This week is a special week because there are two giveaways! But today's giveaway is not the usual kind I do on this blog. It's actually a blog hop organized by Blue Buddha Boutique, a Chicago based chain maille supplier. There are many opportunities to enter for the freebies. It'll also introduce you to new blogs and bloggers!
Blue Buddha Boutique was founded by Rebeca Mojica. I wrote about her experiences writing her first book, How a Jewelry Book Got Published and subsequently, Chain Maille Book Review - Chained.
Blue Buddha Boutique sells artisan designed kits and instructions (for either right or left handers) in addition to general supplies.
As chain maille is an increasing popular technique, Rebeca recently came up with several starter kits. I asked her what inspired her to do so. She said,"Actually, the real question is, why didn't I come up with them sooner?!? From working at bead shows, I know there is a definite demand for quick-and-easy starter packs. Chain maille can be very confusing to a newbie, and eyes start to glaze over real quick when one starts mentioning gauges and inner diameters and aspect ratio. Sure, Blue Buddha has a ton of kits at all skill levels, but for someone brand new to the craft, even that can be confusing. " So these kits will be an easy way to ease a beginner into this technique with great style!
There is also a massive Scholar Pack which is based on the designs from the book. The most advanced project in this pack is the Rhondo a la Byzantine bracelet which the goal while working through the other projects. If you learn how to do the Byzantine and Helm weaves, both of which are suitable for beginners, then this is doable, never fear!
Giveaway
If you would like to try chain maille, then this Shaggy Loops Kit and Tutorial (shown below) is up for grabs. It is suitable for beginners and most forgiving. The winner will be able to customize with 2 colors of anodized aluminum rings.
The winner will be picked by Blue Buddha Boutique from the comments left on this blog. The contest is international and will close at 6 pm EST on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
Want more entries? Then hop to the following blogs to leave comments. Each blog will have one winner of the Shaggly Loops Kit and Tutorial! Please check their start dates as they are different from mine.
Beading Daily blog - November 15th
Angelica Brigade blog - November 16th
Jewelry Making Daily blog - November 17th (tentative)
Handmade Artists Forum blog - November 19th
ChiiL Mama blog - November 20th
Lovestruck Jewelry blog - November 21st
There is also a Grand Prize! It will be the All-in-One Easy to Start Chain Maille Pack, shown below. The pack includes tools, bead mat and the supplies to make a Celtic Visions bracelet. It's the only one of their starter packs to include pliers so there is no duplication of tools should you go on to purchase their other starter kits. To enter for that giveaway, please go to the Blue Buddha Boutique blog. This particular giveaway will run until November 28, 2012.
Good luck!
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
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| Celtic Visions Star Pendant from Colorful Starter Pack |
Blue Buddha Boutique sells artisan designed kits and instructions (for either right or left handers) in addition to general supplies.
 |
| Japanese Cross Bracelet from Purist Starter Pack |
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| Mesh and Rosettes Bracelet from the Purist Starter Pack |
There is also a massive Scholar Pack which is based on the designs from the book. The most advanced project in this pack is the Rhondo a la Byzantine bracelet which the goal while working through the other projects. If you learn how to do the Byzantine and Helm weaves, both of which are suitable for beginners, then this is doable, never fear!
 |
| Rhondo a la Byzantine bracelet from Scholar Pack |
If you would like to try chain maille, then this Shaggy Loops Kit and Tutorial (shown below) is up for grabs. It is suitable for beginners and most forgiving. The winner will be able to customize with 2 colors of anodized aluminum rings.
The winner will be picked by Blue Buddha Boutique from the comments left on this blog. The contest is international and will close at 6 pm EST on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
Want more entries? Then hop to the following blogs to leave comments. Each blog will have one winner of the Shaggly Loops Kit and Tutorial! Please check their start dates as they are different from mine.
Beading Daily blog - November 15th
Angelica Brigade blog - November 16th
Jewelry Making Daily blog - November 17th (tentative)
Handmade Artists Forum blog - November 19th
ChiiL Mama blog - November 20th
Lovestruck Jewelry blog - November 21st
There is also a Grand Prize! It will be the All-in-One Easy to Start Chain Maille Pack, shown below. The pack includes tools, bead mat and the supplies to make a Celtic Visions bracelet. It's the only one of their starter packs to include pliers so there is no duplication of tools should you go on to purchase their other starter kits. To enter for that giveaway, please go to the Blue Buddha Boutique blog. This particular giveaway will run until November 28, 2012.
Good luck!
