Chain Maille Essentials: 3 Chains for Beginners

This 3-day intensive class is intended to establish a solid foundation in the art of chain maille for students with no prior chain maille experience and will focus on teaching students how to create 3 essential chain maille weaves, Byzantine, European 4-in-1 (E41), and Half Persian 3-in-1 (HP31), which are the basis for numerous other chain maille weave patterns. Students will have the opportunity to learn each weave by completing 3 bracelets using 18g jump rings. 

This class is designed for chain maille novices, therefore, each class will include a lecture covering fundamental chain maille concepts – working with jump rings (opening, closing, trouble-shooting), tool tips, aspect ratio, purchasing jump rings, and care of chain maille. As it takes practice to develop plier grip and achieve clean closures, anodized aluminum jump rings will be used for practice in class. Each jump ring kit contains enough anodized aluminum jump rings to complete the 3 bracelets, with plenty left over for exploring design variations demonstrated in class.  Working in precious metals will be discussed.

The 3 essential weaves will be presented in order of increasing complexity.  Students will receive comprehensive handouts containing over 75 pages filled with tips, tricks, sources, links and hundreds of step-by-step color photos for the 3 weaves and the following related weaves (Box Chain, Byzantine Ladder, Mobius Units/Byzantine Rose, Half Byzantine Units, Byz3 Units, Olivia Weave, Romanov Weave, E41 Leaf Shapes, Bias E41, E61, Round Maille, E41 Joining, E41 in the Round, Slow Worm, Alligator Back, Dragonback, Persian Dragonscale). As many related weaves as time allows will be demonstrated live.

There will be a 1-hour lunch break halfway through class. 

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