| Home | Jewelry | Worn | Decorations |
I was tempted to call this section "Armor", but I don't think I can justify putting my maille tie in this section if I did. :)
Well, I guess I'd better get the pics of the last maille shirt I made out of the way first.
 |
OK, in my own defense, I WOULD like to indicate that this was
put together for Halloween - so if I look relatively dorky, that's why. The shirt, though - that's quite beautiful. Composed of 9,450 stainless steel 14g 7/16" rings, it weighed approximately 23 pounds and is truly the bane of Metal Detectors everywhere. I truly believe that it can stop ANY bladed melee weapon that would come at it. I ended up giving it to a friend of mine that wanted a chain maille shirt for a while - once I get into better shape and lose some weight, this shirt would be too big for me, and I will make one that fits better. |
 |
My full costume was comprised of the maille shirt, a small
aluminum coif (headpiece), the shield that I made, my left bracer
(without the knife in its sheath), and a special sword - adapted in
such a way that would allow me to carry it publicly and bring it to
work. The baldric attached to the sword sheath is composed of
European 8-in-1 - unlike the pattern for normal maille (like my shirt),
the baldric has EIGHT rings linked into every one. Took a while. Obviously, I was wearing black clothing underneath - that way, the silvered rings shine back with special clarity and sparkle. |
 |
That's how I adapted the sword to common use; I sliced off
the blade and attached a plastic butter knife with electrical tape.
It was a gas, and it went over really well at work. The shield is more serious, though - I made it several years ago from a material that was able to bounce arrows from a 50 lb. bow at 15 yards. Bound with suede leather on both sides, it features a hidden knife sheath. I'm still very proud of it - though it IS a bit heavy. |
 |
About five years ago, I went to a masque at the local Goth
club. Wanting to express my individuality, I decided to make my
own mask (of course) and to make it out of maille. This was the result. Yes and no, I could and could not see through it; the maille was easily transparent enough when it's close to your face, but I wasn't able to wear my glasses underneath it. But some sacrifices have to be made. I took a white mask and painted it silver, and 'clipped' it to the front of the mask, that flowed down my face around my nose quite nicely. And that's a cool effect with the eyes, don't you think? |
 |
The pictures were taken by an old acquaintance, Indra, whose photography skills simply cannot be overstated. He did a fantastic job in these shots, what with the red filtered light. I've used them as avatars on various websites ever since. |
 |
So far, all the maille that I've shown here has been made of rings. However, those who had noted the armor worn by the Riders of Rohan from the Lord of the Rings movies would know, maille can also be made of SCALES. |
 |
This is Scale Maille. The pattern is essentially Japanese 4-in-1, where the normally larger, horizontal rings are modified into scales. Scale maille is difficult to make, and tedious. Each scale is held on with four smaller rings - the maille in this pic uses SPLIT rings, like tiny keychain rings, rather than the more easily bendable rings that other maille uses. |
 |
This piece was a bracer - arm protection - that I made a few years ago. It ripples when you touch it and shines in any light. The inner surface is an even more complex pattern of scales and tiny split rings. While a lengthy, difficult process, the end result was definitely worth it. |
 |
In The "Patterns I've Invented" section, I talk about a
pattern of chain maille called "Staggered Cordoroy Grid". I've
very proud of it; I've had several requests from other maillers as to
how it's made and what it can be used for. The application that I use it for the most are the chain maille ties. Made from aluminum, it weighs no more than a few ounces - far less than most people think that it would - and when one makes the neck chain rather than buying one, the most expensive cost is the clasp that's used to attach it (maybe $2). My first tie was made out of European 4-in-1 with steel rings - but since I started with this, I've kept with it, and I love it. |
 |
Here's a close-up of said pattern - and, with colored rings.
I've only ever used plain bright aluminum for the 1/2" rings, but
the smaller 1/4" rings provide the color depth against the palate of
the silver. I've found that five columns of the weave is just about the right width for the tie - though I suppose that I could make it wider or narrower (though not by much, on the latter) if I needed to. I've made some beautiful patterns in ties before: my friend Joe recommended a color scheme that resolved into a gorgeous sunburst pattern. I should make that one again. |
 |
It's a little hard to see in the detail on this picture, but
these two ties have different neck chains. The one on the left
(the red and black tie) is using a zinced, welded chain of superior
strength and shine - but costs about $5 each. The one on the
right (the all-silver tie) uses regular bright aluminum rings in a Half
Persian 3-in-1 pattern. I don't think that many rings cost me
more than $.50. The clasps are both identical; keychain locks that ppl use to hold their car or house keys - a break-apart clasp that snaps back in easily. In materials, the tie on the left probably cost about $16 to make, whereas the one on the left cost about $6. |
 |
While it can't be said that this piece can be worn like the other items here, I would say that a purse belongs in this section. I made this out of large aluminum rings and smaller RUBBER rings, so that the rubber would act as an insulating cushion for the contents, against scratches from the metal rings. |
 |
It wasn't particularly difficult to make, though the pattern isn't one that I've exactly found anywhere else. I wouldn't claim it as my own, though - it's too close to other patterns that I've seen on the Maille Artisans site to claim ownership. This is a hybrid off of that pattern. The chain is a simple spiral, though Half Persian 3-in-1 works here too. |
 |
As an example to its potential volume, I have my wallet, comb, iPod, and cell phone in here, and it's hardly full. While I might not put hairpins or thin pencils in the bag for fear of losing them - nor toiletries and other dainties that people could see through the maille - other items fit very well. |