Before You Go:
- Chain Maille Flower Tutorials
- How to Make Easy Chain Maille Jewelry Tutorials
- Full Persian Chain Maille Tutorial
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
I don't wanna be first because I doubt I'll win but I would love to have a chance anyway! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this. I've been wanting to try chainmaille, but it is confusing to figure out what you need to start with and what an easy, good beginner pattern would be. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this. I go to Renaissance Faires and this would be great to accesssorize my dress. I have always wanted to learn how to do chain maille---it always looks so complicated.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this. It looks easy but when I tried it, it is really difficult. I hope to win this so that i can try it again.
ReplyDeleteExcited about this giveaway!!!!! YAHOOO,( anyone remember the old "Yahoo00000" sound) I have been not looking forward to Holidays alone and the way the giveaway is set up give me something to look forward to each day. Cool idea peeps.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to everyone!!!
V
What a great giveaway! I love chain maille--I find it to be very relaxing (when I'm not getting totally frustrated!)
ReplyDeleteA great idea!
ReplyDeleteChain Maille has always intrigued me but I found myself lost in so many of the directions and felt I needed at least another pair of hands to manipulate all those little jumprings with. This true beginners starter kit sound like it is just my speed. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG - I just looked at the smear that is supposed to be a word verification Captcha - I know this is going to take several tries before I get one correct. :(
Okay now is that an "rn" or is it an "m" ? and after that is it an "m" or maybe an "nn" or perhaps an "rn" ? And is that "ll" or ???
This is a great way for me to find out about other blogs. Chain Maille is so intriguing. The 21st is my bday - I'd love to get this kit as a present!
ReplyDeleteChain Maille is an amazing ancient technique that has become so much more versatile now that we have all these colors available! Pre- made kits are a great way to start.
ReplyDeleteI think chainmaille is so cool! It always looks so pretty and complicated. I would love to be able to make this bracelet for someone for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWow this is such a great giveaway!! I would love to try and learn this technique and this starter pack is just what I need! =) Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteWow what a great giveaway! I would love to learn this technique so this starter kit will certainly help. Thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteOhh, pick me!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great give-away. Would love to win, and learn more about Chain Maille. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePat
Im part of a local Bead Group and the ladies there are always doing something chain maille related. I would like to try it, but have no clue where to begin, this is a great way to start and learn!!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for something new to try and found Rebeca's book and was hooked. Then I found her website and was in love. I've never just picked up instructions and made something so easily before. I'm in love with Chain maille jewelry and am always looking for my next project. My friends have even started asking me to make items for them as well, so I may have found my side business ; ) Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway, I love Blue Buddha Boutique!!
ReplyDeletethis would be a very nice give away.love chain maille
ReplyDeleteI have bought rings from Rebeca several times and have always enjoyed creating pretties from them. Love her creativity with the blog hop. Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteChainmaille looks pretty simple, but I think that there's a lot to learn.
ReplyDeleteEven if I don't win, I was introduced to something to give me inspiration and more knowledge about my obsession/hobby, I do hope to win of course, but either way I gain something new.
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway. I'd love to try making something like that :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE BBB! Their materials, selection & tutorials are the best & their customer service can't be beat! I live where I can't buy chain mail supplies in a store & rely on mail order, & BBB is my 1st choice. I can't wait to check out the other blogs.
ReplyDeleteAwesome... I make my own links alot of the time as i always forget which ones i need when i am the store so i end up with wrong size or get frustrated with the choices... Love the fact there is a kit... as i just started about 5 months ago with chain maille this is great... Here is hoping i might get lucky.
ReplyDeleteI'm still a beginner at maille and would love the opportunity to learn a new pattern and some supplies to play with. Love Rebecca's designs, thanks for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteLove Chain Maille....it gives me an outlet for my artistic side (and my frustrations!). Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy doing chain maille and would love to win this. Karen
ReplyDeleteeric-karenholden@comcast.net
This is a fabulous idea, and leave it to BB to come up with it!! Love her stuff and chain Maile !!
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win this kit. I am always looking to try new patterns but I rarely can afford to buy supplies. This kit looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to bear into chain mail/maile!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love BBB! Great selection, fun tutorials, good prices & great customer service. I live where I can't easily find chain mail supplies in stores nearby, so I rely on mail order, & BBB is always my 1st choice. I'd love to get a chance to receive one of the kits. If not, I'm glad you're helping to spread the word about BBB.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, chain maille ! I would love to try that.
ReplyDeletevoltzia@gmail.com
I love chain maille, thanks to B3 and my bead shop owner. It challenges my brain in a big way. I want to keep upping my skill set. Love the Starter kit idea.
ReplyDeleteHope I'm not too late! I subscribe to your blog but I always save them til I have time to actually read. I really would love to learn how to make some of these!
ReplyDeleteI love B3. They always have the best quality supplies and the best customer service. I would love to win any of the prizes that are offered. Loosing a job means you can't buy millions of rings to play with so this would be great to keep my mind busy. Cheers to the best chainmaille suppliers in the world.
ReplyDeleteSo many comments! I doubt I will win but I will still try! That's always hope if I try! And I'm always game to try! Chainmaille kit-I try to win you and I hope I win! Yeeeessss!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the intricate bracelet caught my eye. I have never seen jewelry like this and am thrilled to see it is something I could actually make myself! Pick me! Pick me!! Pick me!!!! Please!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try chain maille - hope I win.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
These kits are just what I need...such a smart idea! Hoping to win :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun. I'd love to give it a try.
ReplyDeletelovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
I've tried on a few occasions with a bit of success, but I believe these kits would make it so much easier and I could be proud of my work then!
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to win - I would be honored!
I'm adding myself to your blog right now and am looking forward to the next days posts. Now to get myself in gear to start making holiday chain maille things. A new kit would certainly help push me in the right direction:)
ReplyDeletePretty Metal FUN-NESS!!! I make Chainmaille jewelry too - but this would be hecka cool to win!! :D Facebook fan, Google +1er, and e-mail blog subscriber! ^_^ metal_weaver at yahoo dot com ;D
ReplyDeleteI've been procrastination for so long about doing chain maille - this would be an awesome starting point!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pearl
Hiya! My first time at your blog, very nice. I've been wanting to try chain maille, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. Thank you for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteplayamom57 at yahoo dot com
I've been drooling over Blue Buddha Boutique kits for soooo long now , I make allot of jewerly and i have a few things i have yet to really get into , and this is one of them because of cost and that it can be kinda tricky (or at least seems to be when you look at it online ) .. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this kit, it would make my day *fingers crossed* thanks for the great blog post and chanch to win :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a great kit! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of starter packs for chain maille is fantastic. Even if one isnt particularly patience, the colors are so enticing that one would want to try
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to enter this contest.I have seen chain mail in books and I've made a couple pairs of earring and I have always what to learn how to make some intricate desings.So this would be an awesome opportunity have the supplies to be able to make some beautiful designs.Thank you,Melly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Followed the link from Blue Buddha Boutique and I was so happy to land here, a fellow jewelry artist that I actually know! Hope you've been well :-)
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this, and if not, big congrats to the winner!
I love how easy blue Buddha is making it for people to learn chain maille. I have wanted to get into this medium for awhile but it can seem overwhelming! This would be so cool to win!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea by Blue Buddha Boutique. Well, ideas - both the kits and the blog hop. I always like finding new blogs.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this! I've never done chainmaille before and always wanted to try.
ReplyDeleteThis would take me in a whole new direction :) cjlogie@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this shaggy loops bracelet it looks really nice
ReplyDeleteYeap! I'm a beginner. Always wanted to try was put off by all the technical details...which weave worked with which diameters, inside vs out side diameters, etc. Not going to wait to see if I win, although it would be nice. I'm getting my own starter pack to try.
ReplyDeleteChain maiIle always brings to mind Joan of Arc and the Middle Ages! The thought of learning a metal/wire technique that was used during this period of history is so exciting! Your kit could be the inspiration for my "historical" jewelry-making phase! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteHow fun. Would love to learn to make these, thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea what beautiful pieces could be made until i visited this blog! What a unique way to increase my jewelry making skills. Would love to give it a try with this giveaway. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a stop on the blog hop!!! I would love to win the kit in blue and green!!! I have wanted to try chainmaille for awhile, but keep coming up with excuses ;)
ReplyDeleteKelly
kelly.r.morin @ gmail.com
I'm very eager to win the kit because I really want to start chain maille-ing but I don't know what to buy to get started and I don't really have the money to buy the stuff!
ReplyDeletePlease pick me!
Awesome! i would love to try chain maille. maria-nc@live.com
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI especially like the Japanese Cross Bracelet! I'll have to look into getting that one!
Love that Shaggy Loops! And thanks to you and Blue Budddha for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLove B3 and would love to try this design! Also love the chance to find amazing new blogs like yours! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVe to win it & try it as I have to improve my crafting skills- and it looks a really catchy one :)
ReplyDeletethank you for the chance!
This blog hop is a great idea! It's really a nice way to get people acquainted with useful and good-quality blogs! I'm sure I'll be dropping by more often now that I've had a chance to "look around the place" :) I have just recently became more interested in making my own jewelry and fallen head over heels in love with it. Although I'm a total newbie, I'm really fascinated by chain maille! Unfortunately, in my country (I come from Serbia), this technique is not very popular so the choice of ready-made jump-rings, etc is rather poor. These starter kits seem just perfect for us beginners, so it would make me more than thrilled if I was chosen to get one :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered please, I've never tried my hand at Chainmaille before xx Thank you Jo xx
ReplyDeleteLast year I was introduced to chain maille and I immediately fell in love. Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDelete