I’ve been creating chainmail (also known as maille, chain mail, chainmaille, etc.) for the past several years, combining colored aluminum jump rings with rubber rings.
My first bracelet was made from sterling silver. I’ve been teaching art ‘in the middle’ for the past 20 years in Indiana and have sponsored an art club for the past 4 years. I knew my students, a mixture of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, would love to create their own chainmail jewelry so I began a search for affordable rings. When I found the colored aluminum I knew the kids would love the bright colors so I ordered them all! I also ordered all available rubber ring colors.
Like many before me, I discovered that by combining the metal and rubber you can create a bracelet that doesn’t require a clasp, another cost saving technique. As predicted my students love learning, wearing, sharing, and impressing everyone with the jewelry they make.
So far this year nearly 70 students have signed up for art club with an average 35 students showing up at one time. We meet at 7:30am for an hour before the school day begins. On some days I have had as many as 41 students making and teaching each other how to create chainmail.
I had an article published in the August 2006 issue of 
