I'm spring cleaning!

I was looking through everything in the chainmail store the other day and noticed it all looked a bit dusty.  My photos were old and didn't always have the best light.  After some research on light settings and looking up how to do a few fancy things in GIMP...voila!  Most of the store looks bright and fresh now.  I still have a few pics to redo and new items to add, but I'm very happy with how it's all coming together. If you've not visited the shop in a while, check it out.  Not all the new items are up yet but there are several, including these unique earrings made from salvaged VCR parts.

I'm also glad my supply order arrived on time.  I was running low on dice bag rings and MACE:West is happening this weekend (3/25).  If you're in or near Asheville, stop by and say hi.  I'll have a bunch of new stuff to show you.  

I've gone soft...

I've been on a break from shows as of late.  Things always slow down after Christmas, and with the freezing cold weather and my new niece that came in January, I'm just starting to get back into traveling to events.  This weekend was my first in a while, and I made the unfortunate discovery that I've gone completely off my game.  I got a heck of a lot of mailing done but my shoulders are wrecked.  Note to self, keep in better shape for work!  Or don't work so much.  I prefer the latter, but will keep on working as I'd like to keep the heat on through the rest of the winter. :D Thankfully I have a week to recharge and restock before heading out to Morgantown Con in NC.  It'll be my first time there, and I'm looking forward to a fun and hopefully busy weekend.   After seeing all the cosplay running around at these events, I want to have another go at making a steampunk hat.  I made one for Halloween last year and it turned out okay, but it's not a perfect fit and I want to give it another go.  I love doing con cosplay, but it's tricky to do a full on outfit if you're running a booth solo too. Do you cosplay?  What's your costume of choice?

I. Love. Conventions.

I'm a geek at heart, and love going to conventions.  It's great to meet new people, play games, sometimes wear a costume, and just hang out and have fun.  It's been a while since I've been to done, so I'm excited to be back at ETSU-Con this year!  If you'll be in the Tri-Cities area for the last weekend in February come out and see me.  I have links to their site and all the details on my Facebook page.

Until the convention I'm finding plenty of ways to keep myself busy.  I had a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with my other half at the first of the year.  I don't get to see him nearly enough, and it was wonderful.  I can't wait to see him again.  Today I'm wading through a giant pile of paperwork in an attempt to get started on taxes...bleh...and looking at possibly doing a winter event in Kingsport, TN next month.  

If you're not following me on Facebook (you should Like and follow my page for special offers) and haven't seen the latest updates, check out the new keychains in the shop!  The double ended ones have been very popular this year, and I've been wanting to do something with little critters, so now there are dragonfly and snake keychains! 

Dragonfly Keychain at Marci's Chain Designs

Snake Keychain at Marci's Chain Designs

Seasonal felicitations!

Years ago a friend emailed me around this time of year, saying "Seasonal felicitations!".  Doesn't that sound more fun than Happy Holidays?  I'm a Merry Christmas person myself, but I hope that whatever holidays you're celebrating are filled with love, good times, and warmth.  Especially warmth.  Winter is no longer coming. Winter is here.

With the New Year it looks like there are going to be a lot of changes happening in my life.  One of those things is adding a new item to the store that I'm genuinely thrilled about.  Bernard (my larger dragon sculpture) always makes me smile and I've wanted do to more dragon sculpture pieces.  They tend to be time consuming, which means they end up being expensive, and I want to have a dragon piece that anyone can add to their collection without breaking the bank.  My workspace is currently a chaotic mess of piles of rings and dragon heads, bodies, wings and other bits.  But soon it shall all come together into a beautiful draconic masterpiece! 

That's my new project.  Are you looking forward to trying any new things in the upcoming year?

Is this your towel, or has my dryer started knitting?

I think the most common complaint people make about their dryers has to do with their sock eating tendencies.  Whenever that odd sock comes out it's always the hungry dryer munching on the other one.  I used to believe this, but after a particular set of events I believe that dryers may have something else in mind...

I have several friends who live out of town and sometimes we have a weekend get together at my house.  After the last big party everybody went home, I went back to my usual business of chainmail and several days later I got around to doing laundry.  While unloading the dryer I saw an unfamiliar towel with pretty, colorful turtles on it.

It wasn't mine, so I started asking people who'd been over about it so I could find the owner. Strangely, no one would claim it.  Not a single person said it was theirs, or that they'd seen it while visiting.  At which point I realized that I also didn't see it until it was coming out of the dryer...  Maybe, just maybe, the dryer has been collecting odd socks for a greater purpose.

If only I could convince my printer to repurpose singles into hundreds!  Until then, I'll still be making cool stuff out of chainmail.  Today (11-30-16) is the last day for the 20% off sale!  If you need an awesome and unique gift for someone on your list stop by my site for links to the store.  And Like my page on Facebook for fun photos and special Facebook only discounts.

It's hard to make chainmail when your hands are frozen

The East TN Celtic Festival was moved to October, and on the 21st I happily packed up my totes of chainmail and tree art for the show on the 22nd.  Little did I know that the previously warm weather would choose this day to go on vacation.  After weeks of high temps at 70/75, day one of the outdoor festival had a high of 55.  I froze my fingers off all day!  And as soon as the weekend was over it was back in the 70's.  Even with the crazy cold snap the show was a lot of fun, I'm just denying the warm weather's vacation request for that weekend next year.

Christmas is coming up soon.  I usually don't get into it until after Thanksgiving but I've spent the last couple of weeks getting a jump start on making ornaments.  I have new Spiky Ornaments this year, Celtic Star Ornaments, Tree of Life ornaments, and several different styles of long keychains.  If you've not been to the shop lately, visit and check out the new pieces.

If you're hosting or know of an event between now and Christmas that could use a dose of chainmail, be sure and let me know.  I'm always looking for fun new events to be part of!

I'm not dead yet!

The last few months of non chainmail "day job" work have kept me covered up, but I'm here again and ready to get back to the links!

Marci's Chain Designs next event is Big Stone Celtic in Big Stone Gap VA on Sept 24, 2016.  I'll be there with chainmail and tree art, and am really looking forward to it.  This is always a good show with lots of things to do, and is in a beautiful area.  Check out their website and see what's going on, come out to see me, and get some great and unique stuff.

I'm looking for more fun Celtic, Medieval, Gaming and Anime events to take chainmail to this year, or any event that could use a vendor with a giant dose of colorful and awesome handmade chainmail items.  If you are part of or know of something happening in East TN/SW VA/Western NC I'd love to hear about it.  Let me know!

The ultimate gift for the true Renaissance man or lady...

Chainmail toilet paper!

I'm not sure exactly when this idea popped into my head, but I'm sooo happy with how it turned out.  For the true Renaissance man or lady, chainmail toilet paper.  Hand crafted from aluminum rings with a durable leather center roll, this toilet paper is a piece you can enjoy for years to come.

Yes, I'm crazy.  But it's fun.  :D

Kraken!

I was watching tv and playing with my pet kraken when it crawled away.  By the time I found it, it was already up to no good...

I love how the kraken turned out, and the other bottles are coming along nicely as well.  A bit slowly, but nicely.  I prefer to reuse empty bottles and do the recycle/upcycle/green thing, but there's only so much wine one person can drink without getting themselves into trouble.  That, and I've not yet figured out how to legally write off buying booze as a materials expense for the business.  If you've not seen any of the other bottle art yet, check out the shop at www.marcischaindesigns.com.  I'm still doing finishing touches on a few so they're not all posted, but I'm hoping to have the rest of the collection in by the first of the week.  If you're interested in bottle art, let me know.  I'd love to make something for you.

