Featured Artist: BlueHighways

Good Morning,

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you all to BlueHighways hand bound Journals, from the site Handmade Artists.

Ever wonder what is on that road less traveled?  Perhaps you travel those little blue lines on a map to someplace different, unique and off the beaten track.  That is what Blue Highways has to offer, different, unique and original hand bound books that are not your average Barnes and Noble aisle find.

Beautiful fabric covers and pages of lined or drawing paper complete the books. I have included five of my favorites below (and it was hard to choose).  Great for sketching, a day at the beach or jotting down your journey in a journal!  This is how people used to blog!

What Blue Highways says about her shop:

Old road maps used to have the back roads printed in blue, they’re 
the roads less traveled…those are the ones I prefer. 
Welcome, and travel some Blue Highways with me!
All books, art & writing journals, sketchbooks & albums are made 
with nice thick durable fabric covered covers, they are 
beautifully handbound and have generous page counts.I have a 3 
book maximum on any one fabric design then it will be retired, 
even then each of the 3 will either have different paper or binding 
or both.
An encouragement to buyers; if you don’t see something already 
made that you like please contact me so that together we may 
collaborate to make a custom book or journal that is absolutely 
perfect for your tastes and needs. Page counts, fabrics, paper colors, 
binding technique…all up to you. Deeply Entwined

Chucktown Ballet

Description: Maybe I can explain the odd title on this handbound book (though many are odd I must admit). I was in Charleston, SC not long ago to visit a sweet friend, we went to the aquarium… there were sea turtles with amazing grace swimming right before our eyes…and that’s the rest of the story!

Twittering on The Edge

Soundscape

 

Internal Storm

I hope that some of these have inspired you or perhaps caught your attention that you might click through and check out her Shop.

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.

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

Five Great Gifts To Give – A Summer’s Day

Greetings on this fine and lovely Tuesday morning.

We have a mix of things today.  Handmade Artists and Etsy Shop offerings.  Gift ideas perfect for a Summer’s day.

From: lisianblue

Hand Crocheted Pink Super Skinny Scarf cs004

Product Details:  This hand crocheted 100% cotton pink skinny scarf is a versatile fashion accessory, drape it or warp it several times around your neck, loop it around your waist as a sash with skirts or jeans.

Versatile, fashionable, and a bit flirty too.  This unique scarf is 1.5″ wide x 90″ long with 4.5″ fringe on the side.  Fringe is hand knotted with it’s neighbor creating a simple lacy effect.

Can be machine washed & dried.  However, I recommend hand washing & wrapping it up in a towel to soak up excess water & laid flat to dry.  You can squeeze, but please don’t wring.

From: T. Rusk 4U

Colorful Polka Dot Bracelet

 

Product Details: Don’t you think there’s something about polka dots that just says fun? This cheerful bracelet is filled with bright colors, sparkle and yes, polka dots! Lampwork beads in pink, red, amber,lime, teal, blue and purple all have a sprinkling of those delightful white dots! Silver plated discs and beads add sparkle as does the 4mm clear beads. It is all strung on flexible beading wire, and finished with wire guards and crimp covers. A smooth toggle clasp keeps it secure on your wrist. When laying flat is it 8″ long and will fit a 6.75″ to 7″ wrist.

From: The Alchemists Vessel

Orange Creamcicle (Carnelian and Sterling Silver Genuine Gemstone Earrings)

Description: These are a fabulous choice for Summer. Oval shaped genuine Carnelian beads hang in a pretty orange curtain reminding on of refreshing Sorbet, Orange Slices or a Creamcicle on a hot Summer day. Would make a great July or August Birthday Present.

Sterling Silver Six Drop Hoop Earrings with Natural Grade A Semi-precious Gemstones – available in a variety of stones.

Life Aquatic

Description: 7-1/4″ in length. Cute, fun, different! Aquatic life, stunning statement bracelet. Charms measure about 3/4″ across at widest or longest points,Leaping Dolphin, Turtle, Seahorse, Swan, and a Penguin in sterling silver plated charms adorn this adorable bracelet. There is plenty of room to add your collection of charms, too!

Elegant Chainmaille Choker Silver Plated with Black Czech Glass Beads

 

Description:  15-1/2″ long. Truly elegant, slender, slinky, silky silver and black go with everything! Very feminine. Makes a pretty accent to any outfit. May be worn to the office, on an evening out, and with that little black dress. Would make a great birthday present in any of our birthstone glass bead colors. 

Thank you for having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

 

Three Great Gifts To Give Presenting Handmade Artists Site

Good Morning.

Today I would like to feature some truly unique, clever and beautiful, handmade from start finish gift ideas.  All of today’s featured gifts are from shops on handmadeartists.com.  A great site to find things handcrafted by some amazing artists and craft-people.  There is no question here about re-sellers, these items are handmade by the shop owner.

