In The Studio - Malachite Earrings and Dragonscale

Good Morning,

Friday's are usually open for promotions and things that are happening around Boise.  Since it is Easter this weekend, and some festivites have been cancelled, there isn't much to promote.  So today's blog is short, and showcases two items currently being worked on in the studio.

Malachite and Sterling Silver Earrings.



These have not yet been listed for sale and I am not sure I am going to list them.  Large malachite oval cabochons have been set in Sterling Silver and are made for Pierced ears.   The materials were pre-cut and measured, and given to me as part of a job interview / skill assessment.  They measure 1" x 1/2".

This piece is not finished yet, and I am still in the process of deciding what to do with it.  At this length it would make half of a watch band, or I could continue for a full bracelet.  My concern is the weight,  silver plate over brass, makes for a dense and heavy piece.  Using 5mm and 3mm ID rings, makes for a pretty but weighty item.

Top down, the rings are stretched to their limit, to show the scale like pattern.

From different angles the piece has a different appearance, one of my favorite things about the weave.

The rings create a lovely and smooth chain, although it looks like it would be rough to the touch, it is actually very silky.

Viewed from the side the rings appear to Cris-cross, making a pretty X like pattern along the chain's edge.

The Cris-cross moves in the other direction on the other side.  Dragonscale is an intricate and beautiful weave, done in multiple or single colors, it is a conversation starter as well as a durable and functional weave.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day and a Happy Easter.

Thursday Tutorial - European Speed Maille Weave

Good Morning,

As usual I am a day late and a dollar short, only backwards.  Unprepared for the post today, because I thought it was Friday, a tutorial will just have to suffice.

European Speed Maille Weave is a shortened version of the European 4-in-1pattern for which individual units are created and then linked together with a single jump ring.  There is no difference in the appearance of the chain, just in the way it is woven.

European Speed Maille

Materials - Enough for a nice practice piece or it makes a neat Key Chain or Purse Charm.
2 Pairs of Pliers (Flat Nosed)
39 *10mm Aluminum Jump Rings in Teal by Darice (6mm ID)
AR 3.7

*These rings are purchased from a local Craft Store and manufactured by Darice, in packages of 135 rings.  One package is plenty to create this short tutorial.  We do not recommend these rings for finished projects, but they are great for practice and color design.


Begin:
Open 13 jump rings
Close 26 jump rings.
Set one open ring aside.

Place four (4) closed rings on one open ring and close the ring.  Set the unit aside for the moment.

Set up the rest of the rings, pair two closed rings with one open ring.  There will be 11 sets of rings.

Or you may place the closed rings on the open ones.  Either is fine.

Take the unit you created earlier and arrange the four loose rings so the unit looks like this.



  


There are now Top and Bottom Rings.







1.  Slide one open jump ring DOWN into the bottom ring and UP through the top ring.









The unit looks like this.








2.  Add two (2) closed jump rings to the open ring and close the ring.  *If you placed your closed rings on the open jump ring before sliding it through the unit just close the ring.





3.  Fold or flip the rings you just added in the same position as the previous pair.  The unit will look like this.

 


Repeat Step 1.

Slide one open ring DOWN into the bottom ring and UP through the top ring.




Repeat Step 2.

Add two more rings, and close the open ring.





 
Fold or flip the rings just added to the correct position and close the ring.  *The rings will kind of go there on their own once the chain begins to grow in length.




Pattern Notes:  The Open jump ring when added, will sit beneath the previous ring in the row.

Each of the closed rings added will fold to either side of the center ring and lay on top of the previous pair in the chain.





When you have added all of the sets, slide the last open ring (the one you set aside) down through the bottom and up through the top ring and close the ring.  This completes and locks the chain pattern into place.  Done!

I turned the tutorial into a Key Chain.

If you would like to try this pattern in other sizes or materials you can use the chart at zlosk to check out the required AR sizes.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day. 

