Chainmaille Artists Maille Mystique Use Cyberspace to Build Friendship, Business

Debra Dale and Carol Branting may live 700 miles apart, but it’s not stopping them from developing a friendship and business. The techniques they use to make their jewelry were used to make armor in the Middle Ages, but their business techniques are thoroughly modern.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (PRWEB) July 22, 2006 -— Debra Dale and Carol Branting stumbled into each other two years ago in an online message board for jewelry making enthusiasts and became fast friends. Now the two are business partners — but they’ve never actually met in person. Despite the distance, the two have created a successful line of high-quality handcrafted chainmaille jewelry and purses using the internet.

Dale relocated to Union, Kentucky after her husband was forced to transfer from his job at a plant in Illinois, where she had lived her whole life. "It's been a lonely experience at this stage of my life. Creating chainmaille is calming and therapeutic," says Dale. Once Dale started experimenting with the technique, she found she had a talent for it.

Branting, of Marshall, Minnesota, is the Maille Mystique web guru and specializes in chainmaille necklaces. Does she ever wish that she could sit down with her partner over a cup of coffee to discuss strategy or share techniques? "Every single day," says Branting.

The term "mail" derives from the French word for wire, according to the Maille Artisans International League (MAIL). Maille is made by "weaving" small metal rings into a flexible material. MAIL recognizes about 629 unique chainmaille weaves, five of which were designed by Branting herself. Although chainmaille can be made out of many different kinds of metals, stainless aluminum being the most common, Dale and Branting enjoy working with precious metals like sterling silver, because of its superior look and wear.

About Maille Mystique
Maille Mystique’s bracelets, anklets, necklaces, earrings and purses are a departure from the heavy, manly-looking chainmaille of yore. These modern interpretations of this ancient technique are delicate, ornate and sophisticated. Maille Mystique jewelry and custom orders are available for purchase at Bead It at the Mall of America in Minnesota, or online at http://www.maillemystique.com or http://www.maillemystique.etsy.com.

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