Andrew caught the handmade bug later in life, taking on crafts in order to spend time with Kimberly!  When he is not working his day job as a Senior Estimator at a local construction company, he has tried his hand at making candles, cross stitch, and later spent countless hours, pliers in hand, working on Chainmaille creations.  His latest project, HandmadeArtists.com has taken on a life of its own and has shifted his focus from creation to promotion of other handmade artists.  While not creating as much on his own, the forum and shop have become a new type of creative outlet, promoting and socializing with people from around the world all the while trying to get their products seen by those that appreciate the love that goes into each handmade creation.

Kimberly began Makin the Best Of It in the early 90’s after Andrew pushed her to begin selling her work rather than giving it all away.  That first craft fair was a learning experience to say the least, but Kimberly was willing to learn the ins and outs of selling handmade in person and online and with Andrew’s support, the business has continued to grow to include hand painted and engraved glass, sea glass jewelry, and Chainmaille.  The couple continues to do a few craft shows, children in tow, every year, but has shifted focus to primarily online selling to allow the family a bit more time together.

HandmadeArtists.com came to being after Kimberly tried multiple selling venues and Andrew had to listen to her complaining over what they did or did not have.  Ever the one to fix the problem, Andrew spent countless hours researching and questioning and eventually a new forum and selling venue was born.  The mission statement embodies the couple’s love of handmade and the desire to see handmade showcased as the art that it is without competition of mass produced products.

Thanks for looking,

John

In order to create my art, I first cut the stone that will go in the piece, then design around that.  Here are two stones cut in the lapidary in the past week.  The first is a piece of Lapis Lazuli about 2.5 inches long and it is very heavy.  Will probably use it in a horizontal position in a necklace.  Way too large for a ring.

The second is a free form cabochon made with “Pudding” jasper.  Feel free to change the adjective ‘dding’ to anything that you think describes the stone.

I will wait, but am currently working on a mixed metal pendant (gold and silver) with a highly included rutilated quartz *16 mm round faceted stone.  Another project is a ring to ask Debbie to marry me “again” next October on our anniversary. A friend is cutting this as I certainly can not do it in my shop.  Any way, that is the news so far for the day after Thanksgiving.

John

Laura was born in Ireland where her parents were missionaries for 13 years.  This start probably fed her love of travel.  Another love of Laura’s is history, which has become the main source of inspiration for her jewelry.  Her jewelry making began early on when her family gave her a couple of bead kits for a Christmas gift…who would have known where that simple gift would one day lead.

Over the years, Laura has played with many types of art; anything from painting, experimental photography, sculpture, and graphic design is fair game.  Her list is far from fished as she would still like to try her hand at stained glass and mosaics…basically whatever strikes her fancy she is willing to put her hands on.  When she isn’t creating, Laura plays the flute, goes rock-hounding and spends time with her family.  Somewhere in the midst of all this, she still finds time to create amazing works of wearable art.

After much experimentation, Laura learned that though she loved making jewelry, her and thread did not get along…so much for beading or bead weaving!  Instead, Laura found that metal becomes magical in her hands.  After trying a simple wire pattern from a book, Laura was hooked!  Metal smithing, Chainmaille, wire-work or upcycling old jewelry; if it is metal it is magic in her hands.  One thing led to another and soon a business was born.

While the business is still young it is growing steadily.  Laura loves doing shows and watching others react to her work.  Shy by nature, she has found that once she gets talking to others about her passion the love comes through and people see it.

Want to check out more?  You can find Laura around the web and be amazed at her talent.

