armatoracatena

I got my start as a bored college student with some craft skills. I grew up in Indiana and arts and crafts were a major part of my upbringing. While in a college history class I decided I wanted to try my hand at making chainmail/chainmaille. I started by spinning and cutting my own rings and have since switched to a supplier so I could work in different metals and colors. I also do make jewelry with semi-precious gemstones and Swarovski crystal. I draw inspiration from everything around me. I'm a world traveler, teacher, nerd, artist. Everything is fair game for inspiration for me.

Every piece I make will be one of a kind (even when I'm doing more than one piece of the same design-there will be natural differences in each piece that at least I know are there). I have made pieces for SCA and reenactor groups around the world as well as special occasions such as weddings, baptisms, graduations, coming out, etc.

My university thesis involved making 30+ different types of rosaries so, I have no trouble with making pieces of a religious nature such as rosaries or prayer beads of any tradition. I find making prayer beads a meditation act in itself. I'm also up for pretty much any sort of challenge with my art- different colors, different metals, different weaves are always welcome suggestions.

Outside of my chainmail and jewelry work, I am an ESL teacher in Taiwan and do incorporate art in my classroom as much as I can.