a variety of new chains

Been playing with some “wiggle chain.” This is a simple 2-in-2, save that each 2-link unit is interlinked to itself, instead of parallel. There’s a catch to it, in that each crossed double link can be right-handed or left-handed. At first, after I discovered this, I made them alternate. When you do this, and suspend the chain from one end, the links hang at 90° to each other, as if it were a simple 1-in-1 chain. But I went back and changed it so they are all the same orientation, and it looks much more like a spiral chain, which I like better.

Ran out of links when I had 11” of chain, too much for a bracelet, not enough for a necklace. Wound up some more, which I will cut shortly.

I wonder what it would look like if I put in a third ring in each link, a chain of möbius flowers?




Saturday 15 Oct

Finished the “bear-claw” pendant on chain and the wiggle chain a couple of days ago. I had to modify my plan on the pendant, but I like the results. In going through my already-made copper rings and sizing them with the red Swarovsky bicone, I picked the one that fit the crystal pretty closely. After getting the crystal wrapped into it, a process that could use some more practice, I realized there was not enough room for the five 16-gauge links of the top of the pendant. There was just room for four 20-gauge copper links, the 5/32” ones I was using for the chain. So I put those on, oxidized it, and then put on the pendant with a black top attachment. I actually think it’s a more interesting design than planned.

I wasn’t able to hook up with Rhonda to get her any stock for the Guyer show, but she is much more eager to have stuff for her week in Galveston with the art teachers. That’s the ninth of November, so I need to work up an easily portable display to get to her the week before. One tray of necklaces and one stand of earrings, I guess.



October 18

Finished up three bracelets that had been hanging around needing finishing touches.

The "hybrid-weave" that I made a while back had had its clasp hook stolen to put on some other bracelet, so I made a new one, a modified swan-hook design.





I liked the spiral hook, so I made one of copper for the 14-gauge aluminum byzantine chain that I did a week or so ago.







Then I made another of the same general type for the "tricolor lace" bracelet I just finished. The main body of this, 3/16" 18-gauge silver-clad links, has been around for a long time. I finished it by putting 20-gauge 5/32" links down each edge, gold on one side, copper on the other.

So those are done, and I'll get them up at Etsy Real Soon Now.

liver of sulfur— NOT

I just finished a choker of stretch maille box chain, to which I attempted to add a Goth feel with a V-shaped pendant "lace" of black chains, terminated with amethysts in hematite rings.

My first accomplishment was in successfully making balled sterling headpins, which was gratifyingly free of major difficulties. Then I wanted to oxidize said pins (once they were assembled into the captive-amethysts-with-wrapped-loops) so that they would not stand out all bright and shiny against the black anodized aluminum.

I knew egg yolk usually produces just a thin golden layer of oxidation on silver, or that's how it's worked for me in the past. So I thought I'd give it extra time and warmth, and put the headpinned assemblies and the yolk in a covered pyrex dish in a 200° oven for an hour. Hmm, still just light silvery-gold.

So after a bit I decided to be more emphatic in the heat treatment, and put it back at around 450°, for maybe 45 minutes, maybe more. I had the kitchen exhaust fan on to keep the house from getting too hot.

Well, I must have stunk up the neighborhood, though I didn't smell it in the house. The egg yolk turned into a NASTY stinky black-brown oily, oozy lump, with condensed droplets of the stuff all over the inside of the dish and lid. I had to wash my silver-and-stone assemblies and tumble them a while to get the oily gunk off them. But they are a PERFECT black!

Here they are in the finished necklace. It is currently for sale in my Etsy shop here. I have matching earrings almost made, save that I want to make handmade silver wires for them too. And sacrifice another egg yolk? Maybe.