Great write up on the HAF Forum

Check out the full feature

clipped from in-uffish-thought.blogspot.com The Handmade Artists' Forum I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to a cooperative collective of Handmade Artists that I recently joined. The Handmade Artists' Forum (or HAF) was founded in April 2009 by Andrew & Kimberly Kitchen in order to provide a venue for all manner of artists to unite and support each other. The idea is really rather simple....cooperative competition. Not everyone is in direct competition with each other because of the wide variety of arts represented. However, those who are have come to understand that we can band together to succeed.

Sterling Silver caged Pendant with Sea Glass

What a unique idea, to cage your pretties so they can't escape

clipped from makinthebestofit.com Blue Sea Glass Caged Pendant I was looking for a way to use those little piece of glass that I have picked up off of the beach.  This sterling silver cage measures 4 cm (1 1/2 in) from top of the bale to the bottom of the curls and holds 5 pieces of blue sea glass found on the Jersey Shore.  This piece comes complete and ready to wear with an 18 in sterling silver cable chain. This is one of the few pieces that I can replicate.  If you are interested in a caged pendant with different colors of sea glass, please contact me and I will get started on your custom piece.

Painted Pumpkins

These are really cool glasses.

clipped from makinthebestofit.com Hand Painted Pumpkin and Sunflower Cafe Mug Set of 4 These heavy duty, hand painted mugs measure 5” tall with a 4” wide opening and hold 16oz when filled to the top. The glass is absolutely clear and has been hand painted with fat pumpkins and bright sunflowers that are perfect for your coffee or tea!  This is for a set of 4, but I will gladly take requests for lesser or greater numbers. All of my glassware has been hand painted with heat cured enamel for years of use.  It can be washed in the top rack of your dishwasher. This means you can actually use it! Have an idea for a pattern? Contact me know your vision and watch it come to life as a special order.

Business tips for the Handmade Artist

Some cool tips in this blog article. Check out the full post

clipped from handmadeartistsforum.com How do I get my shop Noticed? That’s what I hear and read about all the time, handmade artists want to get there work noticed and just don’t know how to do it. Well there are many ways to get your shop noticed and I’ll hook you up with a few that we at the Handmade Artists Forum (HAF) are trying to do plus a couple of others. First you need to get your shop name out there, where’s there you ask, well cyberspace, the internet with it’s maze of complexities. Links are one way to get it done as well as blogs. Along with social networking sites. I’ll touch on each of these and explain how the HAF Blog and Forum are helping.

Steampunk and Chainmaille Collide!

My first steampunk piece and of course it has chainmaille.
See full Post.

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Full Persian Steampunk Necklace This necklace is my first attempt at Steampunk. It’s made using jewelers brass in a full persian weave. The necklace measures 22″ long as I felt the pendant should hang a little lower than normal because of the size. The pendant is the inards of a Elgin Natonal Pocket watch that has been wrapped with a 3/4 persian and some modification to hold the watch in place. The pendant is 2″ in diameter and whole piece is a weighty 5 ounces.  This piece is also reversible if you need a different look, the back of the pendant will give off a different feel dependant on where your wearing to. The clasp is a handmade hammered brass “S” clasp. As always we can re-size the necklace to your required lenght as needed. This is one of a kind piece and will not be reproduced.

I've been featured

Pretty cool write up from The Blue Cat

clipped from the-blue-cat.blogspot.com Featured Artisan- Chainmaille by MBOI The chainmaille jewelry created by the husband and wife team of Chainmaille by MBOI is truly spectacular! Their jewelry designs are incredibly intricate and detailed and yet look strong and sturdy at the same time. They work with all kinds of metals such as sterling silver and copper. The above photo is a sterling silver helm sheet bracelet which is a favorite of mine

Supporting Artists

Check out this article about supporting handmade

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Artists Unite to Support Handmade Well a new movement is among us where hadnmade artists have banned together in a unified effort to support each other. Over 170  artists have joined the Handmade Artists’ Forum with more joining everyday.  One member, is a fellow mailler or this a case a femailler, Jill from Liv’nGood Jewelry who has also joined in this effort to support eah other as a community of artists. Jill does some beautiful work so check her out at her blog or Etsy Shop. Many of you may be saying why is a chainmailler helping their competition, well I’ll tell you. I know that I’m not the only game in town selling chainmaille, their are many, but I might have something that she doesn’t sell and visa versa. So instead of competing against each other we are keeping our customers educated about what is available out there.

Art and Handmade speak the same language

I like this post about bring handmade artists together and unifying the industry

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Creativity crosses all language barriers I was browsing the web and came across the artist Marie-Michele of Mademoiselle M I’m guessing she’s French. All I know is the the jewelry crossed all language barriers, were beauty was just beauty. I think that as a handmade artist we should embrace each others work and support our fellow artisans. That’s one reason that we started the Handmade Artisan Forum and we are quickly finding out that artists around the world want to speak to each other and support each other. It’s been interesting to watch and read the conversations and see language barriers being crossed by the love of Handmade Creative Art. Stop by the forum and support Handmade.

New Forum For All Handcrafted Artists

Just another venue we started in an effort to support handcrafted artists. Stop by and have a look and start a discussion

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Chainmaille By MBOI Forum Well we bit the bullet and decided to host a forum that is dedicated to you. Basically anyone who has an artistic bone in your body, jeweler, chainmaillers, painters, crafts , handmade. I want my customers to be able to browse and comment on other peoples work. Promote yourself your blog your latest piece talk about the industry. Ask questions, there are so many talented artists out there that can have useful information for the novice. Learn a new trick or share a new trick your choice just have fun and communicate with others who have the same talents you do. This is brand new so there are many more board areas that need to be configured, just put a post in the suggestion section and we can add more areas as the board grows. Well I hope you enjoy the new forum, please keep it clean. Thanks, Andrew and Kimberly

Bronze Chainmaille Bracelet in a Roundmaille Weave

Bronze is such an ancient and rich metal and this bracelet just screams class

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Bronze Roundmaille Bracelet Bronze  is a metal that reminds me of ancient statues and gives me a warm feeling.

Celtic Star Chainmaille Bracelet

This Celtic Star bracelet is really a sleek design with a celtic visions or celtic dreams chain, depending on who you talk to the name changes.

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Sterling Silver Celtic Star Bracelet This sterling silver Celtic bracelet made of hand cut rings and combined to create a masterpiece. Measuring 7.5 inches from clasp to clasp, this piece features a Celtic Star measuring 1″ and held together with a chain version of celtic dreams weave. The bracelet is held secure with a sterling silver lobster clasp. If you like this design check out our Triple Celtic Design.

Chainmaille By MBOI

Well since we just joined I'd figure I'd tell you a little about us and what we do and who we are.         

MBOI is made up of my wife Kimberly ( The President, CEO, Controller, Painter, Mailler, and Creative
Superpower) who is currently in the process of finishing her teacher degree, and Andrew ( Stock boy
and Mailler ) who is a Senior Estimator for a Heavy Construction Company which is based in New Jersey.
We have 2 boys who keep us running all the time.
We currently reside in Point Pleasant, NJ which is a small beach town on the Jersey Shore.

When creating our chainmaille jewelry and various items we start with raw wire and coil and saw cut our
own rings.
We work in various metals also, so if you see something you like but would rather have it in a different
metal just let us know. We work in sterling silver, copper, bronze, anodized aluminum, enameled copper,
and bright aluminum.
Custom orders are always encouraged, if you have an idea of something special you would like to have
made just Contact Us and we’ll work out the details.

Andrew & Kimberly

Chainmaille By MBOI 

Makin The Best Of It

Chainmaille Kit and Tutorial for the Byzantine Weave

This is a complete kit to make a Byzantine Bracelet in a variety of metals. You can also just download the tutorial. Pretty cool, check out the full article.

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Byzantine Kit and Tutorial This tutorial is a detailed step by step on how to make a Byzantine chainmaille weave. We have painstakingly made these instructions so that a beginner will be able to go through without a problem. The tutorial is full of pictures which graphically guide you through each step. We will offer full support for any questions you may have while working on your piece. The downloadable file is in PDF format, if you don’t have a PDF reader you can download it for free. Our kits will have enough rings in it to make a nine inch bracelet with a couple extra just in case you have a mistake.  The rings will all be polished and smooth and of the utmost of quality, if you don’t want your rings polished just let us know by adding a note a checkout. The kit will also contain the tutorial and a lobster clasp. You will need two pair of pliers to construct your bracelet, the pliers are obviously not included.

