In My Studio

As I am always on the look out for new weaves and techniques, I thought it would also be fun to show off a simple weave in different metals.  As size of the jump rings matter during a project so does the color or tone of the metal, even though the pattern is the same.

European 4 in 1 weave in Sterling Silver Plated copper 3 mm jump rings

Here it is done in 3mm Copper

and once again in 8mm “Gunmetal” wire

Currently working on the additions to the silver chain and the gunmetal chain will be a bracelet. 

Not just limited to chain maille at the Vessel, work is also progressing on some cute new items for  Valentine’s Day.  Adorable heart charms and nature charms have arrived and design mode is enabled.  Here is a look at one or two new items soon to be available from The Alchemists Vessel.

Sterling Silver Heart Charms and Garnet beads.

Sterling Silver Turtles with Malachite with Azurite beads

The studio is in full swing.  New patterns to learn, new materials to sort through and listing to post.  It is good to be busy.  Stop by the shop and see what else is on the virtual rack.

Thank you for dropping in and having a look.

5 Great Gifts To Give

Every Tuesday five great gift ideas from around the web are posted here.  This week we have a new shop to introduce and a favorite shop or two returning to the list.  Click the title of the item to be taken to the page or shop where it is located.

Magic Dragon Earrings from Shelly Moody of Green Witch Designs.  These cute little guys swing from your ears perhaps whispering words of dragon wisdom as they accompany you throughout your day!

Sapphire Blue Cowl Knit Scarf from the Brick Boutique, a new shop on Etsy.  Take a look at some of the other fabulous hand knitted items!  It’s cold out there, and what a lovely gift of warmth!

Terry Toeman Glows in the Dark!  From Studio RGC and sold through Etsy.  I love these little collectibles, I want them all!  At 3″ tall these are highly detailed, a ton of fun to look at and discover all the nooks and brains and spines… A truly unique addition to any shelf!  I’ll say it again, this one GLOWS IN THE DARK!

Mini Rotary Cutter – Youtube video.  I love it when people come up with stuff that I can use and share!  From Clover the mini rotary cutter can be used for sewing, yarn, clays, well anything that needs to be cut really. Follow the link for the video / picture of the cutter.

Tribbles Last but not least, my Geek is showing!  That’s right, it does indeed read “Tribbles”.  These are interactive puffballs, toys, created to look and act like the Tribbles on the TV Show Star Trek.  I want one!

What’s New in the Shop

The Market was last weekend, and as I worked selling my wares, I was unable to make something new for the Etsy shop listings.  There are still lots of great items to be found.  The Rocks Stars are still in stock and there are bracelets and necklaces as well.  

Let’s take a look at a piece that may be custom ordered instead.

This Chain Maille Choker or Collar is crafted from 347 Copper wire hand spun and pinch cut jump rings, 25 blue glass E beads with a manufactured toggle antiqued copper clasp. It is 16.5″ in total length, and can be made up to 18″ long.

The weave is a “Speed Maille” version of European 4 in 1 pattern.  A ratio of closed to open jump rings is laid out and construction begins. Instead of linking each individual jump ring, they are added in open / closed ring sets and the pattern is repeated for the length of the chain.

It takes about 18 hours from start to finish to craft this piece.  Using manufactured jump rings makes the project’s time shorter as I do not have to spend a day spinning, cutting and sorting the rings.

This item is available for order via e-mail (soon to be on Etsy).

This piece will be made in a variety of wire, wire colors and glass beads on hand.  Custom orders will be made to the customer’s specifications.  Please remember all Precious Metal orders require a 50% deposit.

Please contact The Alchemists Vessel for further information.

Links and Promtions

Just a couple of offerings for you today.  Have the market to attend, you may find that under promotions.  Links up first.

Everything Etsy  – This is a blog like site that features buttons, banners,a dn well everything etsy, and if you hover on the banners, click “How-To Personalize Your Banner” it  will take you to pixlr.com a super powerful and totally free on line photo editor.  No download or sign up required!

Photo Editor  – Pixlr.com, I made my Etsy shop banner using this program.  Fairly simple, once  you get the hang of it.

Kassoy LLC – A link the Facebook page, they are a Jewelry supplier out of New York and have some nice stuff for displays and the like, check out the page and click like if you like.

M.A.I.L. “Maille Artisans International League”, curious as to how I do that?  Now you can find out.  Interesting site.

Promotions:

I’m rather stuck for promotions today.  Here are a couple.

I will be attending the Treasure Valley Expo Idaho Market this Saturday and Sunday.  Stop by Booth #28, and pick up a Free refrigerator magnet!

 

The Alchemists Vessel – For blog readers only.  Now through February 20th, when you enter the coupon code “loveydovey” on my Etsy shop you’ll receive 10% off your total purchase. Just in time for  Valentine’s Day!

Featured Artisan – Alixandra Browning

It has become painfully obvious that I have no idea how to conduct an interview.  I’m a jeweler not a journalist.  So bear with me, we will cover something.

Alchemy: (n) The process of transforming something common into something extraordinary. 

Alchemists: (n) a person or practitioner of alchemy.

I am a self-taught artisan, books, questions and watching others is how I learn my craft and trade.

My love of nature and the outdoors has inspired many of my creations and I try to offer only the finest quality natural Gemstones, glass beads, and other high quality materials.

As a designer I would like customers to be as happy and pleased with the pieces they purchase as I am in creating them. Each piece is handcrafted with meticulous care and attention to detail.  I like to put a sense varying design styles, fun and excitement, whimsy and femininity to the jewelry creations.  

