Hip Hip Hooray! It’s our 12th birthday!

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12birthdayThat’s right, Blue Buddha is now a dozen years in the making!

We’re really proud of our growing accomplishments — from our large selection of artisan-designed kits to the largest brick ‘n’ mortar chainmaille store in the world — but that would mean nothing without You!

So thank you, B3 fans, for your support and for building this chainmaille community with us.  Whether you’re just starting out or itching to design your next weave, we’re always inspired by your creativity.  To celebrate, we’re offering a 12% off birthday sale!  Just use the coupon 12BLUEBDAY to receive 12% off of your entire purchase from now until midnight Feb 25th.*  Stay tuned for more fun birthday surprises!

We look forward to seeing what you create.  Happy weaving! 

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*discount valid in-store and online, excludes Artisan market items.

Maker’s Day: Celebrate National Crafts Month on March 7: Artist Demonstrations and Make ‘n’ Take Projects

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Free and Open to the Public

CHICAGO—In honor of National Craft Month, a dozen makers and artisans will invite the public to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what they do at Maker’s Day: Watch. Make. Take! on Saturday, March 7 in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. The artisans will explain the process behind their work, and many booths will give the public the chance to try it for themselves through “make ‘n’ take” projects. The sessions—from henna to chainmaille jewelry to 3D printing to lock picking—will run on a rotating schedule from 11 am through 5 pm at 1127 W Granville.  All activities are family-friendly and suitable for beginners.  Admission is free.  Most projects are free; a few have a modest fee to cover materials (under $5).

The event is sponsored by Blue Buddha Boutique, the largest brick-and-mortar store in the world dedicated to chainmaille. Blue Buddha specializes in teaching people of all ages how to weave modern versions of this  ancient art form. Their team of 18 employees serve customers in all 50 states and more than 40 countries. The company raises awareness of local, handmade goods and support Chicago crafters through Blue Buddha’s artisan market—featuring the work of more than 50 makers, designers and crafters—and the annual DIY Trunk Show in Edgewater.

 

Event Details:

Maker’s Day
Saturday, March 7
11 am – 5 pm

Blue Buddha Boutique
1127 W Granville
Chicago IL 60660

773.609.4449
FREE

For more info:  Please contact Britt Johnson, Marketing Director
[email protected]
P: 773.478.3767

Artisan Market Monday: Erika Kristen

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Erika Kristen

Erika Kristen is a photojournalist and artist (not to mention, also an Inventory Specialist and B3 Liaison) from Chicago. Her portfolio from the past 15 years features everything from high-end table-top products to obscure art, though most of her experience is in the live concert arena. Musicians photographed over the years include Henry Rollins, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Passion Pit and Of Monsters and Men.

Erika explained, “I document history. Every image has a story and more than likely, its one that you would never guess in a million years! My hope for each image I capture is to leave an indelible impression in one’s memory. Good, bad or indifferent. It strikes up conversation, it stirs the soul. Memory fades. An image lasts forever.”

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Stretch your dollars at B3 with NEW, lower prices for our 12-year anniversary!

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Happy Wednesday, chainmaille fans!
Here at Blue Buddha, we are always listening to your feedback and looking to improve customer satisfaction. The number one request that you’ve had in recent years is to lower prices. You spoke, we heard.  And … *drum roll*
… as of today, our Aluminum and Anodized Aluminum prices have been lowered AND we’ve simplified our mix ‘n’ match discount.
For many months, we’ve been negotiating better pricing from vendors and we’ve even switched some vendors (keeping the quality high, of course). Due to our purchasing volume, we are now eligible for additional price breaks for some vendors.
We’re excited to be able to pass along these new savings to you. As of today, the following prices for loose ring packs have been lowered from their 2014 values by approximately:
  • Aluminum – 25% less than prior
  • Anodized Aluminum – 20% less than prior
Additionally, we’ve simplified our discount structure, making it easier for you to save even more money when you mix and match eligible packs of rings.
We were planning on unveiling our new pricing in the spring, when we’d acquired more inventory at the new costs (we still have plenty of inventory at our old costs). But you know what? February is our 12-year-anniversary! We’re pretty happy and proud of that, and decided we couldn’t wait to celebrate with you. What better way to celebrate than to give you what you’ve been asking for! :-)
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In the meantime, if you’ve got suggestions on what we should improve next, please let us know. We are listening.
We’ve planned a few other birthday celebrations, so stay tuned for more exciting announcements from Blue Buddha all month long! 

 Happy Weaving!!!

Artisan Market Mondays: Four Eyes Handmade

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We have a “little” something for everyone here at B3 — even the kids! We’re fortunate to have Four Eyes Handmade, creations by Beth Cummings, in the Blue Buddha Artisan Market. four eyes handmade chicago childrens clothing

Her designs reflect her love of Chicago and other fun geeky items for the rugrat bunch. :) She also designs throw pillows and iron-on patches. In fact, her Ctrl Alt Del pillows were featured on the set of “Two and a Half Men” in 2011.

Stop by the Blue Buddha Boutique Artisan Market (1127 W. Granville, Chicago) to check out Four Eyes Handmade’s items, or visit her Etsy shop online.