Friday Fun ~ Let’s Talk Taurus

Good Morning,

Happy Friday!  Welcome to the weekend.  I think it’s time to have a little fun on the blog.

As many of you know when I first began the on line portion of the business, it was devoted to all things Birthday-ish, including zodiac signs, birthstones, charms, T-shirts.  Well I am disappointed to say that went over like a ton of bricks.  However many years later, and a lot wiser, we still offer those items, but have moved the focus of the business to jewelry that everybody can associate with, feel comfortable and beautiful in and wear with pride.

Let’s Talk Taurus

Taurus ~ April 19 ~ May 20 or April 21 to May 22 all depending on which book, Newspaper astrologist or other source you may read.  However the constants remain the same:

Taurus is the Celestial Winged Bull, and the second sign of the Zodiac.
Element is Earth
Planet is Venus
Stone is Emerald
Plant is Lily
Lucky Number is 6
Special Day – Friday

Taurus’ are ~ Artistic, loyal, loving, sensual, steadfast, determined, practical, patient and reliable.

The Glyph ~ 

The glyph represents the head and horns of a bull or the chin and the Adam’s apple (Throat) of a human. Symbolically it is a half-moon forming a cup that rests on the circle of the Sun.  It represents material power and wealth derived through the force of will.

Original Taurus Glyph, by Alixandra of The Alchemists Vessel

Birthstone Fun Facts 

May – Emerald, a beryl stone.

The Stone of Success and Love

Physical Description: A deep to light green translucent stone,

Metaphysical Properties:  Traditionally used to enhance memory

Alternatives:

Malachite: A Deep Forest Green Color

Malachite Earrings

  

Its bright green color mimics the moors and reminds one of outdoors, hills, trees, and grass.

Metaphysical Properties:  Promotes harmony and emotional balance, and reduces stress.

Interesting Fact: Used as a pigment for paint until about 1800. Malachite has been mined for about 3,000 years at Timna in Israel, also called “King Solomon’s Mines”.

Mythology: 

Zeus, the father of the Greek gods fell in love with Europa, the Phoenician princess. She was always guarded by her father’s soldiers. Zeus transformed himself into a beautiful white bull with a pair of golden horns and wandered towards her while she was plucking flowers in her garden.  (The cad!)

Europa was mesmerized by the beauty of the white bull and made him her pet. They became instant friends. One day, Europa climbed onto the back of the white bull, who making use of the opportunity, carried her away to Crete. After reaching Crete, Zeus revealed himself and later married her. According to Greek mythology, Zeus as a white bull represents the constellation Taurus.

Aventurine (Green), A Crystal.

 

Often miss-pronounced or miss-spelled “Adventurine”, this beautiful crystal ranges in colors from yellow to deep green and maybe transparent or opaque.

Metaphysical Properties: Inspires joy, a positive attitude and mental clarity.

Interesting Fact: The name Aventurine is derived from the Italian ‘ventura’, meaning “a mistake”. In the 18th a speckled glass was created by accident in Venice. The stone was named for this glass due to its appearance. Sometimes mistakenly referred to as “Indian Jade”.

Famous Taurus:
Anne-Margret
Fred Astaire
Johannes Brahams
Catherine the Great
Charolette Bronte
Cher
George Clooney
Sigmund Freud
Ulysses S. Grant

Adolf Hitler
Jim Jones
Liberace
George Lucas
Karl Marx
Meatwad
Golda Meir
Ho Chi Mihn
Vladmir Nabokov
Willie Nelson
Al Pacino
Eva Peron
Robespierre
William Shakespeare
Harry S. Truman
Rudolph Valentino

Orson Wells

We have items in the shops geared toward the Taurus, like these:

Malachite and Azurite Genuine Gemstone Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

Genuine Malachite with gorgeous Azurite inclusions. Azurite is a beautiful blue stone, although too soft for jewelery-making on its own, it does appear on occasion in malachite, creating a lovely speckled appearance across the stones surface. Used here to created these absolutely stunning and unique pair of Sterling Silver Gemstone Earrings.

Beautiful deep green genuine Malachite beads hang in a lovely chevron pattern from Sterling Silver Hoops. Perfect for Boho fashions, hipster, rockers and a terrific accent for Office attire. About 2″ long.

