tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43437138557745569332011-11-27T19:07:07.683-05:00How to make Chainmail, chainmail weaves, chainmail terminology, chainmail history and modern uses. -- A regularly updated account of my journey through the art of Maille.Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-48011280904391189472010-05-25T04:18:00.001-04:002010-05-25T04:18:00.034-04:002010-05-25T04:18:00.034-04:00

Just a quick shot here of the work area I clear off my trashed computer desk when I’d rather not be down in the workshop away from the television. Ya know, when History or something has a programme about the P-51 Mustang or something equally awesome. I’m working on a batch of bags for a customer, and here you can kind of see them in various stages of completion. I guess I do my bags a bit

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com4http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/05/making-bags.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-78155971422559298912010-04-27T07:25:00.001-04:002010-04-27T07:25:55.763-04:002010-04-27T07:25:55.763-04:00

Well, my first fair, first day. Umm, there were some tent problems, namely the cold, a little rain, and the fact that the walls I had were not made for the canopy I have… I appreciate that Mom was willing to help and buy the shelter thingie, really; but you’d think when buying separate components you’d make sure they’d match. So I get to try and find walls this morning. Aside from that, and

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/04/dogwood-festival-day-one.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-20512930092672377132010-04-19T03:24:00.001-04:002010-04-19T03:24:35.675-04:002010-04-19T03:24:35.675-04:00

Figured I’d toss up a quick snap of what I’ve been playing with lately. I think this is the third attempt to get rings in the right AR for this weave. Vipera Berus 4-1. Don’t ask, I didn’t name it. Looks pretty though. I think I want to turn this into a full set. Also I’ve got a couple more colours I want to try for this one. In other news. I’ve finished another whip. This one for a

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/04/up-to-stuff.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-15837220462663817082010-04-01T13:15:00.001-04:002010-04-01T13:15:30.090-04:002010-04-01T13:15:30.090-04:00

Yep, this one’s no joke, despite the date. Running the entire month of April you can win this bracelet: It’s a continual piece with stretchy neoprene rings woven in. Clasps are for suckers. Click the image above to see details of the contest rules. I just supply the art, she’s running the show. Good luck peoples! Have fun, --Charon Technorati Tags: contest,giveaway,maille,bracelet,

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/04/stygian-chains-and-nostalgic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-27371000828543289242010-03-16T23:26:00.001-04:002010-03-16T23:26:25.481-04:002010-03-16T23:26:25.481-04:00

  Everything under 30$ Click on the image and see the current treasury. Expires at 1PM EST this Friday. So get em quick, leave a comment, and be featured! Have fun --Charon Technorati Tags: Etsy,Stygian Chains,Frawgz Dezignz,ChaTeam,Creative Handmade Artisans,Treasuries,Buy and Replace,BNR

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/03/creatve-handmade-artisans-host-buy-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-34287990603230143592010-03-04T23:20:00.001-05:002010-03-04T23:20:05.172-05:002010-03-04T23:20:05.172-05:00

Finished this little beauty a couple days back, just getting around to saying much of anything about it. View Full Album More copper, in case that’s a surprise to anyone. ;> With a single oval piece of tree jade at the end of an inverted E4-1 triangle. The real neat thing about this piece, I think at least, is the body of the chain is a brand new weave. Developed quite by accident by

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/03/copper-and-tree-jade-choker.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-63610359208375636532010-02-19T13:37:00.002-05:002010-03-02T03:07:25.252-05:002010-03-02T03:07:25.252-05:00

‘Cause, I’m done. My first whip. A Nylon six-foot, twelve-plait, single belly, shot loaded SnakeWhip. I dunno what else to say, this has been what I’ve been working on the last few days. I made a couple small mistakes, nothing I couldn’t recover from though. My main concern is the foundation for the Turk’s head knot being a little, less than solid, hence the odd knotwork

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com4http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/secret-project-not-so-secret-anymore.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-7483188640703141912010-02-15T10:54:00.001-05:002010-02-15T10:54:06.615-05:002010-02-15T10:54:06.615-05:00

Stuff I had to do, just to say I got something finished this week. Two pairs of Layered Polyhedral earrings. First in Brass, Copper, and German Silver. View Full Album And again in Stainless, Copper, German Silver. View Full Album The inner set of copper rings contrasts well with both the brass and the stainless. I just might have to make these a regular addition to my Etsy

