Fall Fashion 2014

Good Morning,

Autumn is right around the corner and this morning we take a brief look at what's new for the Fall Fashion season.

Color:  Color is important, even if it's a soft neutral beige, colors can change your mood, brighten a room, or make one feel  empowered or energized.

This years colors are deep rich jewel tones in greens, blues and purples.  Radiant Orchid was Pantone's color of the year, for Fall they have accented and matched it with more earthy tones.

This Fall's doos are all about the braid.   There are some very neat ways to braid your hair, and lots and lots of how to's on line.

Accessories are a great way to add that fashionable pop of color if you don't want to commit to a loud jacket or bright dress.

(Bags by- Valentino Garavani)

This seasons jewelry has finally gotten rid of those horrible and tacky "Statement" Necklaces and have returned to a more functional and fashion friendly frill.  Currently trending are Gold and Black pieces, Icon or Charm jewelry, Chainmaille bracelets, and Chandelier style earrings that include natural elements such as wood, Druzy gems and raw crystals.

 

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

Featured Artist - Rasmussen Gems and Jewellery, LLC

Good Morning,

Today we feature a fellow Metal-smith, Jon Rasmussen and his wife Debora of Rasmussen Gems and Jewellery, LLC.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know their work through the site Handmade Artists where they have a shop and Jon participates on the forums.

What the Rasmussen's say:
All jewelry and gemstones offered here are handcrafted in our shop. Debora does beading to design and fabricate necklaces, anklets, bracelets, ear rings, and key chains. John does lapidary to cut the gemstones, metalsmithing (silver and copper) to make the jewelry and wire wrapping. If you need something made to your order, please message us. Custom orders are always accepted. All Sterling silver pendants will come with a 20 inch Sterling silver box chain with a ring clasp.  All mixed metal, copper and brass pendants will come with a 20 inch leather necklace.  Clasp on the leather will vary due to availability. Gem identification and appraisal services are also available. 

Jon does a variety of things, from cutting and shaping the stones he works with to creating the finished piece.  His work ranges in price and is always beautiful and unique.

Emerald Cabochon Pendant

 29.53 carat high dome sugar loaf EMERALS cabochon mined in Franklin, NC and cut in our lapidary.  The frame was designed and constructed in our shop.  The frame was made with square and half round Sterling silver wire. The entire product was handmade in America.

Copper Arcs Pendant 1041

 This copper pendant was forged from 8 gauge half round wire, then soldered together with silver solder.  The pendant is about 2 inches long.  Each arc was 1 inch before dapping ang putting the design together.  A leather necklace 20 inches long will be furnished with this pendant.

An accomplished lapidary, Jon also cuts and fashions pieces for purchase as well.

Citrine Tear Drop Gem

 9.6 carats of beautiful citrine has been faceted.  This gem is loupe clear of inclusions and has good clean facet meets.  Would make a fantastic showy cocktail style ring.  Could also be used for a pendant on a necklace.  The stone measures 17.91 x 12.83 x 8.58 mm, so it should fit into 18 x 13 calibrated findings.

 

Debora does the beading and designs lanyards, necklaces and other pieces to incorporate into the finished designs or pieces that Jon creates, and her own stand alone pieces that are Ready-to-Wear.

 Necklace and Earring Set 1061

 22 inches of colorful blue and green beads (round about 1 cm in diameter) accented with clear beads with a black core make up the necklace.  The matching earrings feature one of each bead.

Necklace and Earring Set 1033

Very unique design featuring a life saver toggle clasp and orange donut discs accented with purple and orange round beads, this necklace is 29 inches long.  The matching earrings have white pearls in the donut hole.

 

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We hope we have inspired or encouraged you to have a look at what else the Rasmussen's have on offer in the shop.

 

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

What's New In The Studio - Two New Items

Good Morning,

Today I would like to share two new items from The Alchemists Vessel.

Gothic Chocolate Necklace - $45.00

 Description:  Your Jewelry Box should be like a Box of Sweets, every time you open it something luscious and wonderful should be waiting for you.  This gorgeous double strand necklace is no exception, and is a simply sumptuous piece.  A confection for your clothes.
Hand strung on Sterling Silver Accu-flex beading wire, 99 Chocolate glass Pearls shimmer with a rich dark brown sheen, interspersed with Fresh Water Pearls from White Lotus Farms, accented with nickle free silver-tone metal set with Amethyst Swarovski crystals.
Approximately 18" long and finished with a easy to hook Clasp.
Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.



