How to make a basic twisted silver wire link chain. No. 2

[@tracyhopkirk1610]

It is interesting and so good that even though I have been making and teaching for 40 years you have taught me so much in a short lesson. The main thing is link production, especially the larger ones using dowels to cut them. Thank you!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Tracy, nice to receive a positive comment from a professional jeweller. Being mostly a self taught hobbyist I tend to make stuff up as I go along. I really struggled to cut links neatly until I discovered the wooden peg technique, now I keep an abundance of dowel for any size … N

[@piepeeya4604]

awesome!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Pie Peeya … N

[@neesr13]

Thank you for your up-close creating. It answers questions and gives me more ideas. I consider you one of my on-line teachers. Thank you for that, too.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Nice to hear that Neesr, surprising how close you can get when filming with an iPhone. One thing leads to another when exploring ideas like this and my next video may be similar as I discovered a few designs I really like … N

[@customcraft1]

Nick, I always seeing your videos. Keep up the great work mate, you re very multi talented.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Bob, it seems to be turning into a chain making channel … not sure if it’s the right thing … but I do love making them … N

[@smac3662]

Such a great video. It gives a person so many ideas 🎉

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks S Mac, nice to hear that. so many multiple variations on a theme to explore with this sort of technique … N

[@consueloyoung4484]

Hi Nick, I have missed you!!, so happy to see you creating gorgeous jewelry, this chain for instance is very attractive, I love how fine it is and your links are very beautiful. Have you gotten to a point in your life where all the outside world can disappear and all you do is create beautiful things to sell??. I hope so ♥️

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Consuelo, I do find fine delicate chains much more satisfying to fiddle with when chain making, also saves on my pressure silver. I often happily disappear from the outside world into the depths of my workshop with this being the only portal back … N

[@BIGBUDDY291]

Beautiful necklace Nick. Love your designs.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

thanks for that Buddy, it’s nice to try something small and delicate just as satisfying as making big and heavy … N

[@anjairis]

Fantastic and inspiring as always!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks anjairis, nice to hear that … N

[@jakkibaker1818]

Wow thank you for this video you make it look so simple but a lot of hard work gone into it, 😊 it’s beautiful 😍 would love to make something like this in to a ring if that is possible?. Thanks again 😊👍🏻

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Jakki, endless time spent playing with copper wire allows me to discover what’s possible … N

[@ИдрисКулиев-х8г]

Cool 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Идрис … N

[@catzkeet4860]

Wow nice ideas.... I love making chain.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks catz, me too … we need a chain making fan club … N

[@mrtienpham]

I really enjoy watching your videos even though I'll never make anything similar. Just really amazed by the different ways of how you make things and wanted you to know that you are appreciated.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Mrtienpham, nice to hear I’m appreciated. I like your eyelash illuminations … N

[@Kera.S.]

This is a gorgeous piece! You have definitely upped your skills and are making some amazing jewelry and such 🥰💙

[@Nickscreativestuff]

thanks for that Kera, there’s nothing I find more enjoyable at the moment than spending time fiddling around with copper wire trying to come up with a new chain design … N

[@columjevens4612]

Lovely ideas , great video . Thanks

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Cheers for that Colum … N

[@jimbartley9125]

Another lovely chain. Well done as usual. Cheers. Jim

[@Nickscreativestuff]

thanks Jim, I do find the repetition of chain making very satisfying … N

[@johnkidd797]

Hi Nick, hope all is well mate. That is a lovely chain and when i have the time to be making again I'll give it a go. Been busy with other things like severe flooding and digging a trench for the river that was in my back garden and fixing my digger which packed in just as o finished digging. Just a dirty tank so both filters cleaned and the tank will be getting cleaned this weekend but shes running well again. Next few days 50 tonne of wood coming so i dont know when I'll be at the jewellery again. Im going to mill several tonne to make the lumber for a jewellery workshop and a solar kiln. Thank goodness i have you posting so i can still enjoy the craft through you.👍

[@Nickscreativestuff]

hi John, sorry to hear you’re suffering with the elements. when I worked with trees for a living I had to learn to be positive about the weather whatever it had to throw at us. I used to love the milling process, to be the first to see the inner beauty of a large tree butt was very special. Occasionally I’m taken right back there when I smell cedar in cleaning products, reminiscing of the days spent knee deep in aromatic wood shavings. The fragrance of cedar seemed to linger on our work clothes forever even after their occasional wash … have fun and carry on … N

[@jsl1952]

your skills are way beyond my paygrade, but I do enjoy your work, a lot.