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com2http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/earrings-for-time-constrained-mailler.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-89184476328234777402010-02-12T16:14:00.001-05:002010-02-12T16:14:08.578-05:002010-02-12T16:14:08.578-05:00

  Yeah, I know. Sorry I havn’t been detailing alot of Maille lately. I’d like to do a couple follow along posts soon. Show works in progress and things of that sort. My work space will be expanding soon, currently, it’s a chaotic wreck not worthy of photographs as alot of things are being packed, or being moved so I can pack around them. Aside all that, I haven’t been doing alot of original

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-i-should-be-doing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-30283585040590842912010-02-09T01:21:00.004-05:002010-02-09T01:29:47.649-05:002010-02-09T01:29:47.649-05:00

I hope Jim Davis doesn't mind me reproducing this here. I couldn't figure out how to directly link to the proper app where I found this.It's nice seeing any mention of maille out of the normal world. Reminds me that maybe I'm not so crazy. Eh, who am I kidding.--Charon

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/found-maille.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-87832701176094895682010-02-05T17:31:00.001-05:002010-02-05T17:31:00.668-05:002010-02-05T17:31:00.668-05:00

Honestly, it was very sweet of them over at Total Art Soul to throw me a surprise blog feature. Nice people over there. They’re just starting out, which only means the community is small and you can get to know pretty much everyone. Some amazing artwork in their gallery as well. Take some time and check them out… after reading the pretty stuff they wrote about me, of course. In other news, keep

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-did-you-just-say-about-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-65160117945516480562010-02-03T19:13:00.002-05:002010-02-03T19:25:14.357-05:002010-02-03T19:25:14.357-05:00

XCDSBTSYDNY6

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/02/xcdsbtsydny6.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-31589802569539243422010-01-27T19:10:00.003-05:002010-02-03T19:30:30.838-05:002010-02-03T19:30:30.838-05:00

XCDSBTSYDNY6 I’ll start this by saying, I’ve been cutting rings by hand with a jewellers’ saw for about 8 months. This does the job perfectly, but slowly. I’ve wanted a powered cutting setup for quite some time. I’ve looked into several options including buying a stand alone slotting saw arbor and rigging an old drill. While it works, it really requires a solid rig to secure your coil. Something

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com3http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/01/product-review-gemstones-etc-koil.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-37233768950833912812010-01-17T09:23:00.003-05:002010-02-03T19:13:30.336-05:002010-02-03T19:13:30.336-05:00

A couple weeks ago, some of my Etsy friends and I decided it was time to start our own team. Now that things have settled in somewhat. The craziness of the transition and the New Year settled down, and I feel like posting again. I’ll tell you what we’ve become. Creative Handmade Artisans. Not to say we weren’t any of those things before, but that’s what we named the team. So our Etsy team page

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com1http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-team-new-direction.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-64881187636928805482009-12-02T10:20:00.001-05:002009-12-02T10:20:59.697-05:002009-12-02T10:20:59.697-05:00

I’ve been holding back on this post because the holiday weekend, and this week just generally being pretty crazy. I did some shopping and looking around up in Bloomington a week or so back. It’s a college town, for whatever that says. I won’t go off on an opinionated rant right now, but let’s just say it’s more than a little artsy. That’s good news for me, it turns out. In looking around for

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com3http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-news-yet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-56049490268910377082009-11-19T18:03:00.001-05:002009-11-19T18:03:18.381-05:002009-11-19T18:03:18.381-05:00

  Something I organized over Twitter with a friend. She was looking for a pair of simple, cute, Swarovski earrings and wanted to organize a trade. Tanya’s a polymer clay artist, and Canadian, but I don’t hold that against her. I love her little dragon pins, each one’s made with a little personality and a story. So here’s what I came up with for her. They’re for her sister in law for the gift

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/11/craft-swap-with-tanya.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-75819666159029922872009-11-01T07:59:00.001-05:002009-11-01T07:59:00.232-05:002009-11-01T07:59:00.232-05:00

  The short version. This: The long version. I put in a small order for some beads with Artbeads.com because they had Swarovski in colours I couldn’t find elsewhere. And they offer free shipping in the U.S. I like free stuff. The image above were the contents of the shipping envelope exactly as I opened it. Yes that’s their business card secured in the tissue paper, nice touch. Inside the