Although I invited any and all shop owners to participate, I only received three entries for this weeks blog, so I turn the post over the them.  Hoping to pique your curiosity enough to click the link and have a look see at some of their other offerings as well.  Looking is always free!

Without further ado:

From Southern Country Creations

Brown Leather with Green Tree Agate Beads and Peace charm

Product Details: This bracelet was handcrafted using brown leather and round green tree agate beads. It sports a shell button for closure and a Peace charm.

It measures approximately 7 1/4 inches

From: Blue Highways

Hand Bound Book Wings of Scarlet

 Product Details: It may be fall but I’m holding on to warmer weather with this gorgeous 6″ x 9″ book covered in a fabric of red tulips. The colors are shades of scarlet and greens popping on a black background. The red was difficult for me to photograph perfectly, the 4th photo is the actual cover scanned on my scanner and represents the colors a little better.

Inside I have bound 160 pages (front & back) of premium 80# acid free white drawing paper excellent for pencil, colored pencil and charcoal also good for pen and ink, marker and oil pastels. I have them sewn with a hand waxed red cotton thread and ribbon bound them with a 7/8″ scarlet grosgrain ribbon. As with all my ribbon bound books, refills can be ordered once the book has been filled, please contact me if you are interested in one – it’s simple to replace, I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

From: My European Touch

Handmade Mosaic Tray shabby cottage chic china broken plate rims Mosaic Tray clay roses pearls

 Product Details:   Glamorous shabby chic cottage Mosaic Tray. This was a vintage silver plate tray, Silver plate all gone, I sanded it down, primed it, it got a coat of cottage white paint. A lil bit of distress to give it that worn well loved look. I then proceeded to cut up my already damaged fine bone china plate rims and stained glass and filled the inside with this lovely mosaic. Roses and blooms are climbing on this tray like a briar bush in the wild, so romantic.

I then filled the rim with lil pearls and tulle roses all the way around to give it that finished look. A lil arrangement of handmade clay roses in the left corner and this Mosaic tray is brimming with beauty.
The mosaic is grouted in an antique white grout and sealed. I showed it photographed in different light and it can be hung up on the wall too.

It is a footed tray and I tied a pale cream organza ribbon to two of the the feet, tied it in a nice bow and it can hang on your wall..
The colors are the truest on the close ups of the pictures.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.   The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant week.

Glass Beads and Charm Bracelets – In My Studio

Good Morning,

Wednesday is here, half way through the work week!

This morning, I would like to show a selection of available bead colors, and styles.  I would also like to introduce a new item as well.  I suppose I could save them for Monday, but I am excited about these.

These are new, customizable, and sizable.  I have a selection of Sterling Silver Plated Charms from which I have created two Charm bracelets.   When I was a girl, everyone I knew had a charm bracelet or one of the those Charm Hanger necklaces that were so popular.  They are making a comeback this year, and I hope for years to come.  Below, one in a Rockabilly theme, that I just think is absolutely adorable, and one for myself.  More charms are always being added to the stock selection.  Drop us an e-mail and see if we have your favorites, or stop by the shop and select a pre-made beauty with room enough to add your own collection of charms later.

7-1/4″ in length is “Rockabilly Betty”, a theme bracelet with Chinese Coin, Dice (they move individually), Skull and Crossbones, Motorcycle and a Humming Bird or Sparrow charm.

Created for me, rarely do I make things for myself, but I just could not resist making a fun piece to wear when I go out.  Also to show more of the charms that are currently in stock.

Counterclockwise: Leaping Frog, Chinese Coin, Dinosaur, Seahorse, Initial K, Western Style Gecko, Initial A, Cow Skull, Airplane, Violin and a Penguin.

We also have earrings that have Dragons, Pegasus, Drum Kits, Frog Princes, Swans, and more that are also in stock and available for bracelets. 

Frog Prince, one of my favorites!

Sterling Silver Plated, highly detailed charms are available in a variety of things.

CZECH GLASS SEED BEAD SELECTION

All beads shown have been used in the creation of Chain Maille Bracelets and Necklaces that are currently in the shop. Still don’t see your favorite color?  Special orders are welcome.  Many of these are available in Birthstone colors or would make a fun alternative in, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Silver Lined Crystal, Emerald, Gold (Topaz), Pearl (White), Ruby, January or July Birthdays, Sapphire,

Clockwise:  Czech Glass in Cyrstal Blue Lined, Aqua, Crystal, Amethyst Aurora Borealis finish beads.  These prism in the light, blues, purples, greens, appear and disappear across the surface of the beads.

