Chain workshop samples on display at Em-mi Beads

If the pix in the blog posts about the chainmaking workshops don't give you a good idea of what the chains you complete will look like, samples of all of them will be on display at Em-mi Beads in Clinton starting this week.

Stop in and visit this lovely bead shop -- I promise you will be thrilled! Kim Schweitzer, Dana Saylor, Karen Buttonschon and everyone involved with Em-mi are always happy to help and will be glad to show you the chain samples for these workshops. There will also be brochures for the Kirkland Art Center right there, so you can get more info and give the art center a call to sign up right away. Forgot your cell phone? That's OK, the art center is just a few doors down from Emmi, right on the village green in Clinton. An easy, pretty walk.

See, how could we make it easier for you to sign up for a chainmaking workshop, get a feel for what metalwork is all about, and come away with a great new piece of jewelry and a hot new resource for all of your bead buying needs!?

Making the Queen's Chain

Last but not least in the Saturday afternoon chainmaking workshop series is the Queen's chain, pictured at right. This chain will be offered on Saturday November 15, from 2 - 5 p.m.


When you sign up for this workshop, your materials and use of tools in the Kirkland studio are included. You will receive a kit of pre-cut and tumble-polished sterling silver jump rings and a clasp sufficient to make an 8" bracelet length of the chain. You will also receive written instructions and a handy chart to help you out if you want to make that chain again in the future.


Kirkland is currently taking registrations for these workshops, so give them a call at 853-8871 if you have any questions or want to sign up. These chains make a great treat for yourself, or a wonderful gift for that someone special on your holiday list!

Making Flat Chain Mail

This picture is of Flat Chain mail, which I will be teaching in a workshop at Kirkland Art Center on Saturday afternoon, November 8, from 2 - 5 p.m.

This is part of my Saturday afternoon series of chainmaking workshops that I am offering at Kirkland this fall. See other blog entries to get a look at the other offerings, the Double Flower, the Byzantine and the Queen's chain.

When you sign up for one of these workshops, the cost of your workshop includes materials and use of tools in the jewelry studio at Kirkland. You will receive a kit of pre-cut and tumble-polished sterling silver rings and a clasp sufficient to make an 8" bracelet of the featured chain. You also receive written instructions to make that chain and a handy chart which will help you know what to buy in the future if you want to make the chain again.

Kirkland is currently taking registrations for the workshops, so give them a call at 853-8871 if you are interested. These chains make great holiday gifts, or are a good way to pamper yourself if you've been working entirely too hard and need a pretty boost!

Making the Byzantine Chain

In the photo to the right, you see the Byzantine chain, sometimes known as the King's chain. I will be offering a workshop in making this chain as part of my Saturday afternoon chainmaking workshop series at Kirkland Art Center this fall. This chain will be offered on Saturday October 18, from 2 - 5 p.m.


Each workshop includes materials and instructions in the price. You will receive a kit of pre-cut and tumble-polished sterling silver rings sufficient to make an 8" bracelet length of the featured chain, and a clasp to finish it. Tools are made available for your use during the workshop and you also receive written instructions on how to make the chain and a handy chart which can help you know what kind of rings to order if you want to make the chain again in the future.

Kirkland Art Center is currently taking registrations for these workshops, so give them a call at 853-8871 if you are interested. Space is limited, so call soon!

Making the Double Flower Chain

This fall, I will again offer the Saturday afternoon chainmaking workshops that proved so popular last year. The first one will be Making the Double Flower Chain, offered on Saturday October 4th, from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Kirkland Art Center in Clinton.

In each workshop, we will construct a bracelet length of the featured chain. When you sign up for one of the chain workshops, everything is included in the price. You will receive a kit of pre-cut and
tumble-polished sterling silver jump rings and a clasp for your bracelet, and tools are made available for your use during the class. Each kit provides enough material to make an 8 inch bracelet. You also receive written instructions for the chain and a chart that, if you want to make more chains in the future, will help you figure out what size jump ring you need to order for the gauge of wire you are using.

The picture to the right is the Double Flower chain. It is a classic chain pattern that looks complicated, but is actually quite easy to construct. You will be happy to wear it yourself, or, it makes a truly impressive gift. Never too early to start thinking of those holiday gift lists, right?

KAC is currently taking registrations for the chain workshops. Give them a call at 853-8871 to sign up. Hope to see you there!