A few words about Chain Maille...

I used to work at a Renaissance Faire, but had to give it up in leui of adult responsibilities. Still, I love the culture and styles and try to vistit at least one or two faires every year.
So lately I've been experimenting with a chain maille style jewelry. Several vendors at the faire sold jewelry that used the basic principal of interlocking llinks, ranging in their degree of similarity to actual armor. Many people I've spoken to like the idea and think it's very intruiging, but are hesitant to actually try and sport some of the very intricate, armor like pieces. The pieces I've been making are very light and usually consist of a single strand of links that have decorative layering spread throughout it with beads or pearls. (One such necklace is pictured a few posts down, the bracelets are very hard to photograph I've found.)
However, I've been looking at various link configurations and have been thinking of doing something a little more authentic. Though this might be cheating, I've been buying my links from an adorable old man I know who sells jewelry making supplies. I've been too busy to actually sit down and make a batch of links, to make sturdy, even ones, the method I've read usually encourages a hot process for the metal, which can be delicate and dangerous work.
So, I'm going to pick up some more links today. I'll record my progress here.

jewlery week

I've also been making some jewlery this week that is very hard to photograph, but I need to sell some so I can afford supplies to make more. Here are some of those pieces:

Fleur de lis pendant with amethyst accents on a silver chain.

A new design of mine, wire twist cage with beaded center.

A (I believe) Jasper stone pendant on a hemp cord with twist closure.

Taking Flight

Blackbird Crafts is becoming official.
I have been sewing and making things for years and have always favored handmade to machine made. Whenever I go to festivals I find myself truly admiring those that work with their hands and make things skillfully. I decided that that is what I want to do. Though I am still an apprentice in many ways, and will probably never make any money at it, I want to enjoy myself.
In a few weeks I will have my Etsy shop set up and then I will start scoping out venues to sell my products. Currently my main focus is bags, but I'm also dabbling in jewlery and soap making. The soap may eventually expand into lotions and lip balms as well, but all must be laboriously tested (usually on myself, though sometimes friends and family also voulnteer).
If anyone is reading this, thank you. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey into the world of microscopic bussiness and that you will feel free to suggest venues and projects and share your own ideas as well.