#Chain link gimp bracelet instruction how to#
#Chain link gimp bracelet instruction full#

#Chain link gimp bracelet instruction how to#

It took me several attempts to learn how to make a Byzantine bracelet when I first learned this chainmaille technique, but once you have it down you can make a bracelet pretty fast. You can purchase the pliers on Amazon, or on Etsy from UnkamenSupplies.

I HIGHLY recommend these flat nose pliers, similar to the ones pictured below, for any of my jewelry tutorials, but especially this Byzantine chainmaille tutorial. I found that my hands were killing me, and I kept snagging the metal.ĭon’t make the same mistake I did - invest in some good pliers. While it can be a bit tricky to learn, once you have it down I guarantee you will fall in love with this weave!Īlso known as Birdcage, Fool’s Dilemma, and my personal favorite, Idiot’s Delight, the trick to getting the Byzantine weave down, especially if you are using thicker rings or a heavier metal (such as stainless steel) is using the right pliers.īack in the day when I started to learn it, I was using chain nose pliers. This is the most complicated of the jewelry tutorials you’ll learn on Linkouture.

#Chain link gimp bracelet instruction full#

You can read my full disclosure here.ĭepending on the size, type, and color rings you use, this jump ring bracelet can be both feminine and masculine. Plumlee explains it's traditionally awarded to courageous young men of the tribe.Jump to How-To the Byzantine chainmaille weave technique creates a gorgeous rope of interwoven rings.įor your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. The author mentions coming across a South American blacksmith making the box chain without any pliers - just his bare hands! The Spanish term Inca Puno for this weave means 'clenched fist' so each locking section represents the clenched fist of an Inca warrior. He is a Byzantine whiz and his bead embellishments are inspirational! The byzantine is the main weave used although he also shows the box chain. One book I can recommend is Scott David Plumlee's Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets. I like chunky chain maille so I use 18G 3/16' rings for the box chain. Use it as a plain chain or jazz it up with different metals and pendants as I did on the left. Indeed, I sometimes refer to it as half a Byzantine! When you get to step 8 above, stop at the second pair of rings. Box chain, Queen's chain or Inca Puno Chain begins like a Byzantine. Attach the beading wires to each end of the bracelet with crimp beads.ĩ. Then just feed beading wire and beads through those rings. To add beads as shown in the above bracelet, add pairs of rings as side extensions. The demo uses ultra large rings so you can easily see the crucial peeling back and hooking up of the rings. Still confused? It might help some to see the byzantine taught differently, so check this video out. Do the peeling back, lifting and hooking steps above and voila! A byzantine! Attach two more pairs of rings (below left) which now brings you back to step 1.Ĩ. Now open a ring and hook through that space.ħ. The topmost rings are now splayed sideways.ĥ. The picture, below right, shows these two rings now raised up with a space below them.

To do so, first turn the chain so you look directly at the direction where I am pointing the awl (below left).Ĥ. Those two peeled back rings will be raised up. Hold the first pair and 'peel' back the third pair.ģ. The wire tie helps you grip better - trust me. Close two rings and attach a wire tie through both of them. Some people use insanely small rings but my recommendation is to use 18G 5/32' rings if you are just beginning.ġ. If you like to learn how, here are the 8 steps needed to form the basic Byzantine which you then repeat to lengthen the chain. Other options include adding beads to byzantine as you can see with the crackle beads on the left. You can mix metals or use colored metal for more visual interest as can be seen with this copper accented bracelet I made.