Making bags.

Just a quick shot here of the work area I clear off my trashed computer desk when I’d rather not be down in the workshop away from the television. Ya know, when History or something has a programme about the P-51 Mustang or something equally awesome.

I’m working on a batch of bags for a customer, and here you can kind of see them in various stages of completion.

I guess I do my bags a bit differently than most. I like them a little more flat on the bottoms when they’re fully stuffed with dice or whatever. So I used a ton of expansions in the first few rows, Here it’s 16 on the queen ring, then 24, then 36 and a few rows of 36 before I contract back down to 30 ring sides. This has the effect of keeping the bottoms more or less squared off rather than hanging in an arch.

These in particular are 1.6mm stainless steel with about a 6.4mm ID

While I have a confessed hatred of expanding circles, bags like these are a very simple project for beginners. Especially fellow gamer geeks. If your dice start to outgrow your bag, you can always add more rows at the mouth, or get ambitious and scale the entire thing up by adding more expansion rows for the bottom. With a nice tight weave they’ll hold coins just as easily. I even made a large one to carry my pliers and a couple of pill bottles for rings for travel projects.

Have fun
--Charon

Technorati Tags: Stygian Chains,bags,gamer,dice,maille,chainmaille,work in progress,crafting,stainless steel,weaving,beginner tips,projects

Dogwood Festival, day one.

Well, my first fair, first day.

Umm, there were some tent problems, namely the cold, a little rain, and the fact that the walls I had were not made for the canopy I have… I appreciate that Mom was willing to help and buy the shelter thingie, really; but you’d think when buying separate components you’d make sure they’d match. So I get to try and find walls this morning.

Aside from that, and the cold, well, it was a slow traffic day for all the vendors. A fair amount of cards went out, alot of people wanting to come back later in the week, and a put a pair of earrings on hold for someone. I can live with that.

The fair itself is pretty much the town’s spring carnival. Complete with the high-school choir, portable carnie rides and games, and teenage guys getting dragged around by their girlfriends to look at jewellery. Hey, that’s a good thing on my end. A little cold and rainy to spend much time outside. I figure day two should pick up.

Day one was kinda cold.

Have fun
--Charon

Technorati Tags: Dogwood Festival,Stygian Chains,craft fair,vendor,chainmaille,maille,jewellery

Up to stuff.

Figured I’d toss up a quick snap of what I’ve been playing with lately. I think this is the third attempt to get rings in the right AR for this weave. Vipera Berus 4-1. Don’t ask, I didn’t name it. Looks pretty though.

I think I want to turn this into a full set. Also I’ve got a couple more colours I want to try for this one.

In other news. I’ve finished another whip. This one for a friend.

More accurate than my own Snakewhip. But I have to admit some of the plaiting isn’t as clean. It shows a gap or two down in the 10 and 8 strand areas of the thong. I managed a lead shotbag in this one, and a 16 plait overlay. The extra weight means it hits hard, my arms can tell you all about it.

I really need to work on getting nice round foundations for my heel knots. I’m not sure I like the gearshift look I’ve been using.

Much to learn, have I, mmm?

Have fun
--Charon

Technorati Tags: whip,bullwhip,Stygian Chains,Jewellery,maille,chainmaille,handmade

Stygian Chains and Nostalgic Collections team up for a giveaway.

Yep, this one’s no joke, despite the date. Running the entire month of April you can win this bracelet:

It’s a continual piece with stretchy neoprene rings woven in. Clasps are for suckers. Click the image above to see details of the contest rules. I just supply the art, she’s running the show. Good luck peoples!

Have fun,
--Charon

Technorati Tags: contest,giveaway,maille,bracelet,Stygian Chains,Nostalgic Collections

Creatve Handmade Artisans Host a Buy and Replace

  Everything under 30$

Click on the image and see the current treasury. Expires at 1PM EST this Friday. So get em quick, leave a comment, and be featured!

Have fun
--Charon

Technorati Tags: Etsy,Stygian Chains,Frawgz Dezignz,ChaTeam,Creative Handmade Artisans,Treasuries,Buy and Replace,BNR

A copper and tree jade choker.

Finished this little beauty a couple days back, just getting around to saying much of anything about it.

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More copper, in case that’s a surprise to anyone. ;> With a single oval piece of tree jade at the end of an inverted E4-1 triangle. The real neat thing about this piece, I think at least, is the body of the chain is a brand new weave. Developed quite by accident by Celeste while attempting something else. These little accidents are quite often as awesome as two ninjas taped together. She named the weave Arkham, though I never got around to asking if it was a reference to the asylum in Batman, or something else. Either way, I think it’s a damn awesome weave and it makes for a very nice band.

Have fun
--Charon

Technorati Tags: stygian chains,maille,chainmaille,choker,necklace,jewellery,jewelry,copper,jade,handmade.

“Secret Project” not so secret anymore.

‘Cause, I’m done.

My first whip. A Nylon six-foot, twelve-plait, single belly, shot loaded SnakeWhip.

I dunno what else to say, this has been what I’ve been working on the last few days. I made a couple small mistakes, nothing I couldn’t recover from though. My main concern is the foundation for the Turk’s head knot being a little, less than solid, hence the odd knotwork immediately beneath it.

For those that are wondering, yes, it cracks. Loud enough to annoy the neighbourhood dogs. I’m not quite used to wielding it yet but it falls as accurately as I can throw. I managed to pick out a couple of large icicles and teach them not to hang around on my roof and be cold, little bastards.

I’ll practice the nylon whip making a bit more when I can afford to, and if I get a positive response maybe even start selling them.

If you have to be addicted to crack, make sure it’s the crack of a sonic boom.
--Charon

Technorati Tags: Stygian Chains,whip,nylon,secret Project,crack,new ideas.