How To List Items: Helpful Hints

Good Morning,

Today the blog has some helpful hints for listing those wonderful handmade items you create. 

Let's begin with Titles and Tags.  Depending on where you list your items, character count and number of tags may vary, but the process is the same.  Choose a title for your  item.

Does it have a name?  Many artists choose to call their piece something, names like "Emma", "Aurora", "Bob" to differentiate one piece from another, things like, "Paramour", "Enchantress", and "Princess" work just as well.

What is it? Bracelet, Earrings, Painted Box, Etched Glass?  Be sure to be specific.  

Helpful Hint: Many sites have crawlers or bots that will pick up on words in your title, their own little SEO searchers, make sure everything is spelled correctly.  Check out the sites categories and try to include one word in your title that matches the category you would like your item to be found in.  Spelling, spell-check does not catch all errors and even insists words are wrong if it does not recognize them.  Take the time to check your spelling, and double check those triple score words, like Labyrinth and Cephalopod, twice.

Example: Fafnir Chainmaille Silver and Gold Dragonscale Bracelet

*It doesn't have to have a name, Chainmaille Bracelet works just as well, or you may include the name at the end of the title instead: Chainmaille Dragonscale Bracelet - Fafnir

Tags:  Tags should reflect the above, and they should also be descriptive if possible.  Ask yourself these questions when thinking about tags: What is it?  Who is it for?  What does it do?  What color is it?  What is it made from?  Is it a particular fashion or style? 

Example: bracelet, women, teens, jewelry, chainmaille, gold, silver, fashion, Rocker, Biker, Fantasy, handmade, dragonscale

Helpful Hint:  Include words from your title in your tags as well.  If your stuck you can also use words like: "traditional", "modern", or "classic".

Photography:  Is it necessary to have a professional take your photos?  No, many do, but most handmade artists are also the photographer.  Getting that perfect shot is tough and there are all kinds of how-tos around the web.  Here are a couple of more suggestions.

Do not use your cell phone. Just no. Although the picture looks great on the phone's screen it will not translate well to a site and will look blurry and out of focus. If you must use your cellphone, get a "selfie stick", this will help steady the phone for a better picture.  Go through the phone's photo settings, many times the app has different size settings, use them, they will help.

Use at least four pictures, even if two are kind of the same. Try to shoot the item from different angles, both sides, from the top down, on a different background and a close up of the detail.

Helpful Hint: Get to know your digital camera.  Does it have a MACRO setting?  The Macro setting is used to magnify and capture very small things in focus and detail.

Example:  Tiny Frog-Prince Charms

  
Almost there.  You have a title, tags, and a photo.  Now comes the hard part, the description.  Should it be long or short?  What information should be included?  What does one say about the item?

Does it have a story?  You can make one up.  Where did it  come from?  What did it experience on its journey?  What can the customer expect from the piece?  Is it heavy?  Light weight?  Comfortable? 

Take the time to jot down words on a list that you can refer to when listing the item and construct a simple sentence around it.  

Example: This pair of earrings is light weight and comfortable enough for all day wear.

Completed Listing Example: 

Chainmaille Dragonscale Bracelet - Fafnir

 

This beautiful chainmaile bracelet is elegant and understated.  Simply stunning in Silver over Gold rings, one might imagine why a Dragon is required to guard a King's horde.  Named after the dragon of myth that once guarded a great King's treasure, Fafnir is sure to keep your treasures safe and will effortlessly coordinate with everything in your closet.

Perfect for Fantasy Film or Event attire, Cos-play, SCA, LARP costume needs or a wonderfully fun piece for Game of Thrones or History Channel "Vikings" fans.

8" long and 1" wide.  Handcrafted from 14Kt Gold--plated and Silver-plated (over brass) jump rings, finished with a Slide clasp for a secure fit.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving.

*Also available in Gold over Silver rings.  Please see the shop for our collection of ready-to-wear items or contact us with your custom request.

Tags: Chainmaille, jewelry, bracelet, Fantasy, Film, costume, Viking, cuff, women,  dragonscale, gold, silver, metal

Please see the actual listing here:

Chainmaille Dragonscale Bracelet - Fafnir

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  In hope this post is useful.

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

Feartured Artist: Handmade Artists Site

Good Morning,

Today we the featured artists is more of an entity than a person, but of course we have a couple of those as well.

I have talked about Handmade Artists site, the online Selling / Shoping site for all things handmade, and all the wonderful things you can do at the site.  Open a shop, read their blog, do a little window shopping, check out the curated Highlights by artists, or hang out with other artistic and like-minded people on the forums.

You can find these neat things by clicking any of the links on the sidebar menu or at the bottom of this post.

You can also find them posting and writing articles for It's Better Handmade.

Besides running the site, Kimberley and Andrew are no strangers to making art, as well supporting other artists and their wares.

Their Shops include:

Silver Tails Sterling Wrapped Pendant W005

The frosted white treasure from the sea has been hand wrapped in stunning sterling silver to create a one of a kind pendant.
This pendant measures 1 3/4 inches (4.5 cm) long and 1 1/2 inches (3.5 cm) at its widest point.  This necklace comes ready to wear on an 18 inch sterling silver chain held secure with a silver spring clasp.
What is sea glass?  Sea glass or beach glass is is old and broken glass that was long ago tossed into the sea.  Over time the salt water, waves and sand softened and frosted the glass to be brought back to the shore to be found and recreated into stunning jewelry.  Each piece is absolutely unique! 

Braided European 4 and 1 Bracelet

This piece weighs in at around 3 ounces and is braided using a European 4 and 1 pattern. It is made using 3 metals; sterling silver, copper, and bronze; creating a very intricate pattern. The bracelet measures 7.5 inches long  and about 1 inch wide and weighs in at over 3 ounces.  The braids are held secure with a sterling silver slide clasp. This piece is really a show stopper and can be made in a variety of metals.

 Where this dynamic duo finds the time for all of it, I just don't know.  Kimberley wrangles house, husband and sons and her art all at the same time, Andrew works outside the site, as well as creating rings, and weaving them for their wonderful chainmaille items. 

Makin The Best of It

Chainmaille by MBOI

Handmade Artists Blog

 Stop by and see what else they have on offer.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  

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

Maille Mania - New Items from The Alchemists Vessel

Good Morning,

Today I would like to share with you new items made from the new material I have the pleasure of keeping in inventory.  Not only will you see some favorite designs but some new ones as well. 

All these items have been hand crafted from 14Kt Gold-plated and Silver-plated (over brass) jump rings.  You can have the look of luxury without the cost.

This lovely weave is called "Viperscale".  Creating the bracelet with contrasting metals makes the pattern pop, and lends an elegant and classic sophisticated look to these beautiful metal ribbons.

Eos - Viperscale Chainmaille Bracelet

Description: Eos - the Greek goddess of the Dawn is said to rise each morning by her home at the edge of Oceanus, and with her golden arms and rosy fingers opens the gates of Heaven to allow the Sun to rise. Depicted as a beautiful woman crowned with a jeweled tiara and sometimes shown with White Wings. This gorgeous Gold and Silver bracelet is sure to make your morning's bright and shiny as you greet the rosy fingered dawn. Terrific for the tailored Office Suit, Little Black Dress Date Night, or comfy jeans and favorite t-shirt weekend get away, or a unique and one of a kind Bridal Jewelry Set.

Perfect for any Goddess of the Realm, Fantasy Film or Event attire, Cos-play, SCA, LARP or Role-playing costume needs, Game of Thrones or History Channel "Vikings" fans.

7.5" Hand crafted from 14Kt Gold--plated and Silver-plated jump rings, linked in the Viperscale chainmaille pattern. The intricate interlocking rings make a pretty twisted pattern, imitating that of serpent scales and the contrasting of gold and silver make this pattern pop. Finished with Gold-plated slide clasp.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving.

