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Chain Making: Creating Castable Links

Please Note: The schedule for this class has changed: it will run for three hours (10A-1P) on Thursday, March 20th and 27th.

In this demo-focused virtual workshop, participants will learn to create a few different chain links. During our time together we will make four masters from which silicone or rubber mold can be made (not in class). We will then learn how to link these intricate chains. During this period the participants will also learn how to make tools and improve their soldering skills.

Meet the instructor

Matthieu moved from Paris to New-Mexico when he was 19, where for seven years he studied Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry techniques. He was immediately drawn to stamping, making concho belts and bracelets. He then moved to Mali, West-Africa and worked for a few years with the Fulani, Tuareg and Bambara jewelers.

In 1999, Matthieu settled in Montreal Canada and continued his studies by going to a jewelry school and learning a more classical part of the trade. Over the years, Matthieu has returned to Africa regularly.

In 2014, Tim McCreight and Mattheiu Cheminee created the Toolbox Initiative, a non-profit organization that helps jewelers in West Africa through the gifts of donated tools.

“I have been stamping and making stamps since the beginning and have developed a form of stamping design by creating patterns that fill the entire piece of metal. This is called “tessellation”.

Matthieu has written two books, “Legacy, jewelry techniques of West Africa“, “The Art of Stamping", both published at Brynmorgen Press and Inadan, The Mastery of Tuareg artisans published at Schiffer publishing. A new book will come out in the spring 2025; Chain making for jewelers.

Visit Matthieu's website or instagram page for more info on his work.

Materials & Tools

The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.

Raw Materials/Consumables:

12 inches x 1.5mm square wire, sterling silver .925, deadsoft RioGrande
24 inches x 1.5 mm round wire, sterling silver .925, deadsoft RioGrande
12 inches x 1/4" x 0.050" strip, sterling silver .925, deadsoft RioGrande
6" x 12 brass, deadsoft RioGrande

For a list of tools that are generally required for all of our virtual classes, please click here. Please be sure to expand each header to view the complete tools list. Note that enameling tools and equipment are for enameling classes.

Basic Hand Tools