Gunmetal Chain _#16: Round Wire Straight Bar Link

http://www.ohiobeads.com/catalog/gunmetal-chain-round-wire-straight-link-p-384.html

We like this chain for even, symmetrical designs.

Gunmetal Chain _#23: Textured Flat Wire Oval Cable

http://www.ohiobeads.com/catalog/gunmetal-chain-textured-flat-wire-oval-cable-p-477.html

This chain works for necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and lariats.  Try it layered with other chains or by itself with wire wrapped crystals or charms.

Here's to your creativity!

Cynthia
OhioBeads.com

Our  Imitation Rhodium Chain #4: Round Bar Link Scalloped Chain is available once again.

If you recall, this is a brass chain with soldered oval jump rings between the 1×8 curved links. This chain is plated with an Imitation Rhodium finish, which is lighter than gunmetal or nickel, but darker than silver plate.

Did we mention we lowered the price per foot?

We've heard rumors of people adapting the Treasure Bracelet as shown in the February, 2009 Bead and Button magazine into watch bands, which no doubt look fabulous.

Have you thought about doing a Treasure Bracelet or Treasure Bracelet watchband using gunmetal chain, imitation rhodium chain, antique brass chain or antique copper chain?

Take a look at all of the 1×8 Scalloped Chains here

Regards,

Cynthia
OhioBeads.com

Love This Chain. Excellent for layering and stand alone. Solid brass plated with antique brass and black gunmetal finish. The connector links open and make this chain easy to mix into other components. Separate the chain and use the round links for all sorts of interesting attachments.

Also freshening up stock in Rounded Diamond Link.

This chain comes in antique brass, black gunmetal, antique copper and Now… new antique silver!

Thanks for looking,

Cynthia

ohiobeads.com

Really liked working with some new chain to make this funky bracelet. I loaded it with pressed glass and seed beads in bold bright colors that made a great contrast with black gunmetal chain #36.

This new black chain has plenty to offer:

• Soldered links..your trinkets won't slip out and great to use for chain extension
• Flat wire for modern and dressy look.. and
• 3 ring sizes which adds to versatility, more to work with!

It took about 2.5 hours to make..(actually made while watching FoodNetwork TV dramas) and had plenty of fun arranging color.

More than enough possibilites to keep ya busy I'd say..

Cynthia

ohiobeads.com

and a labor of artistry.

I met Terri while teaching at a beading occasion last weekend at Zeffers Farm Studios. Jewelry finishing techniques was the topic of choice and after a quick assessment of students needs and desires we floated from beader to beader assisting in ways to help them with current projects or begin new ones. Back to playing the role of shop owner.

Terri wanted to work with this pendant she made from porcelain clay. Which btw, progresses through multiple steps of painting, glazing and firing. She also created the frame from fine silver clay applying more processes for a beautiful finished centerpiece.

After some deliberation she chose to hang the pendant from gunmetal chain which brought out the detail in the fine silver and added contrast to the painting. After some instruction on adding beads to chain, a necklace was born. All attendees were impressed. And rightly so.

A Final Note.

Many thanks to Trish for the invite to her studio. I enjoyed meeting new artisans at Zeffers Farm Studios last weekend. Many creative, talented people walk through those doors. 

Take care,

Cynthia

ohiobeads.com

P.S. If you're a local (Cincinnati/ Dayton area) then check out this link and learn more about creating with art clays, fused glass, jewelry making and creative exploration.

It just doesn't get any easier.

1.Choose your favorite sterling silver earwires; kidney style, french hooks, long ball end earwires as shown above or even interchangeable leverbacks.

2. Slip these high polished discs right into open ring or notch of earwire.

3. Gently close ring of the earwire.

VOILA!! you have a great pair of modern, ready to wear earrings that look like big bucks and match most outfits in your closet. 

Lookin great while keeping it simple!

All the best,

Cynthia

ohiobeads.com

Like this idea then click these links for other simple earring ideas.

• http://ohiobeads.com/blog/2008/09/24/add-some-sparkle-to-your-gift-givingpart-ii/
• http://ohiobeads.com/blog/2008/10/03/think-pink-earring-making-supplies/

Cynthia last wrote about Curved (Scalloped) Bar Link Chain and hinted at the gold-plated version being available soon.

Its here: in stock and posted online:

http://www.ohiobeads.com/catalog/goldplated-chain-round-curved-scalloped-chain-p-850.html

Paul
OhioBeads.com

So nice to be featured in the February issue of Bead and Button as a chain supplier for the "Treasure Bracelet" design. We would like to let all you wonderful bead weavers out there know we are working hard to keep up with all the enquirers and also mention Gold plated scallop chain is on its way. Currently we have gunmetal curved scallop chain which looks great btw with multi-colored crystal combinations as well as clear, jet and black diamond colors. Sterling silver scallop chain # 9 always looks great and we have more footage arriving in a couple of days also. We plan to broaden the palette with antique brass and imitation rhodium in the near future. It looks like an awesome bracelet.. I need to improve my weaving skills and make one just for me. 

Vintage with a modern flair!   and…

No wire wrapping skills needed! These lovely filigree and chain earrings are made with pieces of chain attached to the gunmetal filigree with petite size jumprings. Lightweight for measuring 2 and 1/2 inches long.

