chain style

5 0 C o n t e m p o r a ry J e w e l ry D e s i g n s

jane Dickerson

urban cluster
Lisa Blackwell
The materials in this necklace are a cluster of recycled met-
als, vintage brass, and leather. Inspired by the city, it holds
tales of urban life renewed.
1  Begin a wrapped loop about ¼" (6 mm) above the
top of the leaf on the resin leaf head pin. Before
completing the wrap, attach the head pin to one hole
of the ring link. This will be the “bottom” of the ring.
2  Remove 1 link from the round cable chain. Use
the link to attach both charms to the ring link. Use
the head pin to string the two pearls and form a
wrapped loop that attaches to the bottom hole of
one of the charms.
3 Attach the end link on the oval chain to 1 of the top
holes on the ring link. Attach the other end of the
chain to the loop on the lobster clasp.
4 Cut the leather into four 2½" (6.5 cm) strips. Take 1
piece of leather and fold one end to the middle of the
strip, then fold the other end so it overlaps the first
end in the middle. Glue the leather in place where it
overlaps. Repeat 2 times. Take the remaining piece
of leather and pass it through the ring link. Fold and
glue the leather in the middle as before.
materials
6½" (21 links) of brass 10mm
round cable chain
9½" of brass 6mm oval cable chain
2 bronze 4–5mm freshwater pearls
1 shibuichi 23mm ring link
10" of gold 5mm leather strips
1 brass 6mm lobster clasp
2 shibuichi charms
1 resin leaf head pin
1 sterling silver 20-gauge head pin
10" of sterling silver 20-gauge wire
tools
Round-nose pliers
2 pairs of chain-nose pliers
Flush cutters
Scissors
E6000 glue
Finished size: 20" (51 cm)
5 Cut four 2½" (6.5 cm) pieces of wire. Wrap one piece
of wire around each piece of leather at the glued
joint. Each wrap should sit next to the previous
wrap, covering the join completely. Trim the excess
wire and tuck in the end with chain-nose pliers.
6 Cut round chain into four 5-link pieces. Open the
end link on one 5-link piece of chain. Pass the link
through the fold in the leather strip, starting with
the end fold of the leather strip attached to the ring
link. Continue connecting the leather strips togeth-
er with 5-link sections, ending with a 5-link piece
of chain. This end of the necklace connects to the
clasp.
chain style 3

color splash
Karen Keegan
Dress up any simple chain with loads of colorful dangles,
creating a dramatic look with lots of movement. For a fuller
look, add even more dangles!
1 Open one end of the hook clasp slightly and attach
one end of the chain. Close that end of the hook.
Use 1 head pin to string one 6mm cube and two
4mm cubes. Form a wrapped loop that attaches to
the other end of the chain.
2 Use 1 head pin to string 1 coin. Form a wrapped
loop that attaches to the center link of the chain.
materials
18" of sterling silver 10mm rolo
chain
19 assorted 12mm lampworked
glass saucer rondelles
18 assorted 11×5mm lampworked
glass coins
13 assorted 4mm crystal cubes in
coordinating colors
10 assorted 6mm crystal cubes in
coordinating colors
38 sterling silver 2" head pins
1 silver S-hook clasp
tools
Round-nose pliers
Chain-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Finished size: 18" (45.5 cm)
3 Use 1 head pin to string one 4mm coin and 1
rondelle. Form a wrapped loop that attaches to the
next chain link. Repeat entire step fifteen times,
randomly stringing coins or cubes and rondelles.
4 Repeat Step 3 on the other side of the center link
of chain. Hook the clasp on any link in the chain to
shorten or lengthen, leaving the cubed dangle to
hang down in the back for a nice finishing touch.
chain style 5
project gallery

Tinker Toys

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

6 chain style
Brass Rings
Cartwheels

Bohemian Heart

gallery 7
Klimt Delight
fast, fun, and affordable
––chain!
Chain is the hottest fashion trend in jewelry with designs ranging from
classic to vintage to punk. Chain Style showcases 50 inspiring projects
using chain as the key design element, featuring designs by top jewelry
artists including Jane Dickerson, Kerry Bogert, Denise Peck, Yvonne
Irvin, Leslie Rogalski, Lorelei Eurto, Melanie Brooks, and more.

Using basic wirework and stringing techniques, plus easy-to-find tools

and materials, these projects are suitable for jewelry makers of all skill
levels. A getting-started section shows all the basic techniques, and each
project features detailed step-by-step instructions.

With 50 fabulous projects, there is wide variety of design styles and

levels of time commitment to choose from, plus lots of inspiring ideas for
using chain creatively. A few special beads connected together with chain
makes a fabulous necklace in minutes!

Paperback
8½ x 10¼, 120 pages
70 photographs
10 illustrations
ISBN 978-1-59668-150-7
$19.95
Available September 2009

About the author

Jane Dickerson is the managing editor of Step by Step Beads, editor of
Creative Jewelry 2008, managing editor of Jewelry Gifts for the Holidays,
and a contributing editor to Step by Step Wire Jewelry.