Cast Your Vote! Rubber Rondo a la Byzantine Maillers’ Choice

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With this last Maillers’ Choice of the year, we are reminded that all good things must come to an end.

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B3 Journeyman Weaver and Patron Emissary—not to mention Retail Supervisor—Dan Rychtarik will be leaving Blue Buddha to pursue a new adventure. Of course, we had get him to come up with one more design for us before he says farewell!

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With Rubber Rondo a la Byzantine, Dan combined our new rubber O-rings with AA mixes to create a colorful bracelet that closes in on itself without a clasp.

Vote now for the colorway you’d like to see released for the December Mailler’s Choice!

Thanks, Dan for the awesome designs and so much more! We will miss you, and we wish you the best luck in the future.

 

Giving Thanks: Why We’re Closed for the Holiday Weekend

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anti-black-friday-webThanksgiving is this Thursday, and we plan to do what we hope you are doing this week: Relax for a few days, eat a delicious meal or two, and spend some quality time with loved ones.

Blue Buddha Boutique — both our online and brick and mortar shops — will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 30. (You can still place orders online of course, but won’t start processing them until Monday, Dec. 1.) We hope you respect our decision to not participate in Black Friday. 

Last year, Rebeca wrote a blog post explaining her thought process that led to this decision. You can visit it here: Why Our Store is Closed for Thanksgiving Weekend.

As the image says: live, craft, hug, eat, laugh, cuddle, rock out, sleep, breathe, meditate, party … just BE more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A New Face at Blue Buddha: Welcome, Britt!

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Welcome to B3, Britt!

Please join us in welcoming our new Marketing Director, Britt Johnson! She’s just what the doctor ordered – a creative soul with strategy running through her veins. Britt oversees all of Blue Buddha’s marketing efforts, analyzing data and market trends to determine how to best meet our amazing customers’ needs. She is determined to help us prove to the world that anyone can make or enjoy chainmaille.

A Chicago native, Britt graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Ill., and after working the non-profit sector, she found her way to Blue Buddha. Now that she’s been with us for a few weeks, let’s get to know her a little better, shall we?

B3: So, Britt, what made you want to work at B3?
Britt: I was referred to B3 by a friend who thought I would fit perfectly in the professional and creative culture. When Rebeca told me more about the opportunity to help with marketing strategy I was very excited. I love statistics and logistics planning. After I got to meet the staff I knew I wanted to be a part of the B3 team. Everyone was so friendly and awesome – I couldn’t help but get excited.

B3: Who is you favorite artist or maker?
BJ: My favorite artists are probably my parents. My mom is a talented cosmetologist and artist who taught me everything I know about crafting. My dad is a folk musician who inspired my love of music and encouraged me to pursue it.

B3: Favorite work of art?
BJ: Klimt’s 1908 masterpiece “The Kiss” is probably my favorite. I think Klimt’s Golden Phase really created a shift in paradigm for other classically trained artists.

B3: Favorite craft project you’ve made?
BJ: My favorite craft project ever was a brooch bouquet my mother and I made. It had antique jewelry, crystals and hand-crafted flowers. We spent hours in my living room string, pinning, molding; it was the most fun we’d ever had working on a project together.

Britt and her rabbit, Onyx.

Britt and her rabbit, Onyx.

B3: Do you have any pets?
BJ: Two! I have a rabbit named Onyx, and a koi named Zoidberg.

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She has a craft room. Yes, she is one of us!

B3: Favorite band, book, or other inspiration?
BJ: My favorite books are “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien and “El Alquimista” by Paulo Coehlo. Those books definitely shaped me in my youth, and I revisit them often. My greatest inspiration is Jim Henson. His life’s greatest ambition was to make the world a better place by having existed in it. Now it’s my turn to ensure the world is a better place for the children from which I’m borrowing it.

“A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” Truer words never spoken than those of that great American patriot, Jebediah Springfield. Before you ask, the answer is “yes.” I checked, and embiggens in a perfectly cromulent word.

 

 

Physical Wellness for Crafters: Video Demonstrations

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Crafting has a number of benefits: it reduces stress, helps keep your mind sharp, and of course, delivers the sweet satisfaction of making beautiful things. Having a creative outlet can help balance our busy lives. But crafting, when done for long stretches of time or in poor posture, can leave you feeling not-so-great.

Rebeca (B3 owner and creative guru) is no stranger to long hours weaving tiny metal rings together. (Need proof? Check out her amazing award-winning chainmaille mandala.) She’s done a series of videos demonstrating how she keeps her body from feeling the effects of long hours mailling.

Hand Exercises for Crafters
Here are some simple techniques for strengthening your hands and fingers, which are great for crafters who experience fatigue. Rebeca demonstrates some tools she uses, as well as information about hand exercises.

Stretches for Crafters
If you experience neck and shoulder pain after long sessions of crafting whether that be making chainmaille jewelry or other detailed crafts like knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, beading or quilting, this video is for you. Here, Rebeca shares two simple stretches that she frequently uses to relieve pain associated with “crafter’s hunch.”

Eye Yoga
Yes, eye yoga. It sounds silly, but these are actually some simple techniques for strengthening and relaxing your eye muscles. These tips are great for crafters who experience eye strain or worsening vision.

“Color My World” Featured in Chain Maille E-Book Collection

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Chain maille ebook

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Interweave Press–publishers of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry magazine–on a new kit that will accompany their new e-book, The Ultimate Chain Maille Collection.

Color My World will use B3 aluminum and rubber jump rings and is the only kit included in the price of this e-book bundle.

This is a very limited opportunity: The Ultimate Chain Maille Collection will only be available through the month of November, so order yours now!

 

KIT-INCLINED-ALUM-bigBonus: Each purchase of The Ultimate Chain Maille Collection includes a coupon for 10% off your next Blue Buddha kit purchase.

The Ultimate Chain Maille Collection also includes several chainmaille tutorials, one of which is Inclined to Shine by B3 team member Kat Wisniewski. 

Happy weaving!