Tips to follow: 

1. Determine how long you want the earrings to be. Hey they're your creations you decide length.The longest piece of chain used in the sample above measures 4 inches.
2. Start with the longest chain first, then add the shortest section next. From here you can fill in the spaces with chain sections you think look best.
3. You connect the fine gunmetal chain to the filigree with small jumprings . In this case I used 2 sterling silver jumpring to each ring of the filigree. The silver adds a whisper of light to the earrings.
4. I also connected a 3mm sterling silver round bead on the single strand with a gunmetal headpin looped to the chain link.
5. Connect the leverback earwire directly to the top loop of the filigree. The ring on the leverback opens easily using a slight twist of the wrist while holding a needle nose plier. 

The most important advice I can give you is to cut lengths of chain for each filigree at the same time. This helps you have earrings looking like a matched pair, while avoiding frustration and wasting chain.

Ingredients list: 

1 package gunmetal filigree 

Sterling silver jumprings

3 mm sterling silver beads

Gunmetal leverbacks

Gunmetal headpins

1-2 feet of gunmetal double rollo chain #28 

All the Best,

Cynthia 

I like how she used the fine double rollo gunmetal chain as the support for the heart locket. You will notice in the second shot that she attached the locket with a matching gunmetal headpin and made two wire wraps with the added sparkle of vitrail color crystal. In this case the top loop slides freely on the chain. But you could easily attach directly to the link of the chain. Another thing I like about this is the use of the the larger link chain in the back as the chain extension. This simple gunmetal cable chain is still light weight, which does not over power the delicate rollo chain. It ads interest and and gives the wearer the option to lengthen their necklace with ease.

Below I've listed the components used in this necklace design. Oh by the way…The lockets our currently on sale. Hint, Hint!! They are sterling silver plate over brass, and they look fantastic mixed with gunmetal chain.

• 16 inches of gunmetal chain #28 double rollo
• 3-4 inches of gunmetal chain #29 plain cable
• 1 medium size lobster claw 
• 1 package of thin 2 inch gunmetal headpins 
• 1 sterling silver plated locket
• 3 4mm crystals or other beads you like

Stay Tuned for Part II

I've been busy creating earrings this week. Monday through Friday I have and continue to post a new earring design on Brandolina.typepad.com. I liked this pair so much I thought to share it here also. I worked in a monochromatic color scheme using various values and intensities of blue glass beads. The copper findings are complimentary in color and brighten the overall look. The big ring used is a link from a chain customers have named Hippie Chain. The paddle findings are light weight and these earrings can move. If you sell your jewelry at shows these are impressive looking, especially if you had several color versions. Gunmetal components would alos look great, making them a little dressier. Next time around I plan to make these in gunmetal mixed with iridescent colored glass, with a splash of gold and silver.

Here's a quick and easy jazzy pair of earrings you can make up before joining your friends for lunch. Dig into your beads stash, and grab a couple of your favorite colored crystals, czech glass or stone beads. The best size to look for would be 6mm in round, cube or diamond shapes. Collect 4 smaller beads (3mmish) and arrange and stack them onto a headpin. In this example we wire wrapped toward the top of the headpin, leaving an inch of headpin exposed. Gunmetal headpins look fab showing through glass beads and the ball-end ear wires add nice detail to the finished set. **The secret to making equal lengths is to bend both pins at the same time when making your first right angle bend before wire wrapping individually.**

I have some design notes about this bracelet sample to share with you. I give Alyssa full credit for this bracelet, as always with her pieces, it drew instant attention the minute we put it on display. A simple design really, but the chain speaks for itself with clear Swarvoski crystal hanging from these large, bold links.

This copper ox chain is a heavier rolo style that could accommodate hanging many beads and charms. In this creation, only 10 crystal beads were used in this 7.5 inch bracelet. The antique copper rolo is well matched with the magnet clasp. I still recommend attaching a safety chain when employing the use of a  magnetic clasps.

In the gunmetal chain bracelet sample we added the beadcap and used a large lobster claw.

p.s.  When I wear the gunmetal version, I kind of feel like I need to hop on a Harley!

Just a quick post about a necklace that always manages a compliment. This meets all the criteria of a great piece of jewelry.

1. Easy to make!
2. Coordinates with many outfits. Dresses up or down, so this has lots of wearing opportunities. 
3. Easy on the budget, but looks expensive.

Here's the list of necklace making supplies.

• 16 -20 inches of chain, depending on your size requirements
• 1 pendant size crystal and 1 smaller complimenting crystal bead (I've made this type of necklace with other kinds of beads, but the crystals take the lead)
• 2 eyepins or headpins that match chain finish and/or metal type
• 1 lobster claw clasp that fits into the link of chain

Here's how it's done…

1. Cut desired length of chain
2. Attach the pendant crystal to one end of chain. This can be done with wire wrapping it permanently to the chain using a headpin. In this case I used a heavier gauge headpin and made more of a semi wrap loop
3. Make loops on each end of the smaller bead after you sliding onto the headpin. Attach one loop to the lobster claw clasp and attach the other loop to the other end of the chain. See the pictures below.
4. 

This next picture shows off a matching earrings. 

and…just a quick insert to highlight different chains that easliy work with this "y" style necklace.

Crystal copper pairs well with the antique copper chain and Silver Shade, Black Diamond and Clear crystal coordinate with gunmetal, sterling and sliver plated chains.

We have featured all these components on a separate jewelry making project page on the shop site. Click here to find, buy and make.