Chainmaille Weave Ideas: Precious Metal H18 – 18ga 3/16″ (4.8 mm)

Wondering what chainmaille project to tackle with those size H18 – 18ga 3/16″ (4.8 mm) precious metal jump rings? Check out the post below for weave ideas as well as where to get instructions for each one. Working with size H18 in base metal? Different weaves are possible, so visit our Base Metal H18 weave ideas post. Why are these posts separate?

Weave Ideas: Precious Metal H18

Wire Gauge = 18ga AWG (0.04″ / 1.024 mm )
Inner Diameter = 3/16″ (4.8 mm)

Hint: Use our Ring Picker tool to quickly see every metal and color we have available and in stock for this size!

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These samples use our niobium jump rings.

 

Aspect Ratio = 5.0

“rpi” = rings per inch.
Use this number to help you figure out how many rings you’ll need for your project. Simply multiply it by the desired length (in inches) for your final piece.




Box

24 rpi

Box/Byzantine PDF
(currently in sale section)

CHAINED book
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Conundrum & Helm (H18 + N16)


H18 – 15 rpi

N16 – 15 rpi

CHAINED book
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Rondo á la Byzantine (H18 + N16)


H18 – 51 rpi

N16 – 22 rpi

Rondo a la Byzantine PDF + Hardcopy Instructions

CHAINED book
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Double Spiral

21 rpi

Double Spiral PDF
(FREE!)

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Dragonscale (H18 + N16)

H18 – 28 rpi

N16 – 25 rpi

Dragonscale PDF + Hardcopy Instructions
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European 4 -1

25 rpi

Mesh & Rosettes PDF + Hardcopy Instructions

DVD Vol 1
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European 6 -1

24 rpi

European 6-1 PDF

(currently in sale section)
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Half Persian 4-1

15 rpi

Half Persian 3-1 and Half Persian 4-1 (Flat Persian, Snake Chain) PDF
(currently in sale section)

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Ask an Artist: Spider talks about finding a work/life balance, her obsession with Japanese 12-in-2, and a book in the works!

Chainmaille artist, supplier, and full-time mom, Spider is one of those “do-it-all” kind of women.  Not only that, but she does it with such grace, she makes it look easy.  We are so proud to have her as our contributor this month not only because she is a super-inspired artist but because she is so darn easy to relate to.  We hope you enjoy reading her responses to your questions as much as we have.

Thank you to all the readers who submitted questions!  Stay tuned as we continue to pick the brains of some amazing chainmaille artists on your behalf…and next time, make sure to send us YOUR burning questions!

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You are one busy lady and yet, you’re making it all work! What are your best time management tips?


I understand my schedule really well, and I keep a lot of lists.
Different days/times in my schedule allow for different kinds of productivity.

EXAMPLE 1: My bookkeeper shows up on Monday mornings.  I don’t have access to my computer while she’s here, but I do have access to the rest of my studio, and I know Kayla won’t interrupt me.  Perfect time for teaching classes or working on designs – anything that requires my full attention and tools/supplies, but no computer.

EXAMPLE 2: I usually keep Kayla company while she does her homework. This is a good time for tasks that don’t require much brain, but that might need some room to spread out.  This is typically “pliers time” for well-understood projects.

 

EXAMPLE 3: Waiting for Kayla’s class to be released; sitting in the spectator area during swim class; waiting in line at the post office. Any time I’m out in the world with time to pass I bring small, portable work with me.  (I’m writing the answer to this question as Kayla’s working on her frog kicks!)

I keep several different lists for different types of environments.  I don’t “waste” Tuesday morning time on a task that could be done during swim class.  And I make sure that I keep all the lists topped up so that I always have something in the queue when I discover a few spare minutes.

Your daughter is in school now which opens up any parents’ day at least a little bit, but how did you find time to work on your business and jewelry projects when your daughter was very young and still at home with you all day?


