BeadedMosaicsandMore

My journey with chain mail started with a picture in a catalog of a kit you could buy to make a byzantine chain mail necklace.  Right from the start I was hooked.  I bought a couple of books, and found The Ring Lord, and the rest is as they say, history.  I initially started making jewelry and then, after everyone I knew had necklaces and bracelets, I decided to try selling them at craft shows.  While I was successful at the shows, I knew I wanted to do something other than jewelry, but I didn’t know what that would be.  The whole ornament “business” started as a joke – I made a primitive tree and sent it to my parents to put on their tabletop tree.  My mom loved it and put it on a necklace to wear volunteering and, much to my surprise, it was a smash hit.  The next day she called and asked for five more, then the next week she wanted a Star of David.  That’s where it all began.

I now sell, exclusively, ornaments at craft shows and I’m continually amazed at the incredible reception they receive.  Initially, I would get asked “where did you get these” and occasionally, I would be asked “what are they”.  While my idea was Christmas Ornaments, my customers have come up with very creative uses:

• Napkin rings so your guest has a gift to bring home (the ribbon hanger serves as the napkin ring).
• Fan pulls.
• Wedding favors.
• Dress up a wine bottle for a gift so there is a little something left when the bottle is empty.
• Hostess gifts.
• Secret Santa gifts.
• Appreciation gifts (employees, doctors, veterinarian staff etc.).
• Pendants.
• Brooches.
• Hair accessories.
• Key fobs.
• Window decorations.

I now have over 50 original designs in tutorials, and it all began with a little tree. The only limit is your imagination so have fun and let the  the creativity flow!