DIY Jewelry Using Pantone’s Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Posted by | 2 Comments | Read More / Add Comment

PMSchip

Here in Chicago, we are digging out of MORE snow and can’t seem to imagine a world where we don’t have to put on a parka just to take out the trash. Because we are surrounded with white snow, gray slush and even grayer skies, to say that we are eagerly anticipating spring would be an understatement.

Well color us happy to see Pantone announce their Color of 2014—Radiant Orchid. This lovely blend of fuchsia, pink and purple gets our creative juices flowing and feels like a promise that warmer days are just around the corner. (They better be; otherwise we’re moving to Hawaii.)

Our love of this hue shouldn’t come as a surprise. Here are just a few of our favorite kits with purple or violet AA rings.

Pantone Radiant Orchid inspiration projects

Coiled Japanese Cross Diamond Pendant

Basic Coiled Choker

Dragon’s Eye Pendant

Rapid Track

 

 

Even if colored metal isn’t your thing, you can add an a bit of eggplant elegance to your piece with crystals or seed beads. Pantone Radiant Orchid inspiration beads and crystals

Tell us: What do you think about Pantone’s choice of Radiant Orchid as their color of the year? (You can read more about how they make this decision here.) Are you you dreaming of springtime, dyed eggs and blooming hyacinths yet? Or is that just us? :)

Watch. Make. Take! Celebrate National Craft Month With Us!

Posted by | No Comments | Read More / Add Comment

Makers-DayC’mon. Do you think we’d pass up an opportunity for crafty fun? Nope :)

To celebrate National Craft Month, this Saturday, March 8, more than a dozen makers will invite the public to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what they do at a special event: Maker’s Day: Watch. Make. Take! The artisans will explain the process behind their work—and many will give the public a chance to try it for themselves through make & take projects!

The sessions—from sewing to chainmaille jewelry to paper folding to lampwork glass—will run on a rotating schedule from 11 am to 6 pm here at Blue Buddha Boutique (1127 W. Granville in Chicago). 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).

ALL-DAY EVENTS: 

ZeroLandfill Chicago – Make & Take: Painting on Laminate Chips/Tile Magnets

Blue Buddha Boutique – Make & Take: Chainmaille Zipper Pull or Earrings

Chicago School of Shoe Making & Leather Arts – Make & Take: Get Your Leather Working Skills Started (3-4 Projects to Choose From)

Organic Headshots – Photobooth with Costume Accessories

SPECIALTY EVENTS:

11:00 – 1:30 – Meandering Design and Letterpress by Lydia – Make & Take: Stamping, Heat Embossing and Embroidery
11:00 – 2:30 – Astrida Naturals – Make & Take: Bath Salts
1:00 – 5:00 – Drawn With Fire – Demo: Wood Burn
1:00 – 5:00 – April Llewellyn & Greta Bach – Make & Take: Flexagons! Paper Folding A One-Page Book
1:00 – 6:00 – Cre8Time – Open Crafting: Finish or start a crafty or hacker project! (Participants must bring their own materials and tools.)
1:00 – 6:00 – Blue Buddha Boutique – Demo: Anodizing a Metal Called Niobium
2:30 – 6:00 – Edgewater Workbench – Demo: 3D Printer
2:30 – 6:00 – Christina Pei – Demo: Lockpicking
3:00 – 6:00 – Leslie Rosario – Make & Take: Pink is the New Black – Basic Wire Wrap
3:30 – 6:00 – Laura Rodriguez – Make & Take: Soy Lotion Candles
4:00 – 6:00 – Everlasting Fire Studio – Demo: Lampwork Glass

The event is jointly sponsored by the Chicago Craft Mafia (of which Rebeca is a member) and Blue Buddha Boutique. Maker’s Day is held on March 8 to coincide with the Cre8Time movement of the Craft & Hobby Association. 

And the Winner of Our Birthday Giveaway Is …

Posted by | 3 Comments | Read More / Add Comment

Congratulations, Elaine White, c’mon down! Your comment was randomly selected as the winner of our 11th birthday giveaway! (Sorry, we couldn’t help the Price is Right reference.)

Happy Birthday, B3!

Time to get shopping, Elaine. You’ve won the base metal kit of your choice (up to $40 value).

Thank you to everyone who commented and wished us well on our big day. There were so many wonderful stories of chainmaille discovery (and addiction) and we are thrilled to be part of that. Here’s to another 11 great years — any many more!

Happy weaving!

It’s Our 11th Birthday – Let’s Celebrate With a Giveaway!

Posted by | 56 Comments | Read More / Add Comment

Well, well – looky here. Are we blushing? It’s probably because this weekend is our big 11th birthday and we don’t look a day over eight 😉 b3bday

Seriously though, we couldn’t be happier than to be spending another year weaving with the best customers a company could ever dream of. Thank you for helping us come so far and be so successful in just over a decade!

CLS-3WK-PERSIAN-MASTER-bigAnd while we’re celebrating, how about a giveaway? (Also, don’t forget about our 11% off EVERYTHING sale through Sunday, Feb. 23, too! Use coupon code HAPPYB3DAY at checkout.)

Comment below as if you were signing B3’s birthday card. Tell us your favorite B3 memory or experience in your comment.  One randomly chosen winner will receive a FREE base metal kit and instructions of their choice.*

Comments made through midnight, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 are eligible. A randomly chosen winner will announced on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014.

We can’t wait to hear your stories. Happy weaving!

*Any base metal kit with a value up to $40.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted by | One Comment | Read More / Add Comment

We’re a warm and fuzzy bunch of people here at B3. Over the past few years on Valentine’s Day, we’ve used this space to profess our love for our pets and our creative outlets. This year? We wanted to share some little love notes to the things that inspire us ♥ Whether it is a book, song, poem, movie, band, etc., we’re sharing what has touched us in a way that continues to ring true to us day after day. Read below for more on what we LOVE.

aimee-1Aimee Leangimage
What do you love? Metal wire, mostly round, in all different types of metals and gauges.
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship?LTR for over 10 years.
A little love note:Thanks to wire for allowing me the pleasure to wrap it. It pretty much always bends to my will!

 

erika_wattErika Watt
What do you love? Photography erika_photo
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship? Circa 1970-blah, when I was allowed to take a picture with the family camera (an out-of-focus, crooked picture of my grandfather, sitting on our sofa).
A little love note: Dear Photography, Thank you for your enhancement over time. You make it possible to capture a moment in time that we can share over & over again. You translate information, preserve history & help us share imagery to loved ones near and far. Keep up the good work! You have a great more story to tell. Love, a devoted follower, /e

 

katKat Wisniewski
What do you love? Cafe Bustelo espresso-roast coffee kat_bustello
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship? Hmmm.. maybe since 2009 or so?
A little love note: Dear Bustelo, you start my day every morning and help my productivity. I need you so much and cannot see my life without you. You are my best friend, confidant, and I love the way you make me feel all warm and happy inside. Since, you know I’m a morning person, I appreciate your support and wonderful flavor to help jump start each and every day. I’ll never leave your side. Your one and only love for life – Kat


jenna2011Jenna Deidel
What do you love? “The Collaborative Habit” by Twyla Tharpjenna_twyla
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship? A little bit of both. I originally fell in love with her first book, “The Creative Habit” (which I still adore). This book came out later as a follow-up and really spoke to me so I guess I fell in love all over again :)
A little love note: Dear Twyla, “The Collaborative Habit” really spoke to me. I have never identified with the image of the artist as an island and believe deeply that true collaborations are a sign of strength, not weakness, and usually lead to a stronger result than could have ever been achieved alone. Your book helped me and my co-founders to create our non-profit, Audible Odyssey and we have since been able to bring people in our tap dance community together in new ways that make everyone better at what they do. ♥ j

 

rebeca-sm-326x387Rebeca Mojica
What do you love? Fractals rebeca_fractal
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship? I’ve adored fractals ever since I starting learning about them in 2001.
A little love note: Dear Fractals, You never cease to amaze me with your infinite permutations. You are everywhere I look, from the clouds to forests to beaches to cell phones and even within my own body. I get goosebumps if I think about you for too long. You are aesthetic, elegant, harmonious and without you, life as we know it would not exist.

 

JasonJason ScerenaA_F_JasonBook
What do you love? “Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards of Artmaking” by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Is this a new love or a long-term relationship? It’s been 20 years since it was published, but we only just met last year. 
A little love note: Dear A&F, Thank you for putting into perspective the negative feelings I have about creating. It’s good to know that I’m not alone. You made me realize that to require perfection is to invite paralysis and talent is no substitute for practice.

__________________________________________

Know who else we love? Our customers. Every day, we are reminded that you’re the best. Your repeat business, shared creativity, and kind words make us feel loved all year long. From B3 to all of you — Happy Valentine’s Day!

What inspires you? Leave your love notes