I have been in business since 2005, and began in Zodiac niche jewelry.  Quickly aware that I needed to offer more, I began researching and studying techniques, gemstones, and metals on my own.  The inventory has grown, selections are more varied and I enjoy the design aspect.  Working with a variety of materials helps to keep things fresh.  I taught myself to make Chain Maille last year, and have become adept at several patterns.

You can find the jewelery at The Alchemists Vessel online.

This is what I look like:

This is what I do:

This where you can find me:  Treasure Valley Market at Expo  Idaho, 5610 Glenwood St, at the Fair Grounds in Garden City, ID.

Thank your for bearing with me.  I hope you enjoyed this brief and not very informative peak into the artisan and Alchemist, Alixandra Browning

In My Studio – Byzantine Bracelet, A Photo Tutorial

Greetings,

Welcome to the Byzantine Bracelet Photo Tutorial.  I won’t go into a lot of detail, as the photos have done that for me.  There are seven in total and I will give a brief description of each picture in the compiled sets.  Photos descriptions will read top to bottom, left to right, counterclockwise.

Sterling Silver Plated Copper wire is spun on a mandrel.  Here a US size 2 knitting needle serves as a mandrel.

The coil is removed from the mandrel.

Individual jump rings are cut from the coil

Pile of jump rings.  This project requires 231 of them.

Jump rings are then opened, here they are shown next to a dime for size.  These things are tiny!

108 of the 231 jump rings are laid out with my trusty pliers!

One by one the open jump rings are added to the chain.

They are also closed one at a time.

54 jump rings makes about 1-1/2″ of chain.

54 more jump rings to go!

108 Jump rings later we have a 3″ length of chain in the Byzantine Chain Maille pattern. 

116 additional jump rings will be added to create a 7.5″ length of chain. 

Now the fun part.  Nine (9) 4mm natural Aquamarine beads are lined up for placement along the chain.

A piece of scrap metal is used to mark the center of the chain.

Bead placement is adjusted for even spacing.

Each bead is placed on a headpin.

A loop is formed using the end of Round Nose pliers as close to the top of the bead as possible.

The excess wire from the headpin is then wrapped around the bead, another element of design.  

All nine beads are wrapped.

Wrapped beads are then added to a single jump ring.

Each bead is then attached to the chain at the appropriate interval along the chain.

All Nine (9) beads are attached.

A clasp and 2 more jump rings are then added to the chain.

The total length of the bracelet is now 8″.

In the next set of photos we see the competed bracelet, formed and closed as one would wear it.  This is my own variation of the “crown” pattern, I have added the beads as one would on a charm bracelet.  A true crown pattern would have 54 additional jump rings attached the chain where the beads are placed, creating a crown or star-like pattern.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this brief peak into the creation of a chain maille bracelet. Please feel free to leave questions or comments or order one for yourself.  Commission and custom work are welcome!

Five Great Gifts To Give

It my pleasure to present Five (5) Great Artists and Artisans and a peek into what they have to offer.  All gift ideas below may be found on Etsy.  Prices vary and everything is hand made.  Click on the title of the item to be taken to its page.
In no particular order:

Dark Mountain Treasures – Elvish Necklace
This beauty is hand crafted by the owner / designer, Zain Orion.  A fan of bead work?  This is the piece for you!

The Bone Burner from Sculptor and Mold Master, Ralph Cordero.  A fabulous piece, done in resin, this highly detailed piece is a Cone Incense Burner, and a fun and eclectic addition to any collection.  I want one!

  
Glass Stitch Markers.  From Green Witch Designs Owner, Shelly Moody’sThese cute and off-beat glass beads make for a terrific set of stitch markers for knitting or crochet projects.  This set fits up to US Size 8 (5.0mm) needles.

 Woodland Witch Pendulum by Sarah Shannon of Wire Witchery. Hand wrapped crystals and beads hang from a length of chain perfect for window hanging or a touch stone for your pocket.  The birds nest is my favorite link in the chain.

 Maiden Fair style chain maille earrings, a staple of The Alchemists Vessel.  Cute, light weight, and affordable these pretties come in several wire choices and a myriad of beads.  Below are a pair consisting of Chrysocolla beads and Sterling Silver Plated Copper wire.  Perfect for the Princess in Training or the Damsel not so in Distress.

What’s New in the Shop

Greetings and Welcome, 

The Alchemists Vessel’s is pleased to present the new and improved Blog.  Links to our sites and pages may be found to your right, along with links to Material Lists and other posts. Please feel free to peruse them at your leisure.  Instead of a lengthy introduction, let’s jump right into things with a look at what has just been listed at The Alchemists Vessel shop on Etsy.

“Rock Stars”

This limited selection comes in 4 Styles of Sterling Silver Star Charm links and several semi-precious gemstones choices.  Only 15 pairs available!!!! 

Available now:

2 pairs of Polished Sterling Silver Puffed Star

5 pairs of Brushed Silver Puffed Stars (brushed silver has a matte finish).

4 pairs of Man in the 3 Dimensional Stars

4 pairs of Flat 3 Dimensional Stars

 

Geared for the teen Rock Star in your household, they 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.  Stones may be changed out for an additional charge of  $2.00.   Please see the post “Materials List” for a complete selection of gemstone beads in stock.  Scroll below or click the link to the right to reach the list directly.

Thank you for stopping by!

Rock Stars on Etsy