Featured Artist - A Bead Thing

Good Morning,

Today's featured artist is the lovely and very busy Pam, of A Bead thing.  This is one talented and on the go lady.  Not only does she own an operate her own shop on handmadeartists.com, she also Home-schools her Grandson, and is an active member on the forum participating in blogging, tweeting and site contests.  Where she finds the time to create her wonderful jewelry is a mystery to me, but she does, and is it every pretty.

Pam writes: Handcrafted jewelry is my passion. Choose handcrafted bracelets, rings, necklaces and pendants. I especially love creating bead woven jewelry because of the enormous variety in colors available and the diversity in style that can be created. Bead woven or stitched items are also lightweight and easily cared for. All contributed content © abeadthing

There are some really beautiful and unique items in her shop.  Some of my favorites are below.

Bloodstone Pendant

Product Details:
This is approximately 20 mm bloodstone gem enclosed in a handwoven copper wire and bail.  This stone has multicolored spots including red.  These stones are a variety of a silica mineral chalcedony and the red spots resemble blood which is how it derived its name.  From the Gemstone Encyclopedia we find that in ancient times, bloodstone was thought to be able to stop hemorrhages with the merest touch. Bloodstone is said to relieve stomach and bowel pain as well as strengthening blood purifying organs and improving blood circulation. Bloodstone is also believed to have a positive influence on the bladder. 

Although this item has sold, it is a beautiful piece.  We'd like to congratulate Pam on her sale, and also drool over this gorgeous handmade bracelet.

Silver and Topaz Bracelet

Product Details:

Using a commercial silver bezel type bead with a clay colored stone, I have added topaz 4mm swarovski crystals in a right angle weave pattern to connect the bezel beads into a wonderully elegant bracelet .  This bracelet looks spectacular with jeans and sweater as well.  Measures 7.5 inches.

Handcrafted Copper Swirls with Gray Marble Stones

Product Details:

Copper 20 gauge scroll type swirls are used here to connect the copper wire wrapped gray marble stones.  Necklace is 20 inches in length  The irregularity in shape of these marble stones add to the beautiful of the copper swirls.

The intricate bead work of this bracelet just astounds me.  How did she do that?

Ruby Red Swarovski Crystal Bracelet

Product Details:

This gorgeous bracelet is created using 6mm swarovski red crystals and 6/0 and 8/0 gold myuki seed beads in a braided beadweaving technique.  This is a bracelet fit for a queen.  Measures 7.5 inches.
Special orders for larger or smaller sizes are also available.  Other colors of crystals are also available upon request. 

What a cool little accessory, too pretty for keys, I would hang this from a purse or backpack strap, although keys would be good, too.

Red Carnelian Stone Keychain

Product Details:

Using 6mm red carnelia stones I have created another of the fabulous keychains.  This keychain measures approximately 2 inches without the ring.  

Attach the keychain to your purse easily or use as a zipper pull for the purse closures.
You could also use this with a small modification in the ring as a zipper pull for your favorite hoodie to add a bit of glitz and glamour.


In hope that the post has inspired you to take a look at the shop and see what other wonderful things Pam has for sale.  Perhaps there is something for you.

 You can find and follow Pam at any of the links below

A Bead Thing - Shop

A Bead Thing - WebSite 

A Bead Thing - Facebook

A Bead Thing - Twitter

A Bead Thing - Google +

A Bead Thing - Blog

Don't forget to Grab The Badge



<a href="http://www.abeadthing-pam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b525/beadthing/ABTBadge_zps75637c0e.jpg" border="0" alt="blogbadge"/></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thank you for stopping in and having a look.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.  </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left;">

Five Great Gifts For Giving List 11

Tuesday is here, and as usual we have five items that would make awesome gifts.

Today I am trying something a little different.  These items are taken from brand new artists on handmadeartists.com.  They are not part of the blog ring or any other feature.  These are artists that have caught my eye, not to mention make things that I covet!

