In My Studio – Jump Rings 101

Good Morning,

In an effort to keep things fresh, interesting, and entertaining we are going to try something new today. Upon the suggestion of a friend, I have created a 2:00 minute video on how to open and close a jump ring.  

A staple of all jewelry design and creation, at some point you’re going to have to open and close one.  Jump rings are circles of metal wire that have been cut at a specific place to create an “open” ring, the ends are brought together to “close” the ring.  Finishing techniques, like soldering, can seal the cut in the ring to keep it closed permanently.  They can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes including circles (most common), ovals, triangles, or squares, and are not limited to just metal.  Rubber O-rings, Glass, Neoprene, and Gemstone “Doughnuts”, as well as other materials can be found in may modern Chain Maille jewelry designs.A variety of jump rings in Aluminum, Gunmetal, Gold Tone Brass, 
Silver Plated, Copper, very small surfaced dyed copper, and silver plated copper jewelry wire.

 

For Maille, hand position and movement is very important, it helps to keep the piece from getting marred or work damaged and to keep the Mailler’s wrists healthy!  In the video below I attempt to show the correct or proper way to open a jump ring.

Adding a video should be free.  I will not pay to add video when every other blog allows this for FREE!  I do apologize for Greedy Media outlets.  If you would like to see the video please click through to my Facebook page or blogger blog.  Thank you.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please feel free to leave a comment, feedback is always welcome.

Five Great Gifts to Give 2/28/12

As always Tuesday is gift ideas or suggestions on the blog.  This morning I am a gift short so we have two gifts to give and a two treasuries to look through.  There are three new shops to peruse, too.

From SuesArts

Hamsa love charm necklace

Description: Created with vintage antique bronze frame charm pendant and chain.
Very elegant, unique and one of a kind. Custom print and designed with a Hamsa hand for protection, good luck and prosperity.
Necklace is about 18″ long but can be adjusted per request with no extra charge.

ALL MY ITEMS ARE HANDMADE AND ONE OF A KIND.

MGGems created Aquamarine For March Babies a beautiful Treasury collection full of, you guessed it, Aquamarine things for March Birthdays. She has chosen some wonderful items as well.  You’ll have to click through for photos, I can’t post all 16 here.

Aquamarine Crystal

The idea behind Treasuries is to showcase your favorite items from around Etsy, promote others, as it were.  The above Treasury includes one of my items and in return I have curated my own list and added an item from MGGems.

Just Mad About Maille is my own list of Chain Maille items from the shops on Etsy, in other words, my competition.  However as each Mailler is unique so too are their pieces.  No two are alike, many of the weave patterns are the same, there is only so much you can do with a jump ring, but what some of those artists do with those jump rings is pretty amazing.

  

Square Aluminum Twist of Fate Bracelet (from the collection)

From So Blue Jewelry

Cezanne Spring Abalone  Shell Silver Bracelet Armband

Description:  Handmade by Soblue. 

Inspired by Cézanne‘’s work.

From beautiful and high quality abalone shell pieces. It’s rich in colors, it’s pure from the nature. it looks like a oil painting, it’s stylish. Under the light, it gives amazing reflection which changes the colors.

All the metal parts are from sterling silver.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look, I hope we have inspired you to think outside the Department or Big Box Store for your gift-giving ideas.

Monday Means – What’s New in The Shop?

I trust you all had a good weekend.  As always Monday is a look at what has been listed or is currently for sale in the shop.  This morning I am pleased to present five new items.

I am always trying to vary and improve my items and offerings, both jewelry and skills.  Variety is the spice of life, as they say and I enjoy learning new things.  I have spent the last week teaching myself a new Chain Maille weave, intricate, but simple, which is one of the wonderful things about Chain Maille.  This is a wonderful unisex pattern, attractive, powerful, sturdy and strong, and substantial enough for him and can be as casual or as dressy as desired.  Personalization is plus, as this weave can be made in a combination of metal, wire, colors, tones and textures.  The pattern may also be embellished with beads for a more feminine look.  Sultry, slinky and sensuous, the pattern positively slithers across the skin in a smooth silky rope.

Below are the examples of the pieces currently available.  They are all created with 8mm jump rings in various metals.  Slim and sleek, these would be great with a suit at the office for a pop of color, jeans and a t-shirt for a casual outing, or a date night conversation piece (she’ll notice).

“Serpentine“  Silver Plated and Gunmetal jump rings snake around the wrist in an alternating pattern.

“Hunter” – Gunmetal and Antiqued Copper jump rings run in continuous links along this dark tone chain.

“Raphael” – Nickle Silver and Antiqued Copper jump rings, twist together to form this bright and masculine piece.  Nickle silver contains no elemental silver, but is an alloy of 60% Copper, 20% Nickle, and 20% Zinc, sometimes called “German” or “Indian” Silver.  It resembles sterling silver but is grayer in tone.

“Woodsman” – Antiqued Bronze and Copper jump rings flow throughout this chain, evoking thoughts of the forest  in the woodsy toned bracelet.

