The use of chain
has been part of Man’s history since almost the beginning.
The earliest known metal chain was made around 225 BC. This combination
of a series of rings and links was connected to a bucket in order
to draw water from a well. Even Leonardo da Vinci was interested
in the properties of chain. Da Vinci left behind many drawings
depicting the process of making steel chain.
From the simplest
forms of rings and links, combined to intertwine vines and flowers
for wreaths and circlets for the hair, to fine metal chain for
jewelry, to chain made to hoist up an anchor on a big ship, this
simple linking form has played a big role in the technology and
evolution of Man.
My interests
are partial to the use of ring and link connections and combinations
used in jewelry making. I love the articulated properties of
chain. A simple combination of a ring and a link has movement
and flexibility that lends openness and softness to many of my
jewelry designs. In this case, for my bracelet called “A
Chain Reaction”, rectangular 3-D chain is created in Peyote
Stitch then connected to each other with flat Peyote Stitch links.
A stitch I call “Lattice Weave”, which is a combination
of Netting and Right-Angle Weave, comes on board to assist with
the making of the light and airy flowers that adorn the links.
The closure for this bracelet is a snap connection that is hidden
under a flower allowing the bracelet to end gracefully.
The skill level
required: Intermediate. The student must be comfortable with
Peyote Stitch in the round, even count, and flat. Lattice Weave
will be taught in the workshop.
|
