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Thanks for stopping by. My names Chris and I've been weaving chainmaille for 8 years now. You may have seen me around town in my pull-tab vest or on the bus weaving. If you see me, please say Hi!
It is a very long process from wire to coil to ring to weave, but it is a great way to relax and it feels good to have someone appreciate the time and energy it takes to make these great pieces. I mainly make jewelry, but clothing, armor, and sculpture are also possibilities on commission basis only.
I coil all rings except for stainless, titanium, and silver. Stainless and titanium are machine cut and all silver and gold-fill is saw cut. Other materials are available in saw cut. Please ask me for details. The materials I use are:
Copper: Copper is bright and shiny red but will turn to a dirty reddish color and will rust easily without proper care.
Bronze: Bronze is a darker copper metal color, and is stronger due to it being alloyed with tin. This material will also rust or turn skin color without proper care. This material will turn your skin color, but this can be avoided with proper care.
Brass: Alloy of Copper and Zinc, Brass has a much brighter yellow look to it than copper or bronze. This metal will also rust or turn skin colors without proper care.
Stainless steel: My preferred choice of metal. Very strong, doesn't rust, meaning you can go swimming or take a shower with it. It gives off a beautiful chrome shine.
Galvanized steel: Mild steel wire with a zinc coating to lessen tarnishing. The zinc layer protects from rust even when scratched. The zinc will give the steel a bright white-ish color if it gets wet. After being worn for a while, the main layer of zinc will get worn off and the steel will be polished.
Titanium: I mainly use grade 5 titanium giving the rings a smooth matte finish. This material is very light and strong. Though it is tough to work with, the strength and weight make it worth it. This material is also available in a variety of different colors. Due to the anodizing process, please allow 2 weeks more for items made with anodized wire.
Bright Aluminum: Great material to work with for clothing. Nice and light, doesn't turn the skin color and is inexpensive. Available in assorted colors, or stick with the great whitish sheen. If you have a specific color you would like please allow an extra 2 weeks for shipping.
Sterling silver: Sterling Silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The copper is added for strength, but due to this fact Sterling will tarnish over time without proper care.
Fine silver: Fine Silver is 99.9% pure silver. Since it has not been alloyed with anything, the metal is very soft, and is not recommended for any applications where stress on the rings is an issue. This material is virtually tarnish resistant.
Argentium silver: A recent change in alloying silver has cause Argentium silver to become a growing favorite among jewelers. It is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% Geranium. The Geranium gives the metal that added strength without fear of it tarnishing. This material is a little more expensive than either fine or sterling silver.
Gold-fill: Gold-fill comes in colors of yellow, rose, and white. Gold-fill is made with a thick tube of pure gold filled with brass. The tube of gold is so thick, there is no need to worry about the brass wearing through. Gold-fill should never be confused with plating. Gold-fill is great for those people that can’t afford the ever rising price of gold, but want better quality than gold plating.
Most photos are courtesy of Naked Ape.