I've also been trying to get ready for shows the next few weekends.  This weekend (4/30-5/1) is Shikacon in Bristol, VA.  It's an anime convention and a new one for me, so I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!  I'm following that with the Spring Fling in Cadiz, KY on 5/7, and the St. Brendan's Celtic Festival in Oak Ridge on 5/14.  You can find details about these on my Events page on Facebook.  Come buy some chainmail, and mention seeing this post for a free gift with your order at any show through the end of May!

What's my motivation?

Why is it so cold in April?  I woke up warm and happy under my blanket, only to be attacked by an evil 30 something degree outdoor temperature.  It's just not right.  I dragged myself downstairs for a hot cup of tea and decided to get started with the day.

The last few days I've been office worked to death.  There's been taxes, a ton of other business paperwork and reworking the website.  I do the site myself and usually want to pull my hair out before it's done, but this time I'm really happy with how it turned out.  If you've not been there, or if it was blue the last time you were, check out the new version at www.marcischaindesigns.com.  Now that the short term paperwork and back end things are sorted, I'm ready to get back into making stuff.

In February I created a Celtic Knot bracelet design to match my Celtic Knot Earrings, and the new design has been popular at shows.  I like to mix up my display, so I try not to go crazy with all jewelry all the time.  My next project will be more bottle art.  Currently I only have two decorated wine bottles.  They have a very gypsy feel (to me anyway), and you can use them with the bottle they were made on or take them off to put on another.  They're very versatile, very unique, and make great conversation pieces.  Once I get a half dozen of them together I'll do photos and put them in the shop.

Plans for the rest of the day now...  Finish my tea, grab that blanket, and sit on the couch working on bottle art while binge watching Are You Being Served.  Yay for Britcoms!

Time for the Tri-Cities Highland Games!

In the time I've been doing chainmail I've been to countless shows and festivals that included Highland Games.  And in 6 years I've never actually watched one.  Not ever!  Luck has always put my booth in a separate field or around the corner, and I can't just walk off and leave the chainmail for an hour or 2 to go see what's going on.  This year however, things are changing and I'm going to get to watch the show!

If you've never seen a Highland Games, or love them and want to come see what's going on, the Tri-Cities Highland Games will be this Saturday, March 12, in Johnson City, TN.  You can participate or watch, so check out their page to get details on everything.  Looking forward to seeing you there, and mention this blog post to get a free gift with your chainmail purchase!

It's ETSU-Con time once again!

Do you live in the Tri-Cities?  If you know where ETSU is and are into anime, make plans to check out ETSU-Con this weekend, Feb 27-28!

http://www.etsu.edu/students/sorc/organizations/etsucon/

While I'm not a huge anime fan I'm a gamer to the core and love being a part of geekery events like this, so Marci's Chain Designs will be there! Mention this post for a free gift with your chainmail purchase!  

Happy New Year!

It's a brand new year.  Time to turn over a new leaf, try to convince yourself to start exercising more, or just to do more of whatever it is to better your life and the world around you.  As you mull over ideas, I hope you consider supporting more local and small business people.  Not only does it help your neighbors and friends pay their bills, it keeps more money in the local area and supports individuals instead of corporations.

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Marci's Chain Designs is having a January sale to ring in the new year, and neckties are on sale for only $50!  Check out the Facebook page or Etsy store to grab this deal!

I'm one of those "Thanksgiving" people

Christmas is coming!  But it's not here yet, dangit.  Thanksgiving is first, the holiday where we should spend the day being thankful for the positive people, opportunities and blessings in our lives.  Only after that should one jump into the crazy chaotic mess of Christmas.

As a thank you to customers who choose to do their holiday shopping with me and help a small business during Christmas, I have a couple of offers going in the store.  There is a discount for anyone using coupon code NOEL15 in either the chainmail or tree stores.  For Black Friday weekend, I have a special FREE EARRINGS offer!  Keep up on special offers by liking Marci's Chain Designs and Art on Facebook.  If you don't see the FB link on this page, you can find it here!

Chainmail and sharks

October seems the right time of year for a good fright, and I believe I've found it.   This is a
chainmail suit torn by a shark.

You really, REALLY need to check out that photo.  He was literally torn a new one.

This person is faring better but you wouldn't catch me feeding sharks underwater, even in chainmail.

Back up on the surface, this chainmail shark gear looks nice.  It's almost like really cool, super casual metal sweatpants.

If you're still looking for a costume this year and want to do a different sort of chainmail, consider going out as a shark hunter.  It's dangerous, but really cool.

I have more art online!

Those of you who follow Marci's Chain Designs on Facebook or who have bumped into me at shows know that chainmail isn't all I do.  I've also been doing Tree of Life drawings, and this week opened up an Etsy store for it at marcisart.etsy.com.  You should check it out.

I survived the Upper East TN Celtic Festival last weekend.  Thankfully my man was able to make it out to help with the booth, because I don't know what I would have done without him.  Next on the list is Big Stone Celtic in Big Stone Gap on the 26th, and I'm glad it's still a week away so I have time to get a more tree drawings completed.

I'm trying to decide on a final idea for a new chainmail sculpture piece.  Is there anything you'd like to see made in 3d chainmail?

Is there such a thing as Celtic BBQ?

I love a good BBQ. A weekend with delicious food, cold drinks and good people is always welcome. It would be even better if we could have combined last weekend with next and have the Upper East Tennessee Celtic BBQ!  Unfortunately my Force powers are lacking and I'm out of magic dust, so I'll have to split the events between two weekends. ...maybe spreading the fun over  two weekends isn't such a bad idea.

Make plans to have fun this weekend at the East Tennessee Celtic Society's festival at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton TN. There's going to be lots of things going on, including axe throwing, and you should check it out on their website. Here. 

Bookmarks!

Have you ever looked at or read a word until it lost all meaning?  No matter how much you try it just doesn't seem to be spelled correctly, and your eyes start to glaze over.  That happened to me when trying to get my bookmarks listed on the website, but I'm completely okay with temporarily being able to read any word with 'book' in it in exchange for getting this online.  It's so pretty!

Bookmark at Marci's Chain Designs

There are still two more days to take advantage of my August sale.  Check out Marci's Chain Designs on Facebook for details and the coupon code, and like my page to get updates on the latest happenings with my chainmail.

It's hot. Really hot...

I'm so glad the weather is cooling off this week.  Fall's not here yet, but for this week I'll be able to mow the yard without dying from heat stroke.  C'mon fall, I'm ready for you!

In the meantime, I'm back at it and getting ready for upcoming shows.  I've refilled the earring racks with new designs and some really crazy cool VCR parts, and have been working with a neat new celtic knot charm design that I think you'll really like.  There's another order on the way as well, and I can't wait till the new parts get here so I can jump in on some new pieces.  Yay for new stuff!

In September I'll be back at Sycamore Shoals with the Upper East TN Celtic Festival in Elizabethton on the 12th and 13th, and at Big Stone Celtic in Big Stone Gap VA on the 26th.   I have an application in for a new show in October that I'll tell you more about if I'm accepted, but aside from that I'm still looking for shows and Celtic events.  I need more more great shows before year end, so if you know of or are part of anything that could use a dose of chainmail, email me or send a message on Facebook and let me know.

New stuff on sale every week on Facebook!

My totes are heavy.  Too heavy.  Every time I travel to a show I take two huge totes stuffed with chainmail and tree art, and if I keep that up I'll be spending a fortune at the masseuse and chiropractor just so I can stand up straight.  That means it's cleaning time, so I'm having a sale!  Each week on Facebook I'm posting a small lot of items for 30-50% off.  Some pieces are styles in the store, and others are unique and truly one of a kind pieces that have never been posted.  You need to follow my Facebook link on the right and Like Marci's Chain Designs so you always know what's on sale.  Each lot of items is only on sale for the week it's posted, so if you see something you like you'll need to grab it quickly!

What is your favorite item that you would like to see posted in a sale?