Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings

by Kylie Jones

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Chain Maille
Skill Level: Intermediate

These beaded chain maille earrings are made with elf weave and the beads really emphasize the 3 dimensional nature of the weave.

I have used large seed beads in this pattern as the larger beads hold their position better in the weave. I have also changed the weave pattern slightly by using smaller rings in some places to give the beads the main focus.

If beginning your chain maille weaves is frustrating, here's a simple tip for keeping your rings neatly in place: Chain Maille Helper

Materials

20g AWG (0.8mm) ID 3/16” (5mm) silver jump rings

Lesson Quantity: 20.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 20.00 each

Sterling silver jump rings 20g AWG (0.8mm) Inner Diameter ID 5/32” (4mm)

Lesson Quantity: 8.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 8.00 each

Large seed beads. I used Delica 8/0 beads, 34.

Lesson Quantity: 34.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 34.00 each

Sterling Silver Earwires 21mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2

K19-50

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.40
Gold Club Price: $1.80

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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Instructions

Step 1

This weave is easy once mastered but can be frustrating in the beginning. Check the orientation of your rings with the photo as it is easy to get off track by having a ring that is flipped the wrong way.

Beginning with the 5mm rings, take an open ring and place 2 beads on the ring, and close the ring. Make another beaded ring exactly the same.

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Step 2

Take an open 5mm ring and place both beaded rings onto it, and close the ring.

Take an open 5mm ring, place 3 beads on it and thread it into the same place as the non-beaded ring, and close the ring.

You may find that the chain nose pliers make closing the beaded rings a little easier.

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , add a jump ring to connect them

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , close the middle jump ring

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , add another beaded jump ring

Step 3

I stick this weave to some foam tape, it saves loads of time because the rings stay mostly in place even when you are adding a ring so you don't need to reposition all of the rings after adding each ring.

Position the rings with the non-beaded ring in the center on top. The ring with the 3 beads is below the top center ring and the beads are at the bottom free from the other rings.

The 2 rings with the 2 beads are on either side with the beads free from the weave. I tie some scrap wire around the non-beaded ring just to help in managing the rings.

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Step 4

Take an open 4mm ring and weave it down into the bottom center ring and out through the right hand ring keeping it free from the beads, and close the ring.

Take an open 4mm ring and weave it down into the bottom center ring and out through the left hand ring keeping it free from the beads, and close the ring.

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Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , add a jump ring

Step 5

Take an open 5mm ring and go up through the left hand 4mm ring and down through the right hand 4mm ring, and close the ring.

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Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , close the new jump ring

Step 6

Take an open 5mm ring add 2 beads and weave it up into the center of the 5mm non beaded ring and take it down into the center of the right hand 4mm ring, keeping the beads free from the other rings and sitting out on the right hand side, close the ring.

Take an open 5mm ring add 2 beads and weave it up into the center of the non beaded center ring and down into the center of the left hand 4mm ring, keeping the beads free from the other rings and sitting out on the left hand side, close the ring.

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Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , thread the jump ring down through the bead next to it

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , close the jump ring

Step 7

Take an open 5mm ring add 3 beads and weave the ring down into the 2-beaded left hand ring and under but not through the center ring and up through the center of the 2-beaded right hand ring.

This ring sits behind and below the non beaded center ring from step 5. All of the beads should be clear of the woven rings.

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , close the ring

Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , chain maille earrings

Step 8

As in step 4, take an open 4mm ring and weave it down into the center bottom ring and out through the bottom right hand ring, keeping it free from the beads, close the ring.

Take an open 4mm ring and weave it down into the center bottom ring and out through the left hand ring, keeping it free from the beads and close the ring.

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Step 9

Take an open 5mm ring add 3 beads and weave it up through the left hand 4mm ring and down through the right hand 4mm ring, and close the ring keeping the beads at the bottom and out of the woven rings.

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Step 10

At the top of the earring add another silver ring in the same place as the top middle silver ring.

The side of the earring facing you (when stuck to the tape) is the back of the earring. Attach the ear wires to the 2 top middle silver rings.

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Kylie Jones's Beaded Elf Weave Chain Maille Earrings - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Chain Maille, chain mail, chainmaille, chainmail, , add an ear wire

Reviews

Kylie Jones

I am a jewelry designer living on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia. I love the challenge of designing jewelry, the mix of creative energy and problem solving. I love chain maille because it is low tech, it makes gorgeous ornamental patterns and textures, and it has a strong link to the past. You can see more of my work at: www.ringsandstones.com.au