Get To Know: Crescent Maille
Let’s take a moment to learn a little about the designer behind one of our sponsors.
Meet Crescent Maille:
Business Name: Crescent Maille (cMaille for short)
Where are you located?
Northern California
What is it that you design and create?
I make chain maille jewelry, especially bracelets, in both traditional weaves and original designs. I specialize in working with very small rings to craft delicate and exquisite jewelry. I’m also creating a series of my own designs based on lace.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
It’s exciting when the circles swirling in my head coalesce and form a new design. But I like most the weaving itself, being immersed in the pattern and repetition. It’s a form of meditation.
How did you come up with your business name?
I came up with my internet name first: cMaille. It’s short and memorable, and evokes chain maille. As for choosing the right word for the “c,†my favorite weave at the time was the Half Persian 4-in-1, which looks like a line of crescent moons. So the “Crescent†just sort of fell into place.
Where/How did this all begin?
I never thought I’d be interested in making jewelry, but after years of drawing and painting, I wanted a “tidy†artistic outlet. I’d been pretty fixated on drawing and painting circles. Last summer I saw a couple examples of chain maille and was intrigued: circles! I bought a beginning-weave kit and once I started on my first bracelet there was no going back. I find it a low-maintenance pastime of quiet solitude; something I can do while talking or watching television, or just sitting. It’s like being a chronic knitter, only with metal.
Who or what inspires you?
My Significant Other is My Muse.
What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
- You must love your craft — everything else follows; do something you love, and something that you would do anyway, regardless of sales.
- Communicate well with your customers, since as a seller your job is to make them happy.
- Keep meticulous records from the start, so tax-time is easy.
What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
I’ve found a wonderful shop on Etsy called TeaNoir (http://TeaNoir.etsy.com) that makes truly inspired blends from all-natural botanicals. They created a custom green tea for me based on my favorite ingredients, and I’m hooked.
What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Elliot Smith, Gorillaz, Fiona Apple, Franz Ferdinand, The White Stripes, Firewater, Cake, Malajube, Radiohead, Wilco.
What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
The Simpsons, The McLaughlin Group, and The Dog Whisperer.
What was the last movie you watched?
Gone Baby Gone
Coffee or Tea?
A lot of both.
What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
A grocery store in Tokyo.
Any pets?
Two fish. Red fish, blue fish.
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Paris is my favorite city so far.
If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what would be your superpowers?
I wouldn’t want to be a superhero, but I’d like to be able to fly.
Favorite Holiday?
Halloween.
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I’ve studied French, Spanish, German, Russian and Arabic. I’ve forgotten almost everything but some French. I am trying to teach myself Spanish now.
It’s 2008 already! Oh yes, so soon. What are your plans for the year?
In 2008 I would like to see my sales increase. As I have more customers (and repeat customers) that are happy with their purchases, I hope both that they will return, and that all of the positive feedback I am getting will encourage others to give my shop a try. I’d like to start selling a larger number of my more complex pieces, like bracelets and woven necklaces, because these are where the real joy comes in for me as a craftsperson. I make every piece to order, and all bracelets are custom made to the length the buyer specifies. Therefore, each sale means another chance to make something. Sales help keep me in supplies, and supplies keep me weaving and designing. I’d make chain maille no matter what; but selling definitely helps me create.
Thanks so much! Here is a little selection from the shop:
Graduated Byzantine Necklace: $280.00; Zen Lace Bracelet: $90.00:
  
Academy Lace Earrings: $43.00; Mobius Charm Necklace: $38.00:
  
European 4-in-1 Weave Bracelet Cuff: $165.00; Octopus Lace Earrings: $55.00:
  
Receive 10% off any purchase. Type “Mixed10” in the message to seller field and you’ll receive the 10% refund via PayPal after your purchase. Offer good through May 15, 2008.
[...] Mixed Plate - A little bit of everything wrote an interesting post today on Get To Know: Crescent MailleHere’s a quick excerpt Let’s take a moment to learn a little about the designer behind one of our sponsors. Meet Crescent Maille: Business Name: Crescent Maille (cMaille for short) Where are you located? Northern California What is it that you design and create? I make chain maille jewelry, especially bracelets, in both traditional weaves and original designs. I specialize in working with very small rings to craft delicate and exquisite jewelry. I’m also creating a series of my own designs based on lace. W [...]
I learned a lot from the cMaille jewlery designer in this interview. I own a beautiful Full Persian Weave Bracelet, and a beautiful Mobius Charm Necklace. After reading how these beautiful jewlery pieces came about, I appreciate owning them eve more! I plan to continue acquiring beautiful jewlery from cMaille in the future, a very gifted designer.
How great is it to find such a great artist/seller/buyer on your site. We had done a custom piece for cMaille and she was just as awesome a buyer as you were.
love the mobius charm necklace, but I have a bad habit of losing necklaces (all jewelry really) and am hoping to get a pair of earrings once my ears are re-pierced
all the best
-lola
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I found your blog from google and read your posts. It’s fun and I just add your blog to my Google Reader. Keep up your good posts friend. I’m Looking forward to read more fun from this blog. Thanks…
I really like this bracelet friend. I like how you and express through it…