Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques

Loops linked together - it doesn't sound like much, until you have hundreds of them, in different sizes, colors, materials, and linkages. Then the esthetic possibilities explode. Taylor and Whyte do a great job of igniting the reader's interest in the technique's many possibilities.After the variety of projects shown, this book's biggest strength lie in the clarity of its instructions. Each project comes with a detailed list of materials, so the reader knows exactly how much of what to buy - and gets some idea of how much work is involved. A project involving 88 jump rings, for example can be expected to go more quickly than one with 742 jump rings. Then, clear illustrations show each step of assembly. More complex links might require a little effort on the reader's part, but that's only natural. Anyone who tries the technique will face the same complexity when facing that step in the actual assembly, but without the authors' color-coding to help.This technique will work well for jewelry-making beginners. It requires a minimal tool set - just two pairs of pliers will go a very long way. Also, as a cold-worked technique, this avoids the torches and harsh chemicals needed for soldering. If you adapt the techniques slightly, even impatient kids can get encouraging results quickly. This book really addresses the craftsman who aspires to mastery, however, and incredible gallery section at the end shows just how high that level can go.-- wiredweird

After checking this book out at the local library, we knew buying it for our son, who already makes chain mail garments and jewelry, was a good move. He loved it! Its beautiful photos of finished projects, clear diagrams, and detailed lists of requirements make it a winner for jewelry designers, as well as chain mail enthusiasts. There is even a section with photos of fun, fabulous, "out there" designs, too---what a great source of inspiration! I would not recommend this book as a guide for your first foray into chain mail jewelry...a little experience in chain mail or jewelry production will assist you in producing these wonderful pieces. Who knew medieval protective underwear could be so chic?As always, Amazon's excellent e-mail communication and speedy service dropped this order on our doorstep in about a week, while we still remembered what we had ordered!

This book is really a fine primer for new jewelry chain makers. There are instructions for four chain weaves including the Spiral and Byzantine weaves. However, the real emphasis of the book is how to weave the basic European and Japanese weaves. Additionally, there are several tutorials of variations for the basic Japanese and European weaves. Unfortunately, other than one or two very cool variations of the European 4-1 weave, the experienced chain makers may not learn much new information from this book.The instructions are clearly illustrated and well written, perfect for beginning chain makers. The Gallery pages are beautiful and highlight a nice variety of chain applications including: serving pieces, clothing, sculpture and jewelry.

If you can use your mind to manipulate something on a piece of paper into a 3D image in your mind, this book is for you. Those of you that do not have this ability will find this book beyond frustrating. To those of you that can manipulate but are not looking for the classic, true-form, purist approach then keep researching. If you need your hand held on AR and are unable to figure AR out with the given gauge/ID then this book is not for you either. This book requires some ability to map out unique designs on your own or have the ability to follow another's work in abbreviated form, again if you can not do this, look elsewhere.This book will appeal to a purist that is not a novice but instead has surpassed metal-working to achieve artistic results or greater. It is chain mail in it's purist forms IE as armor. It is a purist's approach to the genre of jewelry. If you don't like this...Those of you expecting a more mainstream, easier, simpler style, etc will not find it here. This is classic chain mail at it's purist with a unique artistic bent geared towards people looking for it in wearable jewelry. By the way Goth is an artistic style that is very adaptable using this approach, however if you are unable or dislike designing your own you have no choice but to look elsewhere.This book holds no hands but instead expects certain criteria to be met before a person can comprehend the application of it's works. Buy at your own risk if you lack them.

I have really been enjoying this book. This was one of a couple I got when I decided to try chain mail work. The projects in here are well explained with easy to follow instructions and are beautiful as well. It's broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced projects so it's a good beginner's book because you won't find yourself in over your head trying to do a very complicated project. (Unless you want to of course) These projects are also nice in that even as you make them, you can see ways to modify the designs and create your own unique pieces. I've found the projects and the pictures of others in the back to be great inspiration. I've found making chain mail to be fun and rewarding, hopefully this helps people find another fantastic hobby!

This is a very nice book, however, it doesn't tell the length of the necklaces that you are making...so you don't have a sense of how many jump rings you need to buy for each project. Otherwise, it is great.

This was an excellent book! I continue to learn new techniques from it, and these bases help me to create my own patterns and styles. A perfect reference for someone wanting to make chainmail

I gave this book five stars because it is so very different from the usual! The designs are out of the ordinary, and instructions, photos etc are very good.

tolles Buch für alle die mal was anderes machen wollen wie nur immer Perlenketten. Macht Laune und ist leicht zum nach arbeiten.

Un livre superbe avec des réalisations très élegantes, originales, schémas pas à pas pour des réalisations uniques que vous ne pouvez pas rater.BRacelets, boucles d'oreilles,pendantif amulets, une merveilleuse parure pour la cheville que vous pouvez aisément transformer en bracelet ou ou collier.Le tout réalisé avec des anneaux en métal, que vous pouvez réaliser vous même ou les acheter tout faits.L'auteur vous montre brièvement comment les réaliser et tout le matériel nécessaire.Je suis émerveilée du pendantif cage où l'on peut loger sa pierre ou cailloux préférée et d'une chaîne bizantine bicolore que je veux bien réaliser.2 ou 3 pages d'une gallerie de réalisations étonnantes clorent un ouvrage plein de créativité

ワイヤーを使ったアクセサリーに興味があったのですが、和書では数が少なかったので洋書で探していました。英語が苦手なので、不安でしたが、この本はチェーンメイルの作り方をとても丁寧に図で解説しているので、とても分かりやすいです。種類も豊富で、アレンジ次第でアクセサリー製作の幅が広がりそうです。ただ、チェーンメイルを作りたいという方にはオススメですが、デザインの参考にという方には写真が少なめなので、好き嫌い分かれると思います。ハードカバーなので、厚みと重さもそれなりにあります。持ち運びには適していないです。チェーンメイル自体作るのに時間がかかるので、家でじっくり見ながら作るにはとても良いと思います。