Featured Artist - Handmade Artists Video Contestants

Good Morning,

The Blog Ring has returned and with it a neat contest that is being held at Handmade Artists Forum.

The Contest:

To enter, you need to make a YouTube video having to do with Handmade Artists!  You could do a video on your own items or shop, other shops, a site tour or whatever you can dream up having to do with Handmade Artists.  Let your imagination run wild! 

Prizes:  Handmade Artists will award the winner $25 to spend anywhere on the site.

Contest submission ended March 15th.

Here are the only two participating entries. 

From Wing n Scales - a little video about all the neat stuff you can find at Handmade Artists Shop




From: I Knit Quilt Sew - Here is an entry that takes you through the site via a tutorial like session.  Sandi has lots of great tips.




Thank you for stopping by and having a look. We hope this videos have inspired you to visit the Handmade Artists site.

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

Featured Artists - Handmade Highlights

Good Morning,

Thursday is here and today's feature really isn't an artist, but artists make them, so that's OK.

I'm sure some of you have shopped Etsy or have a friend that has sent you a "Treasury" full items they like.  A Highlight is just like that.  They can be found on handmadeartists.com, and are put together by the wonderfully creative and talented folks on the site, shop owners, Forum members, and sometimes buyers.

  Sometimes they are entries to a contest, other times they are created because someone has an urge to share the truly beautiful and always 100% handmade items from other artists and artisans on the site.  They are always fun to look at, and have wonderful and unique things available for purchase.  Whether themed selections or random picks from around the site that have caught someone's interest, they are way to see what's available in a nutshell.

The last Highlight contest was the theme of Cranberry Red and Hunter Green items, pretty specific, and people rose to the occasion and found works by others in those colors.

 
Some contests are hosted by a shop owner and a prize will be offered, usually an item from their shop sold at a deep discount, or an offer of an item of the winner's choice.  Other contests are hosted by a site offering a spot on their page for promotion, Gift Guides, advertisement or other beneficial "prize".  Competition is fierce, and always friendly.  The Highlights are about promoting and supporting others, the fabulous art, jewelery, candles, home decor, accessories and other goodies that can be found on the site.  Besides they are just fun to make.

Others are just, because, well, Mewes Mountain Arts really likes Snowmen!

Curious?  Want to check out more?  You don't have to be a member, register or anything else to click on through and have a look.

Handmade Highlights

The Alchemists Vessel

Thank you for stopping in and have a look, we hope we have inspired you to take a peek at more of the Highlights.

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

JEWELRY CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello Thursday!

Today The Alchemists Vessel is pleased to announce the winners of the Free Jewelry Contest.  Congratulations to the following people.

FIRST PRIZE:  
Winner - Shelly Moody
Shelly will be the recipient of  this lovely up-cycled Sterling Silver and Citrine Pendant.

 SECOND PRIZE:

Winner: Denise and Sabrina Bacher

They have chosen this wonderful Antiqued Brass and Chain Mail Necklace featuring a filigreed Stag motif Pendant, from the $25.00 price rage shop selections.

THIRD PRIZE:

Winner: Evie Friend

Evie has been notified, has not made her prize selection yet.

She may choose anything in the Shop up to $15.00, for her prize.

I would like to thank all who participated and helped me reach the goal of 100 likes.  I would love to have 500 by the end of the year, lets see if we can't make that happen!

Links and Promtions Friday

Happy Friday to you all,

I would like to begin with a brief and simplified explanation for the Free Jewelry Contest Participation / Entry.

Purpose:  To reach 500 likes on The Alchemists Vessel Facebook fan page by March 5, 2012.

1.  Create a post on The Alchemists Vessel Facebook Wall: 

"I am entered in the Free Jewelry Contest".  Click here to post

2.  Click the LIKE button at the top of the The Alchemists Vessel page, if you have not already done so.

3.  Get YOUR friends to click the LIKE button on The Alchemists Vessel Facebook page, AND on YOUR Wall Post for the contest, ask them to leave a comment "Your Name sent me".  That is two clicks and one comment total.  Easy-peasy!

4.  The POST that has the most LIKES / Comments will win the Sterling Silver and Citrine pendant. 

There are second and third place prizes, too!

*NOTE:  Remember you or your friends can hide the feed from the page at any time!  I will never spam, e-mail or other wise contact your friends, no records (except Facebook's archives for the page) will be kept of any names, id's, personal profile or fan pages.