Red Queen Chainmaille Necklace Set - $50.00

 Description:
This gorgeous set comes complete with matching earrings.

Step into something powerful, regal, and understated with this lovely, light weight, chainmaille necklace.  Perfect for a night out on the town, rock concerts, special occasions, or a neat pop of color at the office.  Change the bead color for a fabulous bridal accessory.  Great for SCA, LARP, Cos-Play, Film / TV costuming needs, Fantasy Roll Playing or an evening in with your D&D Group.

Sterling Silver plated (over brass) wire has been hand-spun, cut and linked together in the European 4-in-1 pattern. Adorned with beautiful Czech glass silver beads in Ruby, and finished with a matching Heart-shaped Toggle clasp.

Customizable in a variety of Czech Glass Bead Colors.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving.

You may find these and more wonderful items on line with us at  
The Alchemists Vessel on The CraftStar

You may also find us on the web and social media sites, just follow the link below.  Please be kind enough to give us a Like on Facebook, or Follow is on Twitter.

Facebook
Twitter

 Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

Featured Artist: Blackbird Metalworks

Good Morning,

Today we are going to try something a little different.

Blackbird Metalworks creates Fine Jewelry in sterling Silver and Genuine Gemstones, as well as recycling and up-cycling of your old jewelry.

Showcasing at Little Shop of Artists is a collection of select ready-to-wear pieces.

Let's take a look at some of the up-cycled items for sale.

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Pendant $95.00

Created from a sterling Silver Money Clip, the metal has been re-worked and folded in the opposite direction and soldered closed.  The Genuine Black Onyx stone was set by hand, the entire piece was hand polished and a chain added to create a pendant.




"Recyclabauble" - $40.00

Crafted from a broken Sterling Silver ring, the shank has been repaired and re-placed and the empty space for a stone has been filled with a pretty electric blue class marble, because it fit the setting.  A US size 9 really is a fun ring to wear, it glows in the shadows and pops in the light.

Here, it is modeled by the designer.







There are other pieces available including necklaces, a very limited selection of Sterling Silver Earrings, Vintage and Handmade Rings, and other pieces like this repaired Vintage Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Plated ring in "Amethyst".  

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Ring - $40.00

Located on display
6713 Fairview Avenue, Suite B
Boise, ID 83704

East of N. Cole Road (between Bob's Bicycles and Jerry's State Court Cafe, behind A-1 Video Game Exchange)

Like Us on Facebook: Blackbird Metalworks

Find Us on the Web - Blackbird Metalworks (E-Commerce Page Coming Soon)

We would like to encourage you to stop by and visit the shop and do some of your Holiday Shopping with us.   We can only be successful with you as our customer.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look. 

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

V is for Vacation

Good Morning,

Today we change things up a bit.  The Blog Ring's featured theme is Vacation.  I think after this week I am going to need one, but won't ever get one again!  We are almost a week away from opening Little Shop of Artists, and I for one and very excited and looking forward to the first day of work.

Vacation, fun in the sun!  Lazy days with family and friends, time to relax, put your feet up and do things at a snail's pace, no need to hurry.  And it is almost impossible to hurry in my favorite Summer Vacation accessory, the Flip Flop!  And you won't find any cuter than the one's my friend Debbi at handmadeartists.com makes.

These look SUPER comfy and the flowers are the perfect touch of feminine to go with that cute summer skirt you've been dying to wear! 

From: Yankee Burrow Creations

crochet blue flower flip flops for summer

Product Details:
very cute blue crochet flowers highlight the variegated colors crocheted onto the straps of these extra small flip flops.  they measure 9 1/4" from toe to heel, and are a cute addition to your summer wardrobe.
~created by Debbi~


And speaking of Flip Flops how about these adorable and very clever earrings.  Yes, you guessed it, they're Flip Flops.  I highly recommend checking out Pam's Shop, if you like Swarovski Crystals she is the lady to shop with!

From: A Bead Thing

Handwoven Swarovski Flip Flops

Product Details:

These cutsie flip flops are made using 4mm swarovski crystals in complementary colors with a few 11/0 seed beads for the little flower on top.  These are a delight to make and to wear, lightweight and will get you all kinds of "oooh where did you get those" comments.
I have several pair in inventory of varying color combinations and these can be special ordered as long as I have the colors in stock.

How about a completely different Flip Flop...  From a new shop on the site, these are called "Barefoot Sandals" and I have to say, they are rather a neat thing.  Like to go barefoot, don't want to be seen as barefoot?  Dress up your summer feet with these fun accessories.

