Cap Chainmail Necklace - Help!

[garrideb.livejournal.com]

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!

Comments

[akira17.livejournal.com]

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

[garrideb.livejournal.com]

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!