Can anyone recommend reference books on chain making? I have made them over the years, but never documented what I did or save pictures of the results other than for some simple link bracelets that I made this past summer. They were a hit for Christmas and I would like to expand on them. Thanks…Rob
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Hi Rob,
Thanks for asking! Great question! What books do you already have?
Here are the chain books that I have, and like.
Julie
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Janet has the three best books shown. I found Tim McCreight’s book about basic Jewelry techniques the best for one chain. It’s what he calls the “Idiot’s Delight” I think the regular name is Byzantine, but don’t quote my aging brain on that.
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The books from Karen Karon about Chain Maille can be a good source of info even if they are not about plain chains.
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Thanks all for the help…Rob
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The Stark book is the one that has been recommended to me. Kent Raible makes beautiful chains. I don’t know if he has a book, but he has put some classes online.
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Hi Rob here are three from my book shelf :
Great Wire Jewelry - Projects & Techniques by Irene From Peterson ( Lark Books )
Wire Style - 50 unique jewelry designs by Denise Peck.
( INTERWEAVEBOOKS.COM )
Creative Silver Chains. 20 Dazzling Designs. By Chantal Lise Saunders
A Lark Jewelry Book.
This last one is probably the best!
Cheers Willie
P.S. loved your shop shots - but you didn’t show the cats or where they sleep!!
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Thanks, I have Stark on order, but will likely look for more. Chains appear to be this year’s obsession…Rob
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Hi Rob -
Another to consider: Making Silver Chains: Simple Techniques, Beautiful Designs by Glen F. Waszek
Lisa
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Chains. sigh. Making them can be torture or Zen. It depends on the day I’m having. There are plenty of good books out there on chain making. I do have to say that the best tips I ever got were from Seng Au. He was a Vietnam era war refugee.
While he was stranded in the refugee camps in Thailand for a few years he learned how to make traditional Thai Baht Chains. The working conditions and tools were crude and ancient. The single very best time saving tip I ever got from him was to cut tiny slots into a charcoal block to allow the 1st half of the links to stand up with the seams at the top. Then applying paste solder with flux on top of each seam. That way one can solder a whole bunch of them at the same time.
Jo
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I don’t know this style, but our son lived in Cambodia for 20 years as a war correspondent and married a Cambodian woman. They may recognize it. I am just having fun making simple chain bracelets and would like to look at more complicated link designs. Thanks…Rob
hi there rob. years since i put my input in. go to 4girljewlery on you-tube. she has a few components that can be linked into chains. her stuff is very unique. regards, mary…
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Thanks…Rob