Traveling in South America a few years back, I was fortunate to learn the rudiments of jewelry-making from the local artesanos. While my hobbyist techniques are no match for the pros, I can certainly bang out a usable chain in an afternoon. Like growing your own veggies, or sewing your own clothes, making your own accessories is one way of ensuring that no unfair labor practices were used to make your swag, and furthermore that you’ll always have a unique look to call your own—because it is your own. In this week’s installment we’ll focus on the most basic chain-link technique, and later talk more about how to finish it off.

You’ll need

*Round nose pliers

*Flat nose pliers

*Wire cutters

*Craft or jewelry wire (a non-hypoallergenic metal is best)

*Metal dowel 1/8-1/4 inch in diameter. You can also use knitting needles or a length of wire hanger.

How to

1) Cut a length of wire, about a foot long, and make a loop at one end with the round nose pliers.

2) Insert dowel through loop, then clamp down with flat nose pliers.

3) Holding wire clamped firmly to the dowel and the dowel still, begin wrapping the wire tightly around the dowel so it resembles a skinny little slinky.

4) Slide the “slinky” off the dowel and use the cutters to snip each loop as close to the ends as possible. Flatten each loop into rings with the smooth edges of your flat nose pliers. This is probably the most painstaking part of the whole operation, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself needing to take a break halfway through.

5) Now you’re ready to start putting the links together. With your round nose pliers, crack open one of your finished loops and slip it over another. Then close it back together with the flat nose and repeat, building the links together as chain. Since one link alone is not nearly as sturdy as a machine-built jump-ring, you’ll probably want to double them up: sliding two rings together onto two rings together. Repeat until you’ve reached your desired length.

Photo courtesy of about.com.