Working on the Chain…

(Thank you Sam Cooke)

As spring fashions start to wash over us, the usual nautical prints take a geometric twist with a focus on chains. The contrast of lighter spring wear decorated with heavy chains becomes both whimsical and dimensional.  A sort of elegance is created in striving to make the lines of the chain as smooth, sleek and stylized as possible. From elongated links to intricate intertwining, you are limited only by imagination.

Innovation requires the deconstruction of the chain motif into its separate parts:  connection and links.  Must a chain always be round links?  No!  Therefore, playing with each part of the chain is encouraged.  The link’s functional use is to hoist or secure property, but the design element is not bound by torque and alloy!   Square chains, elongated chains, graduated chains with multiple sizes–even animal shaped chains.  The sky is the limit.  Hmmm . . .  cloud chains?  I think so!  And the connection can be as small as two parts joined or as large as the scope of your project.  I wonder how many elements, or links, can stem from one central link?  We’ve always been fascinated by charm bracelets for that very reason. . . How many charms exceed good taste — it’s a personal call.  Feel free to experiment.