Frequently Asked Questions
It seems I'm asked the same questions over and over when I'm at art fairs and shows. Here is my compilation of the questions...and my answers. Feel free to send me a message with your question(s) and you might just see the answers here someday!
How did you get started making chainmaille?
For a long time, I made beaded jewelry. I still do, too. One of my beading magazines had a simple chainmaille bracelet project and I gave it a try. I was hooked! I searched the internet for other chainmaille weaves to try and literally found thousands of patterns.
Where do you get your jump rings? Do you make your own jump rings?
When I first started making chainmaille, I used inexpensive jump rings from Michaels and Hobby Lobby because I didn't want to invest a lot of money into a hobby then find out I really didn't like it all that much. But I did like making chainmaille and I started purchasing aluminum and copper jump rings from Urban Maille and The Ring Lord. Copper jump rings led to Argentium Sterling Silver jump rings.
After I had a couple years under my belt, I purchased a Pepe Jump Ring Maker, and I now make most of my own jump rings from precious metal wire (Argentium Silver, yellow gold fill, and rose gold fill). Some ring sizes I cannot make (itty bitty tiny sizes), so I'll still be purchasing those from Urban Maille.
Do you take credit and/or debit cards?
I sure do! I accept all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express) and any debit card with one of the major credit card logos. I use Square and PayPal for processing. I also accept checks, money orders, and cash.
Do you have a shop somewhere?
Not exactly. I sell my jewelry and accessories at art fairs and shows throughout the year. That 10foot by 10foot space where I sell is my store!
How do you make your jewelry so shiny?
After I make a piece of jewelry, I place it into a jewelry tumbler loaded with stainless steel shot, a little soap, and some burnishing compound. The tumbler is very similar to ones used for rock tumbling, if you've ever done that. The stainless steel shot gently hits the jewelry as it tumbles over and over and over, slowly and evenly work-hardening the metal. It's like having thousands of tiny hammers doing work for me. All that tumbling also polishes the jewelry to a brilliant shine and even rubs out most of the scuff marks my pliers leave behind.
How did you get started making chainmaille?
For a long time, I made beaded jewelry. I still do, too. One of my beading magazines had a simple chainmaille bracelet project and I gave it a try. I was hooked! I searched the internet for other chainmaille weaves to try and literally found thousands of patterns.
Where do you get your jump rings? Do you make your own jump rings?
When I first started making chainmaille, I used inexpensive jump rings from Michaels and Hobby Lobby because I didn't want to invest a lot of money into a hobby then find out I really didn't like it all that much. But I did like making chainmaille and I started purchasing aluminum and copper jump rings from Urban Maille and The Ring Lord. Copper jump rings led to Argentium Sterling Silver jump rings.
After I had a couple years under my belt, I purchased a Pepe Jump Ring Maker, and I now make most of my own jump rings from precious metal wire (Argentium Silver, yellow gold fill, and rose gold fill). Some ring sizes I cannot make (itty bitty tiny sizes), so I'll still be purchasing those from Urban Maille.
Do you take credit and/or debit cards?
I sure do! I accept all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express) and any debit card with one of the major credit card logos. I use Square and PayPal for processing. I also accept checks, money orders, and cash.
Do you have a shop somewhere?
Not exactly. I sell my jewelry and accessories at art fairs and shows throughout the year. That 10foot by 10foot space where I sell is my store!
How do you make your jewelry so shiny?
After I make a piece of jewelry, I place it into a jewelry tumbler loaded with stainless steel shot, a little soap, and some burnishing compound. The tumbler is very similar to ones used for rock tumbling, if you've ever done that. The stainless steel shot gently hits the jewelry as it tumbles over and over and over, slowly and evenly work-hardening the metal. It's like having thousands of tiny hammers doing work for me. All that tumbling also polishes the jewelry to a brilliant shine and even rubs out most of the scuff marks my pliers leave behind.