Five Great Gifts to Give

Good Morning,

Here we are another Tuesday and another Five Great Gifts to Give ideas.  Click the price and be whisked away to the items page or site.

Created, sculpted and cast by Raphael Cordero of Studio RGC, Master Mold Maker, Sculptor, Artist, and my very dear friend.  Zombie Heads are just awesome and at $13.00, a very nice price, these collectibles are a MUST HAVE for fans of zombies, monsters, and all things macabre!  These wee beasties are highly detailed, you can paint them or leave them as they are. 

From the Seller: 1/6 Scale solid cast resin zombie head
Paint it or leave as is - cool replacement for the lost GI Joe or Ken Head (especially Ken)
Sold individually

My very good friend, American Artist, Allan O. Mudd, is up next with $25.00 Giclee prints of his Original Acrylic Paintings.  Giclee is a digital process and I do not know much about it.  The first one offered is a Tiger, 8 x 11".  Contact him for further details.  Allan's art ranges from small (like the Tiger print) to enormous 3' x 4' paintings on Masonite, cabinet doors, walls, floors, paper, canvas. Talented, with a unique style all his own, give his other works a look too!  There is no doubt it is an AOM original.

These are so cute, and very very clever!  $4.00  Upcycled re-purposed Puzzle Piece Earrings.  Created by Shelly Moody of Green Witch Designs, she is one crafty Witch!  What a fun and unique idea for jewelry!  There is more than one pair of these Jigsaw Puzzle earrings available, have a look around her store for other fun things.  Reduce, reuse, recycle!  She has that down pat!  I just bought a pair of her earrings, her jewelry is fun, spunky and so reasonably priced, I couldn't resist!

We like Purple, oh yes we do!  Prices vary on this fun and cool list of items.  Purple Passion Treasury curated by The Brick Boutique is a collection of items from their store and around Etsy, that are, you guessed it, purple.  Jewelry, clothing, nick-knacks, everything is purple.  I am honored and excited to be included in this collection.   Here is a knitted item from their shop, and yes, it's purple and looks wonderfully warm!

Last but not least and there is not link or price for this one.  Remember to treat yourself with kindness and respect, every day!  Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we give ourselves.   Take a moment for you!  Have a cup of tea, sit under a tree for five minutes, take a walk around your block or neighborhood.  Swing on a swing, slide down a slide, take a long hot shower.  Relax, rejuvenate, renew your spirit.  Slow down, skip that text message and pet your dog or your cat, talk to your child or a friend face to face instead.  Breathe.

What's New In The Shop?

Greetings

I am so excited to exhibit these new items.  The Alchemist has been busy creating earrings and other jewelry themed especially for Valentine’s Day.  Oh yes, for those that think she sits idly by, nay, I say, the efforts of her joyful labor can be seen below!  Limited edition heart charms with pink or red stones or glass beads are the production order of the day!  We also have a One-of-A-Kind Heart Charm bracelet with genuine natural Garnet beads!  Garnet is the stone of romantic, passionate love and fidelity; it was often set in Victorian weddings rings as a symbol of loyalty and love.  We also have super cute and kitschy heart charms, sterling silver, 3-D puffed hearts, winged hearts, and cute little heart lock charms!  And I am absolutely thrilled to introduce a totally new item!  Gemstone Stretch Bracelets!  There are only twelve (12) available now, but never fear we have more stringing planned and more stone selection on the way!  Requests and custom orders are always welcome!

Remember these select heart charm items are only available for a short time and limited to what you see available at the shop!  Get yours before they’re gone!

The Alchemists Vessel Shop

A quick note about TAV Blog, it will be revamped a little bit.  Thursdays will be devoted to various and numerous things!  This Thursday we are going to have a very long look at Birthstones.  Not so long as to bore you (I hope), but may be you’ll find something new and interesting!  Comments are always appreciated and welcome.  Let me know if I am boring you to death or if this remotely interesting.  What are you looking for?  Is there a link or a site you’d like to see promoted or featured on the blog?  Networking is important!  Drop me an e-mail, I am always open to ideas and discussion!

Now what you came in here to see! The new items! 

3-Dimensional Sterling Silver Puffed Heart Charms and various gemstones.

Sterling Silver Heart Lock Charms These are flat and one sided.

  

3-Dimensional silver base metal winged hearts and various stones and glass beads.  Only two more pair will be made!  Five available!

 

Sterling Silver Double Sided 3-Dimensional "Love" Heart charms and genuine natural Garnet, in a flat oval coin shape, repeat and flow from one to another to create this cute and charming bracelet.

Gemstone Stretch Bracelets.  These are strung by hand on stretchy elastic cord specifically designed for jewelry making.  They vary from 7" to 8" and have sterling silver plated (over brass) spacer beads, come in a variety of single or multiple stone combinations.  Don't see your favorite?  We have more on the way, and requests are always welcome.  For men or women.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

Links and Promotions

Happy Friday to one and all.  This morning I offer  two things to check out and a promotion for you as well.

I work with various metals, and some are hard some are very soft, and some metals are just too soft, with a melting point of 85 degrees, Gallium melts in your hands, but please don't lick your fingers! Non-toxic, this cool element metal will pool in to a liquid when held.  It returns to a solid piece after a while, and can be used to make mirrors or other reflective surfaces, among other uses.  Gallium Metal

I order most of my supplies from Fire Mountain in Oregon.  On occasion they will feature a project.  It is impolite to dismiss another's work, but it is wonderful to study another's work as well to see what you can learn from their mistakes, lessons or tutorials on how to do things.  Queen's Maille , this is a brief how to for the "Inca Puna" weave, called "Queen's Link" by Fire Mountain.  The photo below is from the website, it is the finished project.

