The following was originally published in The Beading Wire, Volume 1, Issue 1:
Question: I am new to chain maille, and I was wondering if you had any tips on preventing your jump rings from getting marred while doing a chain maille weave.
Our Answer: When you are just starting out you may find, much to your frustration, that some of your jump rings get scuffed up in the process of learning new chain maille weaves. This is especially true if the rings are plated, or come with a special protective coating like the Artistic Wire chain maille jump rings do. To remedy this, I would suggest practicing a weave on some inexpensive jump rings, using several different types of pliers until you get a feel for what works best for you. You may also want to try using nylon jaw pliers although they may be slightly too slippery to grip smaller rings. Another helpful tip that I learned from a fellow Beadaholique team member is to wrap a thin layer of duct tape around your pliers. He also likes to gently file down the edges of a brand new pair of pliers using a needle file. Once you find the right combination of pliers, and the right touch, you can move onto a project, such as the Japanese 12-in-2 Flower Bracelet. Above all, remember: patience and practice! For more handy Chain maille tips along with clear photo step-by-step instructions on all of the most popular weaves, check out these chain maille books.
Tags: customer questions, issue 1, past issues
