Blue Buddha Boutique -- Newsletter - January - February - March

Anodized Niobium rings - as seen in Step by Step Wire Jewelry Magazine

Classes: Descriptions - Calendar - Teaching Locations & Registration - Private Lessons - Newsletter

Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr
2009

Weave Diagram
Winter Classes
Newest Supplies

Happy New Year, fellow chainmaillers! As I say good-bye to 2008, I reflect on what an amazing year it was for Blue Buddha Boutique. We created several new jobs, sold our wares at two major trade shows and made thousands of customers happy through sales of more than 5 million jump rings.

It's strange to think that last year at this time, we had just moved from the spare bedroom in my home into a studio space. One year later, and we've almost outgrown the studio! We've enjoyed listening to customer suggestions and introducing new products througout 2008. We already have several new items lined up for 2009. More exciting, though, are our plans to enhance the customer experience. We grew so big, so fast, that it felt like we barely had time to breathe. Now we've got enough folks on staff so we can take a step back and evaluate everything from the shopping cart, to our kits and instructions, to the FAQ, to many other aspects of the business. We are finding ways to improve our systems based on customer expectations, and we're excited to start using new technology to reach customers in ways that weren't possible when our business first started.

These changes will come a little at a time, but by the time I'm writing the January 2010 newsletter, you'll be amazed at how all the little changes have really added up. Throughout the process, we'll be seeking your feedback, so please always feel free to call or email with any suggestions and comments. We listen to them all.

I'm excited that I have an amazingly talented staff to help evolve the company. If you haven't already "met" our team, you can check them out on our About page.

You might not see or hear too much from me personally in early 2009, as I'm holing myself up to get my book written! I've done some preliminary work, but I really just need to separate myself from the business for a while so I can crank out the rest. I am so excited about this book; I know it will bring some fresh ideas to the chainmailling community, and I hope it will spark the creativity of maillers for generations to come.

Have a fabulous 2009!
—Rebeca

Weave Variation - Byzantine Cross

This weave combines Byzantine segments into an elegant design that works well in all silver, or with color. The Byzantine Cross works very well for necklaces.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with Byzantine

Sizes Shown: For Byzantine units—F18 ALUM (18ga 5/32" / 4.0 mm) and F19 Enameled Copper (19ga 5/32" / 4.0 mm); with large rings—L16 AA (16ga 1/4" / 6.4 mm); and each set of three units joined with H18 ALUM (18ga 3/16" / 4.8 mm), note however that you can use any ring larger than H18, such as L18, K18 or P18.
Though the sample shows ALUM and EC rings, you should be able to substitute any other base metal for the ALUM rings. If you don't have EC rings, or don't want to use them, you could also use F18 Anodized Alum (or any other base metal) instead.

Silver Ring Sizes: For Byzantine units—all F17 (17ga 5/32" / 4.0 mm); large rings—K15 (15ga 15/64" / 6.0 mm); and each set of three units joined with H17 SILV (17ga 3/16" / 4.8 mm), note however that you can use any ring larger than H17, such as L17 or K17.

Ring Counts: Each segment (from one set of large rings to just befor the next) is approximately 1.5" (3.8 cm) long. Below are the counts per segment, and for an 18" necklace.

Base Metal
Ring Size	Rings Per Unit	For 18" Necklace
F18	24	432
F19 EC (or F18)	12	216
L16	6	108 +2 at the end
H18 (or larger 18ga ring)	2	36

Sterling Silver
Ring Size	Rings Per Unit	For 18" Necklace
F17*	36	648
K15	6	108 +2 at the end
H17 (or larger 17ga ring)	2	36
*If you want a splash of color, you could use enameled copper (or anodized niobium, which we will eventually carry in this size) for the two connectors, as is done in base metal. If you use EC, then the ring counts are adjusted to F17 x 24 per inch, and F19 EC x 12 per inch, just like the base metal counts.

1a. To start, add 4 EC rings to large rings. (If you are using silver, add 4 F17 rings to the large.) Double the large ring.

1b. Continue the chain of 2-in-2 by adding two pairs of byzantine unit rings (F18 base metal or F17 silver) to the rings from step 1. This is one unit.

2. Create two more units. (If using different colors, like in the sample photo, you should have two of one color, and one of another color.)

3. Here is the byzantine step. Fold the last 2 rings of a unit back ...

4. ... Reach through and scoop them up with the connector ring (H18 base metal or H17 silver). Before closing this ring....

5. ... Go through the folded end rings of the other two units as well. Then you can close the ring. This step can be tricky for beginners, and if you don't have narrow pliers, it can be very difficult to close the center ring.

If you didn't have trouble with this step, then you can go back to step 2, create a ton of units, and then link them as you just did until your piece is long enough.

6. If you did have trouble, you might want to use a ring with a larger inner diameter (but keep the gauge the same). Or, you can build it a different way: start by folding and joining just the two sets of rings on the right with a connector ring and closing the connector:

7. To the ring you just closed, add a chain of 2-in-2 in preparation for a byzantine unit.

8a. Fold the end rings back to create byzantine, and add a new ring. (If you are using EC, this ring should be EC).

8b. Double that last ring.

9. Your unit is nearly complete, but set it aside for now. Create as many of these as you'd like, depending on how long you want your piece to be. For an 18 inch necklace, you need 12 of these components.

10. Connect two components by adding a large ring through the ends. Close and then double that large ring.

11. Voila! Continue until you reach the end. Attach a clasp to the final set of large rings on either end. (You might need to add an extra ring or two leading to the clasp, if the doubled rings are too thick.)

Other design ideas:

Sterling Silver Byzantine Cross:

Upcoming Classes

The countdown has begun! In June, Rebeca teaches Japanese Flower Bracelet at the Bead&Button Show in Milwaukee, WI: She hopes to see some of you there! In addition, Blue Buddha Boutique will have a booth again—a bigger booth than last year, woo-hoo!

We've updated the class calendar for January and February, with a few March classes listed as well (more will be added in the coming months). A few highlights:

at Blue Buddha
and Bead&Button

at Briolette

at LillStreet

at Briolette

at Caravan

at Hotei

Contact the specific store or gallery for a schedule or to register for a class.

Newest Supplies and Coming Attractions

We've got several new findings to post during the coming months, including base metal slide clasps and anodized niobium earwire. Additionally, we'll have more sizes of enameled copper and niobium. We're also putting together more sampler packets, so you'll have an easier time experimenting with metals that are new to you.

Some recent additions to the Supplies section:

Beaded Chain Mail Jewelry
Dylon Whyte's newest book!

Snowflakes Notecards
Perfect to send a greeting to your maille-loving friends or other folks.

New Supply List
This page lists supplies needed for recently published maille projects in magazines.

Flower of Life Kit
Available in aluminum/enameled copper or silver/niobium.

Feel free to contact Rebeca as always with questions or comments.
local: 773.478.3767 toll free: 866.602.RING (7464) rebeca@bluebuddhaboutique.com

Happy Weaving!

All content written by Rebeca Mojica, Blue Buddha Boutique artist & owner.