It was really challenging, more so because Kayla was a very “hands on” baby/toddler who was mostly uninterested in naps. Luckily, Mr. Spider is extremely supportive – I got a lot done on weekends and the occasional evening.  During weekdays I just tried to stay flexible and creative about getting things done with a baby on me.  If you slouch down far enough you can rest the baby on your chest and reach around to the pliers or the keyboard.  Priority Mail boxes are apparently more fun to sit in than other boxes – especially if Mom is packing orders into similar boxes.  Once Kayla was old enough to enjoy traveling in a sling, post office excursions became a great excuse for mid-day excercise. And so on …

Mostly I kept focused on how much easier it was than last week/month, rather than how much more difficult it was with a baby.  And having such wonderful customers made a huge difference.  I never once got grumbles when things were delayed because I was busy being Mom instead of being Spiderchain.  So if you were my customer during 2004-2009?  Thank you!!

How has becoming a mother affected your priorities as an artist and business owner? Has it changed the way you look at your art and/or your business?


I’m sure there are some subtle changes that I’m not consciously aware of, but the only specific thing that comes to mind is how SATISFYING it is to share the creative design process with Kayla.  Seeing her go though the steps of creating something new makes the whole process somehow more valuable to me.

She’s been coming up with her own jewelry ideas for years (including one memorable necklace made with a paper napkin – seen below and modeled by Kayla, left) and I am fully convinced that the process of imagine/create/use has given her a better grasp of how the physical world works, plus a level of “I can” confidence that’s going to make her whole life more fun – and not just for jewelry! Manual dexterity, the ability to visualize and plan, the satisfaction of using a thing made by one’s own hands – these are all things that I would wish for EVERY child.  (Earrings below designed by Kayla.)

  

What have you found is the best way to grow your business?


I’m a terrible person to ask about business growth.  Spiderchain has grown a great deal over the years, but it just happened – I never did anything “on purpose” to grow it.  I don’t advertise.  I don’t market. I just make really good stuff and I try to give my customers enough information that they can select the CORRECT really good stuff.  So yea… have high quality standards and good customer service.  But you might want to consider advertising too.  *grin*

In addition to running a successful small business, you make some really beautiful chainmaille jewelry. When it comes to make maille, what inspires you the most?


Math!  Textures!  Optical illusions and white space.  But mostly it’s the math.  I love that there are so many ways to combine a pile of thin tori into different patterns.  And some of those patterns are unexpectedly gorgeous and tactile.  Yea – I’m pretty much just a huge chainmail geek.

I sometimes start with a sketch, and sometimes sit down with a range of rings and just play.  I make a line of jewelry brass rings for “guilt free” prototyping.  They match the size of sterling rings very closely, but they’re inexpensive enough that it doesn’t matter if my design doesn’t work out, or takes a dozen size changes to get just right. Having a pile of rings staring at me is definitely inspiring – especially when there are a zillion sizes and it doesn’t matter if I goof up.

A few of our readers were really curious to know more about how do begin to develop new weaves. What are you recommendations for maillers who want to begin creating their own unique weaves and variations?

Give yourself artificial constraints.  For example:

  •  a weave that uses both Japanese and Persian connections
  •  a weave that uses THESE three sizes in equal amounts
  •  a weave that bends in only one direction
  •  a weave that will allow for offset layers of color
  •  and so on…

You might not accomplish your “goal,” but you’ll probably bump into some interesting patterns along the way.

That said, most of the inventing I do isn’t new weaves, but instead ring-size variations of standard weaves.  Inventing new weaves is fun, but most of my design focus is on creating overall pieces, and for that, I like my dependable stand-by weaves.  (Who me?  Japanese 12-in-2?)

          

Several readers mentioned that your DVDs provided them with just the “Ah-Ha!” moments they needed to conquer many chainmaille weaves. Do you remember any “Ah-Ha!” moments you had when you first started making maille?


