Monday 22 June 2020
corsets and hats and capes, oh my!
Wednesday 3 June 2020
2020 and tempting the Steam gods
Tuesday 16 June 2015
Madness Masterwork Project (aka chainmaille jacket)
I am nuts. I know that. But I have wanted to make an epic piece of chainmaille for a while now.
I wanted to make something "wearable" but artsy and wanted to show off what could be done with chainmaille that isn't the traditional suit of armour or the jewellery I usually make.
After a few false starts over the last couple of years and a couple of projects I want to go back to eventually, I have finally settled on one I am determined to finish.
What sparked this project off was seeing an absolutely beautiful mesh look couture gown on a vintage clothing show that would have looked gorgeous in fine silver chainmaille which got me looking up how to make a cowl neckline.
After playing around with a small sheet of Euro 4:1 chainmaille (the weave used in European chainmaille armour) to feel how it folds properly I decided against the cowl neckline.
That and sticker shock over the price of actual silver jump rings.
So kind of back to the drawing board.
I decided I wanted to make a feature of the piece at ongoing Medieval Fairs as I know the sheer amount of work involved will be most appreciated there so I moved in that direction for inspiration and design.
As a costume for our local Medieval fair I wear a front laced empire line tunic dress (made by my good friend Clothing and Creations by Rebecca) with an underdress/shirt and apron.
So, I got Rebecca to make a dress the same but in a dusky blue to use as both something to go under my work and as a template for the cut of my work.
I also found a pattern for a Regency style dress that has helped me with the shape for the train on the skirt part of my project.
After tinkering with different wires and ring sizes I have decided to go with 18 gauge (1mm thick) wire with 3.5mm ID rings. This means the inside diameter of the rings is 3.5mm which classifies this piece as micromaille.
To add strength I am going to line the bodice section with dark blue leather and will be using the strongest metal rings - Stainless Steel - for the shoulder sections. The lower section of the bodice will be Jewellery Brass which is also quite strong when work hardened and the bulk of the project will be in copper.
I have not yet decided if I will add sleeves. That will come last.
I have also designed an inlay pattern that will be a feature piece running down the entire back of the project going from a straight 10cm wide strip at the top and flaring out to decorate the full width of tje centre section of the train.
The background on this strip will match the colour/metal either side of it and the two interwoven ribbons that form the pattern will be silver filled (silver coating over copper core) as a bright/light single colour strand and Rainbow Niobium as a darker/chaotic strand.
Number of rings wise I first estimated 30,000+ rings but I am now having to revise that estimate to be closer to the 100,000 mark.
I have so far calculated that a 5inch x 4inch section of maille will contain approx 1122 rings.
To date, including designing the overall pattern, working out the inlay pattern and testing the best size rings I have worked on this project for 29 hours.
Depending on how much time I get to work on it, I expect this project will take 2-3 years to fully complete.
On that note I must get back to weaving.
Check back here and on www.facebook.com/maidofmaille for ongoing updates and pics.
Thursday 14 August 2014
Restructure
Hi everyone
Just a heads up.
Am planning a bit of a restructure of the business pending the outcome of discussions with an accountant.
Plan is that The Bead Forest will remain as the overriding business name under which will be sold things like any beads, the bags my mum makes, the creatures, the butterfly hairclips and hot pockets.
Underneath that im looking to set up a new name that will be for the chain maille jewellery (and a couple of specific new and related products) only.
The Bead Forest will still be the name on my space at any markets and fairs im at but the jewellery will have their own product labels and logo.
On the market front I will be at the Nairne Sustainable Market on the 31st of August and again on 30th of November.
Next year I will again be at the Nairne market (dates yet to be decided on), am hoping to expand into my own space at the Gumeracha Medieval Fair in May and am planning to join my sister-in-law at a couple of other markets throughout the year. I will post dates and events once we decide which are best for our respective products.
Signing off for now.
Amanda
Wednesday 9 October 2013
New creations
Have made a couple of new necklaces since my last post.
The first is a gift for my niece Cara in celebration of her 18th birthday.
Its 3 strands of full Persian weave in each side. Rose gold colour in the middle flanked by silver. It has a boxed accent at the bottom where the chain cones together with both diamanté beads and rose gold coloured glass pearls.
I haven't seen it on her yet to confirm its sitting right but i have designed it for a low cut or v-neck style neckline.
The second piece i have built lately i plan on wearing to the halloween event being hosted by the bellydancing company I'm attached to. (bellydance amythest)
I chose not to be part of the performance group this year but am still going to support the girls.
I have been trying to work out how to feature this pendant for a while but knew I wanted to do something gothic and lace like with it.
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Cleaning tip - copper
Found a cool cleaning tip for removing the oxidation from copper.
Spread ketchup over the infected area, let sit for 5 minutes, rinse with warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth or polishing cloth.
Monday 15 July 2013
Nairne sustainable market
Am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Nairne sustainable market on 4 August. Am hoping to have a full corner stall this time round. Have so much stuff for sale.
See you there. :-)