Building on Snake Style Chain
Question:
I have some lovely sterling snake-style chain that I would like to experiment with. I want to open up one link so I can add a jump ring or wire to this chain. How do I open one link of this chain which seems to be pressed closed?
-Joanne in Sound Beach, New York
I have some lovely sterling snake-style chain that I would like to experiment with. I want to open up one link so I can add a jump ring or wire to this chain. How do I open one link of this chain which seems to be pressed closed?
-Joanne in Sound Beach, New York
Instructions
Answer:
Hum, snake-style chain. It must be the very final, soldered-on link that you wish to open, Joanne. Am I correct? In a situation such as this, why open it at all? Reclosing it would make a major weak point in whatever you are making, because it would be hard to match the original factory closure.
Why not just add to this link by using a piece of wire to make a wrapped loop (be sure to include the chain link in the loop before wrapping it closed), and then connecting it to your jump ring or wire, and then make another wrapped loop at the opposite end. Or you could attach the chain to jump ring or wire by adding a larger wrapped loop, and then add things to the larger loop. At Wire-Sculpture, we encourage "traditional" wire designs, using no solder or glue. By adding components to your chain with wrapped loops, you'll avoid possible weak points (such as a simply closed jump ring) and create a durable piece of jewelry.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Hum, snake-style chain. It must be the very final, soldered-on link that you wish to open, Joanne. Am I correct? In a situation such as this, why open it at all? Reclosing it would make a major weak point in whatever you are making, because it would be hard to match the original factory closure.
Why not just add to this link by using a piece of wire to make a wrapped loop (be sure to include the chain link in the loop before wrapping it closed), and then connecting it to your jump ring or wire, and then make another wrapped loop at the opposite end. Or you could attach the chain to jump ring or wire by adding a larger wrapped loop, and then add things to the larger loop. At Wire-Sculpture, we encourage "traditional" wire designs, using no solder or glue. By adding components to your chain with wrapped loops, you'll avoid possible weak points (such as a simply closed jump ring) and create a durable piece of jewelry.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Here's a picture of a suggestion from one of our readers, LadyMockingbird:
"When I use fine snake chains I purchase for them a special sort of crimp style clasp or end cap with a loop. I use the crimp style clasps when I just want to finish off the chain ends. When I want to include shorter lengths of chain I use the ones that just have a loop or closed ring at the ends. These crimp closures are similar to one used for satin cords, leather cords, or tiger tail. However, they are more sturdy in nature." -LadyMockingbird
Materials
Sterling Silver Crimp End Cap Fancy 8.5mm / .85mm Inner Diameter - Pack of 6
K10-26
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $4.20
- Gold Club Price: $3.15
Sterling Silver Crimp End Cap Fancy6.4mm /.95mm Inner Diameter - Pack of 6
K10-27
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.12
- Gold Club Price: $2.34
Gold Filled Bright End Caps 1mm - Pack of 2
J10-10
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.44
- Gold Club Price: $2.58
Gold Filled Bright End Caps 2mm - Pack of 2
J10-11
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.37
- Gold Club Price: $2.53
Gold Filled Bright End Caps 3mm - Pack of 2
J10-12
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.37
- Gold Club Price: $2.53
Sterling Silver Dia. Cut Snake Chain 1.62mm - 10 Feet
C8-233U
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $138.60
- Gold Club Price: $103.95
Sterling Silver Dia. Cut Snake Chain 2 Tone (Gunmetal / Silver) 1.62mm - 10 Feet
C8-234U
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $145.37
- Gold Club Price: $109.03
Sterling Silver Dia. Cut Snake Chain 2 Tone (Rose / Silver) 1.62mm - 10 Feet
C8-235U
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $123.87
- Gold Club Price: $92.90
Sterling Silver Snake Chain 1mm - 10 Feet
C8-358U
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $99.60
- Gold Club Price: $74.70
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
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
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Findings
- Technique(s): General Education
Dale Armstrong
Other Tips by Dale Armstrong
Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
All About Soft Wire
Chain Lavaliere
Wire Metal Substitutions
Glue for Finishing Cords
My Fingers Hurt
Taming the Wild Wire Bundle
Making Matching Freeform Earrings
What is My Wire's Circumference
Testing True Ivory
Is My Coral Real
Wrapping Tiny Cabs
Finished Leather Cord
Prevent Scratches on Cabochons
Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips
Purity and Sensitivity with Argentium Silver
Wrapping Coins for Jewelry
Wrapping a Large Pearl Ring
Perfect Chain for Wire Jewelry
How Do I Keep Square Wire From Twisting When Wrapping
Wire Temper by Number
Will Liver of Sulfur Harm Lampwork Beads
Forging Copper Wire
Insurance for Art and Craft Shows
Wire Temper for Ear Pins
Wire Size for Wrapping a Cabochon
Can I Use the Copper Wire From Electrical Wire
Wire Jewelry for a Home Party
What is a Juried Craft Show
Wire Wrap Ideas for Beginners
What is the Difference Between Different Plated Jewelry
Wrapping Pearls onto a Hair Grip
Formulas for Pricing Jewelry and Selling Jewelry- Boutique Markup
White Gold in Wire Jewelry
What is White Gold
How to Clean and Repair Ivory Jewelry
Twisted Wire Tips
Forging Wire
Gemstone Ratings Explained
Finishing a Cabochon Frame
Making Tiny Headpins Larger
Sorting and Using Scrap Wire
Silver and Nickel in Ear Wires
Options for Practice Wire
Help with Pricing Wire Jewelry
Flush Cutters vs. Side Cutters
Wrapping Small Gemstones
Argentium Silver Care
Proper Care of Pearls and Opals
Wire Wrapping Stones with No Holes
Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges
Learning How to Sell Jewelry
Seashell Jewelry with an Underwater Finish
Anodized Aluminum and Chipping
Rock Tumbling 101
Home Jewelry Show Inventory
Wire Wrapping Term - To Show
Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers
What is Niobium Wire
Can Lindstrom Cutters be Repaired
Trillion Ring Designs
Copper Hat Pins
Making Wire Jewelry from Patterns, and Copyright
Removing Nicks and Scratches
Pricing Jewelry Made with Gold Wire
How to Polish Apache Tears
Which Wire Should I Use to Make My First Bracelet
Working with Small Jump Rings
Repairing a Bead Wire
What is Silicon Carbide Cloth
Mixing Sterling Silver and Argentium
Wrapping a Pear-Shaped Cut Stone
Wrapping a Rectangle Cab
Oxidizing Sterling Silver
What to Use in Jewelry Tumbler
Wire Gauge for Hoop Earrings
Using a Ring Mandrel
Protecting Copper from Tarnishing
Resizing a Shank with Wire
Setting Stones in Jewelry
Bending Pattern Wire
Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles
Enlarging Holes in Gemstones
Best Way to Make Jump Rings
Removing Marker from Jewelry Wire
Wire Size for Earrings
Where to Place Wraps on Free-Form Pieces
How Do I Find Shows in My Area
Master Wire Gauges with Draw Plates and Draw Plate Tips
Holding Bundles of Wire Straight
Twisting Wire Evenly
Why Use a Designer's Notebook
Embossing Hammers and Wire Texture
Making a Bracelet with Prong Set Stones
What are Cold Connections
Supply Lists for Wire Jewelry DVDs
Patina Silver-Plated Wire
Prevent and Remove Verdigris
Is Work-Hardened Half Hard Wire, Hard Enough
What Are Some Better Selling Beginner Items
Removing Glue from Dichroic Glass
One Jump Ring Gauge to Rule Them All
Adjusting Jewelry Prices with the Metal Market
Making Wire Jewelry for Men
Determining Carat Weight
How to Keep Stainless Shot Free of Residue
Crochet Wire Designs
Heating Porcelain Cameos
Storing Your Jewelry
How to Win Awards for Jewelry Design
Wrapping Small Stones
Tips for Working with 18G Wire
Organizing Beads for Easy Jewelry Making
What Is a Cabochon
The Best Wire Temper for Rings
Making Wire Jewelry with Crystals
When to Use Flat Nose Prong Making Pliers
Measuring for a Bracelet
What Chain Sizes Are Best
Pharaoh Ring Wires
How to Wrap a Broken Cabochon
How Do You Use Memory Wire
Organizing Jewelry Wire
Starting Position of Wrap for Ring Shanks
Faceted Gemstone Terms
What is the Average Size for Bracelets
Red Rouge
Rosary Links and Wire Temper
Jewelers' Saws and Jump Rings
Wrapping Cabochons
What is Rolled Gold Wire
Traditional Gemstone Pendant Wrapping
Flattening Wire with Hammers
Foolproof Jump Ring Closures
How to Use a Wire Gauge
Jazz up Your Jewelry
Optivisor Distance and Magnification
Photographing Your Wire Jewelry
Prong-Setting Ideas for a Cut Stone
Sterling Silver and Fresh Water Pearls
Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
Wire Jewelry Tool Care
How to Set Stones into Earring Snapsets
Make a Finished Ribbon Necklace
Sell or Display Valued Stones
Cleaning Sterling with Baking Soda
Purple Turquoise and Turquoise Facts
Irradiated Quartz Necklace
Removing Rust Without Damaging Tools
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart