ABOUT THE ARTIST
My name is Jen and I’m the owner, designer, metal weaver, and everything else behind ZenJumps Chainmaille. I’m currently living just outside Raleigh, NC with my boyfriend and our four adorable cats. I started making chainmaille as a way to pass the time and take my mind off things in late 2014. Eventually I started selling my pieces to be able to afford more supplies, and in August of 2018 I transitioned from a hobbyist into making chainmaille full time. While I do sell online, I also sell at a lot of different festivals, art shows, and conventions along the East Coast. Check out my event schedule to see where I’ll be vending at next!
ABOUT MY WORK
What exactly do you think of when you think of chainmaille? Do you think of knights? Armor? Vikings, perhaps? You’re definitely not wrong! There’s so much history behind the craft and I strive to add a modern and elegant twist to the classic chainmaille armor that we’re all used to seeing in history books and at Renaissance Festivals.
Most of my jewelry is made in stainless steel and titanium so that it will last a lifetime. I also do some work in aluminum – mostly my scalemaille fashion pieces. I love to focus on designing pieces with elegant lines that mix a touch of edginess with some whimsy. Each piece is made by weaving a single ring at a time to form a variety of intricate patterns and designs, with the finished pieces ranging from subtle and discreet to bold and daring. Each item is made to order to your specifications to ensure that your new items are the perfect fit for you and the perfect match for your personality.
The titanium used gets its color from a process called anodizing, which uses an electrical current to manipulate the oxide layer on the metal. This changes how light reflects off the metal, which then changes the perceived color creating a rainbow of colors without the use of dyes! All titanium and niobium anodizing is done in house by myself.
