Handmade chains


General, Necklace, Technique / Thursday, August 13th, 2015
Handmade copper chain
Handmade copper chain

I love making my own chains. I have been hovered over images of ancient jewelry for hours,  checking out the techniques used. I love how I can find ideas and inspiration in something created and used thousands of years ago. I love the flow of the wire, and the feeling that I am really creating something that is handmade by me. I am always checking out new ways of making chains.

However, using a handmade chain defines the style very much . Forget tiny and dainty,  that requires tool I do not have.  If I think a piece requires a more dainty chain I need to use a fabricated one.

The problem for me then becomes : In what way can I now state that what I have made is handmade? A chain is such a large part of a necklace. I know many do call the hand-assembling in such a case for handmade. I would like to be upfront about it  so I call it ->designed and assembled.

There is still this need to actually give people something real.  After all , it was this terrible disappointment that made me start creating jewelry in the first place.  When I realized what I had bought as handmade was indeed not handmade.  So, perhaps I make the clasp, or the pendant in a neat wire wrap.  I do however feel a need to create more dainty things in the coming months. I have to find my way of adding that handmade touch for sure.

Handmade bronze chain
Handmade bronze chain