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Supply Lists for Chainmaille Projects in Magazines

Whenever a chainmaille magazine project is published, we get a ton of calls from customers wanting to buy supplies. So, we started this page to better help you figure out what you need. First, one of our weaving apprentices tests out the pattern. We photograph the result so you can see how it looks using our rings, and we'll give you our ring names to make shopping easier. If the author offers a kit for that piece, we'll link to their page as well.

We do NOT list the number of rings needed for each project; please refer to the magazine for that information! Don't call or email us asking for ring count information, or how to make the weave, as we are not able to provide those stats—you must purchase the magazine hard copy or project PDF in order to find out the number of rings used.

We test each sample because one supplier's "18gauge 4.0 mm" could be different from another's. (Remember that gauges can differ by supplier, and, depending on the metal used and the particular temper, the actual inner diameter could differ significantly from supplier to supplier.) Please note that just because we have used our ring size for a particular piece, it doesn't mean you can always substitute that size.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 3 - June/July 2010

Sample with Blue Buddha sterling silver Sample with Blue Buddha base metal	Squares with Flair by Vanessa Walilko p 13	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used in magazine: F18 SILV N16 SILV L16 SILV See below for alternate sizes used in the base metal samples.
Visit Vanessa's website and see her jewelry, sculpture and wearable art at Kali Butterfly. You can purchase kits for this piece in the DIY Kits & Instructions section here at Blue Buddha.
Alternate sizes/metals: In base metal, use size H18. This makes the chainmaille squares larger, so you might need to make one less cube (and use one fewer crystal). For the rings that connect to the square, use size O18 and M18. You can also use D20 for a smaller square. If you use D20, change the connector rings to L18 and M18.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 3 - June/July 2010

Samples with Blue Buddha aluminum (top) and niobium	Isle of Capri set by Charlene Anderson p 33	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: G18 SILV
Visit Charlene Anderson's Amazon store or her Ebay store: Purveyor of All Things Creative.
Alternate sizes/metals: In base metal, use size I18. Other sizes that will work for the barrel weave (but may not work well with the beads) are: sterling silver D21, E20, F19, and J16. In Base Metal: E20 (use D20 in aluminum) and M16.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 3 - June/July 2010

Samples with Blue Buddha aluminum jump rings	Seashell Necklace by Phyllis Adams p 39	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: F18 ALUM (for 13/64") J18 ALUM (for 9/64") E20 ALUM (for 9/64")
Visit Phyllis' website at WindbornCreations.com.
Alternate sizes/metals: Insterling, use size E18, I18 and E20.

Bead&Button June 2010 - Issue 97

sample using Blue Buddha jump rings	Jump in! by Lesley Weiss p 18	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: H18 AA F20 ALUM
Email Lesely in care of Bead&Button ateditor@beadandbutton.com.
Alternate sizes/metals: You could substitute F20 in sterling silver (as used in the actual design). Rebeca prefers not to mix sterling silver with anodized aluminum, unless she must have a color like red or black that is not available in niobium, but that's just a personal preference. The size of the smaller rings make the piece a bit loose—if you'd like it tighter, feel free to use E20 or even D20 for the small rings. If you want a luxurious piece in all sterling silver, use size H17 with E20.

Bead&Button June 2010 - Issue 97

sample using Blue Buddha jump rings	Dahlia Ring by Amanda Shero Grandstrom p 40	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: T16 L18 H18 F20
Visit Amanda's website or purchase kits for this project at Crafty Cat Jump Rings.
Alternate sizes/metals: Even though we prefer saw-cut rings, it seems like this piece might work better in pinch- or machine-cut rings, because those rings have a slightly larger Aspect Ratio. The sample was difficult for the intern to make, because it is so tight. In the photos shown in the magazine, the green/violet flower seems to use saw-cut rings, and many of those rings have noticeable openings. The pink/yellow flower uses machine-cut rings, and those rings are closed seamlessly. It could also be that the yellow/pink flower was woven by the designer, who is a chainmaille expert; and the green/violet flower was woven by the staff of Bead&Button (who are great, but are not quite as expert as the designers they feature!).

Bead&Button June 2010 - Issue 97

sample using Blue Buddha jump rings (Actual sample has a lentil bead inside the maille; but we didn't have one of the appropriate size handy!)	Link it up Bracelet by Wendy Hunt p 76	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: K18 SILV (for 6 mm 18-gauge) I19 SILV (for 5 mm 19-gauge) D19 SILV (for 3 mm 19-gauge) B20 SILV* (for 2 mm 19-gauge) *NOTE: We did try using A19 SILV (as A= 1.984 mm) but it was too tight and the weave was not possible. That's why we bumped up to B, which is 2.4 mm. The weave is still snug, but it works beautifully
Visit Wendy's website at BaublesNBeads.atspace.com or send her email.
Alternate sizes/metals:In Base metal, use these ring sizes (listed in the same order as above): J18, H18, D18 (or use D20) and D20.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 2 - April/May 2010

Samples with Blue Buddha aluminum (top) and niobium	Copenhagen Necklace by Charlene Anderson p 36	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: E18 ALUM (top) B20 NIOB (bottom)
Visit Charlene Anderson's Amazon store or her Ebay store: Purveyor of All Things Creative.
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use sterling silver, our favorite sizes are B20, F16, H14 (a necklace in H14 is shown in the magazine). In base metal, use size B20, E18 or H16 (G16 is a tighter fit and some advanced weavers might prefer G16).

