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Top view (above); reverse view (left).

designed by Vanessa Walilko

Begin with a basic European 4-in-1 chain, add half-Persian edging, and connect the edges to create a double-sided bracelet of interlocking chain mail weaves.

Reversiblechain reaction

CHAIN MAIL

facetjewelry.comFCT-

MW

ON

0216

_BN

B33

©2011 Kalmbach Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

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stepbystep4-in-1 base[1] Close all of the color A 6 mm jump rings, and open all the remaining jump rings (Online Basics). [2] Slide a color C 3.9 mm jump ring through two As, and close it (photo a). [3] Hold the C added in the previous step so the As flare out above the C (photo b). Slide a color C 6 mm jump ring through two new As, then slide it down through the front of the right-hand A and up through the back of the left-hand A added in the previous step, and close it (photo c).[4] Repeat step 3 to add the remaining As.[5] Slide a C 3.9 mm down through the front of the last right-hand A and up through the back of the last left-hand A, and close it (photo d).

Half-Persian edging[1] At the starting end of the 4-in-1 base, begin working on the right-hand side of the chain. Slide a color B 6 mm jump ring up through the back of the second A and down through the front of the first A, and close it (photo e).[2] Slide a B up through the back of the third A and down through the front of the second and first As, and close it (photo f), making sure you are placing the new B behind the previous B added. Repeat this step to the end of the base.[3] At the end of the right-hand side, slide a B through the front of the last two As, and close it (photo g).[4] Go back to the starting end of the base to work on the left-hand side. Slide a B up through the back of the first A and down through the front of the second A, and close it (photo h).

[5] Slide a B up through the back of the first and second As and down through the front of the third A, and close it (photo i), making sure you’re placing the new B behind the previous B. Repeat this step for the length of the base.[6] At the end of the left-hand side, slide a B through the back of the last two As, and close it (photo j).

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Vanessa Walilko is a jewelry and fashion designer who has been making chain mail for more than five years. Her chain mail has taken top prizes in the Bead Dreams competition and the British Bead Awards, and her pieces have been featured in shows around the country. She sells her jewelry at stores, art fairs, and on her website, kalibutterfly.com.

materialswarm-tone bracelet 7 in. (18 cm)• 6 mm inside-diameter (ID) anodized aluminum jump rings, 18-gauge 62 color A (orange) 62 color B (red) 30 color C (gold) 30 color D (brown)• 3.9 mm ID anodized alumi- num jump rings, 18-gauge 4 color C (gold) 2 color D (brown)• 2 3 mm ID anodized alumi- num jump rings, 18-gauge, (brass)• toggle clasp (gold plated)• 2 pairs of pliers

cool-tone bracelet (p. 3) colors:• color A (black)• color B (blue)• color C (silver)• color D (gray)

Bracelet kits are available at kalibutterfly.com.

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Select jump rings to match your wardrobe, your mood, or the season.

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Joining the edges[1] Go back to the starting end of the bracelet, and flip it over. Run your finger down the spine of As to make the Bs flip in toward the center. This is the position they need to be in as you join them. Slide a color D 3.9 mm jump ring down through the end B on the right-hand side and up through the end B on the left-hand side, and close it (photo k).[2] Slide a color D 6 mm jump ring down through the first and second Bs on the right-hand side and up through the second and first Bs on the left-hand side, and close it (photo l).[3] Slide a D 6 mm down through the second and third Bs on the right-hand side and up through the third and second Bs on the left-hand side, and close it (photo m). Continue in this manner to connect the remaining edge links.[4] At the end of the brace-let, slide a D 3.9 mm down through the last B on the right-hand side and up through the last B on the left-hand side, and close it (photo n).

EDITOR’S NOTE:It’s important to work with the same surface facing up for the 4-in-1 base and half-Persian edging. To make sure you’re always working on the right side, mark the first 3.9 mm ring with a twist tie: Fold the twist tie in half, guide the fold through the ring, and pull the twist tie ends through the fold to make a lark’s head knot with the folded loop on the top surface of the chain. Then, if you drop the chain, you’ll be able to figure out which surface is the top. – Jane

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Toggle clasp[1] Slide a C 3.9 mm through the toggle ring and the D 3.9 mm and C 3.9 mm on one end of the bracelet, and close it (photo o).[2] Slide a C 3.9 mm through the D 3.9 mm and C 3.9 mm on the other end of the brace-let, and close it. [3] Slide a 3 mm jump ring through the C 3.9 mm added in the previous step, and close it. Slide another 3 mm jump ring through this 3 mm and the toggle bar, and close it (photo p).