March Challenge Theme

[Barbsdesigns]

OK. I started this one a bit late, and I do apologize for that...

Same basic thing as last time, vote for the March challenge. If you don't see something you would like to do in the choices, please make a suggestion in the Challenge Themes thread, or here, whichever floats your boat.

This poll will run until February 29, 2012. At this point, the March challenge will be started and we can vote on the challenge for April. Obviously.

Before the poll is locked, you can change your mind. Don't like what you chose at the beginning of the poll? Change it. This ability goes away when the poll closes.

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The March Challenge Theme will officially start tomorrow, but it's late here and I might forget to do this. So I'm early for once.

Same rules as usual, with one addition due to the theme:
1. Only 3 entries allowed per person.
2. The entries must have some element of chainmaille to them. Due to the nature of this theme, your pieces must also include scales.
3. This Challenge will run from March 1 until March 31.

[bathoryschains]

Sorry I missed the last one. Excuse time, I've been covering everyone's shift at work and mine. But, I'm doing this challenge!! My new goal is to try to finish a new piece, preferably a bracelet, a week.

[Barbsdesigns]

That's a better excuse than I have. I've been working on the same E4-1 bracelet for the last six months. Understandably, it's 24g 1/16 titanium (could be 3/16, I don't have it by me right now) and frankly, I'm tired of looking at it. LOL

[bathoryschains]

Well, for example, take today. My shift was 11-7. Not a bad shift, eh? I came in 2 hours early because a co-worker had to take one of her kids to a Dr's appointment. Fine, I knew about that a week before hand. I get to work and learn that another co-worker is just a noshow/nocall. Come to find out she's at the hospital with her son b/c his pnemonia is still there after a week, and now we think she's getting it. When we finally get other people in, I find that most of them are there to cover other missing people's shifts, and just barely, I might add. They had to leave after only a few hours. >.< And we've been getting too many customers and the higher-ups won't give us our bonuses and .. and ... and I need a vacation, and soon, I think.

Sorry for the rant, but I do, indeed feel better. Whew!

[bathoryschains]

Double post, but at least this one's on topic. I don't like titanium, it fights back too much. Course, I had 20g. It might work better with a thicker G. Ooo! I just got an order of niobium in! ^.^ After working with aluminum for so long, niobium is HEAVY!! o.o

[Nightmaiden]

My wrists can not handle titanium, I tried some 18g 5/32 and I wanted to cut my hands off. I have had torn tendons in both my wrists so it is not happy with hard metals.

I love niobium though. I have some silver left that I need to do something with. Although I am in love with the Rainbow Niobium.

I seriously need to order more rings, I can not believe how low I have gotten. Guess I'll need to toss on some scales to that order it looks like.

[bathoryschains]

Night, where do you get your rainbow niobium?

[Nightmaiden]

I get them from Curt at C&T Designs. They are amazing! That is where I got all the ones for that Rondo bracelet last challenge.

[bathoryschains]

Ah, ok. I just got some, but I thought you meant you were getting r niobium and scales at the same place and I didn't know he had scales. Does he? I miss awesomeness like that sometimes.

[Nightmaiden]

I can't remember if he said he was getting scales in at some point in the future but as of now I hadn't seen them. I wish he did , then it would make for some one stop shopping.

[Barbsdesigns]

I'm using 24g titanium on the Bracelet o' Awesome Fail. Gold anodized Ti with a silver-tone tube clasp. Yeah. But it's for me, though. The 24g is still brittle, and I'm so not used to working with rings that aren't saw cut so the closures bother me, but it's a lot like working with 20g aluminum. I wanted to branch out into the cooler metals, so I started small.

I love C&Ts rainbow niobium! It's gorgeous. And I know what you mean about the difference between aluminum and niobium. Even compared to copper the niobium is heavy.

As for scale supplies, I only know of B3 and TRL selling them. Am I wrong in this? I know B3 anodizes their loose scales, so the edges are colored. TRL anodizes the sheet so the edges aren't colored when they cut the scales. I don't know of any others that sell scales, though. Maybe C&T will get them since they moved to their bigger place. TRL is huge in comparison, and scales can be bulky...

[Barbsdesigns]

And Bathory's, I think you need a vacation, too. That schedule made my head hurt and I didn't have to work it.

[bathoryschains]

Thanks, Viking! I've seen a few people selling scales on ebay and what not .. but the quality and other products offered make me highly suspect they're buying in bulk from TRL. Fine by me if I want the items faster and the seller is closer. But yeah, seems its really just TRL and BBB. Also, a client mentioned something to me .. She wanted a piece with yellow scales. BBB's closest is too close to a washed out lime for me to count it as yellow, and I'd rather TRL's scale prices over BBB, even with the s&h + time. If anyone finds some actual yellow scales, please, I'll like to know about it.

[Barbsdesigns]

OK. First, a linky.

TRL has yellow rings, so I would shoot them an email and ask if they can make yellow scales.

However, if you don't like their shade of yellow you can look into getting a custom color done. It'll cost a LOT and you'll have a LOT of yellow rings and such to boast for it, but they can do it. I don't think they would do a custom yellow since they already have a yellow dye they use for the rings.

[bathoryschains]

Good points ... >.> I'll ask them ... I don't mind having an excess ... So long as I don't have my spare room packed! lol

[Barbsdesigns]

The poll will lock sometime today. I think. I hope I got the days right. Otherwise it might lock tomorrow... Just a warning.

[Nightmaiden]

I scavenged some scale-ish pieces from some other earrings.. Wonder if they would work for this challenge. I have never worked with scales yet.

[Barbsdesigns]

As long as it uses scales and has chain connections (I think most scales attach with 4-1 type connections) it will work.

[circlesofstone]

I don't have any scales, but am eager to see what the amazing artists on the forum come up with. Inspire me!

[Nightmaiden]

I can't wait to get something finished for this. This is gonna be fun!

[bathoryschains]

Ok, I'm posting this here .. even though its an old one. I plan on doing new colors, but (excuse time) the only day I have off is the day the termite guy is coming over!!! o.o Yes, JUST discovered I have termites ... like, on friday. The next day I'd have off is next Wednesday. Anywho, IF I manage to get alone time with my scales, there is some new stuff I wanna do, so, I'll post them here.

www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/bathoryschainmaille/2943575/chainmaille_scalemaille_bracelet_rainbow/handmade/jewelry/bracelets/chainmail

[Barbsdesigns]

That's really pretty, bathorys. I think (people, chime in please) that it'll be ok to post older items for this. Is that OK with everyone else?

[barbsdesigns]

I love the colors!!!!! I think it is fine....as long as it is not every time. I will prob. have to do the same. moving and finishing up my last few weeks of work!!!! yeh...retirement!

[barbsdesigns]

I love the colors!!!!! I think it is fine....as long as it is not every time. I will prob. have to do the same. moving and finishing up my last few weeks of work!!!! yeh...retirement!

[bathoryschains]

Ugh, I'd love to retire ... Just way too young and not been working near long enough! lol Termite guy is coming tomorrow, YAY! -.-