Clockwise: Czech Glass in Sapphire (mix), Black and Pearl Luster finish beads.  These are opaque with a lustrous sheen.

Clockwise: Silver Lined Czech Glass in Black Diamond, Emerald, Crystal, Sapphire, Amethyst, and Ruby.

Clockwise: Gold, Red, Green, Pink, Blue.  These are translucent, unlined colored class beads.  Very pretty, solid colors.

Clockwise: Czech Glass in, Orange, Red, Copper, Bronze, Silver and green in the middle.  These are opaque, solid colors.

Sterling Silver and Silver Plated items are available to build that special piece just for you.

E-mail us for a complete list of materials, including metal and semi-precious gemstone stock.  If we don’t have it, we can order it.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

Five Great Gifts To Give May 01, 2012

Hello Tuesday Morning,

We’re back to our regularly scheduled blog posts!  Today we have some returning shops that haven’t been listed in a while, some cool stuff for the home, or parties (the season is upon us) and other things.

Let’s start off with these natural feather Earrings.  These are all the fashion rage!

From: Dark Mountain Treasures

Mallard Feather Earrings

Description:Dark blue copper wire and blue iris Czech pressed glass beads complement the iridescent sheen on these mallard duck feather dangles.No ducks were harmed in the creation of these earrings! Feathers are natural molted/found items, sanitized by soaking in isopropyl alcohol, and allowed to air dry.

Silver ear wires are nickel-free. Earrings are 4.75 inches long.

From The Brick Boutique

Mugs of Four That Makes an Occasion Special

Description: I just love these Mugs”, Truly adorable, written from the heart with just the right amount of true sweetness we all want to enjoy in our lives. Each individual mug will bring to mind someone special in your life. Great fun to have the girls over for hot chocolate, lattes, or Mexican coffee or a gift for someone who truly is the “peanut in your butter”. And remember, that could be any number of people in your life. 

From: Green Witch Designs

Natural Stone Chip Wine Charms

  Description:  This set of 6 wine charms features semi precious stone chips. Aventurine, Blue Lace Agate, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Yellow Opal and Rhodonite, are all featured here. These charms make a wonderful hostess gift, or a fantastic add on when giving a bottle of wine.Aventurine – drawing money and prosperity, protection, stability, fertility and independence
Blue Lace Agate – the stone of peace and calmness, reduces tension and heals the effects of stress
Carnelian – Boosts all psychic and magical powers, especially intuitive gifts such as psychometry, dowsing and clairvoyance
Rhodonite – Used in emotional healing to help restore feelings of worth, confidence and self-love
Smoky Quartz – Clears the mind and banishes confusion
Yellow Opal – can be used to remove falsehood and trickery, find that which is hidden

From The Alchemists Vessel

These are a LIMITED EDITION ITEM.  Only available until MAY, 9th, 2012!  Available in four styles and a wide selection of Semi-precious  Gemstones!  Now $7.50 to $10.00 a pair.  Fifteen pair (15) pairs left.  Get them before they are gone!  Once they are gone, they are gone!

Rock Stars

 

Description:Geared for the teen Rock Star in your household, these cute and simple earrings really swing and shine, and are appropriate for any age. Ideal for Birthday’s, as several pairs have been made with birthstone beads; Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Garnet, Pearl and Peridot, just to name a few. The 10mm Sterling silver star tops a 6mm A grade Amethyst bead.Amethyst is February’s Birthstone

10mm Mirror Finish Sterling Silver Star flat 3 dimensional charm, Sterling Silver findings and a genuine Amethyst beads.

This last item I found while Stumbling, I do like that little green button, you never know what you will find.  This is super cute and I love tea, not to mention I want one.  What a fabulous way to steep tea, and it would make a marvelous unique and useful gift!

From mewanty.net

Robot Tea Infuser

Description: Looks like we’re going to have to add a fourth law of robotics. #4 Over-steeped robot tea will be slightly bitter.

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

Thursday – Featured Fashion – Weddings

Greetings,

This morning I arose and looked out my window to see the wonderful colors of Spring blooming and bright.  Inspiration is everywhere if you look.

Spring means new life, new beginnings, and for many it is also the Wedding Season that will slowly edge into summer.

Ladies, you can have that Traditional Wedding, but what about your jewelry?  You have the ring!  Now what?  Something borrowed, something blue, something old, SOMETHING NEW!

This years Bridal Couture is about adding a spark and flash of color to yours or your Bride’s Maids ensembles.  Traditional White (Fresh Water) or  Colored (Dyed) Pearls and Swarovski crystals mix beautifully, to present a unique take on the traditional bridal necklace or choker.  Much time is spent fretting and worrying over color scheme and dresses, why not put a little thought into tying it all together with accent jewelry to match your Wedding colors.  A light touch or pink or sea-foam at the ear, or throat can enhance any parure (matching set of jewelry) with a point of soft pastel color to accentuate, highlight, and draw the eye to the face of the blushing and beautiful bride.Swarovski Crystal Pearl Selection available from Fire Mountain Gems.

