Just off the Granville Red Line stop is a store called Blue Buddha Boutique. Located at 1127 W. Granville, it is known for its chainmaille jewelry and local artists’ work. The boutique recently moved to the new location after being in a tiny building in Albany Park.

Before the store became well known, Rebeca Mojica, owner and founder of the company, started her chainmaille business in her own apartment.

The Boutique not only sells chainmaille jewelry, but also statues, dream catchers and much more. They also offer classes for different levels of learning. There are project samples for beginners, intermediate, advance, mixed and expert learners, and there are a variety of projects that can be completed in class or even on your own. There are even make-and-take home sessions and promotions every month. The sample packs in the store are made by the instructors who work at Blue Buddha.

“I came to the store about two-and-a -half years ago, and luckily I already had experience making chainmaille,” Dan Rychtarik, an instructor at Blue Buddha, said. “So I showed Rebeca, the owner, my works because I started my own chainmaille company, and thankfully she liked it and hired me.”

Rychtarik, who teaches classes on making mobiused rosettes bracelets. His love for chainmaille started when he went to the Renaissance Faire and saw a man who made chainmaille jewelry. Since then, he has continued to show others how to make the craft.

Rychtarik now works as a take-home/ quality control instructor. This means he takes home 10-pound bags of chainmaille and sorts out the bad jump rings and brings them back to the store. He also teaches classes along with the other instructors and Mojica as well.

Also at the boutique, Mojica lets local artists come in to sell and display their work. Products such as hand-made scarfs, stuffed animals and coffee sleeves are shown to the public for a limited time. On display at the store is Mojica’s submission for a contest she is entering this year.

Every year, Blue Buddha Boutique attends the Bead and Button Convention. This arts and crafts trade show lasts for a few weeks and invites artists from everywhere to show others their artwork. There are pottery classes, ceramics and other jewelry making stations at Bead and Button. Rebeca participates in the Bead and Button show every year and has given away gift bags filled with sample packs and other goodies from her store along with her book. Blue Buddha Boutique also holds classes and workshops for anyone who stops by the booth to learn more about chainmaille. The convention can get pretty hectic since it is filled with craft artists from all over.

Visit the store or check them out online at bluebuddhaboutique.com to register for classes, learn about their By Artists For Artists program, or simply to browse their wares. After a short session with one of Blue Buddha’s instructors, you will become familiar with the basics of making the intricate jewelry, and even have a piece of your own to take home.

The experience offered at Blue Buddha is a truly unique one. Being the only brick and mortar chainmaille jewelry store in the world, you’re sure to find something worth your visit.