Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Just A Word About "Maille" from jCASE

I am making some changes to this Blogsite in the hope that it will be a bit more easily used. I will no longer mark the Maille pieces SOLD as I have in the past. The Maille is the one area where duplication is not particularly a problem. Each piece may follow a certain pattern, but the clasps and toggles and gauge will make each one unique. If you see a piece of maille on the site you would enjoy having, simply contact me and I will e-mail you a picture of the current piece I have in that pattern and it's closure. If you agree it is what you want, then we will complete the transaction.

Maille is defined as a mesh of net, flexible body armour made of small metal chains of rings or scales used for protection in battle. European maille (or mail) was designed for ultimate protection from spears, lances and swords, etc. Japanese Maille was designed more for embellishment for royalty on robes, gowns and festive attire.
The Maille made today for jewelry is derived from these ancient patterns and, in many cases, the weaves are the very same. The patterns are endless and can be found from the very simplest one in one to the immensely complex. Maille is sturdy and comfortable to wear and has found it's place in the elegance of today's jewelry world. The term "chain-maille" is incorrect as it is redundant by definition of maille.
All of my Maille is made completely by hand. I make each of the many hundreds of rings needed for each piece and use only the finest in 925 Sterling Silver in my work. All the clasps and toggles are 925 as well whether I have made or purchased them. All pieces are finished with the signature jCASEWORKS logo tag.
My goal is to create elegant one of a kind pieces of heirloom quality, providing many years of elegant wear for the lady or gentleman who choses a piece of jCASEWORKS jewelry. Maille is elegant in larger size gauges for gentlemen. Please browse to your heart's content and feel free to contact me at jcaseworks@yahoo.com.

"FE-Maille Enhancement"

"FE-Maille Enhancement" is an absolutely gorgeous four in one weave that is the utmost in simple elegance. This is a quite "weighty" bracelet but the mesh of it feels so very comfortable on the wrist. The bracelet is completed with a gorgeous box clasp embelished with rings and a beautiful blue moonstone and measures 7 1/2 " around.


FE-Maille Enhancement $125.00

Clover and Pearl Bracelet



The Clover pattern of European Maille is a beautiful weave that appears to be round when finished although in actuality, the pattern is completed in a trianglular manner. It ia a 7 1/2" bracelet that is comfortable going almost anywhere. The bracelet is completed with a toggle clasp with a freshwater pearl inbedded in the ring end.

Clover and Pearl Bracelet $70.00

Japanese Flowers Earrings


Japanese Flowers Earrings are a little different from the European maille patterns I have been using. They are made of a more delicate and also generally more complex weave. These particular earrings are comprised of two sizes of rings inter-woven to create a gentle falling flower.

Japanese Flowers Earrings $28.00

Flowers Bracelet and Earrings


Now really, don't we all love flowers? A bracelet designed with tiny flowers made of maille rings and each held together with doublets is a pretty thing to behold...let alone wear in this season. The Bracelet measures the standard 7 1/2". The matching earrings each have a flower dangling froma ball-ended "S" curved dangle. The piece is finished with the traditional signature tag.

Flowers bracelet $65.00
Flowers earrings $18.00

Life is a Paradigm


The Life is a Paradigm bracelet was an effort in concentration to make. Kind of like our days with lots of things going on to create the whole mix we call life! Lots of fun, but one needs to pay attention to the over and under as the pattern...of both life and the bracelet emerge. What we think we "Know to be correct"..... sometimes isn't! Thus, the paradigm. Made with two sizes of rings, this bracelet has a graceful drape and is very light weight. It falls at 7 1/2" and is finished off with a heart shapped toggle closure.
Life is a Paradigm $55.00

Delicate Empressa Bracelet and Earrings


The Delicate Empressa measures 7 1/2" and is one of the prettiest bracelets I've woven so far...at least in my opinion. It is endowed with many tiny silver balls and linked together with alternating "bird cages."
The bracelet is finished off with a hand made and forged hook closure. the Bracelet has matching earrings that are light as a feather to wear.

Delicate Empressa Bracelet $52.00

Delicate Empressa Earrings $20.00

Doublin' Up



A heavy weave of maille, falls gracefully on the wrist of the wearer with this beauty.

The 7 1/2 " bracelet is a piece that can be worn comfortably everyday. The bracelet closes with a toggle clasp with two small hearts incorporated in the design.

Doublin'Up $75.00

Forged, Twisted Bangle

Take a large gage wire and twist and twist and twist, pound and pound and pound it, then solder the join, and polish the bangle for a very long time to get the beautiful smooth finish....and Voila! Easy as that, the Forged,Twisted Bangle is made..................Yep, it takes a while, but it was fun!!
The bangle measures 2 3/4" across the width so it will fit and hang quite nicely. I tried to take the best pictures I could of this bracelet, but it is hard to get the image to show just how pretty it is.

Forged, Twisted Bangle $48.00

Open Foxtail



Open foxtail takes an ancient pattern and fills it with light as the weave is made of an unusually large size ring for this pattern. It was an experiment on my part to use the larger size rings and I personally love the light and airy look and the gentle "feel" of the piece as it sits on the wearer's arm. The bracelet measures in at 8".

Open Foxtail $69.00

Empressa in Red


Perfect for anytime you feel like shining! Empressa is a very delicate and comfortable 7 3/4" bracelet. The piece has lots of movement with the tiny red beads embellishing the weave.

Empressa in Red $55.00

Byzantine Beauty




A beauty to behold and a pleasure to wear... this twenty inch necklace is stunning! The necklace is "weighty" and glistens when the wearer moves with the light. The intricate weave has been handed down for centuries and is one of the favorites of weavers. The hand forged clasp finishes this georgeous piece. Wear it with blue jeans...or out in your finest evening attire. This necklace will go anywhere with elegance!

Byzantine Beauty $155.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Maid of Honor Bracelet


This is a beautiful Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelet embelished with sterling silver beads and clasp. The bracelet also holds a charm with "Maid of Honor" on the front. The charm could be personalized.

Bracelet: $28.00

Bride's Elegance



This beauty is made from the finest of Swarovski crystal and pearls. The necklace is also embleished with 925 sterling silver rounds and chain. The clasp is sterling with a back drop allowing for just the perfect length for the perfect lady.

Necklace: $36.00 SOLD

Samples of Bridal Ensemble







These pieces are called a "Bridal Ensemble" simply to show what can be made to order for a special day. The jewelry can be used as thank you gifts for the bridal party and designed using the bride's colors to enhance the wedding dresses as well as those lovely ladies who wear them. There are specialty pieces for the Maid of Honor, Bridesmaids and even the Flowergirl.

What better way to say thank you to the special people who helped make your day the perfect event. Don't forget the Bride as well. There is a special necklace designed to perfectly accent her gown and beauty.

You may choose to have a necklace or bracelet for the Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom and Grandmothers also. These could coordinate with their chosen attire of the day.

These necklaces, bracelets and earrings are by no means are exclusively for weddings but each in its own right is a beautiful adornment to be worn on the special day and for many years to follow as a rememberance of a beautiful event.