*Custom Orders - Please include circumference of wrist the piece is to fit in inches, 1/4" will be added to total measurement for a comfortable fit.

Done in Silver over Gold rings, "Medusa" is also just as lovely.

Description:
This sinuous and slinky chainmaille bracelet simply slithers across the skin in a cool soft stoke of metal. Intertwined and twisted rings make for an eye-catching piece and the use of different metals brings out the pattern. Looks terrific with Office attire, Evening Wear or those favorite pair of jeans and comfy t-shirt.

8.5" total length, 1/2" wide, this pretty bauble is just the right size to be noticed, but not get in the way of what you're doing. 14Kt Gold-plated and Silver-plated jump rings are hand linked in the Viperscale Chainmaille pattern. Finished with a 14Kt Gold-plated Slide clasp.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving. 

Sylvan Spring Chainmaille Jewelry Set

Description: Lovely and sumptuous, elegant and understated. Gorgeous gold and silver rings play leap-frog as they create this beautiful intertwined mixed metal chainmaille jewelry set. Looks great with professional office attire, that little black dress or your favorite comfy jeans and t-shirt. Rockers, Bikers, Goth, Steam-punk Fashionistas, this is sure to compliment anything in your wardrobe.

Perfect for Cos-play, Fantasy Film or Event Costumes, Game of Thrones fans or History Channel "Vikings" fans. Shield Maidens or Queens, these are the chains for you.

Necklace: 18" including clasp. 12mm Toggle clasp is Gold-plated over zinc alloy "pewter" (nickle and lead free). Pendant, flower-shape is approximately 1/2"-3/4" wide, and may be removed upon request.

Bracelet: 7.5" total length. Finished with a Slide clasp for secure fit. May be changed to a Gold-plated Toggle or Gold tone Lobster Claw clasp upon request at no additional charge. This is an average bracelet length and should fit most wrists. Please include wrist circumference when ordering if a longer / shorter bracelet length is required.

Earrings: Not pictured, Pair matches the flower-shaped pendant and are suspended from Silver-plated Fish Hook style Ear Wires.

Hand crafted from 14Kt Gold-plated and Silver-plated jump rings woven in the Helm Weave Chainmaille pattern.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving.

Serpentine Chainmaille Bracelet

Description: This stunning bracelet is 7.25" inches long, and will compliment any outfit in your wardrobe, from that tailored suit at the office, a little black dress or your favorite jeans and a t-shirt. This gold and silver piece is sure to draw the eye and accent your garb with a bit of unique fun. Alternating metals spiral around the bracelet changing in look with movement.

Perfect for costuming or role-play, SCA, LARP, Fantasy Film or Cos-play Event attire.

Handcrafted from 5.5mm 14Kt Gold-plated and silver-plated jump rings woven in alternating metals in a Round Maille weave. Finished with a 14mm Gold-plated (over zinc alloy "pewter") toggle clasp with flower accents.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

*Additional length will add weight.

*When ordering, please include circumference of wrist it is to fit, 1/4" will be added to measurement for a comfortable fit. 7.25" to 7.5" is an average length and should fit most wrists.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  In hope that these pretty items may inspire you to click through to any of our shops or the items themselves and have a better look.

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

These pieces and more may be found at any of links below.  

*Not all items are available at all shops.  Please feel free to send us a message or leave a comment here and we will assist you with your question.

The Alchemists Vessel - On Etsy
The Alchemsits Vessel - Handmade Artists
The Alchemists Vessel - The CraftStar
 

The Midas Touch

Good Morning,

You have heard the story of King Midas, the unfortunate man that could turn everything he touched in to gold, including his food, his clothes, his daughter.  That's right, anything he touched instantly became gold.

