Wednesday, February 24, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 pm PST 

Instructor: Julia Lowther  

Beginner Level  

Zoom link and instructions for joining the call will be emailed 1 day prior to class.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Learn to weave individual wire rings into the interlocking globes of the Persian chain pattern to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Learn simple wire-wrapping to adorn your jewelry with pearls or beads. Spend a convivial interlude with friends new and old, and leave with fabulous new jewelry to enjoy yourself or delight a gift recipient.

Because such a shortlist of simple hand tools is required to make a very diverse selection of patterns, chain making is an ideal, and relatively portable, activity to continue enjoying long beyond the close of the class. Students are encouraged to incorporate favorite beads into their work.

Skill Level: No experience necessary. Moderate patience and hand-eye coordination required.

Supply List for Students

Links below take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Registered Little Metal Foxes students can access the Rio for Schools program for significant savings (discounts and flat-rate shipping). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

TWO pairs of pliers with springs & inside jaws smooth and flat

• chain-nose pliers - 111911
• flat-nose pliers - 111912

Pre-cut rings. Choose a ring COLOR:

• 18ga (1.02mm) - 5.5mm ID (inner diameter)
  • Sterling silver - 684141
  • Bronze - 684663
• Optional – larger end rings (min. 8 rings for earrings) 16ga (1.3mm) - 7mm ID (inner diameter)
  • Sterling silver - 696296
  • Bronze - 684732
  • Copper - 921315

Check package (per pack) quantities to be sure you have enough rings! (18 links/inch)
Earrings: minimum of 40 rings for one pair of earrings
Bracelet: (varies if adding beads) – 100-160 rings

REMEMBER! If you buy rings somewhere else or make your own, it’s okay to have a slightly larger ID (inner diameter), but a smaller ID will NOT work!

Working Aids. These will help you stabilize your chain as you learn.

• About 6" of thin wire (cut into 2 pieces)
• OR paperclips; a twist tie and a large darning needle

Additional Supplies:

• Findings: ear wires or bracelet clasp (choose the one relevant to your project)
  • 20ga ear wires - sterling - 924481
  • Hook & eye clasp - sterling - 696587
• Optional – beads/pearls & wire to fit through them. Each wire wrapped bead/pearl will probably require about 3-5" of wire. 22-20ga will work for many beads. Check your beads and buy extra wire.
  • Sterling silver round wire - dead soft
• Optional – additional tools needed for wire wrapping beads/pearls
  • 1 pair round-nose pliers - 111913
  • 1 pair side cutters - 111931
  • Ruler
  • Emery board/sapphire nail file/flat needle file - 114327