Chain of office

[Platt]

So the Ren-Group that I am with is looking to create some Chains/Collars of Office.

I've been searching the internet, and I can find a bunch of places that sell them (very nice, but WAY too much) and came to the conclusiong of...  "hey, that looks easy.  I can make those"

Easier said than done.  The basic design seems simple, as does the creation thereof, but I can't find any of the large.... settings?....  jewelry pieces that are space along the chain.

Any idea 1) what they're called and 2) where I can get some of them?

So far, visits to all the local hobby stores, craft stores, and bead shops have left me empty; and without knowing what they're called, finding them on the net is impossible.

[bellevivre]

can you post an image of what pieces you mean (such as a painting with them marked out?)

A technique I have been mulling is using this epoxy clay sold by Fire Mountain Gems, and then painting the setting gold- it dries hard without firing, unlike fimo, which would need to bake...

[Sir Sebastian Phoenix]

When I was researching making mine I ran into similar problems.

However, I've had some luck altering period looking chain belts into a chain of office. Here is the thread I started and the ladies belt that i bought to alter... http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=8612.0

[sapphireandsage]

Sir Sebastian has put you on the right path, Platt.  Finding a woman's belt that has large metal parts is your best bet, if you're set on making your own.  Even if you are able to find the large metal pieces through a jewelry/craft supplier online (outside of ebay, anyway), you're going to have to either buy large quantities to meet minimum purchase requirements or pay costs that are going to put you into the price range that you would have paid to have one made for you...at least compared to my prices (I make the collars as part of my business).  I do know that many collar vendors are more far expensive than me, though, so I don't know what prices you've been able to find online so far. 

Good luck in your search, have fun with the project, and please do post photos of your finished product - can't wait to see what you come up with!

[amy]

We have scrounged up large jewel styled button covers which were popular in the 80's and 90's that have done a great job for this type stuff.   Surely they could be rigged onto the chain of office.  they are usually not "jewelry quality" pieces but you can find large stones and pearl clusters.  I am eyeballing a set of over a dozen gold crowns that are each over 1" wide at a junk shop near my house.   They also look stunning stitched onto hats and across the front of a bodice connected by a pearl strand.