Handcrafted Jewellery Designs by Lesley Lake

 

 

Chainmaille Jewellery

 

All silver is sterling unless otherwise stated. Most of these pieces can be altered in length. Contact me to discuss this.

 

Prices include a gift box, packaging and postage within the UK. 

 

Chainmaille began in medieval times as a method of weaving metal to create armour for knights. Today, chainmaille has been adapted by artists to form supple jewellery with exquisite lines, popular with both men and women. It's incredibly versatile and can produce delicate lacy pieces as well as those of a more substantial and dramatic nature. 
There are several basic families of chainmaille. Within these are dozens of different patterns or weaves, of which these are but a few.

^isaprocart^

An opulent necklace created using the European 4 in 1 weave. The chain feels incredibly supple and slinky and has a seam at the centre to enable it to drape in this "V" shape. A gorgeous, icy blue, lampwork bead by Clare Scott completes the look.

Tympanum is ¾ inch wide and the bead drop is 1½ inches. The total length, including the clasp, is 17½ inches. The clasp has been hand formed from Argentium silver sheet, for extra strength, and given a frosty, textured finish.

Made from almost 700 individually opened and closed rings, this is 67g of silver.

The length of this necklace can be altered on request.

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A dramatic choker created using the Double Half Persian weave. This is 62g of silver. Cassia looks sumptuous when worn at this 14¾ choker length. The chain is ½ inch wide.

The clasp has been hand formed from Argentium silver sheet, for extra strength, and has been polished to a high mirror shine.

The length of this necklace can be altered on request.

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A magnificent necklace created using the Dragonscale weave. When worn, Almas has a dramatic, almost Egyptian look.

The central section is 1½ inches wide and 1¾ inches high. The total length, including clasp, is 16 inches. This is 58g of silver.

The clasp has been hand formed from Argentium silver sheet, for extra strength, and given a frosty, textured finish.

The length of this necklace can be altered on request.

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A more delicate necklace created using the Viperscale weave. The intricate pattern is almost lacelike in appearance.

Ophidian is approx. ½ inch wide. The total length, including handmade clasp, is 15½ inches with a 1 inch extender. Made from over 400 individually opened and closed rings.

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Now exhibited at the Anstey Galleries, 33 Swan Road, Harrogate, where it can be purchased, and will soon be available on their online shop. Click here

A graceful necklace using the Spiral 4 in 1 weave. Created as a continuous chain in order to maintain the twist. A beautifully sinuous necklace made from over 620 individually opened and closed rings.

Shirin is approx. ¼ inch wide and 24½ inches long.

The length of this necklace can be altered on request.

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A bold bracelet created using the 1 in 5 Half Persian weave. Hasani is substantial but still very flexible and supple.

The width of the bracelet is approx. ½ inch and it would fit a wrist measuring up to 6¼  inches.

The clasp has been hand formed from Argentium silver sheet, for extra strength, and has been polished to a high mirror shine.

The length of this bracelet can be altered on request.

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An opulent necklace created using the Full Persian weave. The weave has been split in the centre and the pattern reversed so that the eye is drawn to the centre rings.

The total length, including the clasp, is 17½ inches, and the central drop is 1½ inches. This is 64g of silver.

The clasp has been hand formed from Argentium silver sheet, for extra strength, and polished to a high mirror shine.

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Now exhibited at the Anstey Galleries, 33 Swan Road, Harrogate, where it can be purchased, and will soon be available on their online shop.  Click here

Not an official chainmaille weave, more a seemingly random collection of rings. I hope you will agree that the result is rather effective. The chain has lots of movement and texture.

The large rings are 10mm in diameter. The total length, including handmade clasp, is 16 inches.


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A delightful necklace created using three Helm Flowers/Circles and a simple 1 in 1 chain. The Helm Circle also forms the basis for the Lotus Pendant seen below.

The longest flower drop is 2 inches. The total length, including handmade clasp, is 18 inches.


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A charming pair of earrings comprising sections of Jens Pind Linkage with London Blue Topaz beads. The AAA quality, facetted, round beads measure 8.5mm in diameter and are a handsome navy blue colour.

They hang from handmade earwires and the drop is 2½ inches.

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Half Persian 3 in 1 weave. Strangely enough, regarded as being more difficult than the full Persian. This really is an incredibly slinky necklace. The top side is slightly rounded and the underside is also rather attractive.
 
This necklace measures 17 inches and is fastened with a handmade clasp. 
 
The rings have an outside diameter of 6mm.

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Now exhibited at the Anstey Galleries, 33 Swan Road, Harrogate, where it can be purchased, and will soon be available on their online shop. Click here

Lotus Flower pendant hanging from the base to resemble a delicate, dangling bud. A dainty little piece measuring ¾ inch high and wide. This weave unit was invented by Sara Reading at Corvus Chainmaille.

Hanging from 22 inches of lighter weight silver belcher chain and fastened with a flat profile bolt ring clasp.

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A dramatic pair of earrings featuring sections of European 4 in 1 hanging from icy blue beads by Clare Scott. The earwires are handmade and the drop is 3 inches.

If you're fond of this look, a necklace using the same weave and a beautiful icy blue focal bead will be coming soon.

 

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Sections of the European 4 in 1 weave hanging from handmade earwires.

The drop is 1½ inches.

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Now exhibited at the Anstey Galleries, 33 Swan Road, Harrogate, where it can be purchased, and will soon be available on their online shop. Click here

The Fieldstone weave -  simple in theory but rather fiddly and frustrating in the execution! I do think it's worth it as it is a very pretty pattern.
 
Fastened with a handmade clasp, this would fit a wrist measuring 6 to 7¼ inches.
 
Quite a lightweight piece, very comfortable to wear, with the rings having an outside diameter of 6mm.

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The Byzantine - one of the classic weaves. I've teamed this with sections of double rings for a more open look.
 
The bracelet fastens with a handmade S clasp and would fit a wrist measuring 6 to 7¼ inches.
 
This is a medium weight piece with the rings made from 1.2mm wire.

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This is a Spiral 4 in 1 weave which, when twisted, produces the beautiful spiral as shown in the first picture. Untwisted, it is an attractive, if random, chain, as shown in the second picture. To twist, simply hold one end of the chain and twist the other. Once the clasp is fastened it will retain it's shape.

I will send the chain already twisted with the clasp fastened. With care, it may never untwist. This is a substantial chain - the copper rings have an outside diameter of 8mm and are made from 1.25mm wire.

The necklace is just over 17 inches long and is fastened with a handmade clasp.


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A pretty Flower chain with "daisy" drops in contrasting copper and silver rings. Fastened with a handmade silver clasp.
 
This bracelet would fit a wrist measuring up to 7 inches.
 
There are earrings to complement this bracelet.
 

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A similar design to the bracelet also using copper and silver rings. I think these colours together are so pretty.
 
The earwires are handmade and the drop is 1½  inches.
 

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A Flower chain pattern that I think resembles little rosebuds. Very pretty and easy to wear.

The handmade earwires measure ¾ inch and the drop is 1¼ inches.

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