The Chains That Bind... Creative Projects Link Up Generations--Mother's Day Giveaway #Blue Buddha #giveaway #sponsored

 

The best Mother's Day gift I EVER got was my daughter, Sage Ani, who was actually born on Mother's Day 2003, at 2:10am, on a wonderfully stormy night that knocked down trees and flooded roads.   

But these sweet pieces from Blue Buddha Boutique would become lasting favorites as well!!   Find out how to win them for yourself or your favorite Mom.

Gorgeous Blue Buddha Boutique chainmaille kits for crafty mamas!   Enter for your chance to win this grand prize Mother's Day starter kit.   Details below. 


Mother's Day Blue Buddha Blog Hop Giveaway

Things are hopping for Mother's Day and we're stoked to be partnering up again with our friends over at Blue Buddha for another rockin' giveaway just in time for Mother's Day!   You can gift the kits if you've got a crafty Mama in your life or DIY and gift the finished pieces.   Disclosure:   Thanks to Blue Buddha for providing a bracelet kit for our giveaway.

My Mom showing off her necklace given by the grandkids and made by friends of ours--another mom/daughter jewelry & giant hula hoop making team at Hoops & Loops.


The Chains That Bind... Creative Projects Link Up Generations

Love 'em or loathe 'em, everybody's got one... and we wouldn't be here without our mothers!   I had a creative childhood, myself, and encourage the artistic streaks in both of my kids (10 & 12) now.   My mom was an elementary teacher then an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher till she retired and she was all about DIY projects.   My Dad's side of the family is full of artists. 

Even when my Mom and I can't see eye to eye on politics, religion, music or life styles, art unites!   We can bond over photography, jewelry kits and art projects with the kids/grandkids.   We can all thoroughly enjoy a multigenerational trip to Chicago's many art museums.   We can bond over a family art class or workshop and have a great time creating something beautiful and lasting together.

I love chainmailling with both of my kids!   They're developing patience & small motor skills.   They're creating amazing stuff they're truly proud of.   And as an added bonus, sometimes they gift them to ME.   They've made me some of the coolest pieces ever.   I treasure them and get tons of compliments when I wear them.

A decade later, Sage still has the tempestuous, 
stormy personality to match her Mother's Day birth night!

The night of her birth, there were tornadoes in the burbs that almost prevented our midwife and dr from making it to our home birth!   I stood at the open door, watching the lightning rip through the sky and the rain cascade down, and I realized what a powerful force birth and motherhood truly is.

Honor your mother with something as cool and unique as she is!    Motherhood is mysterious, magical, and memorable and we're inextricably linked to our mothers and their mothers before them back throughout history...   So what's a more fitting gift than the interconnectedness of a gorgeous chainmaille piece?

 

 

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and a "Celtic Visions" project kit ($24.95 value) giveaway in winner's choice of colors.   Click the rafflecopter link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT OUR GIVEAWAY PRIZE
"Celtic Visions" bracelet kit: available in Aluminum, Copper or Jewelry brass with two customizable colors, will include PDF instructions for right or left hand.   Click here for full bracelet kit details. 

(*These kits are geared for adults but are fine for tweens with assistance & teens.)

Open to US residents only
Enter through midnight May 8th, announced May 9th.  

 

Honoring Creative Moms: Blog Hop & Starter Pack Giveaway

GRAND PRIZE BLOG POST - Giveaway closes May 8th, announced May 9th.   Readers should comment on this post on the B3 blog to enter the grand prize giveaway.   Click here to enter! 

Open to US residents only



Check out images and quotes from three very talented chainmaille jewelry artists, Rebeca Mojica, Spider and Sara Richardson.  After reading, leave a comment honoring a woman in your life (or sharing your own experiences as a creative parent) to be entered to win* one of our limited edition Mother’s Day Chainmaille Starter Packs.  

We’ve made this all-inclusive kit extra special for mom with our beautiful glass rings in two feminine color options (Shaggy Loops bracelet – shown left in copper w/ light rose glass rings, Shaggy Loops earrings  – shown below in aluminum w/ seafoam glass rings.)  It’s a great way to share you love of chainmaille with someone in your life or create a handmade gift for someone!