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com2http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/11/you-want-to-know-how-to-impress-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-32370509354289861052009-10-31T06:50:00.001-04:002009-10-31T06:50:01.272-04:002009-10-31T06:50:01.272-04:00

  Think it’s probably best here to say very little, and just link the blog. That said, I’ll probably say more. ;> I have a bracelet entered, which I’m sure is immaterial to you, since you all just want to vote for a chance to win the bracelet donated by Heather's Haven. Stop by, look around and please comment and vote for me.   --Have fun, Charon

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/handmade-artists-forum-fall-challenge.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-87228855068603786882009-10-25T06:57:00.001-04:002009-10-25T06:57:03.170-04:002009-10-25T06:57:03.170-04:00

Yep, that’s right. Some pathetic waste of bandwidth and skin set up a crawler to Chainmaille related images over to his own photobucket account, and post them to his site. Around a week ago, Peter Croteau of Virginia made the mistake of stealing images and articles submitted and owned by the members of M.A.I.L. Following him failing to understand the burden of proof, intellectual property

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com7http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/jackassery-loopholes-copyright.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-50699122888821246492009-10-17T16:33:00.001-04:002009-10-17T16:33:07.662-04:002009-10-17T16:33:07.662-04:00

Okay, not quite true that I haven’t gotten anything done. I put together a pretty awesome stainless bracelet this morning. I’d have photos, but now that I’m awake again and can take photos, I’ve got to go hang out with family again today. As a note, when your family tries to make you feel obligated to show up for something, it won’t be as amusing as showing up voluntarily. Have fun, I probably

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-of-these-days-ill-get-some-maille.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-87688087668812868102009-10-12T16:37:00.000-04:002009-10-12T16:37:00.346-04:002009-10-12T16:37:00.346-04:00

I’ve been toying with live Writer for posting. I haven’t really come to a decision on how much I like it just yet. It does allow you to pre-write updates and schedule them for posting at a specific time, which I’m trying now. If all goes well, this was written about an hour before it was scheduled to appear. I think that’s kindof neat. If you’re on Blogger too, and have made a few edits to your

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/oh-and-theres-this.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-69355672955612380872009-10-12T15:07:00.001-04:002009-10-12T15:07:53.273-04:002009-10-12T15:07:53.273-04:00

Completely not maille related today. I’ve been distracted by a tragic family event. Which you can go ahead and just read as someone died. I wasn’t completely shattered over it or anything as I didn’t really know her all that well. Even that seems like speaking ill of the dead… She was family though, and watching the family I do know and love lose someone they were close to is still pretty

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/personal-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-67130702831536575072009-10-08T15:57:00.002-04:002009-10-08T16:09:49.874-04:002009-10-08T16:09:49.874-04:00

Okay, so it's a snail's pace. I havn't really finished much of anything but the Snowflake earrings lately. I'm still arguing with the handflower I previewed earlier. Trying to find a suitable clasp that's at least somewhat adjustable. Thanks to the beautiful yet picky design I chose for the bracelet segment, adjustable isn't quite so easy. I did have a rather sizable sale come around yesterday,

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com0http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/10/moving-right-along.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-8586412047610141812009-09-28T14:44:00.003-04:002009-09-28T15:03:48.105-04:002009-09-28T15:03:48.105-04:00

And these people aren't helping! At 11am my time, I drove up to a local handmade shop known to feature local crafters and artists. Groovy, just what I need, right? Well, after 4-wheeling it through the country roads to get there, I find the place, and see the sign on the door reading "closed" Okay, no big deal, I'll check out the shop hours and see what's up.The shop hours sign read, and I can't

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com3http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-trying-to-get-chainmaille-into.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343713855774556933.post-9765260858009918392009-09-26T10:57:00.008-04:002009-09-26T12:03:07.641-04:002009-09-26T12:03:07.641-04:00

One of the challenges many new maillers struggle with is starting the Half-Persian weaves. I've heard suggestions such as using yarn or extra wire to hold the rings in place until it becomes stable. While these ideas work perfectly, I try not to use starter chains or anything of the sort. I find it helps me understand the weave if I watch it fall apart when I drop it like a clumsy cartoon villain

Charonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16459885096372289377noreply@blogger.com2http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/09/half-persian-3-1-tutorial-no-fiddling.html