Overview

About two years after starting this blog, I had become quite comfortable making chainmail and wanted to make a gift for a good friend. I chose Spinal Elf because the recipient liked its base weave (Elfweave), it was a stable weave, I could cleanly use multiple colors, and it could form a closed loop for the bracelets. In my (and the recipient’s) opinion, the set looks nice, and while it may not be worn frequently as a whole set (apparently, the necklace is a bit much for casual wear), they wear the bracelets daily.

Materials

For this project, I procured leverback earrings at Michaels instead of my usual supplier. From my usual supplier (The Ring Lord), I got the rest of the items I used to make this set:

Item Option Details
Lapis Points  
Magnetic Clasps Antique Plated Copper
Heart Lock Clasp Rainbow color option
Bright Black Rings 16 SWG, 1/4” ID Bright Aluminum rings in black
Bright Royal Blue Rings 16 SWG, 1/4” ID Bright Aluminum rings in royal blue
Bright Electric Violet Rings 16 SWG, 1/4” ID Bright Aluminum rings in electric violet
Light Blue Rubber Rings 16 SWG, 1/4” ID EPDM rubber rings in light blue
Blue Glow in the Dark Rubber Rings 17 SWG, 1/4” ID glow-in-the-dark silicone rubber rings in blue

Notes

The primary inspirations for this piece were to create something meaningful for a friend and to play with glow-in-the-dark rubber rings. Adapting the weave to work with rubber rings and determining how to join it to itself was a fun and engaging challenge.

This project inherited the complexities of working with Spinal Elf and introduced additional challenges by using rubber rings and joining the weave to itself. While I originally considered using Elfweave, I found it too unstable for this application and ultimately chose one of its stabilized forms, Spinal Elf.

One material-related complication arose when the glow-in-the-dark rings I ordered in 16 SWG with a 1/4” ID arrived in 17 SWG instead. The original intent was for all rubber rings in the weave to be glow-in-the-dark; however, using only the thinner rings resulted in an unstable weave. I ultimately found that placing glow-in-the-dark rubber rings on the top portion of the weave and light blue 16 SWG rubber rings on the bottom preserved structural integrity while maximizing the glowing from the smaller rings.

This project also included several firsts for me. It was my first time using a magnetic clasp instead of a lobster hook or a solid loop. The clasp has performed quite well; it has never come loose during casual wear and only came apart after deliberate and vigorous testing. It was also my first time incorporating a semi-precious stone, using lapis lazuli points attached to the outward-facing spinal rings of the necklace. These stones added a fun visual element and were more affordable than I had anticipated. For the earrings, I initially used French hooks; after receiving a few complaints and later finding leverback earrings at Michaels, I replaced them, which changed those complaints to compliments.

Care and maintenance are thankfully straightforward. The bracelets, made entirely from rubber and anodized aluminum, are easy to clean and can be washed much like dishes, as water will not damage them. The necklace and earrings also have clasps and leverback hooks, respectively, but neither appears to be water-resistant. My friend has had no issues washing the necklace and earrings with soap and water, but dries them immediately after.

Over time, rubber rings can bend out of their original shape (which you can see in the photos below), but they are not damaged. As a somewhat loose-fitting set constructed from lightweight materials, the jewelry is quite comfortable to wear.

Were I to make this project again, I would only change two things. The first would be to source 16 SWG glow-in-the-dark rings, if possible. The second would be to try to find water-resistant earring backings and clasps for more assured longevity.

Overall, I found this project very rewarding to make, and I enjoy seeing my friend wearing it. The result is aesthetically pleasing, relatively inexpensive to make, and easy to care for, although it can be a bit challenging to construct. If you are interested in trying something similar yourself and already have a simpler project (like these Beez Stew Bracelets) or two under your belt, I would recommend giving it a try. Please feel free to use my contact form if you have any questions.

Pictures

Full Set

Necklace

Bracelet

Bracelet Profile

Earrings