Eric was the winner of the votes from my early April blog post with his Something Blue Chainmail Necklace. Here’s his solo interview*.
> Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Eric Young and I currently live in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I have been making chainmail for a little over 25 years. I started out making armor and moved to jewelry pretty soon after starting. My dad is a Silversmith and goldsmith and lapidary and gem cutter. I come from a long line of metalsmiths, so it is in my blood.
> What is your favorite color combination?
I like silver and black best I suppose. I have never been much into colors. I always enjoyed black and white photography.
Something Blue Chainmail
> What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
The first piece I ever made was a chainmail shirt out of coat hangers, more than 25 years ago. I had been reading fantasy novels and when I read Lord of the Rings I was enthralled with the idea of a mithril chainmail shirt. (Nerd alert: mithril is a type of metal mined by dwarves in Lord of the Rings and not a type of chainmail weave. It was said to be lightweight and stronger than any known metal. It was also very rare and very valuable.) I took all my metal coat hangers and made coils and cut the coils and started to learn chainmail. There are many websites devoted to teaching chainmail as well as a few books now. 25 years ago, the best you could get was a couple of photos in a history book. Trial and error was the way I learned. I think it made me a better chainmail artist.
> What inspires you?
There are many things that inspire me. Nature is a great inspiration. I also am quite inspired by math. Sure movies are also inspirational. I have actually had a few chainmail items in a couple of different movies. I started out with the inspiration to make myself a shirt. I guess I am still inspired by the want of a shirt, though now it would be for show only. I have made dozens of shirts and never completed one for myself. Every time I make one someone else wants it.
> Where do your ideas come from?
Most of my jewelry is inspired by historical jewelry. Chainmail started out as just chains. Linking chains together is what chainmail is. I also look at modern things and think, that would be neat or cool in chainmail. I made my first chainmail hacky sack about 17 years ago. It has been one of my best sellers for many years.
Chain Mail Sack
> What are your favorite materials?
I work in stainless steel for the most part. It is very durable and does not tarnish. It also helps to keep my prices reasonable. I have worked with just about every metal from sterling silver to titanium to platinum. I would be happy to make anything out of any metal given the right wage. Stainless is my favorite while titanium is my least favorite because it is difficult to cut and to work with.
Green Glass Bead Chainmail
> Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?
Buying handmade was the only option not all that long ago. People made a relationship with the craftsmen. If something went wrong with an item you took it back to the person who made it. Today we have gotten away from the craftsmanship aspect of items. Buying handmade means someone rather than a machine made the item. There is some love and energy put into every piece made by hand. The quality is usually greater as well. Sometimes the pricing is higher on hand made items but to me it is well worth it.
> What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?
I have learned patience. And believe me, it takes a lot of patience to put thousands of rings together each and every day. I have also learned about how to sell my art from other artists. Before I was just a manufacturer, now I do consider myself an artist.
> Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Up until the beginning of the month of April I worked in the tourism industry. I produced festivals and events in the town where I live. Due to some restructuring and downsizing I am currently unemployed and a jewelry artist. Apart from being a jewelry artist I am also a master stone mason. I create everything from retaining walls to water features. I love working with stone because it lets me work outside. That may be what will pay the bills pretty soon.
Steampunk Chain Mail Bracelet
> What’s your favorite movie or book or both? Why?
I am still quite partial to the Lord of the Rings series both the books and movies. They are a pretty excellent escape. I do like other types of books and movies but those have always stuck in my head.
> What are the Web addresses for your work?
website: www.TangledMetal.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/TangledMetal
twitter: www.twitter.com/TangledMetal
blog: TangledMetal.blogspot.com
etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TangledMetal
artfire: www.artfire.com/users/TangledMetal
> Are you offering my readers any specials?
Yes, I will offer 10% off for any of your followers through the month of May. Just send a message ahead of time for a coupon code. So visit Eric’s shop and get 10% off!
Linda
Linda, thanks so much for the contest and everything,
Eric
*If you’d like an item considered, comment with your best URL and your Etsy shop name. (I only feature jewelry different than mine.)