From: Red Shoe Affair

  

Peach White and Tan Flower Barefoot Sandals

Product Details: 

 

Want to show off your feet this summer? You need to accessorize 

 

with these barefoot sandals!

 
This pair of barefoot sandals are crocheted from peach, brown 

and white cotton yarn and adorned with flowers. The sandals 

will wrap around your ankles at least once and are washer/dryer 

friendly. 
If you would like a pair of barefoot sandals in custom size or 

color scheme please email me at sales@redshoeaffair.com

Now you're all ready with your footwear, you can get out there and run your toes through the sand, splash in the waves, take a long and quiet walk through the local woods, hang out by the river and watch the fish swim by.  Ah Summer, get out there and have a good one!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

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

 

Cabochons and Faceted Stones

Good Morning,

Today's blog is very brief, as I am in the middle of a project that must be done.

Jewelry making consists of many steps, parts, pieces, and time.  One of the most important parts or pieces of jewelry-making are the gemstones.  There are two basic kinds of cuts for these stones,  cabochon or a faceted gemstone.

Cabochons are usually cut from opaque stones like Onyx, Agate, and Malachite.  Cabochons have a flat back and a curved (convex) or domed top, there are names for the different surfaces of the stone as well.

Cabochon ~  Mossy Agate, cut, shaped and polished by Rasmussen Gems and Jewellery, LLC.  This stone was cut especially for me for the project I am working on. 

Mossy Agate Cabochon

Faceted stones are usually crafted from crystalline stones, such as Ruby, Emerald, and Diamonds.  The different surfaces of the stone allow light to pass through the different angles of the surface showing off the beauty of the stone.

Surfaces of the stone are taken into account from the table to the culet (top to bottom).

Faceted Pink Zircon set in 10K White Gold

Table - Top
Girdle - Middle
Culet - Bottom point

The girdle of the stone is usually placed in the setting for a nice balanced look.

What is Mohs Scale?

Mohs Scale refers to the hardness of the stone. Numbered 1 though 10 stones are assigned a number based on how hard the surface of the stone is, Talc being the softest at 1 and of course Diamond being the hardest of the stones at 10.  Most stones used for jewelery fall somewhere between 3 and 7 on the scale. 

Malachite 3.5 - 4
Jade 5.5 - 6
Amethyst 7
Ruby 9  

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

Five Great Gifts to Give - List #6 - Mature Content Advisory

Good Morning,

As usual Tuesday is Five Great Gifts to Give, today there is "Adult Content" in the list, so please read at your own risk.

From Sue's Arts

Aren't these pretty, and wouldn't they make a lovely Bat Mitzvah gift.

Hamsa Charm brooch, charm collection brooch, safety pin charm collection, evil eye brooch, Heart brooch, Love, Hamsa

SOLD SEPARATELY BY #

Beautiful, elegant and unique looking large kilt pin with Hamsa hand for protection, key to open your luck AND many more love and more charms...

Great as a gift of love.

Delivered in a gift bag.

Custom orders always welcome.

Suzan ♥ 


Pleased to introduce a new shop on Etsy

From: Tanuki Jewelry

Raw Amethyst Stone Pendant - SALE ITEM deeply discounted

VALENTINES DAY PROMO: FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA UNTIL FEB. 14, 2013 on top of the deeply discounted price from $35 to only $20.

A raw slab of amethyst as a natural gemstone necklace. Amethyst is the birthstone of February. The amethyst is approximately 1 1/4'' long, and approximately 1'' wide. This item does not come with the chain as pictured. The item sold is just the pendant alone.

For delivery times, please read my shop announcement. Contact me if you have questions regarding delivery times by a specific date.

For safety reasons for both the vendor and the customer, payment is by Paypal only.

Pyramid Stud Sterling Silver Ring

VALENTINES DAY PROMO: FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA UNTIL FEB. 14, 2013.

An edgy yet simple handmade sterling silver ring. Consists of a row of six pyramidal studs. Great or stacking or for wearing it on its own. Definitely a great statement ring, but with a simple and classic finish.

Organically hand carved in Brooklyn, New York.

Size 7.5

Hand made with love!

For delivery times, please read my shop announcement. Contact me if you have questions regarding delivery times by a specific date. 


ADULT CONTENT FOLLOWS!

