Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenifer Martinez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was in high school when my sister came home for a visit. She had taken a summer program where she learned to make a chainmaille tank top. I was utterly fascinated… so she taught me how to do it! I wove chainmaille idly for years and brought various necklaces and bracelets to my T-shirt booth for sale on a side table. When Game of Thrones came out and “made dragons cool again” suddenly people started buying the chainmaille in earnest. When sales became more than just gas money, I started really getting involved with the chainmaille community on social media. Eventually, I started creating my own designs, kits, and tutorials, and now I even teach classes and host lectures.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Chainmaille has a stigma attached to it because of the Renaissance Faire. People tend to think it’s kitschy or a lowbrow form of jewelry because the vast majority of maillers only make beginner-level weaves. Chainmaille has a steep learning curve and if you don’t learn something as simple as holding your pliers correctly, you’re likely to develop some bad tendonitis in the first 3-5 years of weaving. It’s a constant struggle showing the public that the art of handmade chain goes way past the costumes from ren faire or the armor you see in the movies.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a worldwide following for making heavy-duty handmade chainmaille from steel and titanium. I’m known for using materials to make things you can wear every day with absolute confidence in their quality. My chains have a reputation for durability and I offer an ironclad lifetime warranty for repairs against abuse of ANY KIND. Even if you run it over with a car, I will take care of it for you.
My partner Josh coils and cuts all the links within 128th of an inch, and I design and weave the finished product. I have two apprentices who help weave and do prep work for the booth. We set up every weekend year-round at a show or festival to sell the finished chains. I also have an enthusiastic TikTok following where I show people how I anodize our titanium pieces.
In addition to this, I am the co-curator for the Worldwide Chainmaille Quilt Project. We have gathered over 100 donated 8×8 patches showing off different ways chainmaille can be woven or presented and are slowly assembling it. It’s a long term-project that still has many years left before it will be completed.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I love chainmaille. Absolutely, totally, and completely.
I research it every day and talk about it constantly.
I dream about it every night.
If you are interested in getting into making chainmaille, I am 100% here to help you do that.
I believe chainmaille is a dying art form, and I am passionate about recruiting new blood into the field. I am happy to share all my resources to get you on the road to weaving. I will overwhelm you with links, suggestions, and more information than you can handle if it means we can nerd out together about linking jump rings. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to put your toe in the pool!
Pricing:
- Steel Bracelets $50-$150
- Steel Wide Cuff Bracelets $100-$500
- Steel Pendants $25-$200
- Steel Necklaces $100-$500
- Titanium Necklaces $200-$1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.steampunkgarage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steampunkgarage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steampunkgarage
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@steampunkgarage