Here at The Alchemists Vessel we aren't blessed with such a curse, but as our namesakes once attempted, we like to turn things in to gold, or perhaps more appropriately turn gold into things.

Monday we had a brief showcase of some of the new materials now available through the shop.  Anxious and excited to try the wire and rings out, I sat down for a bit of weaving, and I must admit the fun of playing with new items had me a bit distracted.

 

A small sampling of yesterday's play.  

Due to skipping from one weave to the next, I neglected to notice and correct a couple of migrating rings here and there and will of course take the time to fix the errant part before continuing with the piece.

5.0mm 18g 14kt Gold Plated Rings - European 4-in-1 pattern

8mm 18g Gold over 6mm 18g Silver - Dragonscale Pattern

8mm 18g Silver over 6mm 18g Gold - Dragonscale

6mm 20g Gold and Silver - Spiral

Look for our new items coming soon, or contact us and ask about Custom Work or a piece especially designed for you.

Find Us at these easy to use sites and links

e-mail direct: alchemistsvessel@gmail.com
Like Us on Facebook
Follow Us On Twitter
Shop with Us On the following sites:
The Alchemists Vessel - Etsy
The CraftStar - The Alchemists Vessel
Handmade Artists - The Alchemists Vessel

Bookmark our Official Website or Little Shop of Artists store site, soon to be re-opening to the public.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We hope we have encouraged or inspired you to come back and see us again, or to shop with us when you'd like a unique and one of a kind gift.

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

What's New in The Studio - Wire / Jump Ring Selections

Good Morning, 

This weekend I spent time with the supply catalogs and would like to share some of the new materials that will be available for custom work and favorite designs.

Silver, Sterling Silver and Copper are my preferred metals of choice, but gold is requested more often than not.  We have added several sizes of manufactured rings and new wires to our inventory.

Gold (14K) Jump Rings

Now available in several sizes, these pretty rings will be used in a variety of items, including but not limited to our Chainmaille Selection of jewelry.  Look for new items soon, or ask us about a custom design order made especially for you.





Aluminum Rings:

These lovely rings also come in a variety of sizes and have been purchased specifically for Dragonscale Maille pattern bracelets.  Currently available in three colors Red, Black and Gold (Yellow), we will be adding more colors to our selection soon.  Shown here in Red.

 

Stainless Steel Rings:

We have also added Stainless Steel to our selection of wire / jump rings.  Silver in color, stainless steel is great for those that may have metal sensitivities or want a piece that can stand up to heavier wear and tear than the precious metals.  They also make great masculine designs.


A word about Gold:

Gold: All gold jewelry is plated, usually over copper or brass.  Gold is too soft to use for much of anything unless it is mixed or layered over another base metal.  "Rose Gold" is a blend of Gold and Copper, adding the copper creates that pretty red tone in the gold.  Most Gold jewelry is plated at 18K or 14K.  This means that the piece of jewelry is 75 to 58.5% Gold and 25 to 41.5% base metal.  Our jump rings are listed as 14K over brass.  Our gold wire is filled over brass.

Filled vs. Plated:  What does this mean?

Filled wire in gold or silver is simply a denser plate of gold over the base metal.  Plated wire is usually about .15mm of precious metal over a base metal wire (like a sheath),  Filled is usually .25mm of precious metal over a base metal core.

(Picture taken from the internet).

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  We hope you will stop by again and see what we have made with these new supply items.

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

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. 

In The Studio - Round Maille Photo Tutorial

Good Morning,

The week is winding down and it's time to do something fun.

Many that follow the blog may be aware that I was "invited" to submit the Chainmaille portions of my blog to an e-publisher for on line or on demanding publishing of a book.  Very much like a vanity press, but the content is taken directly from your blog instead of creating a new manuscript.

Instead of attempting to contain this blog to a book's content, a separate one is kept, "In Chains - Contemporary Chainmaille Designs" that will be the final submission for the publishers.  In hope of completing the weave instructions followed by eighteen (18) projects to make by the end of year as requested.

