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Sweetpea, Medo-Persian and Fieldstone Chain Maille Weaves
This demo focused virtual workshop is designed for beginner and experienced weavers alike. It serves as an introduction to chain maille as well as an introduction to Sweetpea & Fieldstone and Medo-Persian weaves. Through the use of pre-recorded and live demonstrations, students will learn how to construct these three closely related weaves. They each have subtle differences and can be difficult to tell apart, especially Fieldstone and Medo-Persian.
The class will begin with a presentation covering the basics of chain maille (using tools, handling jump rings, opening / closing techniques, common weaving problems and fixes, chain maille terminology, and more). The class will then jump directly into how to weave Fieldstone, Medo-Persian, and three variations for weaving Sweetpea. Other topics include attaching clasps, joining weaves from end to end to form continuous chains and design options.
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. Her jewelry can be purchased at Loveday in West Concord, MA.
See Karen’s work on her website (karenkaron.com) or visit her on Facebook and Instagram.
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.
Hand tools:
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2 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x vision magnification if needed (Rio Grande)
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1 x bead mat (Fire Mountain Gems)
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3-5 x paperclips
Students can choose to work in Anodized Aluminum or Sterling Silver. Instructor recommends working in anodized aluminum for Beginners. Using 2 colors can be helpful when learning the weaves.
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Metal |
ITEM |
SOURCE |
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Anodized Aluminum |
Jump Rings, 18swg, 3/16"id |
|
|
Anodized Aluminum |
Jump Rings, 20awg, 7/64” or 1/8” id |
|
|
Stainless Steel |
15mm Stainless Steel Lobster Clasp |
|
Metal |
ITEM |
SOURCE |
|
Sterling Silver |
Jump Rings, 18awg, 4.0mm id |
|
|
Sterling Silver |
Oval Lobster Clasp with Open Ring, 16.8mm |
Anodized Aluminum material list (sources in table above):
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Sweetpea: 18swg 3/16” id jump rings - 16 jump rings per inch of chain
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Fieldstone and Medo-Persian: 18swg 3/16” id jump rings – 18 jump rings per inch of chain
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3-6 Small jump rings for attaching clasps: 20awg, 7/64” or 1/8” id
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3 Stainless Steel lobster clasps, 15mm (1 for each chain)
Sterling Silver materials list (sources in table above):
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Sweetpea: 18awg, 4.0mm id jump rings - 20 jump rings per inch of chain
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Fieldstone and Medo-Persian: 18awg, 4.0mm id jump rings – 21 jump rings per inch of chain
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3 Sterling Silver lobster clasps, 16.8mm (1 for each chain)
NOTES:
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Purchase extra jump rings for projects in case of marring or loss.
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Students should order supplies 2 weeks prior to the first day of class to ensure timely delivery.
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Enrolled students may email Karen at [email protected] with specific ordering questions.