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!

Featured Artisan - Alixandra Browning

It has become painfully obvious that I have no idea how to conduct an interview.  I'm a jeweler not a journalist.  So bear with me, we will cover something.

Alchemy: (n) The process of transforming something common into something extraordinary. 

Alchemists: (n) a person or practitioner of alchemy.

I am a self-taught artisan, books, questions and watching others is how I learn my craft and trade.

My love of nature and the outdoors has inspired many of my creations and I try to offer only the finest quality natural Gemstones, glass beads, and other high quality materials.

As a designer I would like customers to be as happy and pleased with the pieces they purchase as I am in creating them. Each piece is handcrafted with meticulous care and attention to detail.  I like to put a sense varying design styles, fun and excitement, whimsy and femininity to the jewelry creations.  

I have been in business since 2005, and began in Zodiac niche jewelry.  Quickly aware that I needed to offer more, I began researching and studying techniques, gemstones, and metals on my own.  The inventory has grown, selections are more varied and I enjoy the design aspect.  Working with a variety of materials helps to keep things fresh.  I taught myself to make Chain Maille last year, and have become adept at several patterns.

You can find the jewelery at The Alchemists Vessel online.

This is what I look like:

This is what I do:

This where you can find me:  Treasure Valley Market at Expo  Idaho, 5610 Glenwood St, at the Fair Grounds in Garden City, ID.

Thank your for bearing with me.  I hope you enjoyed this brief and not very informative peak into the artisan and Alchemist, Alixandra Browning

In My Studio - Byzantine Bracelet, A Photo Tutorial

Greetings,

Welcome to the Byzantine Bracelet Photo Tutorial.  I won't go into a lot of detail, as the photos have done that for me.  There are seven in total and I will give a brief description of each picture in the compiled sets.  Photos descriptions will read top to bottom, left to right, counterclockwise.

Sterling Silver Plated Copper wire is spun on a mandrel.  Here a US size 2 knitting needle serves as a mandrel.

The coil is removed from the mandrel.

Individual jump rings are cut from the coil

Pile of jump rings.  This project requires 231 of them.

Jump rings are then opened, here they are shown next to a dime for size.  These things are tiny!

108 of the 231 jump rings are laid out with my trusty pliers!

One by one the open jump rings are added to the chain.

They are also closed one at a time.

54 jump rings makes about 1-1/2" of chain.

54 more jump rings to go!

108 Jump rings later we have a 3" length of chain in the Byzantine Chain Maille pattern. 

116 additional jump rings will be added to create a 7.5" length of chain. 

Now the fun part.  Nine (9) 4mm natural Aquamarine beads are lined up for placement along the chain.

A piece of scrap metal is used to mark the center of the chain.

Bead placement is adjusted for even spacing.

Each bead is placed on a headpin.

A loop is formed using the end of Round Nose pliers as close to the top of the bead as possible.

The excess wire from the headpin is then wrapped around the bead, another element of design.  

All nine beads are wrapped.

Wrapped beads are then added to a single jump ring.

Each bead is then attached to the chain at the appropriate interval along the chain.

All Nine (9) beads are attached.

A clasp and 2 more jump rings are then added to the chain.

The total length of the bracelet is now 8".

In the next set of photos we see the competed bracelet, formed and closed as one would wear it.  This is my own variation of the "crown" pattern, I have added the beads as one would on a charm bracelet.  A true crown pattern would have 54 additional jump rings attached the chain where the beads are placed, creating a crown or star-like pattern.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this brief peak into the creation of a chain maille bracelet. Please feel free to leave questions or comments or order one for yourself.  Commission and custom work are welcome!

Five Great Gifts To Give

It my pleasure to present Five (5) Great Artists and Artisans and a peek into what they have to offer.  All gift ideas below may be found on Etsy.  Prices vary and everything is hand made.  Click on the title of the item to be taken to its page.
In no particular order:

Dark Mountain Treasures - Elvish Necklace
This beauty is hand crafted by the owner / designer, Zain Orion.  A fan of bead work?  This is the piece for you!

The Bone Burner from Sculptor and Mold Master, Ralph Cordero.  A fabulous piece, done in resin, this highly detailed piece is a Cone Incense Burner, and a fun and eclectic addition to any collection.  I want one!

  
Glass Stitch Markers.  From Green Witch Designs Owner, Shelly Moody'sThese cute and off-beat glass beads make for a terrific set of stitch markers for knitting or crochet projects.  This set fits up to US Size 8 (5.0mm) needles.

 Woodland Witch Pendulum by Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery. Hand wrapped crystals and beads hang from a length of chain perfect for window hanging or a touch stone for your pocket.  The birds nest is my favorite link in the chain.

 Maiden Fair style chain maille earrings, a staple of The Alchemists Vessel.  Cute, light weight, and affordable these pretties come in several wire choices and a myriad of beads.  Below are a pair consisting of Chrysocolla beads and Sterling Silver Plated Copper wire.  Perfect for the Princess in Training or the Damsel not so in Distress.

What's New in the Shop

Greetings and Welcome, 

The Alchemists Vessel’s is pleased to present the new and improved Blog.  Links to our sites and pages may be found to your right, along with links to Material Lists and other posts. Please feel free to peruse them at your leisure.  Instead of a lengthy introduction, let’s jump right into things with a look at what has just been listed at The Alchemists Vessel shop on Etsy.