From LSG Touch

Mia - healing stone Kegel Exercise Egg - mature

The Mia Egg brings you pleasure, if used with lover or on your own. Using the Mia Egg helps increase vaginal lubrication and moisturizing, for everyday comfort as well as sexual intercourse. The inserted Mia Egg brings you pleasure without being noticed. You can enjoy its’ healing and pleasurable benefits while jogging, swimming, reading, having coffee with a friend, on a long flight or boring meeting. You will be pleasantly surprised how a long cue for the bank clerk, seems not long enough…

Use the Mia Egg for Kegel exercise to build and heal your vaginal and pelvic floor muscles since vaginal muscles need to be used to hold it in. To enable the Mia Egg to naturally come out, muscles need to be relaxed. When this exercise is performed with the Mia Egg, the feeling of tension and relaxation is instant. This ensures that you exercise exactly the right muscles in the right way. The Kegel exercise is recommended by many gynecologists in treating urinary incontinence, since stronger pelvic muscles improve bladder control.

This Egg is 2" (50mm) long l and 1.4" (35 mm) wide. It is the classic Egg size, approved by ages of ancient China Chinese Tao tradition. It is recommended for starter level Kegel exercises.

This Mia Egg is made of a natural Red Jasper gemstone. The Red Jasper crystal has a strong Earth element connection and it enforces physical and mental health. The Red jasper is used for dream recollecting sessions. The Red jasper is a very lucky stone for actors. The Red jasper is a good stone to keep with you, since the more jasper is handled the more it sends out calming vibrations.

The Mia Egg is exclusively designed and handmade according to the ancient China Tao’s traditions. A Kegel Exercise brochure and a luxury silk pouch are included with each Egg.
Do not microwave your natural stone Mia Egg. But for an extra thrill, you can soak it in warm or cold water. Wash the Mia Egg with soap and water for cleaning, and drop it in a glass with alcohol or your favorite whiskey to get it sterilized. Never boil it! This will destroy its chain.

PLEASE!! Use common sense when enjoying your Mia Egg! Do not use it if you feel it is unsafe in any way. Before each and every time you use it, be sure to wash and inspect it for nicks, cracks, and scratches and check that the chain is strong and attached properly.

I use natural crystal stones, handmade glass for egg and beads and high-tech super-strong multi-fiber string for the chain. This makes it very strong and easy to keep sanitary with regular washing and care. I use only natural stone with no dye or any other modifications. No plastics, phthalates etc. are used in any Mia Egg.

Since I use genuine natural gemstones, every Mia Egg has its unique color and pattern that may be slightly different from the one presented in the picture.

WARNING: When inside, the Mia Egg brings you spontaneous waves of pleasure and joy. During this time you should NOT participate in any activity requiring complete control such as driving, nail painting or spacecraft navigation.

Enjoy!

Breast massage healing stone necklace - mature

Breast massage Lucy necklace is a uniquely designed and shaped item with a very long sautoir necklace and two large cookie beads, on its open ends.

The Lucy necklace is a luxurious handmade jewel that emphasizes your natural beauty and loveliness. But, this is not all that Lucy is. Lucy is also your secret calming, protecting and empowering jewel that can help you in the most challenging times and situations, since it is also a traditional breast masseuse. This is your secret that no one will guess.

Breast massage, when performed by your spouse, is a very healing and joyful experience. It relaxes both of you, calms you down and brings a happy mood into the situation. It may also be a perfect foreplay game.

This elegant Lucy necklace is 43"(108cm) long and made of natural stone and handmade glass beads. The healing agate hearts on the ends of necklace is 2"(50mm) wide.

The cookie beads at the open ends of the necklace are made of natural Thai Agate stone.
Agate is the must have protection stone. It protects from stress, from bad dreams and is said to protect children from danger. It enables the wearer to distinguish between false friends and true ones. It brings prosperity and creates an appreciation of nature.

In the western contemporary life style, the chest and breasts do not move enough. Many clothes and especially bras prevent your breasts from moving freely and naturally. This pressure interferes in the proper blood circulation and energy flow. This - makes your body weaker, more anxious and causes you to be more tired, feel exhausted and fatigued at the end of hard day.

Regular breast massage helps reduce or even eliminate these harmful effects. Breast massage helps diagnose and treat problematic conditions early on, and effectively.

You can perform a short self-massage a few times a day on top of your clothes. This way, you can keep your body and mind calm and fresh even in the most demanding business or personal environment.

A massage brochure is included in your Lucy necklace kit, along with a luxury silk pouch, to store your Lucy necklace safely.

If you need to clean Lucy after usage, you may wash it in soapy warm water.

Enjoy!