Fashion Do’s for 2014

Good Morning, 

I thought it might be fun to take a look at what the Fashion Industry thinks is cool this year.

This year’s must have Fashion Color is a faux pas!  Raidiant Orchid 18-3224 (Pantone Color System).

Orchids are a beautiful flower, however wearing the color tends to make one look jaundiced (yellow).  A gorgeous color, it should be kept to small accessory items, Hair-clips or ribbons, perhaps a dash color in an outfit as a accent, but never as the main focus color.  Or you could always go as a great big grape.

Accenting this color is not terribly difficult, but if done wrong you may have a color clash to end all color clashes.  Here is a lovely little color block that will help you choose the right accent color or accessories to go with your new fashion statement.

You can jazz up your wardrobe with an easy accessory and no commitment to a bold, bright color.  Try these simple everyday items.

Purse

Shoes  (Shown – Converse All Stars)

How about a lovely Hair Accessory

Hair / Make-Up Design and Photo by: Echo Pirnie, Boise Idaho.

Other ideas:

Amethyst Crystal or Gemstone Jewelry to match.
Never underestimate the power of pennies!  This years fashion color is next years Junk Drawer item, you do not have to spend a lot to be part of the in-crowd.  Dime Store finds can be just the right thing to finish off your look, and no one needs know it was only $1.00.

Less is more!  I can not stress this enough.  Do not clad yourself in purple from head to toe, select an item, like your dress.  Now start to adding pieces to create your outfit, a necklace in perhaps a matching tone or one to two shades darker or lighter than your main attire.  Shoes should always be simple and elegant, even a pair of flip-flops with the right skirt can be very becoming.  (Mind you, I live in my Chuck Taylor’s so I don’t nothing ’bout no shoes).

Don’t forget to add a bit of shiny, earrings can be a crystal or gemstone beads that catch the light, a bit of bling on your wrist for a pretty spark in the sunlight.  Clear quartz crystal is always  eye-catching and never clashes.

We hope you have enjoyed thinking about what you might wear  or create this year using this color.  Happy Designing.

Thank you for coming in and having a look.

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

Happy Holidays Everyone

Knit One Purl Two New Tables with Stuff For You

Good Morning,

Today is a collection of random musings and a couple of photos of the new shop arrangement.

We still have plenty of space for tables, shelves or stand-alone displays for your wares.  Let’s have a peek at the shop’s main interior.

This is now “Shelly’s Corner”.  Shelly Moody of the The Muddfip Photographer and Green Witch Handmades has photo prints, hand-crocheted head bands, and a selection woodwork accessories, and jewelry.

Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery has added a few bits and lovely baubles to her display table as well.

We have rearranged the store front just a little to feature the new hand-knit items available and just in time for the Winter season.

New items include:

Red Scarf – $30.00
“Camouflage” -$30.00 (Bulky Green Scarf)
Autumn Red Muffatees: $24.00 / Pair
Holiday Muffatees: $24.00 / pair (Red with Silver)
“Texters”: $20.00 / pair – Fingerless Warmers

Thank you for stopping in and having a look

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

Handmade Holidays

Good Morning,

Stop reading this like I am crazy.  Just because it is the end of August doesn’t mean that for Artisans and Independent Sellers and Crafter’s of all kinds that you get to have a vacation.  Oh no!

Now, right now is the perfect time to start your Holiday goods.  I know it sounds super daunting and very overwhelming, but if the task is done in manageable chunks, it can be fun and profitable too.

1.  Supply Inventory:  I know counting is not fun, especially if you work with multitudes of little tiny things.  I am not saying count every piece of everything in your Craft Room / Closet / Box, but take a general inventory.  Do you need more of this or that?  All your tools in good working order?  Alright then.

2.  Evaluate: Do you still have things from last year’s season that did not sell?  Give them a good once over, why didn’t the item sell?  Did something look wrong, can you tweak it or give it a fresh look?  Do things need to be cleaned?  Now is the time to do that.

3.  Decide:  Are you planning on attending a Craft Fair or other Holiday Event?  Do you know the details?  Do you have everything you need to attend the Fair or Show?  Does the Fair you are attending have a theme?  Now it the time to get that organized, displays, packing material, business cards, signage, etc.  What pieces will you take with you?  Will you work on a project at the show?

