the zone that I forgot to take more photos.  I haven't actually finished the pendant yet but it's on my to-do list.  

After the workshop was done, I wandered my way over to the HyperLynks booth.

Mark & the Walls of Goodies at HyperLynks booth

HyperLynks carries a great assortment of rings, kits and tools.  I picked up the Xuron pliers, rings and some kits while I was there.  

I certainly hope Michelle teaches at Bead Fest Philly 2016 because I'd take another workshop from her in a heartbeat.  

Thanks for a great time Michelle & HyperLynks!

Happy Beading!

~Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Bead Fest 2015 - our views

Bead Fest 2015 was spectacular. Beads, buddies, buying, bartering with artist friends in trade.

The day after.

Those of us that were there are a bit hungover from the bead bounty, and sit fondling our loot, planning, imagining... But let me take a few minutes to regale you with images from the weekend! Thanks to all my AJE team members for the pictures, this post is a team effort! 

Sue sends in the group shot from our annual AJE dinner! Sorry that Francesca had to miss due to a snafu with class kits... 

Jenny:  1. the view from the "inside"... 2. Meeting AJE reader and friends Melissa Trudger in from Australia! 3. Vintage treasures from my neighbor Echo Artworks. 4. Harry Boardman - artist and sometimes "bead slave" to Heather at HMB  Studio. 

Diana: 1-2. Class sample from chainmaille daisy class- and classmate Sue. 3. Finally meeting Francesca! 4. Photo ops with friends and AJE readers!

Francesca: 1. First class, all serious. 2. Last class, true colors. 3. Rockhounds and metal smiths - R. Salley, Francesca, G. Wilson. 4-5. students at work! 

Linda: 1. Anne of Gardanne Beads. 2. Michelle McCarthy and her ceramic beads. Linda and me at my booth.

Lesley: 1-2. Assisting Cooky Schock in the Braided wire bangle class, Sandi V. at work. 3. The delightful Mak of Maku Raku. 4. Wire bangles from Cooky's class. 5. Maku Raku treasures. 6. Cooky at work. 

Saturday night's all right for bead friends! 

Now I'm off to unload the car, and look at my loot! Have a great Monday...