Lauren the Chainmaille Lady is a fabulous artist, author and Beadalon Design Team member. Her work is dazzling in its complexity and design. Be honest now – haven’t you always wondered what it was all about?
This is Lauren’s first bracelet – it’s a Japanese 12-in-2 design
I asked Lauren how she got started in chainmaille. Here’s what she said:
It all happened one day while I was watching a Jewelry Making TV show. I saw a gal making what I thought was the most beautiful bracelet I had ever seen! (The weave is known as the Japanese 12-in-2). You see I came from a needlepoint background. I would cross stitch, do some Swedish weaving, and Danish Hardanger and the bracelet reminded me of the lacy effect that you get in needlepoint. Well, I just had to learn how to make that bracelet so I went to the gals website ordered both of her DVD’s and I have been hooked ever since.
For the first year my husband and I sold my jewelry at the local Farmer’s Market. People would tell me that I needed to sell at larger venues. So we decided to make a huge investment and buy a booth at the Pasadena Bead & Design Show. Soon we were selling exclusively at the Bead Show. In 2008 I opened my Etsy shop
The Dragonscale Bracelet
In 2010 I was invited as one of 8 artists to demonstrate and sell my stuff at CHA (the Craft & Hobby Association). It was at this show that I met the wonderful people of Beadalon®. My partnership with Beadalon® has been fantastic!! They have published two of my booklets on chainmaille and also produced my two latest creations the Snub Nose pliers and The ChainMaille Lady™ Travel Kit.I have been approached by Kalbaugh Publishing to write a book on chainmaille. The book is due to be released October 2013.
These are small Celtic Star Earrings
Lauren talked a little about chain maille:
Chainmaille, also referred to as maille first appeared around 300 B.C. and is a type of armor consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. Maille continues to be used in the 21st century as a component of stab-resistant body armor, cut-resistant gloves for butchers and woodworkers, shark-resistant wetsuits for defense against shark bites, and a number of other applications including jewelry.
The Purple Haze Necklace
I asked Lauren to tell us what inspires her:
Just about everything inspires me. When I need to really get inspired I look through jewelry magazines and I look on line and usually something will come to me. Shapes and patterns inspire me. I like to look at geometric shapes and angles and design jewelry around those. One other thing, I must chainmaille every day! I’ve written two booklets, “Basics of Chain Maille” and “Advanced Chain Maille”. I have my own line of “Snub Nose Pliers” as well as “The Chainmaille Lady™ Travel Kit”.
The Purple People Eater Necklace
Who is The Chainmaille Lady?
My alter ego is The ChainMaille Lady™. I am honored to be a member of the Beadalon® Design Team. I’ve made several appearances on Jewelry Television’s show “Jewel School”. My designs have been published several magazines including “Step By Step Wire Jewelry”. I have been a guest on the popular jewelry TV show “Beads, Baubles & Jewels”.
You can Find Lauren here:
http://www.TheChainMailleLady.
http://www.TheChainMailleLady.
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.TheChainMailleLady.
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.twitter.com/
http://www.beadalon.com/
Thank you so much, Lauren! I just loved having a peek into your amazing world!
Awesome! Love all the pieces – they are fantastic!
Thank you so much Candace!! I am truly honored!!