Sterling Silver fully soldered hoops and genuine Malachite with Azurite inclusions beads with Sterling silver findings and accents beads. Suspended from Sterling Silver Fish Hook ear wires.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

*Limited availability! Once these beauties are gone, they are gone!
 Perfect for May Birthdays!
 

Poet Chainmaille Bracelet

 

Gorgeous green, fresh and fun to wear. The stunning chainmaille bracelet is a colorful piece and just right for any occasion, a pop of color at the office, or for a casual weekend get away accessory. From the Captured Color Collection, this lovely piece is made in this year’s must have fashion color. Light weight and comfortable for extended wear.

8″ long including clasp. Silver plated wire and enameled aluminum jump rings are woven in an Inverted Round Maille pattern and finished with a strong magnetic clasp that holds well during everyday activities and movements.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving. 

These charms were purchased at Silver Enchantments of Arizona, and are used in a number of jewelry pieces from earrings to charm bracelets they may be sold in sets or individually to add to your already existing pieces.  They are tiny!  Sterling Silver, and the back is even stamped 925.  Custom creations are available.

 

We have all twelve Zodiac signs available.  The original graphic (and 11others) was available on Cafe Press, but having no store views and little interest, I have closed that shop.  Customized items are available. Please contact the shop with your requests.  All questions are answered and quotes are free.

You can find our shop at either of the sites below, or find the fan page on face book.  Did you know you can shop directly from the fan page?  You can.

 The Alchemists Vessel on
Etsy
Handmade Artists
Facebook, just click on the Etsy Showcase or Alchemists Vessel buttons under the cover photo on the page.
Official Site

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

*Various sources and books were used in the creation of this post.  No one source was found to be more accurate than an other, please keep in mind that the Zodiac is different for different cultures all over the world, and that information not only varies from culture to culture, but from author to author or whatever material one may use as resource or research. 

Friday Links and Promotions

Happy Friday,

The weekend is here and promises to be a good one. 

I have been trying to think of something to post today, and because I am coming up short, I think I will share a date instead.

November 24th, 2012, is Shop Small Day!  Why just keep it to one day?  What not shop small all the time.  Just what does that mean? 

It means to shop your local and independent businesses.  I don’t mean hit the mall with  the other lemmings at 5:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning for “Door-buster” sales.  I mean take your time and seek out Main Street, those fabulous little shops owned and operated by a person, not a giant faceless corporation.  Take your time and look on line at some of the wonderful and unique handmade goodies from Artists and Designers all over the country.  

This image was downloaded from the Facebook Fan Page for Shop Small Day.

Places to shop small:

handmadeartists.com
The Alchemists Vessel – Jewelry and Gifts
Studio RGC – Twisted Little Things

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

Bella’s Grove and Links and Promotions

Good Morning,

Friday is here, the weekend promises to be bright and lovely and I can’t wait to get out on the Greenbelt down by the river and go for a little Autumn walk, and see what mother nature has in store.

Before I get into the announcements and event promotions, I would like to venture to the Discovery Center in Boise Idaho.  This month a new exhibit began, Bodies Revealed, and this is just fascinating.  Although I do not have tickets yet, I intend to go.   The link will take you to The Plan Your Visit Page, with information on Tickets and the Discovery Center’s address and hours of operation.  The bodies are actual people, plasticized and preserved in an exhibit of how the body functions and what you look like on the inside.   For $8.00 this is not to be missed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

The Alchemists Vessel is excited and very pleased to announce that Jewelry Classes will be starting soon, dates need to be confirmed and will be announced within the next couple of weeks.

I would like to thank Bella’s Grove, for graciously agreeing to rent space for classes.  A local business in town, Bella’s Grove is located at 2210 S. Broadway, Boise, ID 83706.
Hours: Monday – Closed
Tuesday through Friday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Facebook: Bella’s Grove

 

The store has a lot to offer, jewelry, incense, crystals, gemstone pendants, herbal workshops, Reiki, and a number of other marvelous and unique things to delight the mind and the senses!

~ EVENT ~

Just in time for All Hallows Eve, Bella’s Grove will also be hosting The Witches Market, Sunday, October 14th, 2012, at 2210 Broadway, Boise, ID (Broadway and Iowa).  Stop by for a fun and unique shopping experience, many of the artisans that are featured in the store will be available in person with their wares on display.