Hop To It And Win: Blog Hop

*Check out each of the blogs below, for more cool, Mother's Day content & more chances to win all week, leading up to the big day!   Links will be updated & become live HERE as each posts.

• Thursday, May 2nd: Blue Buddha Blog – Contributed post from Charlene Anderson

• Thursday, May 2nd: Handmade Artists Forum

• Friday, May 3rd: ChiIL Mama Blog/ Subject:  The Chains That Bind... Creative Projects Link Up Generations

• Saturday May 4th: Saturday Sequins/Subject: Creative pet moms  

• Monday May 6th: Beading Gem’s Journal/Subject: Mother's Day

• Tuesday May 7th: Elemental Art Jewelry/Subject: Mom's support and inspiring female artists

  

  
  

Check out ChiIL Mama's past photo filled Blue Buddha coverage here.

Unchain Your Brain-Blue Buddha Boutique Blog Bomb! #giveaway

Click this link then click the image to see this intensely cool chainmaille mandala in different stages of progress....or drop by Blue Buddha Boutique's (B3) new space and see it for yourself.

Steampunk Sagezilla (9) rocks a chainmaille 'stash

Art connects us...   Links are forged when artists create community and when communities create art.   It's the same way with blogs.   I have a mandala tattoo on my shoulder and whenever anyone ask me what it means to me I tell them it's interconnectedness & individuality.    That's how I feel about art, and well....life too.   We all have our own unique voice and vision, but there's explosively cool energy and power in connecting with others.

So, ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and unchain your brain.   Drop the fears and busy schedules, and doubts that hold you back and try something new.   Learning is lifelong and not just for kids.  That's why we're seriously stoked about Blue Buddha's new training space.  Come link up and create something amazing...art, confidence, community.  

My last name, Kenaz, means fire, passion and creativity and they're traits I live by.  So I was particularly excited when Blue Buddha asked ChiIL Mama to be one of 4 in a BLOG BOMB--simultaneous explosion of creativity!   

Forget the ubiquitous "blog hop"...which is all well & good but reminds me of the bunny hop...not always a great image, or a great tune to get stuck in your head.   Why hop when you can boom?!   We're going for a full blown, powerful, explosive burst of energy.  It's a BLOG BOMB BLITZ!   BOOM!!!!

By 10am on Wednesday, 2/20, all 4 blogs will be offering great giveaways and exploring the theme of learning.   Four blogs...four features...four giveaways....for YOU!

*Click here to check 'em all out then enter the big one... Grand prize giveaway post on Blue Buddha's blog:  Comment to win a 3-hour chainmaille jewerly class held at Blue Buddha Boutique (B3)--must be local enough to use the class--no product substitutions.

NATIONWIDE GIVEAWAY (anyone in the US):

*ChiIL Mama's offering our readers:   a Kit & Tutorial for B3's "Flowers Bracelet" project.  Enter through midnight February 26th. 

Flowers Bracelet tutorial teaches beginners how to create mobius balls or "flowers" than can be used to make a variety of projects!  This tutorial will help you create a sweet bracelet and the skills learned be used to create matching earrings, keychain or even a necklace.  You can create this piece in solid base metal or make it more colorful by using anodized aluminum jump rings in one color or even a mix.

This is the perfect first step to take for folks working up to making more complex projects like Rebeca's Tapered Mobius Necklace and Knotted Lace Cuff - coming June 2012!

Example shown uses red "large rings" (size L18) and aluminum "connector rings" (size H18).

Comment below on what sparks your creativity for your chance to win & click the Rafflecopter Form for additional entries for spreading the word.   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back in November, ChiIL Mama paired up with Blue Buddha for our 2nd feature/ giveaway, and it rocked!  We learned so much as a family, trying our hand at their new chainmaille kits. 

We collaborated on harder pieces as a family, which was a hoot, and our 9 year old has been so stoked to wear the necklace she made.   She gets compliments on it all the time and you should see her face glow as she smiles and tells people she actually made it!    

