Chain Making Workshop (NOTE: 2 days)
Oct. 13- 14, 2018
No previous experience necessary
Day 1: Saturday 10am-4pm
1. Introduction with explanation of expectations (what we will make)
– basic chain theory/practice
– two in two = no solder,
– the farther you get from a round link the more labor intensive the chain,
– most store bought chains are machine made
– keep a piece of every chain so you don’t have to restart new
2. Samples of chains with explanations:
– homemade vs store bought (commercial coating)
– chain vs sheet
3. Tool list:
Jump ring maker (homemade vs store bought)
Saw
Pliers
Tumbler
Torch
Pickle
Cushion and pins to start chain
4. Jump rings
– selecting materials (copper vs brass vs silver vs gold vs white gold vs platinum vs titanium, also solder filled wire, square/triangle wire)
– sizing (discuss aspect ratio)
– strength of chain (i.e. captive inverted round)
– making
– cutting
– selecting a pattern (internet resources M.A.I.L)
– preparing jump rings
5. Start pattern
Day 2: Sunday 10am-4pm
1. Claps patterns & techniques
2. Finishing chain
3. Making & attaching clasp
4. Finishing
– raising fine silver
– tumbling chain
– maintaining chain (periodically closing links)
