I have been playing around making some chains in copper for now, but I might get some silver and give it a go. You can use any type of metal wire, even colored craft wire. I would suggest a thicker gauge 12-16, as it makes nicer chains. But thinner wires can work if you are skilled.
I will be making this chain from scratch as it were, so I am going to need some jump rings. Jump rings are the individual components of the chain. To make them you will need some wire, a mandrel (more about this in a bit) a jewelers saw, and some chain nose pliers.
First you will need some wire, I have chosen 16 gauge copper wire, mostly because I had it lying around, and also because copper is a beautiful metal that shines with a deep warmth.
Once you have your tools ready we can begin. To make the jump rings we first need to make the coil. I like to hand wrap my coils but you can do this with an electric drill. I find hand wrapping makes it easier to fix mistakes before they happen.
Wrap your wire around the mandrel. The mandrel will determine the size of the jump rings, use something that is metal and the same diameter the whole way down. I am using a Phillips head screw driver, but aluminum knitting needles work well also. Avoid wooden dowels as they vary in diameter.
You want a tight wrap with no gaps. Leaving a little tail will allow you to have something to grab on to as you twist.
When you get to the ends use your pliers to smooth down the last little bit.
Next you will need to cut your rings out. I use a jewelers saw.
I find holding the screw driver inside the coil helps stabilize it for the first couple of rings.
It is really easy to break blades when making jump rings so be sure to cut straight down, use the small overlap of the previous ring to help you line up your saw for the next one. Cut straight back towards the coil.
As you cut your jump rings will often fall down onto your saw, this is fine, I often let a couple of them collect before I remove them. They also like to jump all over the place, putting a towel on your lap will help catch them.
After I have cut a whole bunch of them I like to go through and gently open each jump ring, this just makes it easier to work with them as you will have them all ready to go.
If you have any little burs on the rings you can take them off with a needle file. Once you have a good collection of jump rings you are ready to make some chain.