The Alchemists Vessel at Bella’s Grove, Jewelry Classes with Alixandra Browning

Classes Offered:

Jewelry Basics: $30.00 per person 2-1/2 Hour session
This class will cover the very basics of jewelry making, including Tools, Wire, Bead Sizes, Findings (Jump Rings, Ear Wires, Head Pins, etc.)  A simple project will be made during class for attendees to take home.

Sample Tools and Materials

Intermediate Jewelry Design:  $40.00 per person 3-1/2 hour session
This class will be project based, attendees are expected to be familiar with basic jewelry making techniques, materials and equipment.   Jewelry Basics is NOT required for any of the classes offered.  If you can string a bead and bend a head pin you’ll be more than comfortable in this class.  

Genuine Gemstone Necklace

Advanced Jewelry Design: $45.00 – $50.00 per person To Be Determined
This class will cover more advanced projects and processes of Jewelry Design.  Including Resin Trapped Objects, Chainmaille, and Inking projects.

Beaded Chainmaille Watch

All class materials will be provided by the Instructor, if you have your own materials and / or tools discounts will be given at time of class.  Registration will be available via the website or visit Bella’s Grove and pick up a brochure after October 14th, 2012.  You will also be able to sign up via Facebook and the Etsy Shop as soon as the sample projects are complete.

*NOTE: All items shown are handmade by Alixandra Browning Owner / Designer of The Alchemists Vessel, and may not be the specific projects taught in class.

Thank you for stopping in and having a read.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant weekend!

In My Studio – Earring Tutorial

 

Happy Wednesday!Here we are in my studio, that must mean it’s time for a project.  Wonder what I do at the workbench?   Wonder no more, below is  Earrings 101 a tutorial video. 

 

As promised, I have finally managed to create and upload a video on crafting a pair of very simple dangle earrings.  You can definitely try this at home!  The video covers, materials and how to’s for finishing and attaching the parts and pieces to make and  complete a pair of earrings.

 

If you would like to participate along with the video or perhaps make a pair afterwards you will need the supplies listed.  Expensive tools and supplies are not required, you can find the wire cutters and other things at your local Walmart for about $5.00 each, I bet most you have pliers at home, those will work just fine.  Beads can be any material and color you like, you can also find the Headpins and things at a local craft store for around $2.00.

 

Tools:

1 pair of Flat or Chain Nose Pliers

1 pair of Round Nose Pliers

1 pair of Wire Cutters

 

Supplies:

2 Head Pins

2 Fish Hook Style Ear Wires

2 4mm Jump Rings (optional)

Beads of your choice (any color, size, shape to your liking).

If you are experiencing problems watching the video on the blog you can also try clicking the links to your right or following them from the links below,

Earrings 101 on The Alchemists Vessel (Official Website)

Earrings 101 on Youtube

Earrings 101 on Daily Motion

*Earrings 101 on Facebook

 

*NOTE:  This link will take you to The Alchemists Vessel Fan / Business Page on Facebook.

There is no pdf or written instruction, if I have requests for this I will write one out for downloading later.

I hope you enjoyed this brief tutorial on creating a simple pair of earrings.

Thank you for stopping by and watching.

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

 

Brick and Mortar Businesses in Boise Links and Promotions

Happy Friday,

This morning I have a couple local business to look at and yes, they carry handmade or local artisans works as well.

This must be Boise‘s best kept secret, Indie Made located in lovely downtown Boise Idaho, all eight blocks of it, located at 108 6th Street (at Main) in the Pioneer Tent Building.  Their site is more like a blog, but they do carry handmade items from local artists.  They also have a Facebook fan page.  Follow either of the links to find them.

The Purple Rose Boutique at 1415 N Milwaukee, in Boise (off Fairview).  Several friends have just raved about this shop, although I have not had the opportunity to visit in person, the facebook page has nice photos of what the shop has to offer, from jewelry to clothing.

Mixed Bag Bazaar is located at 106 Latah in Boise.  They also have a website dedicated to Mixed Bag Enterprises.  I was asked at one time to put items in the shop for consignment, what happened after that is a mystery.  However they seem to have resolved whatever issues they were having and have managed to rally and move forward.  Their shop (more like consignment) runs a Saturday Sidewalk Mall (Bazaar) in front and to the side of their store, check the page for dates and details.

