About

Joshua Bracken – Owner, Maille Artisan
For years, I have enjoyed making hand-crafted art in a wide variety of mediums. I’ve always had a passion for making things by hand, from simple sketches and drawings to more elaborate art such as pottery, custom pyrography (wood-burning), and hand-painted figurines. I first started selling things to friends and family who liked what I did and wanted to help support my hobbies.
In 2002, several of my painted miniatures and statuettes were commissioned for use as props in production of the independent film, ‘Raspberry Heaven’, which was filmed in Ashland, Oregon and premiered at several Independent Film Festivals around the nation in 2004.
In 2010, I was introduced to the art of chain maille by a couple of friends who were playing around with it as hobbyists. It was a blessing in disguise because that same year that I also suffered a knee injury and a spine injury which both required surgery. It was during my recovery that my interests and focus really turned towards making chain maille armor and jewelry full time.
In 2011, I joined with my mother to create Meyer’s Wires. The business was designed to showcase her beautiful wire-wrapped jewelry and my chain maille. That year I also teamed with my long-time friend, Keith Dickey, to create an American Flag made entirely out of maille. This flag then traveled to Ground Zero, in New York, for the 10th anniversary memorial ceremonies of the 9/11 attacks. It now hangs proudly in FDNY Rescue 1 Firehouse in Manhattan, New York.
From 2011 until 2017, my mother and I traveled together along the west coast of the U.S. to various craft shows and events to sell our wares. We also created the Meyer’s Wires Facebook page and  website, to help boost sales and build a greater audience.
In early 2017, I began thinking about branching off on my own and building a business that was focused solely on the art of maille. And thus Bracken Maille was born. The majority of my time is devoted to creating new and wonderful pieces of jewelry and other chain maille products. I also do all the photography for the website, and manage the Bracken Maille Facebook page. When I am not working on chain maille, or attending an event, I enjoy spending time at home in Northern California with my beautiful wife Heather, our children, dogs, cats, and goats.