Presenting BnBCreations!

A new week, and a new ArtFire Chainmaille Guild featured member. This week it is BnBCreations. Let's get to know them a little better.

1)How long have you been a Chainmailler?
We've been doing Chainmaille now for about a year. It all started when Becky started making beaded jewelry and saw that people were using the jumpring by themselves for jewelry. She tried a couple of things and it looked interesting to Brian so he tried it as well. We've been doing it together ever since.

2)Why do you like Chainmaille?
Becky likes it because it's one thing she can be creative in and come up with new designs. Brian likes it because of the patterns and it gives his never still hands something to do. Becky likes to add things to the chainmaille like feathers or beads and Brian likes to leave it as pure chain.

3)What is your favourite type of ring?
We really don't have a favorite type of ring. Each type of ring has it's use in a pattern. Some of the more glamorous ones (such as silver) are nice but expensive. We primarily use bright aluminum or anodized aluminum because they are very affordable yet still look great.

4)What kind of items do you prefer to make?
We primarily make jewelry. Anything from necklaces to earrings to anklets to necklaces. We've also made some juggling balls (Brian can juggle five of them). Our best sellers so far are bracelets made in the Half Persian pattern.

5)Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know?
We definitely want to start doing Dragonscale. Brian is planning on making a watchband for himself out of dragonscale.

6)Which piece are you most proud of?
Becky is most proud of the Half Persian necklace with the tiger eye accents and matching earrings.Brian is most proud of the choker with the looping chains and center piece.

7)What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille?
The best advice we could give would be, if you are going to jewelry, buy your rings. Don't start by trying to learn to make your rings while your trying to figure out the patterns, simply buy the appropriate rings and work on the creative part of the designs. Once you feel confident with the chainmailling portion, you can then start to make your own rings.

Thank you very much Becky and Brian, its great having you in the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild, and BnBCreations has some fabulous items.

Mirricat Feature!

A new week, a new featured ArtFire Chainmaille Guild member.
Allow me to introduce you to Mirricat!

1) How long have you been a Chainmailler? 3 Years this July

2) Why do you like Chainmaille? Thousands of tiny rings that are tiny alone but with a little time they can be something wonderful. Just working with them I feel more connected with the world knowing that I am one part of a much larger puzzle.

3) What is your favorite type of ring? Stainless Steel, because it only gets better with time.

4) What kind of items do you prefer to make? Earrings are my favorite because of the endless possiblities


5) Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know? Jen's Pend

6) Which piece are you most proud of? My Stainless Silk Bracelet, it took me 3 weeks solid to make it. I will cry when it sells and never make another.

7) What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille? Buy gloves!


Thank you Mirricat! There are some fabulous items in your studio, and it is great to have you as a member of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild.
Check back next week for the next featured member.

Presenting NightMaiden!!

Here on the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild we will be introducing you to the members of the guild. Every week we will feature someone new.
This week's feature artisan is NightMaiden. I asked her some questions to help you get to know her.. and here are her responses.

1. How long have you been a Chainmailler?
Honestly, I've only been mailling for about a year now.

2. Why do you like Chainmaille?
I fell in love with chainmaille because it is so versatile. There are so many different things you can do with it. Different materials, colors, weaves, and it keeps growing...

3. What is your favourite type of ring?
I honestly love working with Enameled Copper. It has a good heft to it and is great for my mens pieces. Anodized aluminum is also a favorite because of it being so light. They also have amazing colors and I love to add color to my chainmaille pieces.

4. What kind of items do you prefer to make?
I love working with jewelry in all the forms. Its just quick and easy and then you can put it on and wear it and everywhere I go I get compliments on them.

5. Which weave would you like to learn that you dont currently know?
I'm torn between two that I am dying to learn. First is the Coyote Maille, just because I can already see the bracelet I can make with this weave... Second, is the Ruffles, just because it looks cool...

6. Which piece are you most proud of?
I have to say that I am super proud of my Flowers and Byzantine piece because it ended up looking very vintage and it came out so amazing...

7. What advice would you give to someone who was considering doing Chainmaille?
Don't give up. There have been times where rings have gone flying across the room because I got frustrated and was about to give up. I kept trying it after my feelings had calmed down or I asked one of my friends that are maillers and I finally figured it out. Don't be afraid to ask, we as maillers have an open door to others. We have had to start out and learn and we understand what it was like to get that unnerved that we are pulling rings out of the ceiling (Been there, done that, several times).


Thank you for that NightMaiden. Stay with us while we introduce our other members of the coming weeks.

What would you like to know?

The world of Chainmaille is a large one. There are many weaves, and new variations and weaves being created all the time.
I'd like to provide the opportunity for everyone to explore this world, and one of the ways of doing this is to ask questions.
So if you have anything you want to know about Chainmaille, post your questions in the comments area. Then we will try and answer your questions, and if we dont know the answer we will try and find you an answer.
With your participation we can all learn more about the wonderful world of Chainmaille.

Welcome!

This is a new blog. It's purpose is to provide a place for the members of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild to blog about Chainmaille and all associated issues. It is also a place where the public can see the fabulous work of these artisans, and ask questions about the art of Chainmaille.
Over time we hope to have many articles for everyone to read about the making of Chainmaille, its history and our dreams for the future of Chainmaille.
I hope you will join me for this journey.