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.  Feel free to click through or actually visit any of the shops listed here today.  They would appreciate it.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

The Muddfip Photographer: Featured Artist Thursday

Good Morning,

The weekend is almost here and that means fun in the sun, down by the river, the creek, the pond, the swimming hole, a walk in the woods, along the beach, things to do, people to see, and pictures to take.

This weeks Featured Artist is my Multi-talented friend, Shelly Moody, The Muddfip Photographer.  I can’t take a photo to save my life and am amazed at the composition and quality of other people’s photos.  Shelly has an an amazing eye for composition and her black and white photographs are stunning.

The Muddfip Photographer may be found on Facebook, won’t you stop by and give her a Like.

What Shelly has to say about her page:

Hello and Welcome! My name is Shelly and this page features photographs, all of them taken by me. All photos are copyrighted, so please do not use without permission. All photos on this page are available for purchase. Please contact me regarding prices and sizes. Photos will be signed and numbered. I am happy to ship them to any location. Thank you for taking time to browse my photos!Have a blessed day!

The photos below are taken from her Facebook page.  I have tried to include a variety of subjects that she takes, from nature to industrial buildings and machinery.   All of the prints are available for sale.

I love frogs! 

Any of these photos would make excellent prints or  posters, cards or stationery.  Decorating in a “Steampunk” theme?  Those huge gears on the water would make the perfect wall hanging!

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.  I hope you will also stop by and take a The Muddfip Photographers page.  There are more wondrous and wonderful photos to look at and choose from. 

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

Post 100 Links and Promotions

Good morning,

Friday is here!  I hope all had a good work week and are ready for some fun in the sun for the next couple of days.

Here we are at the 100th Post of the blog.  Amazing.

Thank you all for coming along, reading, commenting and in general helping to make the blog interesting and different.

With the schedule being very full, I had intended to have another jewelry tutorial this month, but my camera is not cooperating, so we’ll have to wait until I return from California to get that going.

We will be making a pair of earrings!  Pliers, beads, a couple of head pins and some ear wires are all you will need to follow along!  You may also wish to have some jump rings on hand for this as well.

Today, I share a link for The Muddfip Photographer, my friend Shelly Moody will be a featured artist in the near future.  Shelly takes some incredible photos, the link will take you to the facebook page.  I’m not saying too much right now as I want to save the good stuff for her feature!

The Alchemists Vessel has a new look on Facebook and Etsy.

Thanks to Harrison Richards of HRthinkstorm on Etsy, for the new Cover Photo and Banner for the shop.  Harrison has some great products at affordable prices to help you get your on-line or brick and mortar store up, running and noticed.

On an interesting and news worthy note.  Facebook’s Stock goes public today, about 11:00 a.m. EST.  $38.00 a share, those that hold shares now stand to make a nice little profit for themselves.

Don’t forget Jo-Ann Fabrics is still taking students and my classes are wide open, June will be copper chain and stone chip earrings and a very pretty Swarovski Crystal “Life Bracelet” from the in-store Brochure, pick one up and register for class today.  Bring a friend, learn a new skill, meet some new folks, and harass the teacher!  What a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful day and a most pleasant and relaxing weekend.

NOTE:  There will be no blog posts next week, I will be out of town and my friend, Terry, (she did the blog last time I was out) is unavailable this time.

What’s New In The Shop – Metal Monday

Good Morning,

I hope all had a wonderful weekend, I certainly did, it was also my birthday!

Although there are no new items in the shop at the moment, there is something new that I am working on.  It’s a secret, but a little progress shot or two never hurt.


Designed using two different patterns.  Below you see simple, short lengths of chain woven from Nickel jump rings in a European 4 -in -1 and a variation.  These weave are also available for jewelry.

Next, a little progress,  Two lengths of chain are being joined or “married” together.  Several more individual lengths will be created and added to this.

Top Down View

Side View: This pattern lies flat and creates a nice pattern that has lot of movement and light play, although the jump rings may turn, the lengths of chain are supple with little rigidity to allow for “give”, and wear and tear when the piece is used.

Any one want to hazard a guess as to what it might be?  No?  How about if I said there are 310 (give or take) 3mm I.D.  jump rings in these short lengths?  No?  How about a hint?  Something may be put it in.

Thank you for stopping by.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful week.

Promotions and Links and Mom

Good Morning,

Happy Friday, another work week successfully completed. 

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you and yours a wonderful day.  Do something nice for your Mom, she’ll appreciate it!

A couple of weeks or more so now, I received an invitation to Artsy Dealy.  So far it is just an e-mail register / sign up page. It is a new traffic generator, geared to bring traffic to your Etsy shop.  Not quite sure how it works as I think it’s still in it’s fledgling state, the Link below will take you to their page.

Artsy Dealy Traffic Generator

Here is an interesting site Craft Gawker.  Rather like pinterest, with a twist, clicking through takes you to blogs and tutorials from the posting.  You can find everything from Braiding (Plaiting) your hair to how to make Glow in the Dark jars.

There is a new craft seller website Craftstack.com.  Although it is just an e-mail sign-up for information right now.  If you are interested in another site, venue, market for your wares, you might try there.  Plans are $8.95 a month, or 5% of your sales.

Remember every Tuesday is Five Great Gifts to Give.  Would you like to have your item promoted on the blog?  Drop me an e-mail with a link to your item and a bit about yourself, and your item will be posted along with four others on a given Tuesday.  Contacts links are to the right or Like us on Facebook.

Now, a little shameless self-promotion never hurt anybody.  Although I think it is official and I have lost my mind.  I am currently working on a project that will take no less than 5,694 jump rings (I counted!) to complete.  I designed the pattern, measured, coiled, and cut close to 7,000 jump rings over the past several days and I think the linking process is about to begin.  As soon as I have a more cohesive or comprehensive idea on how to present the project in stages we’ll give you sneak peaks into the process and project.  Want to see what 1M (1,000) jump rings look like?

That’s a whole lot of tiny little things! Multiply that by 6, and I have a lot of fun ahead of me!

Thank you for stopping by, The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you and yours a pleasant weekend, and a Happy Mother’s Day.

Outside and Gemstones

Happy Friday.  The weekend is here and we should all breathe deeply, take a moment and relax, work week is over and we have earned it.

Sitting here trying to think of something to promote is never easy.  I have no idea half the time what to write, what readers may find interesting, entertaining, useful or worthwhile.

Instead of promoting something on the net and posting links, I thought I would take a minute to look outside and see if something out there wasn’t interesting.  You know what?  Outside is amazing!

So today I am promoting “outside”.  Funny that I would be doing such a thing on a blog, that I want people to read and comment on, and here I am suggesting that you turn off the box and go do something out of doors!

Many of you have seen this picture as it is posted on my wall and the Facebook‘s profile cover photo, but this is outside!  Beautiful, delicate, colorful, wonderful, awesome and inspiring.

Material in this lovely pink, would make a fabulous skirt or dress.  The yellow is bright and sunny, a nice contrast to the pink.  Green, yellows, and pinks are simple, fresh, colors for any Spring or Summer wardrobe.I get a lot of my inspiration from outside, and most of the materials I use come from outside.  Gemstones and precious metals are taken from the ground, and many are left in their natural state, shaping and polishing is all that has been done to them.

Amethysts and Rubies come in crystalline materials that are created in specific conditions to grow in geodes or other formations. 

Amethyst in a geode.

Rubies in their natural state, prior to cutting and polishing.  They appear to range from pink to a reddish-purple color.  Some seem to have milky white striations across the surface of the natural stone.

Idaho is the “Gem State”, the Official Stone of Idaho is Garnet.

Garnet is also a crystalline gem.  It comes in many colors from yellow to red, red being the most popular for jewelry.

Many states have official stones, Oregon’s is Rhodonite.  A gorgeous pink stone that looks somewhat like marble.

For designers of all types, nature is an essential part of the process.  Shapes, colors, forms, textures, even the numbers of leaves or petals on a tree or plant can play an important part in the creation of jewelry, fashion, architecture, and art.

The outside world is an amazing place, full of adventure and inspiration.  City or Rural area, there are parks, rivers, wildlife (even if they are pigeons), take sometime this weekend to rediscover the backyard, the playground down the street, the Zoo, your local Open Space or Walking Trail.  The Great Outdoors awaits!

Now, go outside and play!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful weekend and in hope that the weather allows for outdoor fun and games!