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 2 - April/May 2010

Samples with Blue Buddha aluminum rings	Celtic Cage Earrings by Melissa Senetar p 22	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: K18 ALUM (for 6mm) F20 ALUM (for 3.5 mm) B20 ALUM (for 2 mm)
Contact Melissa and purchase kits for this project at PhbeaD.com
Alternate sizes/metals: We have not tested in sterling silver but we believe that K18 SILV, F18 SILV and B21 SILV would work. Let us know if you'd like us to have an intern test out this combination for sure.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 2 - April/May 2010

Samples with Blue Buddha aluminum rings	Blue My Mind by Shelley Hubbs p 12	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: J16 ALUM H18 ALUM
Visit Shelley's website and purchase materials for this bracelet at Metal Designz.
Alternate sizes/metals: In sterling silver use size J17 with H17 to duplicate this pattern exactly. In all metals a wide range of sizes can be used. The holes in the unicorn beads are quite large and can easily accommodate a 16-gauge base metal ring or a 14-gauge sterling ring.

Bead&Button April 2010 - Issue 96

sample in aluminum with crystals	All the Hoopla Necklace by Kimberly Berlin p 36	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: T18 ALUM H18 ALUM
Send Kimberly an email.
Alternate sizes/metals: In sterling, you can use size Z16 SILV (we do not carry this size---it is 16ga 12 mm) and K16 (16ga 6 mm) for the chain.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 1 - February/March 2010

base metal sample with Blue Buddha rings	Barrel Ring Earrings by Lorraine Menard p 30	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Our (base metal) sample uses: T18 ALUM G18 ALUM G18 COPP
Contact Lorraine and purchase her finished jewelry pieces at Lorraineschains.com
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use sterling silver and copper excactly as shown in the magazine, you'll need size S16 SILV (which we do not sell. Try Spiderchain.com and look for size 23:16). The small copper and sterling rings are size 18ga 3.75 mm, which you can also purchase from Spider.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 6, No. 1 - February/March 2010

Variation sample with Blue Buddha rings	Maluaka Bracelet by Charlene Anderson p 11	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: F18 AA used in the photo (variation) G16 SILV is used for the main bracelet
Visit Charlene Anderson's Amazon store or her Ebay store: Purveyor of All Things Creative.
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use sterling silver, you can use a wide variety of sizes: D19, E18, F17, G16, I15, and J14. The magazine shows many variations of this weave—we encourage you to give 'em a try!

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 5 - Winter 2010

sample in Blue Buddha Silver (top) and aluminum	Spine of the Centipede by Lauren Andersen p 20	purchase back issue from Step by Step	There was an error in the magazine. The "18-gauge 3.75mmID" rings are acutally 16 gauge! Ring sizes used for sample photo: F16 SILV (top) <--this is the size used for the magazine project E18 ALUM (middle) H16 ALUM (bottom)
Visit Lauren's website and purchase kits for this project The Chainmaille Lady.
Alternate sizes/metals: We also tested this project in ALUM. The weave is snug, but still flexible enough for a bracelet: The middle photo shows E18 rings—this version is very snug. The bottom photo uses H16 rings and 8 mm crystals; a very nice fit. We'd guess that H14 SILV would also work with 8 mm crystals, but we haven't tested it.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 5 - Winter 2010

sample in Blue Buddha Anodized Aluminum	O Tannenbaum by Shelley Hubbs p 31	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used for sample photo: L18 AA D20 AA H18 AA Blue Buddha does not carry the small enameled copper sizes used in the magazine project. You can purchase those from the artist at Metal Designz. The design shown in our photo is the anodized aluminum tree Rebeca designed in 2005; it is very lightweight and perfect for earrings. (Shelley's design is lighter than you'd expect because the large rings are not doubled, and there aren't as many "trunk" rings.) You can purchase kits for Rebeca's design on our website.
Visit Shelley's website and purchase kits for these earrings at Metal Designz.
Alternate sizes/metals: For a smaller tree, use size H18 instead of L18 for the large green rings. For a mongo-size tree, use size P16 for the large rings and F18 for the "ornaments."