I certainly had several light bulbs switch on during the early days of working on my gloves.  A bit of background…  I had been making chainmail for (at most) a couple months.  I had started my first real project (a shirt – never completed) and decided that a pair of gloves would be a good second project.  In knitting (with yarn), gloves are a good bite-sized etude that helps the knitter gain a better understanding of how to fit the human form.  So I thought “Hey!  I’ll do the same thing for chainmail!”  I had no clue just how ambitious the project would turn out to be…  But there were plenty of Ah-Ha moments (plus some frustration and colorful language) involved in with-grain expansions/contractions, CROSS-grain expansions, joining, fitting, etc.  I’m glad that I decided to make a pair of gloves, but I have to laugh at myself for choosing it as my SECOND project.

Speaking of “Ah-Ha” moments, many folks would love to take class from you in person. Do you teach classes nationally? Do you have other plans for teaching – maybe another DVD?


I mostly teach private classes at my studio in Castro Valley, California (near San Francisco).  If readers want to schedule private classes, they should send me email. ([email protected])

I don’t travel to teach very often.  Currently I have only two teaching events scheduled for 2012.  In early March I’ll be teaching a weekend-long intensive at the Revere Academy.  And then in early June I’ll be teaching an assortment of classes at the Bead&Button show (registration opens in January).

Another DVD?  Maybe some day, but for now I’m working on a book.  Don’t get your hopes up – it’s taking a very, VERY long time to write.  It will (eventually) be an intermediate/advanced book all about Japanese weave.  It’s my favorite weave in the whole world and there’s no end to the variations you can make.  Wonderful, YUMMY weave!

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Learn more about Spider:
Finished Jewelry Website: http://www.silverweaver.com
Supplies, Kits, and Instruction: http://spiderchain.com

 

Your chainmaille jewelry questions – answered! Blue Buddha Boutique’s new FAQ

 
We are super-proud to be launching our newly overhauled FAQ page, complete with answers to questions about everything from jump ring sizes and aspect ratio, to choosing the right chainmaille project, placing your order, and even pricing your crafts.  We know this page will become a helpful resource to chainmaillers everywhere.  Here are some of the newest additions and revamps that answer questions every chainmailler has had at one time or another.



What is Aspect Ratio?

We hear this question all the time!  Understanding aspect ratio has been identified by so many of our more advanced customers as being the lightbulb that took the longest to turn on for them as they started their chainmaille journey.  We hope this page, which illustrates aspect ratio visually, will help lightbulbs go off everywhere!





What are the differences between each model of plier?

Choosing the right tools is super-important for any chainmailler but it can be hard to know which ones to buy right off the bat.  This answer should help shed some light on the differences between some of our most popular pliers and make choosing the perfect ones for you a breeze.





What is the best project for beginners?

Jump rings, inner diameter, aspect ratio, pliers, weaves….starting out can be like trying to learn a new language!  This page is made especially for folks looking for a great beginning level project to introduce them to the addiction….er….craft *wink*.

 

 



How do I price my crafts?

Pricing your crafts can be a pain in the pliers!!  This page gives you advice, formulas, and more to make it a task that goes from procrastinated to done.  Great for crafters everywhere!



10 ways to increase sales on your online shop for the holidays

So many of our customers create chainmaille jewelry pieces to sell in online shops through Etsy, ArtFire, IndieMade and many more.  The holidays are of course a great time of year to sell your work to folks looking to buy unique handmade gifts, but it can be difficult to turn browsers into buyers and compete against larger retail stores (and their massive blowout sales) when your customers can’t touch and feel you product.  That said, there are some things Internet sellers can do even more easily than stores to make holiday sales fun, exciting, and fulfilling for their customers.

 

Here are 10 things you can do to make your online shop shine for the holidays.

1. Change your shop banner and/or product images to reflect the season.  Adding in some holiday spirit to your shop/website banner or your most “gifty” product images is your online shop’s way of decking the halls.  Show your model drinking hot chocolate, hanging an ornament or toasting the new year.  Have your product being unwrapped by someone in pajamas, or just add in some wintery colors or Christmas lights.  It will be totally affective and a heck of a lot easier (and less expensive) than decorating an entire store!

