I’ve started several chainmaille inlays, but have yet to finish one. Think I might be close to finalizing my first one however!
What’s an inlay? Basically, painting a picture of some sort with rings. The one I’m currently working on is pretty simple, just the number of my new studio, but they can be very complex.
Rebeca of Blue Buddha Boutique created this amazing piece a few years back. Full story is here…but some eye candy to start your appreciation of inlay work:
That’s 27,000 rings worth of goodness!
Here’s one that’s a little simpler, but still cute and detailed. (Artist unknown).
When I started plans to move to a new studio this month, I noticed that there wasn’t a clear sign that showed the studio number outside my new studio. I liked the unique “sign” we made for Pi studio (#314), and wanted to do something that would be unique to my art.
Inlay!
So I’ve been working on a new sign that I can hang outside my studio. When it started out, my husband thought I was making a green and silver bracelet.
For inlay work, a lot of people use graph paper or a computer program to lay out their rings. I hate counting rings, however, so I just freehanded it. Went fairly well – I had to rework the “9” once, but otherwise not difficult.
This was after I reworked the top of the 9. The first attempt was too pointy and looked more like a 4.
So the number section is complete – I’m going to add a few silver rows along the top and bottom to frame it, and have some ideas on the rest of the piece.
Hoping to have this done and hanging in my studio by next weekend!