Simple Chain Tutorial - Step One

I'm a minimalist at heart...and I believe in simplicity...understated elegance! This chain is fairly simple to construct and the materials and tools needed are also minimal. Most novice jewelers and metalsmiths should have these tools on hand. Perfect!

This chain is commonly referred to as the Foxtail or a Loop-in-Loop chain.

Tools:
Mandrel, 1/2" in diameter
Flush cutters or jeweler's saw
Round-nose pliers
Ruler
Tweezers
Micro-torch
Fire brick
Tumbler

Materials:
Fine silver, 20 gauge

Other Supplies:
Sharpie
Small bowl or cup (for water)

Techniques Used:
Fusing
Wireworking
Cutting or sawing

Step One - Making the Rings:
Gather a mandrel, fine silver wire, flush cutter (or saw).

Coil about three feet of 20 gauge fine silver wire around the mandrel. Be sure to make the coil fairly tight and straight. This will ensure your rings will be the same size.

Remove the coil and stretch the coil until it resembles a loose spring (if you are using a saw, skip this step). Using the flush cutters, snip off individual rings (if using a saw, saw the coil to make individual rings). Inspect the ring-ends to make sure they are truly flush. This may require additional trimming with the cutters. TIP- the ring ends must be flush or they may not fuse properly. This is where prep work is especially important!!