Colley chains

Jewelry Discussion
1

Does anyone have any references or directions on how to make
necklaces and bracelets named idiots delight and colley chains?
Thanks d4pach (deb)

2

Deb,

“The Complete Metalsmith” by Tim McCreight has the directions
for Idiot’s Delight. (pg. 114 of the 1982 edition) I’m not
familiar with colley chain. What does it look like?

Sharon Ziemek

3

Does anyone have any references or directions on how to make
necklaces and bracelets named idiots delight and colley chains?
Thanks d4pach (deb)

Dear Deb:

I know there are instructions on how to make the “idiots
delight” in the book titled “The Complete Metalsmith” by Tim
McCreight (name is proably spelt wrong).

Good luck!!

DeDe

DeDe Sullivan
Producer
Manhattan Transfer Graphics
Tel: 212-907-1204
FAX: 212-370-9346
E Mail: @dede

4 
Does anyone have any references or directions on how to make
necklaces and bracelets named idiots delight and colley chains?
Thanks d4pach (deb)

“The Complete Metalsmith” by Tim McCreight has detailed
instructions for making idiots delight (colley) chains.

Phyllis

5

Tim McCreit’s Complete Metalsmith, give a few examples toward
the back of the book.

Tim Goodwin
@tmn8tr

6

Hi Deb,

Does anyone have any references or directions on how to make
necklaces and bracelets named idiots delight and colley
chains?

Take a look at page 146 in Tim McCreight’s ’ The Complete
Metalsmith’, (ISBN #0-87192-240-1), about $17.00 at any jewelers
supply. Have never heard of Colley chains. Can you describe them
or tell us where you heard about them?

TIA

Dave

7

Deb:

I’m sure everyone will tell you this (the book is soooo
popular), but idiot’s delight is covered on page 14 of my 1982
edition of The Complete Metalsmith by McCreight. Don’t find the
colley chain there.

8

Directions for Idiot’s Delight chain, also called “Colly”,
Victorian or Byzantine, and Bird’s Nest chain can be found in
"Cloisonne Enamelling and Jewelry Making" by Felicia Liban &
Louise Mitchell, p.198, as well as Tim McCreight’s "The Complete
Metalsmith.

Laurie

9 
Take a look at page 146 in Tim McCreight's ' The Complete
Metalsmith', (ISBN #0-87192-240-1), about $17.00 at any jewelers
supply. Have never heard of Colley chains. Can you describe them
or tell us where you heard about them?

To Dave and to DeDe:

Idiots Delight and Colley Chain are two names for the same
pattern.

I first saw Colley Chain in an older Chain Making Book (1976) by
Robert W. McComber who was based in Seattle at that time.

Mary Hu did give me the address where it is now available but
unfortunately I cannot retreive it to give it to you now.
Phyllis

10 
I first saw Colley Chain in an older Chain Making Book (1976)
by Robert W. McComber who was based in Seattle at that time.<<

The McComber book (pamphlet, really) is available fro the GIA
Bookstore item # 0203026, $6.50 800-421-8161.

Dave

11 
Directions for Idiot's Delight chain, also called "Colly",
Victorian or Byzantine, and Bird's Nest chain can be found in
"Cloisonne Enamelling and Jewelry Making" by Felicia Liban &
Louise Mitchell, p.198, as well as Tim McCreight's "The Complete
Metalsmith.

Hi Laurie

Thanks for this posting. Have found the “Bird’s Nest” in
“Cloisonne Enameling …”, but not the “Idiots Delight/ Colly
etc.” I feel like an idiot who would be most delighted if you’d
sort of lead me right up to it. (:-0)

Thanks again,
Vera.

12 
Idiots Delight and Colley Chain are two names for the same
pattern.
I first saw Colley Chain in an older Chain Making Book (1976) by
Robert W. McComber who was based in Seattle at that time.

“Chain Making” by Robert McOmber is available from TSI, INC.,
1-800-426-9948 in Seattle for $6.25. It has quite a few chain
designs which can be done with plain round links, plus the
standard loop-in-loop chain. Mary

13

In the older issues of Gems and Minerals, starting January 1984
through like May 1995, a gentleman named George Litman, takes you
through a whole series of chain making in 12 parts. You can
sometimes find these magazines at rock/lapidary club shows.

Bill
Ginkgo Designs
@WILLIAM_I_EISENBERG

14 
....Have found the "Bird's Nest" in "Cloisonne Enameling...",
but not the Idiot's Delight/Colley etc"  I feel like an idiot
who would be most delighted if you'd sort of lead me right up
to it.

Vera,

So sorry if I didn’t make myself clear enough. This delightful
little chain goes by a variety of names, all of which include the
following: Idiot’s Delight, Bird’s Nest, Colley, Byzantine and
Victorian!!! In “Cloisonne Enameling…” it’s referred to as
“Bird’s Nest” (p.198), in “The Complete Metalsmith” it’s referred
to as “Idiot’s Delight” (p.146), and in “Chain Making” (booklet
by Robert W. McOmber, p.10) it’s referred to as Colley Chain.
Yet it’s referred to by retailers as Byzantine or Victorian. So
take your pick!

Laurie

15

Dear Bill, did you make copies of this chain making?? If so I’d
be glad to pay for copies… thanks calgang

16

Sorry for the lateness of this message re McComber’s book on
Chain Making - it is available in Canada from us for $8.95.

Jan MacLellan
MOUNTAIN GEMS LTD.
4611 Hastings Street
Burnaby, B.C.
V5C 2K6
604-298-5883
604-298-2669 FAX
@Jan_MacLellan

17

Hello: I just read your replay about chain making books.I make
chains and am always looking for good ref. info.Could you please
tell me what this book covers .

     Thanks
                   LZ
18

Hi LZ,

  Hello: I just read your replay about chain making books.I
make chains and am always looking for good ref. info.Could you
please tell me what  this book covers .<<

Robert McOmber’s booklet (39 pages, 8 1/2x11) covers 25 patterns
with instructions & diagrams & some hints on chainmaking. Some of
the patterns are variations of others. Basically it covers
several patterns of Colley chain, chain mail, & loop-n-loop
(foxtail). In the US it’s available from the GIA bookstore, about
$7.00-8.00 I think

Dave