Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings

by Kylie Jones

Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Beginner

These earrings are based on a 2 in 2 chain pattern. A two in two chain simply means each link has 2 rings.

Materials

20g AWG (0.8mm) Inner diameter 5/32" (4mm) jewelers brass jump rings, 120

Lesson Quantity: 120.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 120.00 each

20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Yellow Brass Wire

H1-20HRH

Lesson Quantity: 14.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $1.72
Gold Club Price: $1.29

Out of Stock

Lapis 6mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand

A1-242

Lesson Quantity: 8.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.85
Gold Club Price: $13.39

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Tools

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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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Instructions

Step 1

Make a 2 in 2 chain 15 links long.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , 2 in 2

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , 2 in 2 chain

Step 2

Join the chain into a circle by taking a ring and going through the 2 rings from the first link and the 2 rings from the last link. Make sure that the chain doesn't twist. Note that the rings sit at a different angle in each link, before joining the circle check that the odd numbered links (1st, 3rd, 5th etc) all sit the same way, and do the same for the even numbered links.

Add another ring in the same spot to complete the 2 in 2 pattern.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , join the chain

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add another ring to close the circle

Step 3

To add a center begin with 2 closed rings, these will be your center link. Place these rings on an open ring and attach the open ring to any 2 ringed link on the inside of the circle, making sure to go through both rings of the link. Close the ring. Add another ring in the same place to keep the pattern.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a center link

Step 4

To attach the center link to another outside link, take an open ring, go through both rings of the center link and then go through the 4th link away from the previous join on the circle. You can go to the left or right. Add the second ring.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , attach the center link

Step 5

Repeat the last step twice continuing around the circle in the same direction. Make sure that the odd numbered and even numbered links and are all sitting the same way.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , repeat the last step twice

Step 6

To add beads to the chain maille cut a piece of wire approximately 2 3/8" (5.5cm) long, this length may vary depending on the size of the loops you make. Wrap one end of the wire 1 and ¾ times around your round nose pliers. The size of these loops needs to be just big enough so they won't fit through the links of the shape.

Thread the wire through the first link on the left that is above the center cross, add a bead and take the wire through the top link of the center cross, add a bead and take the wire through the link on the right hand side that is above the center cross.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make an eye pin

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , thread the eye pin through the rings

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , string on a bead

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , string on another bead

Step 7

To loop the other end of the wire, check that you are looping in the same direction as the first loop. Also check that the end of the wire will be in the same position as the end of the wire on the other loop. The loops should be positioned towards the back curling away from the beads. The wire should be a firm fit so it can't move around too much. Photo 10b shows the back.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a loop on the other end of the wire

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , face the loops in the same direction

Step 8

Add a second row below the center cross exactly like the first.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a second row of beads

Step 9

Turn the beaded shape so it is a diamond and add 2 in 2 chain to the top link to the length you want. Remember for the second earring when deciding on which link will be the top link to make sure it is a mirror image of the first earring.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , add a 2 in 2 chain

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make a mirror image on second earring

Step 10

For the ear hook cut 2 pieces of wire just over 2" (5.5cm) long. Make a small loop at one end of each wire, this loop is a bit bigger than normal as the 2 in 2 chain pattern means 2 rings will need to sit inside this loop. Hold the loop next to the mandrel and bend the wire around the mandrel, shape the tail how you like. Make sure the end is smooth and work harden the hooks by hammering or tumbling. Attach ear hooks to chain.

Kylie Jones's Lapis and Brass Chain Maille Diamond Earrings - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , make 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