Mobius Twist set. . .

I had a set of jewelry that I really liked, it took me multiple days to make so I set the price at what I thought was high $150.  I was shocked when it sold, seriously surprised someone paid full price.  I was never really happy with the photos on the listing and everyone on Etsy and everywhere says good photos are everything, right?!

So I may never understand what prompted someone to buy this set when you can't even really see the pattern in the crappy photo.  However, since it sold once I decided to re-make it and hope lightning strikes twice.  I managed to finish it in two long days of work and this time with the aid of a new camera I got some decent photos.  I am really hopeful that it will sell, again.

Mobius Twist jewelry set Etsy listing

Soon soon soon. . . .

My shipment of snaps should be arriving soon.  ~yay~  

I can't wait to get them and finish the pile of stuff I have waiting.   

I am thinking about re-making the silver-gold Mobius chain set that sold a couple of months ago.  I mean it sold once maybe it will sell again, and a few people have looked at the listing and even Favorited it since it sold, so maybe I'll get lucky.  ~lol~

I did the "promoted" listings thing for nearly a month and I am kind of disappointed in the results, I got charged for lots of clicks and views but no resulting sales, all cost and no return.  

 

snaps. . .

When last I bought snaps it was not complicated, I simply when to the local JoAnn's fabric and picked what I wanted.  I bought a few different colors and a couple different kinds and a set tool kit.  I never really thought much about it but that was a while ago and when I recently went to buy more I found it to be quite the challenge. 

I went to the JoAnn's here and was severely disappointed in the lack of selection, all they carried were "kits" I couldn't buy just the snaps by themselves.  I was expecting a package with 7-10 snaps in a $5-7 price range but the kits with tools included are $17.99.  :-o  I don't need the tools I already have them and with no option to buy just the snaps there was no way I was purchasing those "kits".  

I have checked several local stores and no one has packages of just snaps in the style and size I wanted.  Rather frustrating really that something that should be so simple became such a pain.  I started searching online, the Dritz site doesn't sell direct they refer you to stores not that that matters because even they show those stupid over priced kits.  

Sadly it has taken weeks of shopping and searching to do something as simple as "buy more snaps".  ~sigh~  I finally found a reasonable option, the right style, nice size not too big, decent price, although I was only able to get 2 colors and neither is the black I had before.  They will just have to do, I don't think it will matter too much, afterall the snaps go in the back and are not what you see when wearing the necklace.  However, I had to order them online and it will take at least a week for them to ship and arrive.  I did order quite a lot of them so I shouldn't run out again anytime soon.  ~LOL~

 

New listings up. . .

I did decide to make the 8 ring knots and 10 ring knots separate listings.  Also when I went to take the photos this morning I decided to make some matching earrings to go with the bracelets. ☺

So for the record there are 7 of the 10 ring version, mostly rainbows.

There are 6 of the 8 ring version, mostly two-tone and/or alternating.

And a variety of earrings that would work with most of the bracelets.

Coming soon. . .

I think I'll be adding the new Etsy listings for the Infinity Knot bracelets this weekend and yes that's plural because the 8 ring and 10 ring knots will be separate listings.  ☺  I think it will just be better and easier that way since they do look significantly different and use a different amount of rings.  I know 2 rings may not sound like much but that's per knot in the total length of the bracelet it's more like 20 and that makes a notable difference in assembly time too.  

I still need to get more snaps to finish up the leather chokers I have cut before I will add them to the shop listings, so they probably won't be up until next weekend.  ☺

 

On to the next thing. . .

Ok so in order to avoid going shopping for more snaps I just moved on to the next thing.  ☺  I have a rather long list of things I want to  make or make more of so it's not really hard to come up with something else to do that doesn't require leaving the house.  Yesterday's option was making more infinity knot bracelets.  I like to have at least 4 if not 6 or more ready before I create an Etsy listing, well now I do.  ☺

Due to the size of the knots themselves there are some limits on length, so I made them with some regular chain at the end for adjustability of length.  These range from 6.5/7" to 9" with 7 knots they were 6.5" and a bit too short.  Also there is some variance in ring size by color so some colors make slightly different sized knots.  

Don't compare the top 2 to the rest in this photo as they are 8 ring knots not 10 ring knots so totally different.  ☺  I am considering making them 2 separate listings, I guess that means I get to make some more today. 
 

Embellishments galore. . .

Once I started I got a little overwhelmed with just how many options I have on hand for embellishing these rather simple looking braided leather necklaces.  

I have run myself almost completely out of snaps, I really need to go shopping and re-stock.


 

Just crafting. . .

Ok so I've been on a leather crafting kick lately, once I started I just had a ton of ideas.  It's been quite a while since I did the braids so I was surprised how easily it came back.  I am just using up off-cuts, so making as many things as I can whatever size they turn out to be. 

I was kind of surprised I managed to get 2 chokers, an anklet, and a bracelet out of a smallish piece.  My problem now is I'm running out of snaps and need to go shopping.  I do like the look of the rhinestones in the center of the braided piece, but I think I'm going to step it up and make some that are a bit more decorative too.

Plus I am still making the infinity knots, I am going with the 10 ring version because I like it better.  I am also doing solid colored knots and then using multiple colors in the bracelet instead of using multiple colors in the knots themselves.  

I am hopeful that I will have enough of them to make the new listing in the Etsy shop soon, for both the decorated chokers and the infinity knot bracelets.

 

More than chain. . .

RainbowMaille may have been created to promote and highlight my chainmaille creations but I do craft more than chain.  ☺  

Today I added some new listings to the Etsy shop that are leather.

Leather cuff style bracelets with spiked and pyramid rivets.

 Braided leather bracelets with snap closures and stamped hearts.

Hand knotted barbed wire necklaces made with 1mm leather cord.

 

 Braided leather chokers with adjustable snap closures.

I make the barbed wire in other sizes and types of cording.  I have also made some pieces that combine leather and chain.  I plan to keep expanding the Etsy listings and creating new things.

 

Still not quite right. . .

Ok so apparently my larger anodized aluminum rings are a bit too large or maybe just not a heavy enough gauge.  I got the full 8 rings together but it was loose, because I had the extra room I stepped it up to 10 rings which I like the look of but it's not exactly right.

I do like them though so they will probably get added to the store in the 8 and 10 ring options.  ☺  It will be a few days though before the listing will be added to make more color combinations.

I don't think 3 bracelets is enough to create a new listing, I really prefer to have at least 6 if not 8 available.  I like the two-tone knots OK but I really love the 10 ring solid colored ones better.☺

The learning curve continues. . .

I found a pattern called "infinity knot" it is basically a rather simple little knot that you make a bunch and then link together.

 

sample photo borrowed from the web, not my work

The knot is supposed to have 8 rings interlocked, 2 in each direction.

I apparently I picked the wrong sized rings for my attempt, because I only got 6 rings in before it was too tight.

Since I already had the rings and pliers out, I figured why not test the theory to the fullest so, I backed off to 4 rings, one in each direction.  The "lite knots" are way looser than they should be but at least there was room to attach them together.

So needless to say this one's mine, another for my prototype pile.  
I will try the real pattern again with a larger sized ring.