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Foundations in Chain Maille (Session 1)
In this class, students will learn some of the essential chain maille weaves that are the basis for so many others. Students will also learn basic chain maille skills and concepts such as, using tools, handling jump rings, opening/closing techniques, common weaving problems and fixes, aspect ratio, chain maille terminology, etc.
This class will focus on Byzantine, Spiral 4-in-1, and European 4-in-1, and explore several variations of the focus weaves (such as: Box, Lylo, Byzantine Ladder, Romanov, Mobius, Spiral 6-in-1, Double Spiral, Jens Pind Linkage 3, Euro 6-in-1, Round Maille, Turkish Round Maille, Inverted Round Maile – as many as time permits). Along the way, we will also talk about design options and how to deal with findings, and more!
**No Class April 23rd - school vacation week**
Please be advised: we typically close registration for our on-site classes the Tuesday of the week before the class start-date.
Meet the instructor
Jewelry designer and author, Karen Karon, has been weaving maille for well over a decade. She teaches chain maille and scale maille classes and workshops at Metalwerx School for Jewelry and Metal Arts, at local venues, and also provides private chain maille/scale maille instruction. In addition, Karen is a certified PMC (Precious Metal Clay) artisan. Karen has written articles for Art Jewelry, Bead Style, Bead&Button and Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazines and is the author of Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop and Advanced Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop, both published by Interweave.
See Karen’s work on her website (karenkaron.com) or visit her on Facebook and Instagram.
Materials & Tools
There is a $165 fee for materials. Materials kit includes enough anodized aluminum jump rings to practice each of the three focus weaves, and more to experiment with weave variations and design alternatives. The kit also includes stainless steel findings (ear wires and clasps), as well as a comprehensive 88-page color handout that students will keep.
- Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
- Notebook or sketchpad and a pen or pencil
- Paper clips 10-12o ordinary paperclips
- Studio apron
- Studio towel
- Your glasses (if you wear them)
Recommended by not mandatory:
- Your own two pairs of smooth-jawed pliers (Metalwerx studio has communal pliers, which may not be in pristine condition; you may want to bring your own). The instructor recommends: Xuron Model 483 Short Flat-Nose Plier (RioGrande)
- Optivisors (vision magnification) (RioGrande)
- A bead mat (FireMt.Gems)