Handmaden Designs

Facebook

Maille Market

Deviant Art

Rebeca says: ” I would love for my book to help elevate the standards of maille.  Chainmaille as a jewelry craft form is relatively new, so there are no strictly defined standards of what is considered technical precision like there are for other jewelry media.  I don’t expect beginners to be perfect, but I sometimes see people who consider themselves “experts” posting or publishing photographs of pieces with very poorly closed rings.  My guess is, a lot of people don’t think that it’s a big deal.  Or they’ve been taught by someone who has poor closures, and it never even occurred to them that seamless closures are an option. To me, though, having perfect closures and smooth, shiny rings are critical.  I hope that people flip through my book and see what a difference seamless closures make.  And then, I hope that maillers everywhere make it a point to always aim for perfectly closed rings.  Of course, there are plenty of maillers (especially ones who frequent online forums) that already do so.  You are my peeps — let’s elevate this artform together! ”

Chained also painstakingly  goes into details on various metals and how to care for them. This is so important, honestly, I wish that I had a reference book like this around when I started weaving. Rebeca takes you through years of her own trial and error and puts things in simple understandable terms. You may not think much of  it, but finding the right pair of pliers is huge. I personally have probably 20 pairs of pliers and only use 2, the book sends you to the right tools to start. I guess what I’m saying is “Chained” takes the guess work out of chainmaille for beginners and gives great tips for the more advanced chainmaillers out there.

The tutorials are set up from basic to advanced so that you can grow with the book. I don’t know how many people start doing chainmaille, buy a bunch of stuff and then give up. Chainmaille can be difficult that is why it it critical to start off slow with basic weaves and then move on to more difficult intricate patterns. You need to truly build your weaving skills, and “Chained ” walks you through the steps. Starting with simple Japanese weaves and then progressing on to more complex patterns.

The other critical thing I looked for while reviewing the book is ring size. As I’ve taken my own journey through the art of weaving chainmaille I’ve noticed patterns in English Units, Metric Units, AWG (American Wire Gage), SWG (Standard Wire Gage), all these nuances will affect your finished work. Blue Buddha takes the time to give you proper ring sizes as well as their metric conversions for each weave so that there is no guess work. This is a huge time saver, ring size is one the of the largest struggles you will find when you start weaving chainmaille and “Chained will lead you down the right path.

The book goes through Japanese Weaves, Byzantine Weaves, Helm Weaves, and what Rebeca calls Coiled Weaves. These various techniques will give you a good foundation for weaving chainmaille. I would of loved to see her move into some Perisan Weaves or Roundmaille variations, but there are so many weaves out there I’m sure she had to edit herself or the book would be 500 pounds. Maybe we’ll get a sequel one day, hint hint, if you are listening Rebeca.
Rebeca says:  “Heh, heh.  Hint Taken. You are not the first to suggest a Persian chapter.  I have already started to think about a second book, one that is tailored more toward Intermediate/Advanced Weavers.  Right now, Persian will likely be a chapter.  If not, I’ll probably develop some stand-alone PDFs for the Persian family of weaves.  And you’re right, there was a LOT that we couldn’t fit in Chained.  My original manuscript turned out to be 260 pages, so my editor had quite a lot of editing to do. An entire chapter (on Mobiusing) got cut, along with several projects from the other chapters.  Look for a supplemental PDF of “The Deleted Scenes” sometime in 2011 for these missing projects.”

One of my favorite aspects of the book is that she gives artists the right to use her designs to create jewelry for sale. Believe it not most of the  books out there, not just chainmaille, restrict the artist from selling the finished work created from the designs in the book. Sort of silly uh? Like there is a copyright police man out there searching the web for infringement. Well Rebeca, being a femailler and jewelry artist at heart, insisted to her publisher that this be waived and that artists would be free to sell their finished work. If your interested in an autographed copy, which I did, you can get one here “Chained” Autographed. Blue Buddha will donate $5 from the sale of every signed copy to Friends of Franklin Fine Arts Center

I know that there is plenty of talented people in the world; there are many that are multitalented, now imagine finding a multitalented Australian mother of 5 (yes, you read that right…5 kids!) and still finding time to follow her passion for creating beautiful things from beads and Polymer clay!

Haffina is just such a person who’s creations must be seen to be believed.  Teeny tiny miniatures that look good enough to eat great you right away on the front page of her HandmadeArtistsShop page.  Check out the chocolate!  Couldn’t you just sink your teeth into them!

Not a chocolate fan?  How about the sinful indulgence of Red Velvet?

Miniatures not for you?  How about clay gemstones that you would swear are the real thing?

And just to get your creative juices flowing, Haffina also creates amazing supplies so that you can incorporate a one of a kind creation into your own one of a kind creation.

There is so much more to see of Haffina’s work; but I am running out of space!  Check out Haffinas Creations on the HandmadeArtistsShop for yourself and prepare to be stunned by the amazing talent of this busy mum!

On top of being a really cool business name, EyeCandyChainmaille’s driving force is actually named Candy!  She has been painstakingly creating amazing work since 2009 and is fast becoming a chainmaille artist to take notice of.

I am such a chainmaille junkie; but there is nothing better than finding a maille artist that really adds style to her work!  Using basic weaves, EyeCandyChainmaille has turned the ordinary into stunning!

Not only does Candy make stunning wearable art with metal, she has an eye for adding gems and pearls in such a way that adds drama and class to already amazing pieces.

On top of being an amazing designer, she has created a wonderful tutorial for her own version of the Byzantine Cross.  Seems like a cool way to learn a new talent and end up with wearable art in the end.

Ready to see more for yourself?  Check out EyeCandyChainmaille on the HandmadeArtistsShop for yourself and prepare to be struck by how beautiful chainmaille can be.

There is something so slinky and sexy about chainmaille done well and CMaille, also known as Crescent Maille has found that perfect balance.  From the moment she picked up a couple pairs of pliers, she was hooked for the long haul.

CMaille combines high quality sterling silver jumprings into amazing designs that can be taken from a professional outfit to a night on the town.  Necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more…there is definitely something for every taste and budget.

Love the work but the perfect piece isn’t there?  This is a problem…but not for Crescent Maille!  She is willing to work out custom orders and personalized sizing so that your newest chainmaille treasure is sure to be exactly right in style and fit.

No doubt that you will be able to find the perfect piece for a gift, or better yet, a gift for yourself at Crescent Maille!

Some collaborations are just amazing; and Copper Dancer Designs is just one such example of a collaboration that works!  Julia Benson-Slaughter and Andrea Winkler are both talented glass artists who came together thanks to their love of glass as well as the gift of combining glass with metal into amazingly lush designs of both finished pieces and loose glasswork beads in a variety of colors and styles.

Face it, this shop is like a candy store for anyone wanting to add handworked glass into their own designs but doesn’t possess the tools, time, or talent to make it themselves.  The rich colors and stunning finish is enough to make any jewelry designer drool.

Not into designing your own jewelry?  That is all right.  Copper Dancer also finds time to make some finished pieces for your pleasure.  Chainmaille pieces as well as those that combine metal with their stunning glass will definitely get you noticed and envied.

Ready to see more?  Check out this talented team at Copper Dancer Designs on the HandmadeArtistsShop.

It is the dream of many to combine their passions into their business but not many are able to accomplish it.  Cheli, a resident of Ontario, Canada has managed to combine her love for history and her love for creating beautiful jewelry into stunning works of wearable art.

One of the beauties of handmade is that you work directly with the artist.  Cheli is always willing to work out custom sized and personalized designs for her customers which means your piece will always suit your personal style.

Necklaces, bracelets and earrings…one more beautiful than the next would make a perfect gift for men or women or, even better, a treat for yourself.

If this isn’t enough, this multi-talented designer is also a talented painter.  Trays to brighten up any room are available.

Need to see more?  Check out Enchanted Jewelry on the HandmadeArtistsShop and prepare to be stunned at the glittery array of precious metal and gems that you find.

I make three different collections of jewelry; the bold and beautiful, vintage inspired, and chainmaille. All my jewelry is made by hand with pliers, wire, chain, beads, and stones. I don’t solder anything, it is all securely wrapped in wire. I sit at the work table and look over all my beads, and there are many, and just let the inspiration strike. I start dreaming up the jewelry and before you know it, I have a beautiful necklace, bracelet, or one of many other beautiful creations. I love to do custom work.
I spend my time making and selling jewelry on Etsy, writing about jewelry matters at my blog.
You can also follow me on Twitter, and my Facebook Fan Page.

With nearly a decade of experience, Elena uses the highest quality metals and gemstones to create looks that will last a lifetime. Jewelry should speak volumes about the wearer, so choose your “words” perfectly with one-of-a-kind statement necklaces and earrings. Beautiful creations like silver garnet earrings, and sapphire necklaces pair with classic chain maille for a design collection that is richly feminine.

Elena started making jewelry after a friend talked her into attending an after-class jewelry workshop. There she discovered how to cut jump rings and make a chain bracelet. After that, she was hooked! Her home studio is now piled high with jewelry-making tools, littered with gemstones, and nearly to the rafters with sketch books and idea catalogues. She teaches jewelry classes throughout the Bay Area and has created a collection that inspires fashion lovers and other designers alike.

Jewelry makers should rejoice now too, thanks to the launch of Elena’s free video tutorial series. Learn how to open jump rings, then weave them together into fun, artistic bracelets. With expert tips and design ideas there’s plenty to learn whether you’re a new beader, or a seasoned pro. Look for a new video each month.

Find handmade sterling silver jewelry that is perfect for you or keep up with the action on Twitter or Facebook.

Anyway I know this post is short and sweet but Haffina has truly touched Kimberly’s and my heart.

Thanks Haffina for all your support for the forum and everything else!

Monday, November 2 http://mailleetc.etsy.com/

Greetings, and welcome to Maille Etc, where you’ll find kits, tools, jump rings, and, when available, ready-to-wear jewelry.
We’re Green! All of our sterling silver jump rings are made from 100% reclaimed silver – no mined sources here! We feel good about that, and so will you and your customers.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31739892

Everything you’ll need to create this stunning chainmaille bracelet is included in this kit, including a jump ring tool and a very handy triangle scoop! Weave this bracelet for yourself or for your friends – they’ll love you, and, be warned, they’ll demand more of your talents!

Tuesday, November 3 http://colettesboutique.etsy.com/

Beautiful selection of handcrafted sterling silver and semi precious stone jewelry. This shop also has a selection jewelry tutorials for learning to make your own.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30906932

Sleeping Beauty turquoise, sterling silver, and Swarovski crystal handcrafted chandelier earrings.

Wednesday, November 4 http://eiriel.etsy.com/

Welcome!
          Eclectic jewellery includes chainmaille, pearl and unique jewellery that make fantastic gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries or for yourself after a hard week! I love custom orders, so please feel free to convo me if you have any special requests.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27725340

Something for the boys! Aluminum and rubber chainmaille bracelet. Suitably rugged for wearing during ‘manly’ activities such as hiking, chopping down trees, manning BBQs or just being your own blokish self, these will compliment any man’s wrist!

Thursday, November 5 http://shapedbyhand.etsy.com/

Our jewelry is made with a love for creativity and a desire to provide each person who purchases one of our pieces with a one of a kind work of art. Most of our jewelry is made using various wiring materials such as sterling silver, copper gold filled, gold plated, and color craft wire. Wire is one of the best mediums to work with because it is so malleable and lends itself to endless possibilities. Wire working allows for us to create truly unique pieces.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27349625

Iridescent Swarovski Crystal cube beads in shades of blues and greens.

Friday, November 6 http://yaffaknit.etsy.com/

W E L C O M E ! Scarves, slippers, socks, gloves and hand warmers, hats and bags – it is all for you! COZY, SOFT AND WARM WELCOME to Yaffa’s Neat Knitting Shop!

I am a creataholic for as long as I remember myself.
Always hungry for challenge of making, learning, designing something new using paint, fabric,yarn, wood, metal,beads and crystals,ceramic…you name it!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20399740

Deliciously loving gift for your beloved to keep the hands as well as the heart warm and tender.
The gloves are made with world famous 100% pure Merino wool from New Zealand and decorated with tiny pearls.

Saturday, November 7 http://pennyfarrow.etsy.com/

Handmade leather accessories. Beautifully crafted handbags, small cases/coin purses, journal covers, and bible covers.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28901058

This matte black leather purse is another of my black on black series, it features a gorgeous variety of texture and line and compliments the black clutch and the moon-flower shoulder bag. It is stitched with fine caramel brown linen thread,which provides a subtle highlight, and is fully lined in black pigskin

Sunday, November 8 http://torajewelry.etsy.com/

Carefully and lovingly handcrafted colorful chainemaille jewelry.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27419886

Lovely double spiral weave front clasp necklace with Swarovski Crystal heart.

Lots of great items in this weeks team shops! I hope you have an easier time than I did choosing one as your favorite to Spread the Love. Don’t forget to post your favorites on the Etsy thread at http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6334537

  Corvus Chainmaille has been making chainmaille jewellry for over 20 years and is the Weaves Admin for Maille Artisans International along with being the foremost maille jewelry designer in the U.K.   This jewely atisan has made over 180 different weaves including 20 of her own invention.

Although this artisan usually only makes custom items and many unique designs, she opened a shop on etsy after someone suggested she do so.

Visit Corvus RedCrow on Etsy
More photographs of my work can be seen here:
www.flickr.com/photos/redcrow

While at a Renaissance Faire in Germany, Rebeca saw several people wearing chainmaille belts. She couldn’t find any place to buy them, so she decided to make one herself, thus awakening her passion. Today she knows 70 weaves (100+ if you include variations) and has a diverse portfolio of both upscale and accessible jewelry.

By using colored rings and combining classic weaves in new ways, she erases preconceived notions of this ancient craft. Her designs span from fun and funky to high-end and sophisticated, from earrings and necklaces to curtains and pull-chains for light fixtures. Rebeca constantly strives to take this medium to a new level; her mini-sculptures and colorful juggling cubes are definitely not typical maille fare! In a very short time, Rebeca also emerged as the pre-eminent chainmaille instructor in the Midwest. Students travel from several neighboring states, including Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri, to attend her classes.

Blue Buddha Boutique, a diverse line of chainmaille supplies and finished jewelry, was launched by Rebeca in 2003. First operated out of her spare bedroom as a one-woman business, Blue Buddha has grown to a staff of six full- and part-time employees, with interns and guest contributors helping the company thrive. Originally handling only local orders, the company now has customers in all 50 states and 20+ countries. Blue Buddha prides itself on outstanding customer service, fast turnaround and of course, amazing chainmaille designs. 

Check out Blue Buddha Boutique.
Follow us on Twitter.

I make chainmaille and wire-wrapped jewellery using silver and copper wire, gemstones and glass. If there’s something you’d like that I don’t currently have listed, get in touch – I’m very happy to work with you on custom orders.

I am a member of several teams on Etsy: the Starving Artists Team (SATeam.etsy.com), the European Street Team (europeanstreatteam.etsy.com) and the Chainmaillers Guild (http://chainmaillersguild.blogspot.com/). Be sure and check out the other team members’ items.

Visit Nicole Hill on Etsy

Elena has recently  expanded her repertoire into metal smithing and Precious Metal Clay, taking classes from renowned Bay Area artists such as Iris Sandkühler, Tom Colson, and Virginia Huffman.

Elena frequently incorporates semiprecious stones, untreated and undyed specimens, along with sterling and fine silver. 

Elena Adams  website has as a wonderful  sample of her  designs.  She  welcomes custom designs and more designs are available for viewing on request.

I also love fibre and needlefelting is wonderful way of working with fibre that doesn’t involve getting wet and messy. I enjoy making soft sculptures using our own mohair and llama fibre. I am inspired by many different things and I’m very lucky to be living in the middle of the countryside as all around me is an endless source of inspiration. Autumn leaves, stormy clouds, and rain against the glass have all provided ideas in the past. In the case of dragons I find inspiration in stories, medieval manuscripts, Celtic art mixed with an idea of how dragons should have looked. While my little llama pendants are inspired by my own very cute and often funny llamas.

Visit Bespoke Jewellry by Elaine J. Hillson on ArtFire

I have always liked the look of chainmaille and finally learned to make it on my own about 12 years ago. Then I put the skill away and promptly forgot about it. In 2002 I was looking for something to get involved in. Chainmaille immediately popped into my head, but i didn’t want to make clothing anymore. I wanted to take it a step further and make something functional and pretty for everyday use. So I taught myself some basic chain weaves, and bought my first supplies. It has evolved over the years into what you see today. I hand weave each chain with two pairs of pliers and the occasional tweak of the old vice grips (everybody likes a girl with vice grips, right?). I love what I make and what I do.

I strive to come up with unique designs or at least what I think are unique designs. Mostly I am inspired by the beads I choose, although color inspires me as well as people and the fashions they wear.

My pieces are mostly one of a kind, although some of the pieces that don’t have beads are repeated. The materials I use come from all over the world. I choose the beads carefully and usually (in the case of the focals) only buy one or two of any given one at a time. The beads range in material from natural stone to glass to vintage Lucite. I also will use wood, bone, horn, and just about anything that looks cool.

As far as my metals go, my main metal was and still is stainless steel, and for the longest time that is all i used. I branched out into aluminum last year when I started making Pride jewelry. The other metals that I use are titanium, niobium, sterling silver, copper, brass, and bronze. There are a few other metals available like gold, some other kinds of steel, etc. I’m happy to take requests for custom items.

Check out my Artfire shop.
Supplies available in my Etsy shop.

Thinking back, I realize that making jewelry has always been with me, even if vicariously, through my mother and dad. I was very young during the shortage of nice jewelry in WWII, and my mother made jewelry from seashells. I still have a few of those pieces. They were very unique and she sold most of them to make money to buy a new vacuum cleaner. A total of $89 – a lot of money back then!

After I left home, both my parents started to make jewelry from pearls. Some of the patterns they used were the beginning of today’s more complicated beading patterns. I still have some of those pieces.

I started making jewelry in 1999. One style led to another and each was just as interesting and fun to make as the next, however Chainmaille is my favorite. I specialize in sterling silver Chainmaille, and lately I’ve been making fiber and beaded pieces using the Japanese braiding technique of Kumihimo, along with other interesting forms of handcrafted jewelry. I try to use the best materials in my jewelry pieces, such as the Argentium sterling silver used in my Chainmaille jewelry, Swarovski crystals, along with other materials such as Bali silver, sterling silver, gold filled, lampwork and many other ‘finds’.

Find my jewelry at Bev’s Jewelry.
My jewelry is also at 1000markets.
Read my blog here.

Here, a distinction should be drawn between the uses of European and Japanese forms of maille.

In Europe it was common to encounter armour elements such as a hauberk, chausses, or coif composed solely of chain. They would be worn over thick quilted clothing such as a gambeson which helped absorb some of the impact from a blow. While you find that it’s incredibly difficult to cut through maille, it isn’t rigid. Youtube, the wasteland of stupidity on video that it can be, can produce quite a few videos of people “testing” their new maille shirt, by smacking their dumb as dirt friends with a piece of bar stock. It isn’t youtube if someone doesn’t get hurt… right? Commonly the ends of each ring were cut to overlap, hammered flat, then punched and riveted. Some maille armorers will still craft riveted maille; the form most of us use today without rivets is called butted, or butt-joined. I just like saying butt-joined…

Japanese maille was used primarily as a way to add a flexible joint or connection between two pieces of lacquered scale; rather than as an entire garment. It was a compromise in having some protection and durability under use while still allowing range of motion.

Another aspect to be very, very aware of with maille, is that it isn’t very resistant to piercing. An arrow or a weapon thrust is likely to force rings open. Yes, this means the heartbreaking news is coming, so never ask me… Maille is not bullet proof. No “what if you wrap it in kevlar?” “how many layers…” “if you use titanium/awesomanium/mithril/adamantium” questions. You’ll get one of two questions in response. “Are you willing to wear about 150lbs of steel?” or, “How stupid are you, exactly?” depending on my mood. Seriously, think about it, if it could stop a bullet, why aren’t we putting it to that use today?

Don’t let that stop you from buying 40lbs of stainless or galvanized steel wire, weaving up a shirt, and displaying a skill that’s survived for millenia. Look up the SCA if you’re not already a member and I’ll put money on you finding somone who’s willing to trade sword swings with you against your new toy. If you really, really have to use it the way it was intended, there’s no better or safer group for such a thing.

For what my opinion’s worth, make one out of 5356 alloy aluminium just to wear while you’re sitting at a coffee house at 3:30AM hoping the wi-fi doesn’t crap out just so you can read over a few more blogs before dawn.

Have fun
–Charon

http://stygianchains.blogspot.com/2009/08/maille-as-armour.html

After filling up my jewelry box (and my family’s) I decided to start sharing my pieces with the world – and was pleasantly surprised that people liked them.

My work combines a variety of techniques including chainmaille, silversmithing, copper etching and heat patinas, beading, resin collages, wire wrapping – and anything else that catches my fancy.

Read my blog.

LEAH, now 16, began making jewelry in 2005 after a fellow RV’ing friend showed her a few of the basics. She took right to it and loved making jewelry for herself, and friends. Shortly after, she started selling it locally. She now also makes FlowerChildren and Fuzbudjits but is pretty busy with her studies so her shop, favmoongirl.etsy.com is reserved for special requests and special purchases.

About the same time, her brother BYRON, now age 12, started collecting interesting rocks and polishing them with his dad’s help. He found that he enjoyed selling them as gratitude rocks, because the root of true happiness is being grateful for everything that you have.

About 3 years ago, RALPH made a necklace for their mom, Karen and got such a charge out of seeing her wear it that he decided to learn more and make more! He specializes in chainmaille and Leah is starting to work with it too! Ralph is a semi-retied engineer who occasionally enjoys consulting and troubleshooting aerosol manufacturers.

KAREN enjoys it all! In previous lives she was a RN, Registered Yoga Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer. She does most of the photography, “test drives” the jewelry and occasionally helps with ideas for the marvelous creations.

We call both Livingston, Texas and Rolla, Missouri home, and enjoy traveling throughout the United States-46 states, so far!

The kids are and always have been homeschooled and love their homelife and travels.

Traveling along are 2 Goldfish ( Jake and Goldie Hawn), 2 Dogs ( Ivy, a Doxie and Hookah, a Basset) and 1 Nutty Cat (Triangle).

We are proud members of Schooling At Home Etsyians, Etsy Texas Crafters and Etsy’s Chainmailler’s Team.

You can visit the Chainmailler’s Blog at: http://chainmaillersguild.blogspot.com

You can visit the Schooling At Home Etsyians’ Blog at:
http://sheetsyteam.blogspot.com

Most of our pieces are made entirely by us, but we love to work with other Etsyians and friends and will make note in our pieces if others helped with any of the components. We also love to recycle old jewelry, buttons AND packaging!!
Learn more about The Helmrich Family……
¤´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤~  www.unkamengifts.com

Visit UnkamenGifts on Etsy.

I started by learning basic armor weaves on cheap galvanized steel, but it wasn’t long before I started experimenting with colors and patterns in anodized aluminum. After a few years of playing with bright shiny colors, I needed a new challenge so I ‘graduated’ to silver and gold. I’ve been working with chainmaille for 8 years now, and the best part is that I’m still learning new things all the time.

I’m currently splitting my time between grad school in Boston (hoping to end up with an MA in graphic design) and weekends with my boyfriend and our cat in Portland, Maine.

Materials I work with:

Silver & Gold:
I work on “micromaille” with tiny rings made of sterling silver and gold fill. I love the challenge of weaving thread-thin rings of silver into intricate patterns, and I love the silky look and feel of woven silver.

Color:
Aluminum is strong and lightweight, perfect for weaving into chainmaille. I love to play with color combinations, and will do custom orders for color requests!

Heavy Metal:
Galvanized steel was what I learned with, and I still love to return to my roots and weave heavy, industrial pieces to satisfy my inner goth punk. My galvanized steel rings are hand-cut, which gives them a slightly more rough-edged industrial look.

I also work with stainless steel, which has the same satisfying weight of galvanized with the bonus of being easy to keep shiny and clean.

So whether you call it Chainmail or Chainmaille or Maille or just Chains, welcome to my world of woven metal rings! 

You can find my work at my Etsy shop.
Follow me on Twitter.