    

   Celtic Visions Star Pendant

My 11 year old son loved it so much he took the rings and pliers in to school as his 6th grade art project choice for the semester.  He not only mastered the directions, he went on to make more variations on his own, and link up 3 Celtic Visions Star Pendants for a unique, more complex triangle design.   

Du-Jay (11) discovers a new passion!

Check out all our past Blue Buddha, photo filled features & our interview with Rebeca Mojica here.

ChiIL Mama's elated to be participating in our first ever BLOG BOMB with our fav local chainmaille artists--Rebeca Mojica and Blue Buddha Boutique, a Chicago based chain maille supplier.   We dig supporting small businesses and creatives in the community.   

Chicago's own Blue Buddha Boutique says:   

We had so much fun with our blog hop in November that we could hardly wait to do another one.  This time around, we’re doing a blog “bomb” – 4 blogs, 4 giveaways, all in one day.  BOOM!

The theme for this explosion is learning.  Whether it’s picking up chainmaille pliers for the first time, starting a new weave or really venturing into a new craft of any kind, taking those first few steps is altogether exciting, scary and confusing.  But that’s what makes it worth doing!  In re-launching our jewelry-making classes, we are energized knowing we’ll get to help lots of folks take these kinds of leaps, lead them through breakthrough moments and watch them create beauty.   Check out Blue Buddha classes/ fees/descriptions here.   They're offering a wide range of exciting instruction!

We also can’t wait to do some learning ourselves as we invite makers of all kinds into our space for monthly CRE8TIME Maker Studios.

*Click here for dates for totally FREE, mixed level, open studio times!   This is not a class, it's a community.   And that's the bomb!

Blue Buddha Boutique Blog Hop #giveaways #greatgifts

Chainmaille Kit Giveaways by 
Blue Buddha Boutique 

ChiIL Mama's super stoked to be participating in another blog hop with our fav local chainmaille artists--Rebeca Mojica and Blue Buddha Boutique, a Chicago based chain maille supplier.   We dig supporting small businesses and creatives in the community.   

This time of year we're also always on the lookout for cool holiday gift ideas, and this makes ChiIL Mamas Great Gifts List for sure.   Rebeca has just released easy starter kits and printable on line instructions (for either right or left handers).



She's crafty...she gets around:

Rebeca sent us several of the kits to try out, and we had a blast.   Sure, these are geared for adults, but my 9 & 11 year olds were able to make some amazing pieces without getting too frustrated.  We tag teamed it for some family fun and between all of us we found our strengths--some were good at opening, closing, weaving, or figuring out where we were in the pattern.   It was too much fun.

There's no special gear needed like soldering irons, chemical tanks or a big studio space.   You can weave chainmaille in any space you've got.



In fact, my 11 year old son is completely addicted and is now going for the rings and pliers every spare moment.  He finished a gorgeous Celtic Visions Star Pendant in silver, green, black and blue and now he's making another one, and adding his own unique triangle twist to it, too.   Now he's ambitiously plotting chainmaille costume pieces for himself for Renaissance Faire next summer!

These kits make unique gifts for the crafty on your list, and if you're the crafty one, they're an awesome DIY option for handmade gifts people will actually treasure and want to wear.   

Celtic Visions Star Pendant from Colorful Starter Pack

Now we're midway through this super cool Mesh & Rosettes starter kit which makes two bracelets or can be adapted to one wide cuff or necklace instead.   During the course of our giveaway, we'll be posting more photos, videos and updates as the project progresses.   In the mean time, enter below for your chance to win a Shaggy Loops Bracelet Kit from now till midnight on November 25th.

Mesh and Rosettes Bracelet from the Purist Starter Pack

Blue Buddha says:

“Chainmaille Starter Packs” have finally come to Blue Buddha and just in time for the holidays!  These new packs (which we think will also make great gifts!) contain everything you need to get started creating beautiful chainmaille jewelry.  Absolutely no guesswork involved!  We provide you with the tools we love for beginners, projects we know people can succeed at and even color customization we know will look beautiful together.  All you have to do is click!