4.  Create:  Now that you know what you have in your supplies, and what’s on the racks as it were, you can sit down and play with those supplies and create new and interesting pieces for the Holidays.

The Remaining Major Holidays

Halloween: Thursday, October 31st
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 28
Chanukah:  Wednesday, November 27, Sundown
Christmas: Wednesday, December 25
News Year’s Eve: Tuesday, December 31st.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  

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

Don’t Forget SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is November 03, 2013.  Stop by Little Shop of Artists for your Holiday Gift Giving needs, or shop your local independent businesses this year instead of the Big Box or Department Stores.  You’ll be the person with the best presents!

Five Great Gifts To Give List 27

Good  Morning,

This Tuesday we’ll be doing something a little bit different, instead of individual shops, I have raided handmadeartists.com ‘s Highlights Pages for some of the most beautiful item collections to be found.

Any of the items pictured in these Highlights may be purchased directly from the site.  Follow the link through to the Highlight and click the item.  It’s that easy.  Highlights include 20 items from different shops on the site.  I have included one or two from each, in hope it will inspire you to click through and see the rest of what each  Highlight has to offer.  All created by shop owners and buyers on the site, they are like wish lists.

Orange, I love warm fiery colors, and this lovely collection was put together by the site’s owner as well as artists “chainmaille”

Handmade Orange Style

Dreamcicle Vegan Soap

Product Details:
Do you love the smell of Orange Creamcicle Ice Cream Pops? Then this soap is for you!

We make our soaps in small batches from scratch.

Approx. 4 ounces

Materials used: Olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, canola oil, shea butter, coco butter, FO or EO.

Indian Summer Glass Bracelet

Product Details:
The perfect color for fall or any season is what makes this glass bracelet a must have for your wardrobe!
This unique bracelet is made with two orange glass bracelets that are wired wrapped with copper wire and orange crystales to make one beautiful bangle bracelet.
It measures three inches in diameter therefore you will need to make sure the bracelet fits by making a fist and measuring the top of your hand across the knuckles.
It comes in a decorated gift box and will be shipped as soon as payment is received.
$37.00 each or 3 x $90.00

Summer Gifts For Everyone – by Thunder Rose Leather, one of my favorite shops!

Stoneware Coffee Mug Beige Tall Hand Thrown White Horse Pottery

Product Details:
Hand Thrown Stoneware Taller Coffee Mug, with a gloss glaze of  light, medium and dark blues, dark green-browns, and clear over natural stoneware on the outside and white on the inside.  The mug is food safe, lead free, microwave and dishwasher safe.  Holds about 18 ounces.

Dimensions: 3 3/8 inches wide,  and 4 5/8  inches tall. (handle not included in the width.) 

The mug will ship by UPS ground or US Postal Service.

Please use Paypal for payment.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks for looking!

Rose Barrette Hand Tooled Leather

Product Details:

Hand Tooled Leather Barrette. A single large rose style flower in the middle, dyed two tone tan with brown leather reddish brown loop lacing around the edge, the under side is lined with black textured lining. Size: 5 1/2″ long (flat), 3″ wide, with 4″ between the holes. It comes with the 6″ long stick shown. It takes several hours to tool, dye and lace this Barrette, with no two ever being just alike.

What A Wonderful World – by trusk4u, another favorite shop and friend.

Original Watercolor of a Barn in Virginia

Product Details:

For months I traveled by this barn near Independence Virginia and  thought it was beautiful with the mountains behind it.  I had to stop and photograph it.  This watercolor is the result of that photo.
The imag is about 11 x 14 and is matted to fit into a 16 x 20 frame.  It comes matted but not framed.
It will be sent to you within five days from receiving your payment by Paypal.  If it is a rush please email me at: michael_joe_moore@yahoo.com and I will rush it.
To see more of my watercolors go to: http://watercolorsmjm.com
Thank you for your interest in my art.

Glendalough Monastery

Product Details:

This photograph of headstones, including a Celtic cross, at Wicklow Monastery is a beautiful silhouette, with the majestic Wicklow Mountains in the background. It was taken in County Wicklow, Ireland in the spring of 2009 on a beautiful day.

You will receive a professionally printed 8×10″ print, perfect size for framing and hanging.

The text won’t be there, of course.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look. We hope you will take a moment to click through to your favorite Highlight and have look see at what else is featured.