“Rock Stars”

This limited selection comes in 4 Styles of Sterling Silver Star Charm links and several semi-precious gemstones choices.  Only 15 pairs available!!!! 

Available now:

2 pairs of Polished Sterling Silver Puffed Star

5 pairs of Brushed Silver Puffed Stars (brushed silver has a matte finish).

4 pairs of Man in the 3 Dimensional Stars

4 pairs of Flat 3 Dimensional Stars

 

Geared for the teen Rock Star in your household, they are appropriate for any age.  Ideal for Birthday’s as several pairs have been made with birthstone beads; Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Garnet, Pearl and Peridot, just to name a few.  Stones may be changed out for an additional charge of  $2.00.   Please see the post “Materials List” for a complete selection of gemstone beads in stock.  Scroll below or click the link to the right to reach the list directly.

Thank you for stopping by!

Rock Stars on Etsy

Materials List

Please find below a complete list of all of our materials used in the creation of The Alchemists  Vessel pieces or custom orders.  We are always happy to order that special something and design / create a piece just for you.  Currently in stock and available, but not limited too:

STONES:

Agates: Black, Blue Lace, Botswana, Golden Leaf and Red - traditionally June's Birthstone;

Amazonite (Aqua, a variety of feldspar);

Amber (tree resin);

Amethyst, February's Birthstone;

Aquamarine - limited quantities, March's Birthstone;

Aventurine (also called "Indian Jade");

Black Stone; a natural black agate

Camostone (a jasper);

Carnelian - an alternate June Birthstone;

Chrysocolla; copper silicate mineral

Citrine - an alternative to November Birthstone;

Garnet - January's Birthstone;

Hematite (limited quantities);

Jasper, Brecciated, Red, Fancy, and Picture, Green and Sapphire "Australian Jasper";

Jet (a type of coal - Lignite);

Lapis Lazuli;

Malachite;

Onyx (black)

Pearls (Fresh water) - A Birthstone for June,

Pietersite (a rare form of Tiger Eye);

Pyrite (limited quantities);

Quartz: Clear, Rose and Snow;

Rhodonite (The official stone of Oregon);

Sodalite;

Snowflake Obsidian (Volcanic glass);

Tiger Eye;

Topaz - limited quantities (white only) November Birthstone

Tourmaline - limited quantities - alternate / traditional October Birthstone

Turquoise -  December Birthstone;

Unakite (a variety of jasper found in N. Carolina).

Zoesite with Ruby (this is a green stone from Australia with natural ruby inclusions over the surface of the stone). Ruby is July's Birthstone

METALS:

*Sterling Silver (925),

Nickle Silver (also called German or Indian Silver)

Liquid Silver Tubes (Twisted and Straight) limited quantities.

Copper (Bright and Antiqued),

Silver-plated (usually over brass or copper),

Hypo-allergenic metal for sensitive ears,

"Gunmetal" wire, 

Red Brass also called "Merlin's Gold"

Dyed copper jewelry / craft wire findings.

*NOTE:  Sterling Silver custom orders will require a 50% deposit.  Precious Metal prices fluctuate and we try to purchase our items when it is at a lower cost. Please be prepared for sticker shock, currently silver is hovering around $35.00 an ounce, that is what a paperclip weighs. 

Example: Sterling Silver "Maiden Fair" earrings are $25.00 a pair.

Beads / stones and findings may be ordered to suit your needs if we do not list your choice above.

Please e-mail us if you have questions or are curious about the custom order / design process.

We also make metaphysical pieces for specific needs.

The Alchemists Vessel.

Changes Are Coming

Salutaitons,

That's right changes are coming to the blog and to The Alchemists Vessel sites all over the web.  We still have absolutely fabulous jewelry to choose from and new items are on the way, we are hoping to expand our lines and create additional items for Men and Teens.

Changes are also coming to the blog!  There will be Monday through Friday Posts, *Guest Bloggers, and of course pictures!

Mondays: "What's New in the Shop".  Expect posts of new items and materials and links to those listings.

Tuesdays:  "5 Great Gift Ideas", maybe not all from Etsy, but Etsy Shops will certainly be featured!  Not only will this be fun, but I get to cruise the web for cool stuff.  Readers, please feel free to comment and post your own gift ideas and always please feel free to share!

Wednesdays:  In My Studio: I will try to post pictures and progress shots of current and past projects, along with short explanations of what is currently on the work bench, um dining table.

Thursdays: Interviews and Miscellaneous.  I hope to feature Etsy sellers, Facebook friends and other talented artists and crafts people I have the pleasure of meeting either over the net or in real life.

Fridays: Links and Promotions. Not only will I will be providing links to my own shop and promotions but other sites and shops as well.

*Would you like to be a Guest Blogger?  A Featured Etsy Shop Interview?  How about that item you are trying to sell?  Please leave a comment here I will get in touch with you.  Or follow the links to the menu sidebar at your right for Facebook or Google pages and send me a message, I can be reached any number of ways!

Watch this blog, we begin the new and improved blog next week, January 9th, 2012!