Last item up is “Ver-Sea-Tile”, a Sea-life themed necklace that can be worn several ways, below you see it as it has been assembled.  The Octopus locket may be removed and the charms centered, or the length of beaded chain may be drawn through the clasp to shorten it to choker or collar length.  The large brass flower clasp may worn to the side as a focal point (very fashionable), or in back as desired.

Choker Style

 

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  Have a wonderful day.

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.

Featured Artist – Photographer, Stacey DeBono

I am pleased to present and introduce my personal friend, and fabulous Photographer, Stacey DeBono. 

Stacey has written a brief bio about herself and her work, I have grabbed several of my favorite pictures that capture her amazing and wonderful talent.  Not limited to landscape and nature scenes, she also takes Portraits, and is available for private sittings, public venues and other events.  Contact Stacey if you’re in the San Francisco, Bay Area.  Links to her professional pages may be found below.

BIO:

Photography. Its one of those “catch” words for me. I love it, every single aspect of it, especially vintage type stuff. Capturing images that convey emotion, any emotion, is my goal. I love shooting people (photographically, of course…although I do admit to some feelings of love for shooting people with Nerf guns at times) and capturing subtle nuances of emotion in a contrasting background, with a vintage flair.

I’m Stacey, and Im a City chick, through and through. I’ve lived and traveled extensively in Europe and California, but I always come back to the Bay. I shoot musicians, bands, and people but specialize in vintage portraits – ’40s Hollywood glamour, ’60s mod, ’70s hippie chick – I love it all.

I’m also working with a few film production companies as a director/dir. of photography and am finding that quite rewarding. I’m opening a new studio March 1 in Oakland where I will be not only creating more vintage portraits with great props, but will be working with some of the best stylists and musicians the Bay has to offer. Exciting things happening in 2012!

You can find Stacey at the links below:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Some of Stacey’s Work - 

Home!  San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge

Seagull!

Beach Glass along the Hayward, CA shore.

This is one of my personal favorites of Stacey’s shots.  It evokes emotion at a glance, subtle tones of black and white capture the lone, gnarled, and stately tree in a California park.  Simply stunning!

In My Studio – Beads and Baubles

I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the new beads and items we have available for creating beautiful things for you!  The Alchemists Vessel specializes in Sterling and Semi-precious gemstone jewelry, but lately has had an in flux of or custom orders asking for glass beads.  I have listened and obeyed!  Greens, Reds Blues, Faceted, Bi-cone, Round, we have a nice selection and are in hope of receiving the Japanese Seed beads soon!

Many of these beads have been purchased per customer request to complete their orders.  Upon completion of the custom orders these beads will begin to appear in many of the pieces created by Alix, The Alchemist, Designer and Owner of The Alchemists Vessel.

 Also available in limited quantities new gemstone and brass beads, along with a brass finding or two.

 

Precious Metal vs. Jewelry Wire

Many people have asked me why precious metal is so much more expensive than a plated jewelry wire, and why I do not offer ready-made Chain Maille pieces in Gold or Sterling Silver.  Precious metal is just that, precious and it is also more expensive.  Things like copper and brass are more abundant.  The Alchemists Vessel does not determine the price of precious metal; we watch the market for the current price, as it fluctuates, currently Sterling is $34.02 an ounce, and Gold is $1753.44 an ounce.  Sterling Silver is usually available in 5 or 25-foot spools to be spun, soldered, wrapped, and hammered or other wise fashioned into jewelry.  It is common of Gold wire to be “Gold filled” or a brass core with a .15 mm to .25mm outer layer of 14kt gold.  Current Supplier prices are about $90.00 for 25 feet spool for Silver and $150.00 for Gold Filled.  Manufactured jump rings may be purchased, but size cannot be guaranteed as many manufactures measure outer diameter instead of inner diameter, which is used when calculating appropriate jump rings size for Chain Maille.

Precious metal pieces are available per custom order only.  A 50% non-refundable deposit is required before your work begins.  Pricing works as follows.

We charge per foot of wire. 5 feet of wire makes one pair of earrings, it takes 12” of wire to create a 1” coil from which jump rings cut.  Depending on gauge, Sterling Silver wire is $25.00 (20g) to $45.00 (18g)

A 20 gauge pair of Byzantine Weave earrings in sterling silver would cost, $40.00, $25.00 for wire, $5.00 for findings,  $2.00 for beads, and $8.00 for spinning and assembly.

A Necklace takes about 30 feet of wire, depending on the weave.  It takes about 459 jump rings to create a necklace and earring set, depending on Gauge.  To create on of the “Parures”,  $175.00 for wire, $5.00 for beads, and findings, $100.00 to spin and assemble.  Total cost $280.00.

Necklaces, bracelets, or different weaves require different amounts of wire.  The above Precious Metal prices are quoted from the suppliers catalog. All materials and costs will be discussed prior to ordering the necessary material for your project.  The above is an example of possible cost to the customer, your cost may vary depending on your project.

Jewelry wire is usually copper, either colored (dyed) or tinned (plated) with a thin coating of precious metal.  Sterling Silver Plated copper wire is used in many of our projects and is just as pretty, and an affordable alternative to precious metal pieces.  The wire is plated or surface dyed, and some copper will show through the cuts, this is a mark of a hand made item, and although we try our best to keep these marks to a minimum, they do appear on occasion.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

Five Great Gifts To Give

It’s Tuesday, and that means we have Five (5) Great Gift ideas for you!  We are pleased to bring you two new Etsy shops, a returning shop and an odd or end here and there.  These gift ideas range from jewelry to Children’s Room Decor (and is it ever cute).  

One of the new shops is Lucky Stars Hawaii, with these very cute Devoted 2 U Heart (Swarovski Elements Series) Earring w/Pink Swarovski 8 mm Pearl dangling from Heart Chain – Sterling Silver, are available in the shop now!

 Description: Total length of this adorable earring is about 2 1/4 inches. The Swarovski Devoted 2 U Heart is a stylishly asymmetrical version of the classic shape. All components are sterling silver.

(Blogger’s Note:  Valentine’s Day may be over, but don’t forget, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduations, or just to say I love you!  These cuties will do the trick!)

Next, another new shop, ThumbAlina Lane with this wonderful Alphabet Animal Silhouettes Art Print.  Brighten your child’s room with this fun, colorful print!

Description: This listing is for an 8×10 art print professionally printed to order on heavyweight archival matte paper with high definition archival inks.  

NOTE:  Frame and mat are not included.

**This listing has several options, size and color are just a couple.  Have a look for complete details.

(Blogger’s Note:  Grandparents, new parents, relatives looking for a fun, educational and interactive gift, that doesn’t require batteries?  This is the one.  Quality time can be had with your special little one learning the Alphabet, animals and a color or two.  I bet they can be printed in your child’s room color scheme!)

Our returning shop is Wire Witchery, with this spectacular Tiger Eye and Garnet Pendulum. 

Description: This pendulum is made with a highly faceted tiger’s eye bead on 18 gauge copper wire. Its accented with two micro-faceted garnets and a copper yarn ball bead. The grabber is a hand twisted spiral of copper and gold colored copper wire with another garnet. 

(Blogger’s Note: The unique focal bead is worth giving this a piece a look!)

A new offering from my own shop is this twist on Chain Maille.  Golden Spiral, is crafted from gold tone base metal jump rings, this continuous pattern spirals and twists throughout the bracelet.  Great for men or woman and comes in a variety of metals and jewelry wire, including, sterling silver plated, hypo-allergenic, gunmetal, copper and brass.

Being the crafty woman that I am, I like to hand make gifts sometimes. Not everything needs to be purchased, even though all Etsy gifts are hand made, and the idea is to provide you with unique and purchasable gift ideas, it might be fun to experiment yourself.  Although I am not sure if Cuff Links are in fashion any more, this is a simple, easy, low cost project.  

Instructions:

Check out your local Thrift stores, they are a goldmine of unique and easy-on-the-wallet finds.  Look for a pair of unadorned, plain, flat face Cuff Links, make sure they are a complete set.

Once home, clean them up, if they need it, let them dry thoroughly. 

With a small brush and a paint color of your choice. paint the face of both Cuff Links.

Add a design, his initials, a stencil you find interesting, dots, whatever suits your fancy (ladies, no flowers please).  Keep it small and simple.  Let your pieces dry thoroughly.  With some acrylic spray or brush-on sealer, (Clear Nail polish works in a pinch) lightly coat the surface of your Cuff Link Design (this will protect your design longer).

Once dry find a box, wrap them up and gift them!

(Picture is taken from image search on internet)

 

NOTE:  This would also make a fun project for the kids with plastic buttons or other things that they might like to personalize.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look at some of the beautiful things offered by people from around the web!

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.

A Featured Website

Usually on Thursday’s I try to feature an artist or something that is unique and interesting.  I would love it if those that read the blog (or just know it exists) would like to participate by sending me bios and links to your products, artworks, jewelry, whatever, and we can feature you and get you out to the masses or at least a new audience!

Today’s featured site is a new one that I have come across called “Pinterest”.  Many of you that have an Etsy account may have seen the new button “Pin It”.  This is a direct link to the Pinterest site, like clicking the F for Like on Facebook or the +1 for Google.

Pinterest in currently an invitation only sign up.  I can invite friends!  If Digg is for links than Pinterest is for pictures.  Set up like a bulletin or cork-board, you can “pin” things you like on to separate boards, create categories on anything, and save these things on your Pinterest Boards.  You can look at, share and “re-pin” other users finds and boards as well.  I am unsure if you can view the boards without an account, but the link to mine is below.  I just started yesterday so I don’t have much “pinned” yet.  If you would like an invitation, please e-mail or leave a comment here. Or follow the link and sign up at the page.  All that is required is an e-mail address.  They do ask that you sign in with Facebook, you cannot, however, directly pin things from Facebook to Pinterest, which is stupid, but that’s the way it works.

Pinterest.com

Alix’s Boards

They do ask that you do not use the boards for self promotion and this where your friends and networking comes in!  You may pin something that you made, sure, but do not use the boards to sell, promote or push yourself, your items or other things down the throats of others.  Get your friends organized, pin each others items, products, whatever to each others boards.  You will not only get views but an entirely new group of people will see your stuff!

So get in there and start pinning!