Today's Tutorial:  Learn to weave Round Maille

Some may recognize similarities to the Box or Queen's Chain Pattern (aka Inca Puno), however, this weave does not produce a box or square chain, it is round.

Weave Notes:  
This weave is done in multiples of three (3). 
* Silver, Green, Rose colored rings are used to indicate steps.
(We do not recommend Darice rings for a finished project, but for practice they are inexpensive, come in a variety of colors and Outer Diameter Sizes)
AR - This weave isn't terribly AR sensitive, however, it is possible to weave it too tightly or too loosely.  I would recommend an AR of 4.1.
You may weave this pattern in single or multiple colors.

There are two ways to weave Round Maille, one is the Fold and Fill Method, as in this tutorial, and the other is like zipping up a pre-made length of chain.  This weave belongs to the European Family of weaves / patterns.

Material
21 *10mm 14 gauge Aluminum Jump Rings (5mm ID) by Darice.
Pliers - 2 pairs (Flat nose)
Paperclips, or Markers of some  type (twist ties, scrap wire...)

On your marks.  Get set.  Go.

Pre-Close 6 jump rings
Open 15 jump rings 

1. Create a 5 link unit of 2 x 1 Chain (2-1-2-1-2)
     

2. Open 1 ring and slide it through the last pair of rings.







and the first pair of rings,  
close the ring.  

This creates a triangle.

3.  Flip the piece over so it looks like this.  The Single rings are now on the out side and double rings lie towards the center.  You may also pull the single rings outwards and arrange them to reveal the inner triangle as well.






 
4.  Attach paper clips or 
markers to the bottom set of rings.  The ones that lie directly on the work surface.  This marks the beginning of the chain and gives you something to hold while working the first few sets of rings.

5. Gently push the top rings 
into the center forming a 
tent.  These are rings
1, 2 and 3, in any order 
you choose.

6.  Open 1 ring and  slide
it through jump rings 
1 and 2.  Close the ring.








7.  Open 1 ring and slide 
it through jump rings
2 and 3.  Close the ring.









 
8.  Open 1 Ring and slide
it through jump rings 
3 and 1.  Close the ring.

These new rings are now rings
1, 2 and 3 
 





9.  Open 1 ring, slide it through
rings 1 and 2.  Close the ring.








 
10. Open 1 ring, slide it through
rings 2 and 3.  Close the ring.
 







11.  Open 1 ring, slide it through rings 3 and 1. Close the ring. 
You now have a piece of chain that looks like this.

12.  Fold the rings just added back against the chain, or allow the rings to fall or flop to the sides of the chain. Separate the rings to reveal the inner triangle.  

These are now rings 1, 2 and 3.





13. Fill the center of the chain. "Tent" the exposed inside rings.
 Open 1 ring, slide it through 
rings 1 and 2.  Close the ring. 

 Rings 1 and 2 in the correct position.

 Rings 1 and 2, side view.  Add jump ring through the "eye" of both rings.

 New ring is added to rings 1 and 2.

 New ring added to rings 1 and 2, side view.




 










14. Open 1 ring, slide it through rings 2 and 3.  Close the ring.







 




15.  Open 1 ring, slide it through rings 3 and 1.  
Close the ring.







 

16.  Repeat steps 9 through 15 until the chain reaches the desired length.


As you continue with the length of chain you will see a pattern start emerge.

Side View

Top View

Top Down View

If it looks like a weird little fish, you're doing it right.

3/4 Profile, Left

3/4 Profile, Right

 To finish you length of chain.

1.  Slide one open ring through jump rings 1 and 2. 
2.  Slide one open ring through jump rings 2 and 3 or 3 and 1.
3.  Slide one open ring through the last 2 jump rings just added and attach either part of your clasp.
4. Remove the markers and repeat on the other end.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We love feed back, please feel free to leave your question or comment.

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