Fashion Machine Plait

It was going to be a giant scarf, but it's taken so long to just make 3 strips that I'm just going to drape it around a barbie doll, so in essence it will be giant (well, in comparison). I plaited the strips I'd finished - 3" wide, backstitched with various needles. And then I just made a video; I was actually just trying to get the position right for a photo and then slowed the playback going backwards and it looked really interesting. Sorry about the creepy music. It's all rather eerie. The song is Machine by Regina Spektor.

Jewellery Chainmaille

For a while now I have been looking to expand my horizons and explore some other crafts, like leatherwork and chainmaille. After researching both I thought to start with chain-making, because it's easier and cheaper.

The first step is to coil the wire into a spring and then cut it into jump rings. I coiled my wire around a dowel using a drill and a wooden bracket. This was my first attempt at 4-to-1 chianmaille.

I made this bracelet in a Full Persian weave, and then bent some extra wire to form a clasp.

This is a surprisingly simple skill to learn and requires only jump rings, pliers and perseverance. I think as I get more experienced I will start working with sterling silver and gold and experiment with more complex weaves.