THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Illinois based Melissa Banks of Rapt in Maille is an outstanding chain maille jewelry designer for a number of reasons. She hand makes contemporary and innovative chain maille jewelry which combines the ancient technique with chain. Lots and lots of ...

Contemporary Chain Maille Jewelry by Rapt in Maille  More Recent Articles Contemporary Chain Maille Jewelry by Rapt in Maille Illinois based Melissa Banks of Rapt in Maille is an outstanding chain maille jewelry designer for a number of reasons. She hand makes contemporary and innovative chain maille jewelry which combines the ancient technique with chain. Lots and lots of chain.  The resulting designs are often sleek and utterly modern. What is more, she creates her designs using almost always stainless steel.  It is a highly durable and non-tarnish material but it is very hard to work with.  If you've ever done chain maille using stainless steel rings, you will appreciate the difficulty. She admits she has "developed quite an impressive collection of protective callouses, namely two large ones in the palms of my hands where the pliers sit." Melissa's route to being a full time jewelry maker is truly inspirational.  She started studying computer science but soon changed over to a Fine Arts degree specializing in crafts and metals. Her love of chain maille began then. But it took years of bar tending while developing her business before she could finally quit the evening job and soon after, move into her own studio in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. Her designs are refreshing and shows her talent for coming up with such distinctive pieces! Before You Go: Book Review - Modern Chain Mail Jewelry Book Review - Chain Mail and Wire Reimagined Faux Chain Maille Bracelet Tutorials ______________________________ Original Post by THE BEADING GEM Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips           Share Your Comment! Share Your Comment! Related Posts Hand Painted Polymer Clay Jewelry by BlockPartyPress Wire Wrapped Elvish Earrings Tutorial Hand Knitted Leather Jewelry by Brooke Marks-Swanson   • Email to a friend • View comments • Track comments •   More Recent Articles Book Review and Giveaway | Lazee Daizee Guide to Viking Knit No Bake Candy Swirl Resin Clay Beads Tutorial Jazz Up Your Earphone Cord with Macrame and Beads! Wire Wrapped Elvish Earrings Tutorial Make a Flower Pendant from a Recycled Tin This Bead Embroidered Sea Horse Tutorial has a Nifty Tip! Hand Knitted Leather Jewelry by Brooke Marks-Swanson     Contact Me •Past Issues •Join This List •Unsubscribe     Click here to safely unsubscribe from "The Beading Gem's Journal." Click here to view mailing archives, here to change your preferences, or here to subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 365 Boston Post Rd, Suite 123, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA.