A Little About Me

This week I thought I would spend some time talking about myself.  Not something I am either accustomed to or comfortable doing, it was suggested to me that folks would like to know a bit more about me and about what I do.  So here goes.

I make chainmaille jewelry.  I am a jeweler.  The piece above is an example.  Yeah, I know, that really does not say much but it kinda does.  Let me explain.

I started making maille because I was interested in having a set of ankle bells.  I was quite heavily into a game style chat group that had some S & M components to it and the idea of the bells just fascinated me.  So I looked everywhere on the net for a site where I could buy anklets with bells.  No luck... at least not 6 years ago.  What I did find were a couple of sites, such as Urban Maille, Blue Buddha, Spider Chainworks, and TRL where there were many different kinds of jewelry pieces that caught my attention.  Well, I got some rings and was off to the races. 

The first few pieces I made were not that fabulous.  I started with Euro 4-1, which is the weave in the image above.  I then learned byzantine and after that Japanese.  I made a couple of different chains, mostly to give to my mom and son... and my then boyfriend.  Then one day I was playing around trying to figure out how to make a Cross.  For some reason I did not realize at the time that most chainmaille Crosses were Persian weave and I worked at it until I had a Cross made using the Byzantine weave.  It took more than one try... many more than... but I finally managed it.  The size below, the Large, is the first size I managed to make. 

Now, this Cross... this image, has been seen so many times by so many folks that I reckon most of you who know me are sick of looking at it.  The thing of it is, from this single piece has come so much for me.  I currently make this Cross in 5 sizes in this style and 3 sizes with a set stone in the center.  I also make them in Silver, Copper, Gold-Filled and Aluminum (for key chains).  I also offer tutorials and kits for those who want to learn to make them themselves.

The experience as a whole has made it possible for me to become a better and visually stronger designer, along with teaching me what is involved with taking an idea through my skill set to a finished piece.  At risk of boring you to death, below are a few of the more recent Crosses, some of which will not hit my site for sale until midweek.

Peridot Small Cross

Amethyst Small Cross

Citrine Small Cross

Small All Silver Cross

Each of these are the same size, which is 11/4" tall x 3/4" wide.  The stones are set in a cast vee head setting with prongs that keep the stone absolutely secure.

The All Silver version, which is below, right, has a rich shimmer.  This is one of the newest batch, as the last of the ones I had from the last batch is now happily at home with a US Soldier.  I am very proud that my Cross was chosen by one of our heroes.







So, some of you may be wondering what else I do.  Well, lately I have been working quite a bit on getting the behind the scenes stuff for my business done.  I have been organizing, which is not much fun, and working on a database that will keep track of everything.  Once upon a time I was a DB Administrator and programmer and you would think that would make developing one of my own easy, but skills like that get rusty and out of date quickly so it has not been as easy as I would have liked.  I now have a mostly functional application and will be taking if for a hard spin around the block and punishing kicking of the tires in the next few weeks. 

Besides the EyeCandy stuff, I take care of my son, who just turned 18.  That should mean he doesn't need all that much care anymore but surprisingly my son still depends on me for things, no matter how much he would like to think otherwise.  He is a wonderfully intelligent boy who thinks he is grown and knows all the wrong buttons to push.

I also take my mom shopping when she needs to go and help her with other things she really should not do by herself anymore.  Since she lives in the apartment downstairs it is not far to go but sometimes too close for comfort, if you know what I mean.  She's a great lady and at a bit past retirement age, she still works full time and is amazingly health.

Please feel free to contact me.  Say hey!  I love hearing from new folks just as much as from old friends.  My plan for this blog is, first and foremost, to feature folks who's work I love, but you will also find some postings about me... a sort of get to know me.  You are also invited to come and take a look at my shops.  I am currently on Handmade Artists Shops at www.handmadeartistsshop.com/eyecandychainmaille.html , on Artfire at www.EyeCandyChainmaille.artfire.com , and on Etsy at www.eyecandychainmaille.etsy.com .  I am currently testing a host for a website of my own and hope to have that up and running by April.  If you want a more everyday look at me, you can also find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000268195212 .