Ladies, are you stuck for something to get the man in your life?  Check these out. Not only are they cool, they are very masculine, and come in a variety of items, including movie monsters, backhoes, Sports Figures and much more.  These sculptures are amazing and I would recommend just having a look at what else is in the shop.  Not only are these are awesome they are totally affordable!

From: Art From Steel

Chopper

Product Details:

 Note the wider ball bearing wheels at the back and the V twin engine made from cut off spark plugs. 

-  Expertly Hand-Made from recycled scrap metal

-  Dimensions : 9" X 4" X 4" (22 X 9 X 9 cms)

-  Weight : 2.3 lbs (1 kgs)

-  Extremely Limited Supply!

-  Note: This statue may vary slightly from photograph due to the scarcity of materials.

This artist has an incredible talent for the tiny!  Check out her other sculptures as well.

From: Electronic Girl

Red Pandas hang around unique gift for her cool gift for teenager mothers day gift

 

Product Details:

This adorable little Red Panda is just hanging around enjoying his time with you! This unique necklace will melt your loved one's heart instantly!!!
If a special someone loves red pandas, this is the coolest gift ever! This carefully designed {hand sculpted} wearable artwork was created with incredible attention to detail. The pictures do not do it justice.
This pendent comes with a 18" ball chain. Pendant is about 1" x 1". The purple flower is a Swarovski crystal.
Get him now! This necklace will go fast and will not be re-listed until another one is made. They are very labor intensive.
**Please read my shop policy's before making a purchase.
**note: since the panda has very fine details the appendages are delicate. I recommend being gentle when wearing this necklace. (aka: don't kick box while wearing it)
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**all jewelry that leaves my shop is swabbed with antiseptic.
**yes, I have cats but they are not allowed near my jewelry components, in process pieces or finished pieces...as it would be a choking hazard.
**smoke free environment


These are truly unique, one of a kind and amazing affordable for the time and effort that must have gone in to making them.

From: Glitzy Glass Studio



Lampwork Boro Focal Glass Blown Vessel Bead Purple Blue Crystal Swirl by DeMarie SRA

Product Details: I made this lovely one of a kind glass blown lampwork boro hollow vessel in my glass torch. This vessel is very three dimensional with crystal swirls around the entire design, each swirl magnifies the shades underneath and captures the light. Your vessel can be used for essential oils, perfume or cremains if you desire.

The vessel is 3 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide. It has a custom glass stopper that fits snuggly in place
Size: 3 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide.
I have been making and loving glass work since 1993
All GG beads are properly cleaned, annealed and packaged. GG Boro beads are created using Northstar, Glass Alchemy and Momaka Rods. GG encased boro beads are wrapped with high quality crystal clear Pyrex Glass from Corning. GG beads are kiln annealed, carefully examined, and cleaned by ultrasonic power and then by hand.
Policy - I strive to always be available to meet my Bead Families needs . I can be reached via the web or phone at 951-239-1777 (California time) Please try not to call me at 3am - I get a bit grumpy 

Now here is something truly unique and different.

From: Jane Priser

Geometric Sunrise

Product Details:
Geometric Sunrise is an original pen drawing created by me, Jane Priser. This is the only one and there is no other. This sunrise scene is a fantastic and interesting abtract. Permanent marker upon sturdy Bristol paper. Free shipping within the U.S.!


ACEO stands for Art Card Editions & Originals. The standard size is 2.5 x 3.5 Inches. (Size of a sports trading card). They are highly collectible works of art that are the perfect size to collect and make wonderful gifts. To learn more, search ACEO on the web! 

From Norma's Bath and Body

orange sherbet soap float

Product Details:

 Mmmm.. how fun is this orange sherbet soap float. give as a nice gift. smells good enough to eat. display on the sink. your family and friends and guests will love it. comes with or without a straw.

If you need bulk to let me know!