Wirework 2010

samples (top to bottom) in sterling silver, jewelry brass and copper	Crystal Byzantine Bracelet by Rebeca Mojica p 30	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	The bracelet uses: F17 SILV I16 SILV N16 SILV
Hey, you're already on Rebeca's website! You can purchase kits for this piece in the DIY Kits & Instructions section
Alternate sizes/metals: In base metal, use size F18, I18 and N18.

More projects from Wirework to come!

Best of Step By Step Wire Jewelry 2009 - 2010

sample in Blue Buddha base metal rings	2 by 2 Chainmaille Bracelet by Gladys Botz p 66	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: J20 JBRS (for 7 mm) G20 JBRS (for 6 mm) C20 JBRS (for 4 mm) You should also be able to use these sizes in ALUM, BRNZ, COPP, SSTL as well as Sterling Silver (SILV).
Visit Gladys' website.
The sizes listed in the magazine must be outer diameter (otherwise the Aspect Ratios would be incredibly high.) We assumed this in choosing our ring sizes, and you can see from the sample photo that they work just fine.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 4 - Fall 2009

sample in red rings with mixed color beads	Palau Reef Set by Charlene Anderson p 24	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: H18 AA You should also be able to use H18 in ALUM, BRNZ, COPP, JBRS and SSTL.
Visit Charlene Anderson's Amazon store or her Ebay store: Purveyor of All Things Creative.
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use sterling silver use size H17.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 4 - Fall 2009

sample in Blue Buddha Base Metal	Olivia Bracelet by Shelley Hubbs p 27	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used for sample photo: F18 ALUM F18 AA You should also be able to use F18 in any combination of ALUM, BRNZ, COPP, JBRS and SSTL.
Visit Shelley's website and purchase kits for this bracelet at Metal Designz.
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use sterling silver as shown, use size F17. The niobium size would also be F17 (which we currently do not sell)

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 4 - Fall 2009

sample in Blue Buddha rings	Bobble Necklace & Earrings by Amanda Shero Granström p 30	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Ring size used: H18 ALUM You should also be able to use these sizes in ALUM, BRNZ, COPP, JBRS and SSTL.
Visit Amanda's website or purchase kits for this project at Crafty Cat Jump Rings.
Alternate sizes/metals: We are currently testing sterling silver sizes.

Projects

Bead&Button October 2009 - Issue 93

samples (top to bottom) in sterling silver, aluminum and copper	Bicycle Chain Bracelet by Luan Carnevale p 84	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: K18 SILV
Visit Luan's website website and purchase kits for this piece at Life's a Bead
Alternate sizes/metals: In base metal, you can also use K18, but it works much better (meaning, it is more flexible, and easier to weave) if the connecting rings are singled instead of doubled.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 3 - Summer 2009

sample in Blue Buddha rings Click for more photos in SILV and ALUM	Silver Swirls Bracelet by Phyllis Adams p 50	purchase back issue from Step by Step	This was a tough piece for us! We just couldn't get the sample to work with the sizes indicated in the magazine. (You can see what it looks like in the full photograph.) Here's what we were able to get to work for the main unit: for 18g 3/16" (2nd) use J17 SILV for 20g 1/8" (4th bullet point) use D20 SILV for 20g 9/64" (5th bullet point) use G19 SILV
Visit Phyllis' website at WindbornCreations.com.
Alternate sizes/metals: In base metal, we suggest using: for 18g 3/16" (2nd) use J18 for 20g 1/8" (4th bullet point) use F20 for 20g 9/64" (5th bullet point) use G18

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 2 - Summer Preview 2009

sample in Blue Buddha base metal rings	Gridlock Chain Bracelet by Deanna Kittrell p 25	purchase back issue from Step by Step	To make this piece using Blue Buddha rings, use the following conversions: for 16g 5mm use I16 for 16g 5.5mm use J16 for 18g 5mm use H18 for 18g 4mm use F18
Visit Deanna's website and purchase kits for this piece at D's Designs.
Alternate sizes/metals: We also tested this project in ALUM. The weave is snug, but still flexible enough for a bracelet: for 16g 5mm use G18 for 16g 5.5mm use I18 for 18g 5mm use F20 for 18g 4mm use E18 (use singled instead of doubled) To go larger in base metal, we suggest using (in the same order as listed in the instructions): L16, N16, I18 and G18.
About the name of this piece: Do not confuse this piece with Gridlock Byzantine, which is a completely different weave. (Yes, to the untrained eye they look VERY similar, but they are not the same: Gridlock Byzantine has two planes of center rings and the edge rings also zig zag in a different way.) The piece shown here is most commonly referred to as Beez to Butterflies.