The "All-in-One, Easy Start to Chainmaille Pack" is the only one that comes with pliers.  For the others, we created the Tool Pack which comes with Euro Tool Ergo Pliers, Tool Magic and a bead mat.  This allows people to kindof mix and match - purchasing one Tool Pack and then their favorite Starter Pack: Colorful, Purist (which is all one solid metal for more classic tastes) or Scholar (which is based on Rebeca's book, CHAINED.)  There is also no cross-over of projects in these different packs, so because Tools are separate, people can purchase more than one without any overlap or the hassle of having to pay for pliers over and over when they really just need one set.

The Scholar pack (which is the biggest investment at $138.65) is built to take people from complete novice to advanced/intermediate weaver.  Plus, with kits available on our website for every project in the book, people can really grow just by starting with that pack.

Enter to win a kit for Blue Buddha's “Shaggy Loops” project (shown here) customized with any two colors you like.

Enter here for your chance to win!

We're so excited to offer one of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers a Shaggy Loops Kit.  The contest is international and will close at midnight central time on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   Entries accepted through midnight on 11/25/12.   Winner will be announced on Monday 11/26/12.

*a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Blue Buddha for providing us with rockin' awesome chainmaille kits so we could check them out ourselves and also give one away!

Two years ago, we featured Rebeca Mojica and her gorgeous Chain Maille Instructional book--Chained.   Check out our feature and interview here. 

NEW for 2012

We're so happy to be able to introduce our readers to Rebeca's new baby--starter packs.   She says

"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. "  

Each Starter Pack is completely different from the next, allowing you to mix and match without any overlap in projects.  Our convenient Tool Pack is also kept separate so you won’t end up needlessly paying for extra tools over and over again just to get more projects.  Each pack is designed to take the user from complete novice to at least an intermediate level.  The largest pack (the “Scholar” Pack) even takes people past intermediate and closer to advanced.  Each pack also comes with a handy “Get Started Guide” with tips for how to hold your pliers and open and close your jump rings properly.  Also included is a bag of practice rings so newbies can try their opening and closing skills without damaging the rings in their project kits.

Rhondo a la Byzantine bracelet from Scholar Pack

Not a newbie?  Feeling ambitious?  The Scholar Pack is based on the designs from Rebeca's book.  This kit features the most advanced project, Rhondo a la Byzantine bracelet.   How cool is that?!   Once you've mastered the beginner Byzantine and Helm weaves, it's doable!

But wait, there’s more!  Comment** on THIS POST though midnight CT on November 28th for your chance to win Blue Buddha's Grand Prize Giveaway: an “All-in-One, Easy Start to Chainmaille” pack $49.95 value!  This pack comes with two pairs of pliers, a mini bead mat and kit and instructions for one of our most popular projects, “Celtic Visions” bracelet.  We’ll choose one lucky winner on the 29th – it could be you!

Sure there's a learning curve, but these kits were surprisingly simple to use and the directions were clear and colorful, and even came with a troubleshooting sheet.  Our only near disaster was long hair related and resulted in a hairy necklace and a tiny, minor hair cut.   

Sage has been so jazzed about her Celtic Visions Star Pendant and the fact she made it herself that she's worn it every day since she finished it a week ago.   She's gotten a ton of compliments on it!

I'd highly suggest checking out the great info at the other blog hop sites--especially Angelica Brigade's great how to on opening and closing jump rings.   (You can also enter their Blue Buddha giveaways to maxamize you shot at winning while you're over there visiting.  Most are open for another week.)

Also remember to enter here at ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   You can come back for additional entries daily if you share this on Twitter and social media. 

Wednesday, NOVEMBER 14TH
The Beading Gem’s Journal

Thursday, NOVEMBER 15TH
Beading Daily Blog

Friday, NOVEMBER 16TH
Angelica Brigade Blog

Monday, NOVEMBER 19TH
Handmade Artists Forum Blog

ChiIL Mama blog - Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
Tuesday, November 20th

Lovestruck Jewelry Blog - Sara Richardson
Wednesday, November 21st

Click here to enter to win the Blue Buddha Boutique blog GRAND PRIZE. This particular giveaway will run until November 28, 2012.

Check 'em out, link up, and good luck!