This week I was kind of stuck for links.  And instead of sharing the same old ones I just surfed the web for a while and came up with five interesting if not unique links to be clicked, checked out, surfed, bookmarked or deleted at your leisure.

I love the weird, the odd, the off beat.  "Stumbling" is a great way to find some pretty cool stuff.  Like these realistic Disney Princesses, what if these girls really did exist?  What would they look like?  Click here to find out.

Here is a link to Pearltrees a load screen will appear and you will taken to the home page.  This is another Social Site I am guessing, I have not signed up or created an account, but it looks likes delicious or Pinterest at first glance.  Sellers, Artists and others, perhaps this is worth a look as another venue to share and get your items out to the public.  They are also connected to Faceboook and Twitter and Google (there is a Plus, Google + folks!)

We can't be all business all the time.  That gets boring, so in the spirit of fun and Friday the links below are purely for entertainment value, there isn't a serious one in the bunch!

Warning bright colors follow abruptly from this link Draw on the screen with your mouse.   (Maybe later...)

More fun, run your mouse over the dots (keep going, make them really tiny) to discover something new... Koalas to the max (it's not a Koala, honest!)

And a last bit of entertainment from Deviant Art, a neat little drawing program that you can play with for free or upgrade to a more powerful version.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  We would like to wish you a happy weekend!  Enjoy.

What's New in The Shop?

I am sorry to say that there is nothing new in the shop today.  

Last weekend was the Treasure Valley Market, and I was working my booth.  This is an Antique/ Artisan / Flea Market that occurs once a month, beginning in September and running through April.  There are vendors, food, entertainment, Tarot Readers, and of course shopping.

The Alchemists Vessel's booth table (1) and neighbors.

Attendees looking for that something.

We do however have something new for you!  
Currently on The Alchemists Vessel fan page on Facebook, we are running a Free Jewelry Contest. You may see Friday's blog for Rules and Regulations or join us on Facebook.

FREE JEWELRY CONTEST - Friday Links and Promotions

Help The Alchemists Vessel fan page on Facebook reach 500 fans / likes!  We have 61, that's 439 more people needed, and then some would be fabulous!  Below are the Rules and Regulations!  Please read them carefully and I hope you will participate.

Contest Rules and Regs

Starting February 20^th, 2012, The Alchemists Vessel will be holding a contest; first prize is a Genuine Citrine and Sterling Silver Pendant, a $50.00 value.  I am trying to reach 500 likes on my fan page.

First Prize: Genuine Citrine and Sterling Silver Pendant (pictured below)

Second Prize: An item or items of choice from The Alchemists Vessel Shop up to $25.00 in value.

(Second Place winner may choose item)

Third Prize: An item or items of choice from The Alchemists Vessel Shop up to $15.00 in value.

(Third Place winner may choose item)

FIRST PRIZE

 To Enter:

1. You must click “Attending” on the Event Page, this way I can keep track of who is interested.

2.  If you haven’t already you must click the “Like” button on The Alchemists Vessel facebook page. (Yes, I can see if you have done so).

3. You must post on the Wall of The Alchemists Vessel Page and state that you are entered in the contest for the Genuine Citrine and Sterling Silver Pendant.  You may only post once!   

***You may not enter your contest post on the wall until 

February 20^th, 2012, any time will do!  
Start planning that strategy now!

4. To win the Pendant, you must have the most “likes” on your post on The Alchemists Vessel page.

 Here’s how:

Get the word out that you are entered in the contest, post on your wall, tweet your friends, e-mail folks and let them know to click those buttons!

Your friends must click the like button on The Alchemists Vessel page  (remember you can hide the feed from this page at any time, I am after the number / count of 500 Likes).  I will not e-mail, spam or add your friends to a mailing list.

Your friends must click Like on your post and comment with the Phrase “Your Name sent me!”

[i.e.. Alix Browning sent me] or something similar

At the end of the contest, the total count from the participating posts will be tallied and the winners announced on The Alchemists Vessel wall, and messaged privately for shipping information.

On your Marks…

Get set…

Go!

Contest ends: March 5^th, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.  All counts will be taken and the winners announced March 6^th, 2012.

New Shop Items, Sales, Links and Promotions

We're back and switching things up a bit this week!  Have to keep you people on your toes!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  I was busy as a good Alchemist should be, spinning metal, cutting rings, weaving jewelry!  So let's jump right into it and see what's going on in the Laboratory!

Let's start off with the final five days of a SALE and a FREE, yes I said FREE Give Away.  The details have changed, read closely!