Bead&Button June 2009 - Issue 91

sample in anodized aluminum and regular (bright) aluminum	Color Division by Miachelle DePiano p 34	purchase magazine from Bead&Button	Our sample uses: L18 AA L18 ALUM These are the same sizes shown in the tutorial. You can also use JBRS, COPP, BRNZ or SSTL. (SSTL is tough, so beginners should avoid it!)
Visit Miachelle's website — Cosmopolitan Accessories
Alternate sizes/metals: In sterling, use L17 SILV instead, as 17g silver is nearly the same as 18g base metal. For a smaller piece, try F20 in any metal, including sterling (it looks fabulously intricate in this size).

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 1 - Spring 2009

sample in Blue Buddha stainless steel rings	Rainforest Silver Bracelet by Phyllis Adams p 56	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Our sample uses: D20 SSTL You should also be able to use D20 in SILV, NIOB, ALUM, COPP, BRNZ, JBRS, and EC / EC(S)
Visit Phyllis' website at WindbornCreations.com.
Additional Info: Try as we might, we could not find the 4mm x 18mm bead size listed in the magazine. We did find 4mm x 13mm and those worked well with the pattern, as our sample photo shows.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 5, No. 1 - Spring 2009

sample in Blue Buddha base metal rings	Two-Toned Turkish Bracelet by Joyce Tromp p 23	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Our sample uses: J16 ALUM J16 JBRS You should also be able to use J16 in COPP, BRNZ and SSTL. Size J14 works in sterling silver.
Send Joyce an email.
Alternate sizes/metals: Turkish round uses the same sizes as 2-connector byzantine, so if you know what rings work for byzantine, you can make Turkish. To go smaller in base metal, we suggest C20 or D20 (the D20 is a little loose, but it works) and also G18. In stering silver, you can use B21, C20, D19, E18, F17, G16, I15 or J14.

Bead&Button Magazine December 2008

centerpiece in Blue Buddha rings (instructions detail how to make the neck chain as well)	Crystal Constellations by Miachelle DePiano p 128	purchase magazine from Bead&Button December 2008, Issue 88	In our base metal sizes (ALUM, COPP, JBRS, BRNZ, SSTL*), you can use the following: for size A use T14 (T18 is shown in our photo) for size B use N18 for size C use H16 for size D use E20 *We will never have 14g stainless steel available, so if you choose steel, you will need to use T18 for the large rings, or T14 ALUM.
Visit Miachelle's website — Cosmopolitan Accessories
Alternate sizes/metals:The article does not specify what metal is used. The base metal sizes listed above will work for aluminum, copper, bronze, jewelry brass and steel (except the T14 as noted). If you would like to use sterling silver, use these sizes: A - S14, B - N16, C - H14, D - E20. Note, however, this pattern is very free-flowing, so even if you don't have those exact sizes, you can use any size that is close in guage or inner diameter.
Additional Info: This pattern is exactly what it says it is: free-form. If you're a beginner, or a veteran weaver who likes a lot of structure with specific step-by-step instructions, this might not be the pattern for you. But for those who want to let their creativity take over, as they sit back and enjoy the soothing process of mailling, this is a perfect pattern.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 4, No. 4 - Fall 2008

samples in Blue Buddha rings	Three Sisters Set by Charlene Anderson p 29	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Charlene used our J18 base metal rings to demonstrate the weave. It is good to use this size to learn the weave, because the rings have a higher aspect ratio. The sample pieces shown at left are closest in Aspect Ratio to the rings used for Charlene's final piece: H18 COPP H18 JRBS F18 SILV You should also be able to use H18 in ALUM, BRNZ and SSTL.
Visit Charlene Anderson's Amazon store or her Ebay store: Purveyor of All Things Creative.
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to use slightly larger rings, in sterling silver you can use H17, and in base metal, L16.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 4, No. 4 - Fall 2008

sample in Blue Buddha rings (instructions detail how to permanently close the piece)	Color My World by Tracy Harmon p 52	purchase back issue from Step by Step	Our sample uses: K18 COPP C19 RUBR for the small rings You should also be able to use K18 in ALUM, BRNZ and SSTL.
Visit Tracy's website Harmony in Metal.
Alternate sizes/metals: We have not tested larger or smaller sizes yet with rubber rings.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry Vol 4, No. 2 - Summer Preview 2008

sample in Blue Buddha base metal rings (instructions use precious metal)	Vintage Lace in Rings by Sue Ripsch p 32	purchase PDF project from Step by Step	We do not sell gold-fill or rose-gold rings, so we recommend purchasing a kit from Sue for the metal combination as shown in the magazine. For our sample piece in base metal, we used the following: I18 JBRS (for yellow gold) G18 ALUM (for sterling) E18 COPP (for rose gold) You may interchange among all base metals, including bronze and steel, and use the same sizes listed above.
Visit Sue's website and purchase kits for this piece at Jewelry By Sue Online
Alternate sizes/metals: If you would like to do an all sterling silver bracelet using our rings, use these sizes: I18 (for the yellow), F18 (for the silver), E18 (for the rose).

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