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks jsl, It’s a good job we’re all different with our own interests and skills … N

[@TenebraeEques]

Thanks so much for this beautiful guide! is really wonderful and gonna help me a lot!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Nice to hear that Tenebrae, good luck with your adventures … N

[@Marian56N]

I love the idea of these thank you

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Marian, endless variations on a theme once you get going with this sort of thing … N

[@Thracium]

TX for sharing! Good Luck!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Thracium … N

[@victoriad7678]

I love what did you make and wish i have the tools and a place to make them .And you did a very good job

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Victoria, you can start simple with a few tools on the dinner table … N

[@marymillicent]

Thanks!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for your generosity Mary, it’s very reassuring to have this extra revenue source after having to give up my day job due to increased care demands at home. Appreciate your support … Nick

[@sandyorloff8760]

Love your ideas!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Sandy, my next video I’m working on is very similar … N

[@racheldelage5690]

Great Tutorial! You make look easy....I need to get some courage to solder.... thanks!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Rachel, it’s a very simple process with silver solder paste and a small torch. hope you find the courage one day … N

[@kirtandrews1859]

Beautiful simply beautiful thank you for sharing. Kirt

[@Nickscreativestuff]

👍😎👍 … N

[@texasgigi3684]

Wow! Beautiful necklace, Nick. I’m going to have to give this one a try!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Gigi, my next vid is very similar as a wrist chain … N

[@ShirleyPerkins-h4t]

Hi Nick! I love the chains! You make it look so easy even I might try it someday. I learned a few things more than how to make these chains in this video. I learned a bit about soldering and making jump rings. (This is off the subject, but I also enjoyed the music, especially the second tune you played. Does it have a name or artist name? I'd love to hear the whole tune. I've heard it in other diy videos, too.) I can't wait to see more of your videos!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi Shirley thanks for that. Definitely have a go at chain making it’s highly obsessive once you get going. Nice to hear that you enjoyed the music, as a KZbin creator you have access to KZbin studio where there’s an audio library full of thousands of music tracks that are free to download and use in any video. A great resource, but a lot of people use it so the music is repeated a lot across KZbin . The second track on this video was called fresh fallen snow by Chris Haugen … N

[@lorawaring883]

very cool! and music, too. Did you sketch first, or just start playing/experimenting?

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Lora, I very rarely sketch anything. I have an abundance of thick copper wire I can reduce down to any size with drawer plates resulting in endless material for fiddling and doodling with. I end up spending the majority of my time playing and experimenting with copper to come up with new design ideas that can translate into silver chains … N

[@Maggioretom]

Thank you very much for share your competences and skills🙏. Can you answer a couple of questions? The metals composition of that solder paste in percentage, or better, where can I find It? Ty very much for your beautiful channel!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for your comment Maggioretom, i’ve never found the ingredients for silver solder paste, I suppose it might be a very guarded secret. I guess it would be very similar to standard solders then being ground up finely and mixed with flux and binders. The only info I’ve seen is the different temperature ranges for the four different grades named hard, medium, easy, and extra easy. Being here in the UK I always buy mine from www.cooksongold.com where there’s more info … cheers … Nick

[@Maggioretom]

@@Nickscreativestuff thank you very much! I was telling you because I found some similar products on Amazon, with the metals percentage written on the labels...here's why those questions! Thanks a lot!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

i’ve never had a problem with solder paste from cooksongold, but I have heard mixed reviews when buying elsewhere, people saying that it dries out quickly and then can’t be used … N

[@minafawzy2196]

🎉❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@Nickscreativestuff]

👍😎👍 … N

[@davidsteinfeld9123]

All ways hungry for a fresh idea The silence of your video is not an issue i liked the opening score who was the arist ? I see in the video you have mastered some skill i will like to ask a question I work alot with copper both copper and silver have similar properties to how they work in the makeing of jewelry But copper is what i want to talk about i would like to know if you know of any type of brazeing rod thats easy to use with a butane torch to meet the color of copper See so much stuff out there its to hard to know a thing about what works and whats a gimmick Any help on this please Thank you in advance

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi David The first track was As I Figure - Latinesque by Kevin MacLeod. it came from the audio library in KZbin studio. The only material I’ve seen that colour matches well with copper is a product called copper to copper braising rod used in the plumbing industry for when you don’t want to see silvery coloured joints. It can be hammered out flat and cut into small pieces for soldering. Otherwise a lot of people copper plate their work after soldering to hide silver solder joints … N

[@davidsteinfeld9123]