Last but not least is the a promotion from The Alchemists Vessel.  For blog readers only!  When you enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY you'll receive 10% off your order now through February 20th on any item in the shop!  Currently featuring Red and Pink gemstone and glass Valentine's Day themed jewelry.

In My Studio

As I am always on the look out for new weaves and techniques, I thought it would also be fun to show off a simple weave in different metals.  As size of the jump rings matter during a project so does the color or tone of the metal, even though the pattern is the same.

European 4 in 1 weave in Sterling Silver Plated copper 3 mm jump rings

Here it is done in 3mm Copper

and once again in 8mm "Gunmetal" wire

Currently working on the additions to the silver chain and the gunmetal chain will be a bracelet. 

Not just limited to chain maille at the Vessel, work is also progressing on some cute new items for  Valentine's Day.  Adorable heart charms and nature charms have arrived and design mode is enabled.  Here is a look at one or two new items soon to be available from The Alchemists Vessel.

Sterling Silver Heart Charms and Garnet beads.

Sterling Silver Turtles with Malachite with Azurite beads

The studio is in full swing.  New patterns to learn, new materials to sort through and listing to post.  It is good to be busy.  Stop by the shop and see what else is on the virtual rack.

Thank you for dropping in and having a look.

5 Great Gifts To Give

Every Tuesday five great gift ideas from around the web are posted here.  This week we have a new shop to introduce and a favorite shop or two returning to the list.  Click the title of the item to be taken to the page or shop where it is located.

Magic Dragon Earrings from Shelly Moody of Green Witch Designs.  These cute little guys swing from your ears perhaps whispering words of dragon wisdom as they accompany you throughout your day!

Sapphire Blue Cowl Knit Scarf from the Brick Boutique, a new shop on Etsy.  Take a look at some of the other fabulous hand knitted items!  It's cold out there, and what a lovely gift of warmth!

Terry Toeman Glows in the Dark!  From Studio RGC and sold through Etsy.  I love these little collectibles, I want them all!  At 3" tall these are highly detailed, a ton of fun to look at and discover all the nooks and brains and spines... A truly unique addition to any shelf!  I'll say it again, this one GLOWS IN THE DARK!

Mini Rotary Cutter - Youtube video.  I love it when people come up with stuff that I can use and share!  From Clover the mini rotary cutter can be used for sewing, yarn, clays, well anything that needs to be cut really. Follow the link for the video / picture of the cutter.

Tribbles Last but not least, my Geek is showing!  That's right, it does indeed read "Tribbles".  These are interactive puffballs, toys, created to look and act like the Tribbles on the TV Show Star Trek.  I want one!

What's New in the Shop

The Market was last weekend, and as I worked selling my wares, I was unable to make something new for the Etsy shop listings.  There are still lots of great items to be found.  The Rocks Stars are still in stock and there are bracelets and necklaces as well.  

Let's take a look at a piece that may be custom ordered instead.

This Chain Maille Choker or Collar is crafted from 347 Copper wire hand spun and pinch cut jump rings, 25 blue glass E beads with a manufactured toggle antiqued copper clasp. It is 16.5" in total length, and can be made up to 18" long.

The weave is a "Speed Maille" version of European 4 in 1 pattern.  A ratio of closed to open jump rings is laid out and construction begins. Instead of linking each individual jump ring, they are added in open / closed ring sets and the pattern is repeated for the length of the chain.

It takes about 18 hours from start to finish to craft this piece.  Using manufactured jump rings makes the project's time shorter as I do not have to spend a day spinning, cutting and sorting the rings.

This item is available for order via e-mail (soon to be on Etsy).

This piece will be made in a variety of wire, wire colors and glass beads on hand.  Custom orders will be made to the customer's specifications.  Please remember all Precious Metal orders require a 50% deposit.

Please contact The Alchemists Vessel for further information.

Links and Promtions

Just a couple of offerings for you today.  Have the market to attend, you may find that under promotions.  Links up first.

Everything Etsy  - This is a blog like site that features buttons, banners,a dn well everything etsy, and if you hover on the banners, click "How-To Personalize Your Banner" it  will take you to pixlr.com a super powerful and totally free on line photo editor.  No download or sign up required!

Photo Editor  - Pixlr.com, I made my Etsy shop banner using this program.  Fairly simple, once  you get the hang of it.

Kassoy LLC - A link the Facebook page, they are a Jewelry supplier out of New York and have some nice stuff for displays and the like, check out the page and click like if you like.

M.A.I.L. "Maille Artisans International League", curious as to how I do that?  Now you can find out.  Interesting site.

Promotions:

I'm rather stuck for promotions today.  Here are a couple.

I will be attending the Treasure Valley Expo Idaho Market this Saturday and Sunday.  Stop by Booth #28, and pick up a Free refrigerator magnet!

 

The Alchemists Vessel - For blog readers only.  Now through February 20th, when you enter the coupon code "loveydovey" on my Etsy shop you'll receive 10% off your total purchase. Just in time for  Valentine's Day!