Byzantine Cubed Design By MBOI

Although the elements of this design aren't unique the way the components were put together definately are unique, Kimberly has outdone herself again.

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Copper Byzantine Cubed Bracelet This byzantine bracelet  measures 7.5″ in length and is separated by 4 Japanese 8 & 2 cubes. The cubes are separated by 6mm indian agates. The cubes and agate are strung on copper wire so that they can move freely on the piece for those of you who like to play with your jewelry. This piece is held secure with a handmade “S” clasp. This peice is can also made in sterling silver, check out a similar necklace and earrings in sterling.  Just contact us if your interested in a necklace and earring to match this bracelet, all sets will be discounted.

Byzantine Cubed!

This byzantine necklace has a twist!

clipped from chainmaillebymboi.com Sterling Silver Byzantine Cubed Necklace By Andrew • Mar 9th, 2009 • Category: Sterling Silver Necklaces Well Kimberly came up with another beautiful design this byzantine necklace measures 21″ in length and is centered by 3 Japanese 8 & 2 cubes. The cubes are separated by 10mm black jade rounds. The center pendant is definitely the focal point of this piece; the jade and sterling cubes are strung on a sterling silver wire so that they can move freely on the piece for those of you who like to play with your jewelry. While this necklaces measures 21″ it hangs more like an 18″ chain because of the bar style pendant the additional length was necessary. This piece is held secure with a sterling silver toggle clasp. We will size your necklace to your choosing at no additional cost. Kimberly has designed matching earrings and photos will be posted soon.         Order Sterling Silver Byzantine Cubed Necklace Purchase Price @ $150.00 Qty: Shipping Rate: A

Hot Margarita Set , Hand Painted

Definatly would look good out on the deck

clipped from makinthebestofit.com Hibiscus Margarita Set Get a jump on summer!  Bright hibiscus flowers in red/orange, yellow, white and purple surround this oversized pitcher just waiting to be filled.  The set includes 4 margarita glasses that have each been uniquely hand painted with a different color flower pattern.  This set also includes a salt tray (not pictured) to rim your glasses. All my glassware is painted using heat cured enamel paint for durability. This heat process makes the glassware safe in the top rack of your dishwasher. Have a design idea? Let me know your vision and watch it come to life as a special order. Want to add to the drama? How about an entire table service in the same pattern? Salt and pepper shakers, cream and sugar set, gravy boat, cruet set, butter dish, and coffee mugs. All featuring any pattern you choose.

Breast Cancer Awareness Auction

Chainmaille By MBOI along with several other jewelers have donated item to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Go to Triage From Home to veiw the items and bid, all the proceeds go directly to helping breast cancer. The auction ends March 17, 2009 at 12 noon.

Just a side note Kimberly my partner in crime with MBOI lost her grandmother to breast cancer in 2003 this was a very tough thing to go through as you can imagine as her grandmother was an intregal part of her upbringing in Montana. Her grandmother honestly is directly responsible for our business starting as she got Kimberly involved in crafts at a young age.

Anyway, please go and support this cause.

Thanks,

Andrew & Kimberly

Chainmaille By MBOI

clipped from www.triagefromhome.com Poppy from Groovy Glass Girl donated this pendant. This piece is fused dichroic glass surrounded by hammered copper that has been finished with a dark patina. Artist Poppy Adams uses traditional stained glass techniques combined with metalwork & fused glass to create one of a kind, unusual jewelry pieces. Poppy will ship this item anywhere in North America. Temptation Pendant Kathryn from Lazy Daisy Glass in the UK has donated this gorgeous handmade Dichroic Glass Pendant, on an 18″ sterling silver chain. Made of Bullseye art glass and genuine dichroic glass, many of the jewellery items are exclusive designs, therefore no two pieces will ever be the same. Kathryn will ship this item anywhere. Hot Pink Aluminum Half Persian 4 and 1 Bracelet Andrew from Chainmaille By MBOI kindly donated this really cool pink chainmaille aluminum bracelet. Andrew’s wife Kimberly lost her grandmother to breast cancer, so this is a cause that hits close to home for them. Andrew will ship this item anywhere.