2. Rearrange your merchandise, putting the best gift items at the top.  Retailers move their merchandise around all the time to highlight what they think you should buy, so why not do the same thing with your shop.  People around the holidays are looking to pick up gifts and you can help them figure out just what the perfect gift is.  Don’t make them hunt for something on page 6 of your shop; put the heavy hitters up front!

3. Edit your product categories to be gift-oriented.  People love having recommendations and it can be even easier to give them online where people are reading than in a shop where people are “Just looking, thanks.”  Create categories like “For Her”, “For Friends”, “For Mom” and/or price point categories “Gifts under $10” and so on.  You can also make categories unique to your brand “For Their Inner Rock Star” or “For Glamour Girls” to tailor the shopping experience even more.

Are you fun and funky or elegant and sophisticated?  Chances are the people who love your products are a lot like you – what would you feel if you received your product as a gift?  Tell them how great it will be.


4. Edit your product descriptions.  This can be another great place to sneak in a gift recommendation and paint a picture of what it will be like to give or receive your product.  Use language that fits your brand.  Are you fun and funky or elegant and sophisticated?  Chances are the people who love your products are a lot like you – what would you feel if you received your product as a gift?  Tell them how great it will be.

5. Highlight customer feedback and testimonials.  Don’t assume your shopper will go looking for your feedback to decide if they want to buy from you and don’t make them leave the product page to be convinced (they might not come back!)  The holidays are a great time to attract new customers, but if they are new, they won’t know how great you are yet.  Include appropriate feedback and testimonials right in the product descriptions to make them click that buy button right then and there!

6. Offer gift wrapping – and show them what to expect!  Make sure to take a picture of what the gift wrapping will look like as well as what the product looks like in the gift box.  You can offer this service for free or as an add-on to make a little extra money.  Make sure the gift wrapping represents your brand and is not holiday specific (i.e. – Don’t choose Santa wrapping paper, it limits your clients.)  Choose paper and other packaging that matches your brand’s colors and style.

The holidays can attract a lot of new customers and it’s a great opportunity to turn them into returning customers during off-times.


7. Offer gift certificates.  Make sure to offer them at different price points and make them look nice and represent your brand (put your logo on them!)  Come up with a nice way to package them and show the buyer how it will look when it arrives.  Make sure to ask the buyer to put the recipient’s name in the notes on their purchase so you can write that in for them and make it look beautiful.

8. Run special discounts/sales that coincide with in-store big shopping days.  The number of shoppers that stay in and shop online on big sale days grows every year.  Make the most of this fact by offering special discounts or bonuses on those days.  Use outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and email to let people know you’ll be running this deal and make sure to tease it on your shop page too!

9. Include a special holiday note in each order with incentives to come back and shop again.  This can be as simple as creating a small amount of business cards with your branding and a holiday theme on them, or even buying simple holiday cards or postcards to include with each order.  Take the time to write a handwritten note on them, offering a discount code or free shipping on their next order.  The holidays can attract a lot of new customers and it’s a great opportunity to turn them into returning customers during off-times.

10. Create a mailing list – start now!  Once again, this is a great time of year to collect new customers so make sure you create a way to stay in touch with them during in the year and for the next holiday season.  Set up a free account using MailChimp and start collecting email addresses now.  After the holidays are over, send them something thanking them for supporting your business and offering them an incentive to come back and shop.

Have more ideas for making an online shop shine for the holidays?  Share them in the comments below!

Congratulations to October’s Featured Product of the Month Contest Winner!

Voting for October’s Featured Product of the Month contest is officially closed and the winner as chosen by you is……

 

Marge H. and her piece “Edwardian Splendor”!


Congratulations, Marge! Your creativity has earned you a B3 gift certificate for $25! To claim your prize, please send an email to [email protected].


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Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in October’s contest. The bar was set at a whole new level for these projects – any one of you could have been the winner.  We can’t wait to see what you come up with for November using our glass rings. Submissions for this month are now open and close on the 15th so make sure to get your photo posted to our wall on Facebook before then!

Happy Weaving!