Chain Maille Madness

Chain Maille fever has struck the Beadaholique crew and is quickly spreading through the ranks.


 
It all started when Beadalon came out with a new line of jump rings made specifically for popular chain maille weaves.   Available in 4 different finishes, and tons of sizes, these jump rings take a lot of the guesswork out of chain maille, and are ideal for use by beginners. 

Fig, our customer service guru, who has been doing metal work for years, immediately started experimenting with the products and our new Chain Maille Instruction booklets. He willingly gave advice and critiques to anybody who asked. 


 

 

Esther's European 4-in-1

Then Esther made an amazing European 4-in-1 bracelet using black links and brought it to work.  Andrea took up the challenge, and worked steadily every evening on a Dragonscale cuff. I wasn't far behind, and started working my way through all the weaves in the booklets.

Matthew's Byzantine and Full Persian. 

Soon Fig, Esther, Matthew, Andrea, and I were all bringing in chain maille projects that we were working on.   Discussions of weaves, aspect ratios, inner diameters and all things chain maille are now regularly heard in every corner of the office.

Andrea's Dragonscale Cuff

Chain Maille is an addictive art form and one we are all still working on mastering new weaves.   So don't be surprised when new Beadaholique how-to videos on Chain Maille start appearing!


-Julie

Inspiration Monday: Renaissance Faire

It's Spring, which means in most parts of the country, it's fair and festival time. Last weekend I attended the Renaissance Pleasure Faire here in Southern California and came home eager to design. 

Hats, feathers, ribbons, and flowers abounded. I instantly thought of making some hair combs with long ribbons flowing off of them. In this picture in particular I love the wedgewood blue of this woman's skirt paired with the deep buttercup and browns of her bodice and shirt. That would make a fantastic color combination for a new design.

Diagonal Stripes! How fun and fresh do these performers' bodices look? They represent a popular design of the 16th century, but the wide bold stripes translated into a resin bangle bracelet would be fun and modern today.

This photo illustrates the color palette of the Renaissance period: deep crimson red, cobalt blue, black, gold, various shades of green. It's hard to see in the photos, but chain maille, celtic jewelry, forged metal pieces, and intricately beaded necklaces abounded.





If you want to design some of your own Renaissance inspired jewelry, here are some elements to get you started:

  

Have fun!

-Julie