How to Make Chain Mail Jewelry
With the right tools and the proper technique, you can make some simple yet stylish pieces of chain mail jewelry. Chain mail is made up of many rings, commonly referred to as "jump rings." There are two kinds of jump rings--open and closed. Open ones have a small opening that you can pry apart with pliers. Closed jump rings do not have an opening at all. There are many different kinds of chain mail, and they can all be used to make necklaces or bracelets. The simple pattern is good for adding charms for a charm bracelet.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper clip
- Open jump rings
- Closed jump rings
- 2 pairs of pliers
- Tape measure
- Clasp
Instructions
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Simple Charm Bracelet
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1
Open 50 jump rings. To open a jump ring, grab one side of the opening of the jump ring with one pair of pliers and do the same on the other side with the other pair of pliers. Gently twist both pairs of pliers so that both sides of the opening go in different directions. Do not pull straight out because this will warp and weaken the jump ring.
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2
Bend the outside part of a paper clip and slip two closed jump rings on it so that they hang from the bend of the paper clip.
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3
Put one open jump ring through both closed jump rings that are hanging from the paper clip and close it just like you opened it, only in reverse. Put one pair of pliers on one side of the opening, the other pair of pliers on the other side and gently twist so that the two ends meet. Put another open jump ring through the two closed ones hanging from the paper clip and close it as well.
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4
Repeat Step 3 and check your length with a tape measure until you have created a chain that is 6 inches long. Seven inches is the most common size for bracelets, but you can always measure your wrist or another person's wrist for a more accurate size if you have the chance. The length of the clasp will make up the last inch.
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5
Attach the clasp to the end of the bracelet with two more open jump rings. You can now add some charms at different points on the chain, looping smaller open jump rings through a pair of rings, placing a charm on it and closing the jump ring.
Spiral Pattern
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6
Take one open jump ring, feed it through a closed jump ring and close it.
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7
Feed another open jump ring through the intersection of the two rings you have just connected and close it. If you hold the two connected jump rings between your fingers, you will see the part where they overlap. Feed the open end of the jump ring over both connected rings and close it.
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8
Repeat Step 2 by adding another jump ring between the last two that you just connected. If you hold your first and last jump rings and gently pull, you will be able to see the spiral pattern taking shape. Continue adding jump rings until your chain is the length that you want for your necklace or bracelet.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Start with these simple chain mail patterns before you move on to more complex patterns.
