Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques (Lark Jewelry) [Hardcover]

Terry Taylor (Author), Dylon Whyte (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lark Jewelry | Publication Date: May 28, 2006

Chain mail is enjoying a creative resurgence and this attractive, full-colour book is a valuable resource for beginners and intermediates. This title thoroughly introduces all the key construction procedures with computer-generated illustrations for every step. It includes 30 projects plus a gallery of works by professional jewellers. Thanks to its exquisite, easily mastered techniques and elegant lines, chain mail, the classic art of linking metal rings, is enjoying a creative resurgence among jewellery makers. This attractive, full-colour book is a valuable resource to help beginners and intermediates get in on the craze. With computer-generated illustrations that show every step, it thoroughly introduces all the key construction procedures, including the proper methods of winding, opening and closing the metal rings. The 30 projects include a simple pendant encasing a large semiprecious stone and a flat chain-mail neckpiece that colourfully combines copper and blue titanium rings. Plus, there's advice on polishing the pieces, tips on adding pearls or beads and a gallery of works by professional jewellers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Terry Taylor lives in Asheville, North Carolina as an editor, jeweller and metal artist and has authored numerous Lark books, including Button! Button! (9781600591457). A lifelong, full-time resident of Manitoulin Island, Canada, Dylon Whyte has been studying and making original chain mail creations and patterns for 20 years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (May 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579907237
• ISBN-13: 978-1579907235
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great beginner's resource, November 5, 2006

By 

Loopy "khmetalwork.com" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques (Lark Jewelry) (Hardcover)

This book is really a fine primer for new jewelry chain makers. There are instructions for four chain weaves including the Spiral and Byzantine weaves. However, the real emphasis of the book is how to weave the basic European and Japanese weaves. Additionally, there are several tutorials of variations for the basic Japanese and European weaves. Unfortunately, other than one or two very cool variations of the European 4-1 weave, the experienced chain makers may not learn much new information from this book.

The instructions are clearly illustrated and well written, perfect for beginning chain makers. The Gallery pages are beautiful and highlight a nice variety of chain applications including: serving pieces, clothing, sculpture and jewelry.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precise Illustrated Instructions and Beautiful Pictures, April 1, 2007

By 

Cat (ND USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques (Lark Jewelry) (Hardcover)

I have just begun getting into chain mail jewelry making and found this book exceedingly helpful. There's no soldering required for the projects in the book, just pliers, which as a beginner, I appreciated since at the moment I have no interest in getting into soldering.The book begins with some basic information on chain mail jewelry, which gave me a good idea of what I was getting myself into. Then it proceeds into several projects ranging from basic, intermediate, and advanced. The pictures, and illustrated instructions were so precise that I, with no previous experience of any kind, quickly made two of the basic projects as well as one of the intermediate. Each project begins with a picture of what the design will look like at the end, a list of the items required for assembly, then launches into detailed step by step instructions, each illustrated to show you exactly what to do. This book is very well written, thoughtfully laid out, as well as clear and concise. In addition, the assortment of jewelry projects are both beautiful and varied, sure to appeal to pretty much everyone. The gallery section at the end showcasing artists' work provides inspiration for those wanting to make designs of their own. I highly recommend this book if you're getting into chain mail jewelry making.

64 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A big disappointment, June 18, 2006

By 

Marilyn Amick "MarilynA" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques (Lark Jewelry) (Hardcover)

If you're into goth and renaissance styles, then you may like this book; however, I was expecting something more from Lark Books. I should have researched the author and realized that his specialty seems to be putting out miscellaneous craft books for Lark rather then being a jewelry or chain mail artist in his own right. The only instructions that are not for flat mail are for byzantine chain, and you can find better instructions for byzantine chain for free on the internet. Another big negative is that there are no sources given for wire and pre-made jump rings. Also, the author mentions in passing that there is such a thing as "aspect ratio", but he doesn't bother to mention what it is or that it may be critical to a successful piece. If you want well-done instructions in chain mail techniques for contemporary jewelry that can actually be worn to the office, e.g., the best book I've seen (and I've purchased all that I am aware of) is a book called "Chains by Becky". The postage from Canada will cause you to reconsider, but Becky's book is worth it. Excellent instruction is also available at Urban Maille (www.urbanmaille.com).