Friday Feature -- The Chain Maille Lady

For today's Friday Feature, I'm delighted to offer an interview with The Chain Maille Lady. Her shop is stunning! Isn't the handwork on this Dragonscale Bracelet exquisite?

Or check out this amazing"Baby Celtic Star"!It was wonderful to learn more about the lady behind such beautiful work. Enjoy the interview!

1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

I make all sorts of gorgeous chainmaille! Jewelry, key chains, bookmarks, phone fobs, rear view mirror hanging thingies. I also teach chainmaille classes and started selling my instructions along with kits and pliers.

A girlfriend of mine had taken me to a huge Bead Shop one day. They offered classes in EVERYTHING! It was amazing! I started signing up for different classes. I took a class in peyote stitch. One in knotting pearls. Another in how to make my own jump rings and assemble a simple chainmaille bracelet. I loved the chainmaille technique so much I started looking on the internet for other chainmaille weaves. That was it, I was hooked! I have since joined Chainmaillers’ Anonymous!!

Since chainmaille is such an ancient art and many of the weaves have been around forever, it is quite a challenge to come up with something different. I try to incorporate other materials in with my chainmaille. I have collaborated with Carol Dean of SandFibers, making unique necklaces. She has done the bead work and I have added the chainmaille. Here is an example:

2. To which Etsy Street Teams do you belong (if any)?

CCCOE, California Crafters Club of Etsy

FAE, Fantasy Artists of Etsy

Chainmaillers’ Guild

3. How did you get involved with Etsy?

Last year I was selling at my local craft fair and the lady next to me suggested that I sell my items on line at Etsy. She had a shop on Etsy and loved it. So I jumped right in with both feet!!

4. What inspires your creations? I love to look through design magazines such as Step By Step Wire Jewelry, Bead & Button Magazine, and Beadwork Magazine for inspiration.

5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop? Pricing my work. I want to price my items to be affordable to my clients and also be able to make a small profit. I love to work in Sterling Silver but for some people it is too expensive so I make some of the items in Copper or Jeweler’s Brass.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

My favorite item in my shop is the Hardanger Eyelet Bracelet. A few years back I learned the pulled thread technique known as Norwegian Hardanger. And the chainmaille weave known as the Japanese 12-in-2 looks just like the pulled eyelets that are used in Hardanger.

7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

For folks that are selling on Etsy I would say, make sure your pictures are clear and that you take lots of pictures, especially as the item is used. Use all five picture spots to give you customer a look at the entire item from all angles, etc. For folks who are buying, check the shops Feedback. See how other buyers like this seller. Price compare, but less expensive is not always the way to go. Check the workmanship of the item if possible. Check the sellers return policy.

8. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you. (Hobbies, achievements, favorite something-or-other, family situation, jobs, etc…)

Every year my husband and I are involved in the 'Baker to Vegas' (B2V) Challenge Cup Relay. A 120-mile, 20-stage, foot, relay race, which starts in Baker, California (gateway to Death Valley), through the California desert, over the mountains, to Las Vegas, Nevada. The teams are restricted to Law Enforcement teams (Police and Sheriff departments, judges, bailiffs, and other agencies and service teams). The Law Enforcement teams come from all over the world including Canada, Berlin, Germany, and Australia. It’s a whole lot of work but also a whole lot of fun!

I have a radio program on BlockHead Radio called “New Discoveries” where I highlight artesian shops from all venues.

9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations? (blog, website, flickr, facebook, twitter, etc…. please provide relevant links)

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.com

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.etsy.com

http://www.flickr.com/TheChainMailleLady

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.artfire.com

http://www.twitter.com/ChainMailleLady

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.blogspot.com

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.1000markets.com

Chain@BlockHeadRadio.com

http://www.myspace.com/TheChainMailleLady

http://www.TheChainMailleLady.wordpress.com

http://www.The-ChainMaille-Lady.byhand.me

http://www.plurk.com/TheChainMailleLady