@Nickscreativestuff this is indeed a lead and a great help 👍 😀 in resolving this issue with my query Thank you 😊

[@Nickscreativestuff]

I first found copper to copper brazing rod by Gosystems stocked within B&Q in the UK … N

[@davidsteinfeld9123]

@@Nickscreativestuff did you mean the United Kingdom ? However since it is in the HVAC industry it should not be to hard to find Thank you again my friend

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi David, Yes B&Q is a large diy store in the United Kingdom A bit like Home Depot in America … N

[@AngieD3601]

Hi Nick I stumbled upon your channel and I love your videos…..I know about the knitting needles but, not sure where to find some of the tools you use or how to make some of the ones you’ve made do you think you can make a video on how to make some of the tools…..now that would be awesome..😊

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks for that Angie, being a hobbyist I find it much more satisfying if I can save a bit of money by making a tool that I need. Thanks for the suggestion, i’ll keep it in mind for future videos to show more tool making techniques … 👁️❤️🛠️ … N

[@yungwoodsgaming2875]

What's the material you use to flatten your links? Also, why use a plastic material to flatten links instead of cushioning it in between two bits of flat metal? This would make a much flatter "joint", no?

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi YungWoods, I flattened the links between two pieces of cut up plastic chopping board. I use this method so the round wire doesn’t misshape at all. You can use a hammer to flatten the links as much as you like but I prefer the look of the twist in the link without the loss of any detail … N

[@davemartinelli7490]

Hello my friend. Love your videos. I watch them all. I've been trying to learn silversmithig for a while now. Especially chains. It's something that brings me peace while in my garage/shop, even though I'm not yet very good at it lol. Anyway, I've been trying to find where to purchase those jumpring mandrels used in your videos, but I haven't had any luck. Was wondering if maybe you could point me in the right direction?

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi Dave thanks for your support. Nothing quite like whiling away time spent in a peaceful Workshop. I tend to use “knitting needles” for forming jump rings. Here in in the UK they are cheap and readily available in arts and craft style stores. very useful as they are made from aluminium so easy to cut and come in a huge variety of sizes, the small ones step up in quarter millimetre increments …good luck with your endeavours … N

[@davemartinelli7490]

@@Nickscreativestuff well then! That is a fantastic idea. One I would have never thought of. Thank you very much for that most helpful pointer. Can't wait for the next video 😊

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Dave, glad I can help. video production has slowed a bit lately, but my next one is going to be about textured wire chain hopefully … N

[@jonasstockton1546]

Where do you get your silver and solder from?

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Hi Jonas, I use a well established company called Cooksongold.com who I find quick, reliable and trustworthy … N

[@guidelineuk4876]

I absolutely love your micro chains. You need to talk to a tool manufacturer hahaha, I would buy them. If you're worried about damaging the spring in the Lobster clasp you can cover it in toothpaste:-)

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Cheers Guideline, I do like the economy of micro chains taking longer to produce but cost less to make when times not an issue. Thanks for the toothpaste tip definitely have to try that next time … N

[@Ashot-nc2md]

❤💥❤

[@Nickscreativestuff]

👍😎👍 … N

[@annnoyez]

Really? It suits better on a woman... I will send tou my adres... uoi can't wear everything you make anyway... 😂 So beautiful 😍 ❤

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Good job I try to be in touch with my femininity, I was going to give up making chains when I had something different to wear for every day of the year … N

[@annnoyez]

@@Nickscreativestuff 😂

[@Nickscreativestuff]

👍😎👍 … N

[@RichardMerrill3Hawk]

I love this chain. Such a simple way to get really interesting shapes! I agree with @neesr13 -- you are one of my teachers. I still don't halve soldering paste, though...

[@Nickscreativestuff]

cheers Richard, discovering soldering paste was such a game changer for me. Certainly not good for everything but perfect for fine chain making. i’ve really enjoyed exploring twisted links and I have another that looks interesting so my next video will have to be similar … N

[@kenwalker7160]

Thanks!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Ken that’s really appreciated. when making videos you hope the next one might skyrocket and earn a bit of an income. In the meantime it’s very inspiring to receive generous donations from people like you … cheers … 👍😎👍 … Nick

[@lisaferrell8934]

Thanks!

[@Nickscreativestuff]

Thanks Lisa, that’s really appreciated. I’m often asked why I don’t sell stuff, i much prefer being a hobbyist and make stuff for pleasure without the pressures of supply and demand. The added bonus is if a video happens to do really well it can get to the point where a chain can start to pay for itself and I get to keep it … i’m grateful for your support … Nick