or the chain maille instructions I have used different coloured rings to make the images very clear. To begin the chain maille piece using 20g 5/32" rings place 3 closed rings on an open ring and close the ring. Arrange the rings as in the photo with the ring on the left underneath the other 2 rings and the ring on the right on top of the other 2 rings. Take the ring on the left and turn it completely over and nest it back under the middle ring. The rings now sit together under slight tension. Keep the rings in this pattern as you add the next ring.

Take an open ring and weave it down into the 1st and 2nd rings where they cross and bring the ring out through the middle of the last ring, add a closed ring and close the ring. There are 2 different rows of rings in this chain maille weave. The top row shown as silver rings are added as open rings which are woven into the pattern and then closed. The bottom row shown as brass rings are added as closed rings. Each of these rows has a step pattern. In the top silver row the new ring is added under the previous ring. In the bottom brass row the new ring is added on top of the last ring.

The last silver ring was added in between the 1st and 2nd brass rings, so the next silver ring is added in between the 2nd and 3rd rings. Take an open silver ring and go down into the 2nd and 3rd rings, bring the ring out of the last brass ring, add a closed brass ring and close the ring. Continue to add rings in the same way, the next open ring will go down into the 3rd and 4th rings. As the chain gets longer rather than counting from the beginning to work out where to add your first ring, just remember you are only working on the last 3 rings from the lower row shown in brass. Once you get the hang of weaving in the open ring and simply adding the closed ring, this chain works up fairly quickly.

Using the 20g wire add a small silver bead then a black diamond bicone and another silver bead. Make a simple loop at both ends close to the silver beads. I like to make the simple loops in opposite directions, I think this looks more balanced. Make 6 of these 3 with black diamond bicones and 3 with silver shade. If you have problems making even round simple loops see the tool tip section for more information.

Connect the beaded Swarovski wire elements that have the sterling silver small beads, alternating the colors and using the larger soldered jump rings to connect the first 3, then use the 16g 5/16" ring to connect the 3rd and 4th elements, and then back to the same soldered jump rings for the last 2. You can substitute unsoldered jump rings if you want. I use soldered rings because you can use finer gauge rings which I think really suits the design.

Attach the silver shade elements to the 5 connecting jump rings (the 5/16" jump ring is the middle connecting jump ring). Attach the remaining black diamond element with the soldered 4mm ring to the middle crystal shade element.