DIY Network

Woven Chain by Anne Mitchell Learn wire weaving techniques to make a woven chain. From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-603

In this segment, guest Anne Mitchell explains how to make an intricate woven chain using simple wire weaving techniques taken from India and Bali.

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Experience Level: Advanced

Materials:

1 24-gauge troy ounce sterling silver
3' 24-gauge copper wire
1' 22-gauge sterling silver wire dead soft
1 pair of end caps
slider beads
swivel clasp
large soldered ring
round nose pliers
chain nose pliers
wire cutters
nylon jaw pliers
draw plate
vice clamp
3/8" wooden dowel rod
ruler
tape measure
fine point sharpie
masking tape
1 11/2"x3" piece of cardstock

1. Using a ruler, draw five lines down the length of a dowel rod just under 3/16 of an inch apart (figure A).

2. Make five loops around the card stock using 24-gauge copper wire (figure B). Make sure to have a long and a short tail of copper left over.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

3. Remove the copper from the card stock, and then wrap the short end of the copper around the bundle. Ensure there's plenty of room at one end of the bundle.

4. Spread the loops of the copper bundle open to form a daisy (figure C).

5. Place the copper daisy over the end of the dowel. Align the wire loops with the marks on the dowel, and then tape the loops into place.

6. Place the dowel in your left hand. Take the long end of the copper wire in your right hand. Choosing any copper loop, place the end of the copper wire in the back of the loop from the right hand side (figure D), and then come through the loop from the back towards the left.

7. Pull the wire through the loop with your left hand, switching back to your right hand, cross the wire in front of the loop towards the right--you want to form a loop (figure E).

8. Repeat the last step with the next copper loop to the right, and then continue until you have completed the first row of loops.

9. To start your second row, look below the first row of loops. Each loop creates an "X" beneath. Pass the wire behind the "X" to start the second row. Continue until you have approximately two inches of copper left. Lay the excess copper along the length of the dowel.

Figure F

10. Cut a two foot length of sterling silver wire. To start a new piece section, pass the silver wire in from the left to the right behind the "X" of the current loop (figure F). Bend the wire so it will lay along side of the copper end from the previous step. Continue weaving just as before. After the new section has become anchored, you can cut off the excess tails using wire cutters. As you get a better handle with the wire, cut longer sections to decrease the number of connections that you'll have to make.

Figure G

11. To start the double weave, instead of placing the wire in the previous "X", count back two rows and continue to weave the same way (figure G).

12. Continue the double weave until you have 10 inches of woven chain.

Note: If the rows become uneven, you can give them a pinch with chain nose pliers to straighten them out. Don't pinch the weave as hard.

Tip: As the weave starts to gain some length, slide it towards the end of the dowel rod. The chain can become too stiff and will be hard to slide off later.

13. Remove the dowel rod completely.

14. Secure the vise, and then place the draw plate in the vise with the large hole on top. Note: If you don't have a vise, have someone help you hold the draw plate.

	Figure H
	Figure I

15. Squeeze the copper end of the chain into a point, and then place through the largest hole of the draw plate (figure H). Using chain nose pliers, pull the chain through the draw plate. You may draw the chain through the same hole of the draw plate two or three times until it passes easily.

16. Continue to pass the chain through smaller holes until you reach the desired diameter of the chain.

17. Cut away the copper end of the chain. Place a piece of 22-gauge wire through the chain near the end, and then bend it over the end of the wire. Place the end-cap on the wire (figure I), and then wire wrap the cap and clasp to one end and a soldered loop on the other end.

GUESTS :

Anne Mitchell
Website: www.annemitchell.net