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!  Now through February 10th, when you spend $30.00 or more at The Alchemists Vessel Etsy shop or you click through from alchemistsvessel.net, either from the Mini Etsy page or buying direct, you will receive a special offer via e-mail before your order is processed or completed!  I think you'll like it.  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that's one word) and receive an additional 10% off your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop! 

Right now, in the Etsy Shop, select items have been reduced!  Like this beautiful Chain Maille Collar / Choker and Earring set, "Cindy-Rae".  Silver in color with Amethyst color glass beads, this is a gorgeous ornament and a great addition to any jewelry box!  Can be made longer if desired.  A $40.00 value, now $30.00, plus FREE SHIPPING on this and selected items in the Etsy Shop.  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that's one word) and receive an additional 10% OFF your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop, now through February 20th, 2012!

Although the color is not showing well here, the glass beads really are purple and quite pretty in the sunlight.

February's Birthstone is Amethyst and now through February 29th, all Amethyst Jewelry (semiprecious gemstone and glass bead) has been reduced.  Like this fun, super cute and retro-hip Sterling Silver Peace Sign charm with genuine A grade Amethyst beads and Sterling Silver chain.  Comes with matching earrings, boxed ready for gift giving.  A $40.00 value, now $30.00!  See what other Purple items we have on sale!  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that's one word) and receive an additional 10% OFF your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop, now through February 20th, 2012!

Beginning February 21st and running though March 16th, The Alchemists Vessel on Facebook will be holding a contest.  Rules, requirements and other details will be posted here.  We will be offering a Sterling Silver and genuine Citrine Pendant to the winner (A $50.00 value).  Watch this blog for updates and Contest Announcements!  (Prize may be subject to change, but will remain in the $50.00 value category)

Last but not least let's get some new Links going!

You can now find us on Linked in!  If you're a jewelry designer, have an Etsy shop or just run your own business come join the network.  There is a group just for Etsy Shop Owners!  They have Job listings too!

We also have a stack on Delicious, to quote a friend, "That place is like link central."  Indeed it is!  I invite you to add your own content to my stack The Alchemists Vessel Jewelry, or perhaps sign up and start promoting your business, yourself, or your other interests.

As part of my insistence on getting the Business and Jewelry out to the masses, I do a lot of research and reading (and you should too!)  I started the linked in and the delicious account after reading this article.  50 Social Sites Every Business Needs a Presence On.  Now most of the 50 do not apply to me, and may not apply to you or your chosen field of expertise or even be of interest to you in the promotion of your business, whatever that may be.  However, it is definitely worth a skimming.  I suggest a quick perusal if nothing else.

And that is it for Monday's blog!  I hope you find something useful, of interest or perhaps learned something new.  Don't forget those sales going on!  February has come and is almost gone!

Links and Promotion Friday!

Good Morning,

Today we will be Shameless Self Promotion Friday and we will begin with a promotion or two and then the links will be up.  These promotions are for a LIMITED time, now through February 20, 2012!  Don't delay, grab your favorite piece before it is gone.

PROMO 1: 

Take 10% OFF any item in the Etsy shop, The Alchemists Vessel when you enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY.  That's any item in the shop!  Valentine's Day themed and other items, too.  Now through February 20, 2012.

**Returning Customer?  Send us a message BEFORE you click that BUY button for your selected items, and we will set up a special listing just for you with an additional discount - FREE SHIPPING!

PROMO 2:

Purchase the Pink Parure Chain Maille Choker and get FREE SHIPPING plus if you enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY you will receive an additional 10% the total purchase price.  This includes every item in the shop!  Now through February 20, 2012!

PROMO 3:

Visit the Website The Alchemists Vessel , e-mail the last three words from the Mission Statement on the About Page to us (use the CONTACT US button on the site), include your name and e-mail address and receive a special offer, and it's a good one!  But only for those that follow the instructions.

PROMO 4:

Facebook Contest - Watch The Alchemists Vessel page on Facebook for a fun and exciting contest.  Beginning February 20th, I will hold a contest for FREE JEWELRY, I haven't decided on the prize piece but it will be in the $30.00 to $50.00 value range I create.  If the winner is unhappy with the piece I select for a prize, another may be offered.  This is about promotion and getting my name and my store out to the masses and you get something pretty!

Something like this maybe.

LINKS from above and a fresh one or two.

The Alchemists Vessel on Etsy

The Alchemists Vessel Website

The Alchemists Vessel Facebook

If you have a Google + Account, look us up!  We have a page there too!  Click any of the links on the right side Menu bar to be taken to any of the pages above!

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!