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

Featured Artists – Shop Schedule and News

Good Morning,

Today we feature Little Shop of Artists schedule for next week and a planned class or two, but first a little news.

We are a happy family at Little Shop of Artists and this weekend one of our own is busy preparing for her son’s wedding.  We would like to wish the new couple joy, prosperity and luck on their adventure to the new phase of their lives.  Congratulations!

As many of you may know I have had a medical emergency this week.  The dentist is never fun, and worse when the thing you went in for turns in to five more issues.  Great, sir!  This has kept the shop closed as there is currently only one employee, me.  We will return to our regular schedule Saturday, August 10, 2013, we will be open and as follows.

During the Summer our hours are as follows.  We take appointments, make special arrangements and can even schedule a private sitting if you choose.

Saturday 10 – 6
Sunday 12 – 6
Monday – Although this is our usual weekend day, we may open.
Tuesday – See Monday
Wednesday – We are usually open from 10 – 6 or by Appointment.
Thursday and Friday – 10 – 6

**NOTE: This week I have an appointment with another local business owner and depending on when they are available the shop will be closed that day while I am at my meeting.

As back to school approaches, and the holidays near our schedule will change to accommodate that as well.

Classes: Instruction happens during normal hours of operation at the shop.  We teach lots of crafts and are versed in many different techniques. Classes are about 2 hours to 2-1/2 hours long and the attendees go home with something they made themselves or a new skill.  Materials may be provided by the shop or the attendee may bring their own supplies and materials to work with depending on the lesson.  We offer Individual, Group, Organization or Party Lessons.

Available Lessons:  
Beginner Classes – Crochet, Knitting, *Jewelry Design / Assembly
* Learn a variety of techniques from basic stringing to **wire wrapping and chain maille.
**Wire Wrapping is taught per project exclusively by Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery.
Chain Maille is taught per weave / project exclusively by Alixandra Browning of The Alchemists Vessel and Blackbird Metalworks.

We also teach intermediate to advanced classes and can help you with that pesky project.

We offer services that range from Custom Design to Private Photography Sittings and Up-cycling or light repair of your current jewelry pieces. 

The shop is always evolving and we hope to have a new artist or two join us here shortly, as well as an end of Summer event that is currently in the planning stages.  More on that soon.

Don’t forget to Like Us on Facebook – Little Shop of Artists

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

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

Monday Stuff

Good Morning,

Today is a random all over the place blog.  Today we discuss some of the services offered at the Little Shop of Artists.

Did you know that Shelly Moody of the The Muddfip Photographer is available for appointments?  Need a sitting, pictures of the new arrival, Graduation photos?  Check out her fan page on Facebook, or come on down to the store and grab a business card.  Shelly also has some of her photography on display in the shop.  Example:

Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery is busy preparing a Class in wire wrapping design: Bird’s Nest.  Sarah also lots of lovely things on display in the shop and does custom work as well. Come on down grab a business card, check out Sarah’s table.

 Another piece of Sarah’s work:

Owner / Participating Artist, Alixandra Browning of The Alchemists Vessel and Blackbird Metalworks, also sits in the shop during hours of operation and does every thing from demonstrating crafts and teaching classes to taking out the garbage.

Currently demos in the Shop include:

Knitting Stripes

Dead Red Co-Ed in Berry Red and Black

Chain Maille Weaves:  Captured Inverted Round Maille

Silver-plated and Anodized Aluminum in Copper Jump Rings

Basic Jewelry-Making Skills

Caught Couture – Lariat Style Necklace by The Alchemists Vessel

Come on down sign up for a class, see what’s on the shelves, bring your problem project and we’ll see if we can’t help get you back on track.  Need something special for someone?  Custom requests are welcome!

Like us on Facebook: Little Shop of Artists

Little Shop of Artists

6713 Fairview Ave., Suite B

Boise, ID 83704

Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 to 6:00
Sunday 12:00 to 6:00

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

News of the Shop – Arrangement and Photos

Happy Monday,

I hope one and all had a relaxing and restful weekend.  I spent the weekend in the shop, working, which is fun and not so fun all at the same time.

Assistance is never to be balked at, and I certainly appreciate it when it is available.  Holding things and making sure things are level and what not from a distance is most useful, because then I do not have to do things twice.