A pretty Spring / Summer  Pastel Palette.

Bride’s Maids could have fun with this, each in a different note or hue of color matching the entire Wedding Party, from the Bride to the flower choice on the tables.

We would love to create the special and unique piece just for you or your Wedding party.  Give us a call, look us up on the web, all the links may be found to your right.  Let us work up that amazing and simply stunning adornment together!

Five Great Gifts To Give: 3/28/12

So it’s not Tuesday.  But this week has been extremely hectic and I am just not organized.  That’s right I can admit when the days get away from me and I’m suddenly behind in the schedule.

This weeks gifts ideas are all from my Etsy shop.  I must go looking again for more fun and interesting items, as well the permission to post them.

Don’t have an Etsy account?  Never fear, you may also e-mail us at alchemistsvessel@g-mail.com and tell us your item of choice, or order through The Alchemists Vessel fan page on Facebook, yes you can now purchase items directly from Facebook.  Click the “Etsy Theme Shop” button, under the cover photo, and receive special discounts not available on Etsy!  Every item shown here is also available there, and all purchases are secure!  These links may be found to the right on the side menu bar.  We hop you’ll click through for a visit.

Custom work is welcome, please visit the website The Alchemists Vessel website for details or e-mail us at the address above for a complete list of available materials.  Have a design in mind, but don’t know how to bring to life?  Give us a call or e-mail us, we’d love to help you get that special piece from your head in to a beautiful and wearable piece of  your art!

These items may be found by following their link. 

Hoop de Hoops

Sterling Silver and Genuine Garnet, flat oval shaped beads.  Perfect for January Birthdays, or the Gothic Vamp appeal!

Flow

Silver Plated and Aquamarine Czech Glass Bead hand linked Chain Maille bracelet.  These come in a variety of colors and can be made to order, from specific length, bead color or bead color combination.  This would be terrific for a March Birthday Present.

Raphael

Silver Plated and Antiqued Copper hand linked Chain Maille Bracelet.  Something for the Men!  Yes we do make Masculine style jewelry, this would also be a great unisex piece.  Smaller diameter jump rings may be used to create a delicate feminine chain.  Why not get matching his and hers for fun!

Maiden Faire

Sterling Silver and Genuine Malachite Chain Maille Earrings.  18 Gauge Sterling Silver wire is hand spun, cut and linked to create these unique earrings.

These beauties are also available in Natural Copper, Silver Plated, Rose Gold, 24kt Colored Copper Jewelry wire, or in a Precious Metal wire of your choice.  Available in a variety of semi-precious gemstones, these would make an excellent May Birthday gift.

Flight

Sterling Silver Plated Pegasus Charm and Genuine Amethyst Earrings. These are cute, ready to wear, light weight and PURPLE!  You can’t go wrong.  Great for the Horse Obsessed teen your household!

 

Thank you for stopping in, we hope you enjoyed looking and that perhaps found something to your liking.

New Items in the Shop

Two new items are up for sales this morning.

Unisex Necklace:  Antiqued Bronze jump rings are spun into a version of a Half Persian Chain Maille weave pattern, are connected by a larger ring at the center and a stylized Stag pendant drops from the larger ring.  About 20″ in total length including pendant.  This would be great for theme or cos-playing.  Aspiring “King Arthur’s” or “Guinevere‘s”,  this is for you!

These are cute, fun, really simple, and will add a splash of bright color to your outfits, and absolutely a must have fashion accessory this Spring and Summer season.  Department stores carry these for $12.99 to $15.99 a pair, we carry our hand made beauties for $5.00!  Natural Shell (surface-dyed) buttons are re-purposed into these adorable, native-chic, and colorful earrings, available in Blue (shown), Pink, Green and Gold (Sunshine Yellow), these are a limited selection item and once they are gone, they are gone.  The wire is wrapped around a mandrel, the button is then positioned and the wire allowed to “relax”, the wire is then manipulated by hand to form an organic spiral shape as decoration and to secure the button.  A Fish Hook ear wire is added to complete the pair.  Simple, uncluttered, and a fabulous accent for any Spring or Summer outfit.

Sterling Silver Plated Copper Jewelry Wire and Natural Shell (Blue) Earrings.

Natural Shell Buttons surface dyed in Pink, Light Green, Gold (Sunshine Yellow), the back of the shell is shown in comparison to the dyed surface face.

 

Thank you for stopping by we would like to wish you a pleasant week.