cap_ironman | Cap Chainmail Necklace

So I've been working on a chainmail necklace for a friend who is a Cap superfan. I'm almost done, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to finish it. Pictures under the cut; any suggestions are appreciated!

I started out thinking I'd do something like this, but I didn't like the way the pull of the chain around the neck distorted the shape of the shield, so I decided to frame the whole shield, and put less horizontal pull on the top rows.

The way the chainmail drapes in the first pic also distorts the shield, but not as badly and I kind of like the way it drapes. In the second pic I just ran cord through the top row of rings, resulting in more compression at the top, giving it a slightly trapezoid shape. The black cord is just a stand-in; I'd probably use a fine silver chain or leather cord. I'm not sure which of these looks better.

Finally I tried to get as square a shape as possible by using beads to make sure the top didn't compress or drape too much. The shield does hold its shape best like this, but I'm not sure if chain mail pairs well with wooden beads. They were just the beads I happened to have on hand; I might try looking around for beads that match better, perhaps metal or glass instead.

Any ideas? Thanks!

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First of all... amazing work. That is lovely and I'm envious of your talent. :)

I don't know what your friend would prefer but I like the version of it with the cord running through the rings. I think it drapes well and it's more "Steve" to me than with the beads. Also, I noticed that I look at the beads instead of the pattern of the shield. They might pair better with the chain mail if they were of a similar material so they kind of blended into the metal.

Thank you! It's not talent so much as patience for repetitive work. ;-)

I hear what you're saying about the beads distracting from the shield. I might try the cord running through the rings, but with some of the rings crimped to minimize the compression, or see how it looks with a finer chain running through. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

It is a talent since you were able to set up the design and create it.

You're welcome. I hope you post pictures of it when it's finished. I'd love to see how you finish it.

Ah, thanks. There was a lot of trial and error involved.

I will definitely post pictures!

Lovely work:) It surely required a lot of patience and love...
If the beads basically only serve as place-holders to avoid the mail to compress, maybe you can use something less eye-catching than the beads. I'd suggest you to create small springs of metal-wire (here (http://www.google.it/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=PzzLVRltEsz-yM&tbnid=Pk1Ja-BICdGfvM:&ved=0CAYQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakezine.com%2Fprojects%2Fdiy-hacks-how-tos-how-to-make-chainmail%2F&ei=tR0iU-mDFMbCtAaC_oDABg&bvm=bv.62922401,d.Yms&psig=AFQjCNGga3CyAWCK1rxGVksTm2Z3EQbiWQ&ust=1394831133562689) on the 3rd page there's a picture of what I mean - since you already made the chainmail ist should be easy for you to make the springs). You can make them as long and as wide as it's needed, and since it's the same material it should blend in unobtrusively...

Edited 2014-03-13 21:09 (UTC)

Thanks! And yes, lots of patience & love involved!

That is a really neat idea! If I make the coil and bend back the end rings on the coil, it should work very well as a place holder. And it should hit a nice balance between functional & decorative, unlike the overly decorative beads. I will definitely try this! Thanks for the suggestion!

You're welcome:) I'm glad I could be of help. I look forward to seeing the finished piece - I find really interesting to see craft ideas evolve and take life!

This is fantastic, and you are clearly very talented!

Seconding the idea to replace the beads with more metal-y spacers, and maybe a second string-and-spacers connected to the bottom of the shield chainmail? That might make it look a bit more necklace-shaped.

But I'm sure that whatever you end up doing will look great.

Thank you! I tried using wire coils as spacers last night and it worked out pretty well, and your idea of using the same at the bottom is a great idea - I was considering it last night but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I do think it will look more finished that way. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Glad I could help!

Wow! That is really great work - it'd be great if Cap 3 had chain mail like this incorporated into Steve's uniform!

IDK much about jewelry design, but from an amateur's perspective, it might look a little more necklace-y if you left off the rings on the bottom where the shield ends, so it's more rounded. Like your first design, but maybe with the 'coil' spacers at the top so it falls evenly?

Or, and I realize this would make it not really chail mail, but I've seen fringe necklaces in a lot of fashion mags lately - you could try something like that. With each column falling separately, but making the shield pattern visible when hanging straight. That would look cool, too.

To tell the truth, I keep thinking to myself how awesome that mail would look on the back of a really bitchin' jean or leather jacket ...

Thank you! And yes, Steve in chainmail for Cap 3 would be great, but I like his leather body armor too! *salacious eyebrow waggle*

I like what you're thinking about leaving the framing rings off the bottom. That was kind of my original plan. I added the framing rings because I thought it would balance the design more and stabalize the shape of the shield, but honestly it didn't make a big difference. I'm going to try adding coil spacers to the bottom, but if that doesn't look good I might try removing the lower framing rings.

I like your fringe idea, too! That might work best with very fine chains... well, I've got a plan to try a chain mail arc reactor next, but after that maybe I'll experiment with a fringe necklace. :-) Thanks for brainstorming!

I actually think the bead version is lovely the beads draw attention to the design and the color complements the blue on steves shield

Aw, thank you! I've replaced the beads with wire coils as spacers, and I think it looks a bit better that way, but I admit the beads have a certain charm. It definitely softens the necklace, which is nice!

This is amaze!!!!!

Thank you!!

Cap Chainmail Necklace - Help!

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