There are more shelves up, which makes more room for more artists to come and display their wares I am thrilled with the way things are coming together and an am looking forward to expanding the items on display as well as our customer base.

  Once we have things a little more organized and our participating artists are settled, Tuesday and Wednesday will be devoted to classes, Knitting, Jewelry, including Chain Maille (taught by Alixandra Browning), and Wire Wrapping (taught by Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery) or other craft projects may be taught.  Our Schedule of Classes may be found by visiting the website www.littleshopofartists.com.

If you’re are artist and would like to display your wares we have plenty of space to do so and are happy to work with you to accommodate your items, whether it be a table of your own or shelf space we can certainly find a place for your works of art in any style.  Textiles, Clothing, Accessories, Sculpture, Paintings, Photography, we would like to share and display it all.  Rental fee applies.

Shop Front
 

Classroom / Shop Area

Wire Witchery’s Items

Muddfip Photographer

Studio RGC: Twisted Little Things

Little Shop of Artists

6713 Fairview Avenue, Suite B

Boise, ID  83704

askus@littleshopofartists.com

Thank you for stopping in and having a look, we would like to hope you will also stop in the shop and have a look.

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

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Good Morning,

Today is the Big Day!  I am nervous, and excited, elated and tentative, all at the same time.  I expect no one to be banging down the doors, and really retail on a Tuesday morning is kind of non-existent, but we are open and in hope if you’re local you’ll stop on in and say Hello, see what we have on the shelves and perhaps visit for a moment or two.

Little Shop of Artists is now OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Unique Artisan Gifts

We are located in lovely Boise, Idaho

6713 Fairview Ave., Suite B
Boise, ID 83704
askus@littleshopofartists.com

Find us in the bungalow behind A-1 Video Game Exchange.

Our Schedule for our first opening week

Tuesday – First Day of Business 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. to  6:00 p.m.
Thursday – We will be closed for meetings. Regular hours 10 – 6
Friday –  10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday – 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday – Closed

Like us on Facebook

We are still looking for participating artists.
We teach classes, including chain maille, knitting, and Summer Kids classes. 
We also offer minor on site jewelry repair, such as jump ring or clasp replacement.

We look forward to seeing you.

Featured Theme: PEACE

Good Morning, 

Today we have Part 2 of the Blog Ring Theme from the team at handmadeartists.com, this week it is Peace, and couldn’t we all use a little peace in our lives.  Last weeks artist, Colette’s Boutique, was featured with her beautiful and amazing wire wrapped jewelry, if you have not given that a look, might I offer an invitation to have a peek, her items are intricate and lovely and should not be missed.

We have three items from three different shops on the web, that symbolize or evoke the feeling of peace, or peacefulness.  What says Peace better than the most recognized symbol of the word, the Peace Sign.

From: Peace LoversArt

Peace Sign Sea Glass Mosaic art on Canvas with Battery Operated LED Lights built in.

Peace Sign Sea Glass Mosaic art on Canvas with Battery Operated LED Lights built in. 4″ by 6″ $ 85.00

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.

 

 

From: The Muddfip Phortographer

When I think of peace or peaceful places, it brings me to the outdoors, quiet streams, the wind through the trees, birds calling and critters rustling in the bush.  This gorgeous photo of a peaceful fawn, was taken by Shelly Moody, The Muddfip Photographer.  You can find this and other nature shots at her Facebook page.  Shelly also takes some marvelous stills.  I highly recommend a trip to her page just to see some of her lovely photography.

There is also Keeping the Peace, and I think this necklace is just right for those inclined towards doing just that.

From: The Alchemists Vessel

Caught Couture Steampunk Style Necklace

Antiqued bronze chain, Handcuffs, star and key charm are combined to create this bold and beautiful lariat style necklace. Terrific for Steampunk Fashions, or something unique and unusual for your jewelry box. Adjustable for three different looks. Wear the charms clustered together like a pendant, or change up the length and position of the chain, by gentle pulling handcuff charm in a downward motion. Adjust to a collar and long lead, or shorter length as shown above.

27″ total length, there is no clasp. The chain slips easily over the head and can be adjusted to the desired style. Created with antiqued bronze chain, two pairs of handcuffs, a star and key charms The handcuffs do not open.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

Free Shipping for this item.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day, and Peace, man!

*Photo note:  Although this is currently the sign for “Peace”, it was originally “V for Victory”.