Featured Artist Dee 38753 Southern Country Creations

Hello,

This weeks featured artist is Dee38753 from handmadeartsits.com

Her shop is Southern Country Creations

What Dee says about herself:

I am a 50 something teacher that has been “crafty” from a young age and decided recently that I should sell some of my art.

Dee had an item on a Tuesday blog for Five Great Gifts to give.  Here are a couple more items from her shop.

Crochet Irish Linen Versatile Jewelry

Product Details: This handmade item is a little different from most I have. It is a very versatile piece in that it can be worn as a necklace, anklet, or a bracelet.

It is crocheted using Irish linen in a chain stitch with antique copper colored seed beads added for interest. The piece is 21 inches in length and has a red stone flower button closure…for that little POP of color.

Fancy Crocheted Coaster Set in Summer Colors 

Product Details: This set of coasters are in the shape of a flower and in the brightest, boldest colors of summer. The colors are Bright Blue. Bright Lime, and Bright Orange.

The coasters measure 5 1/2 inches in diameter and are made of super absorbent 100% cotton. Because they are 100% cotton these coasters can be machine washed and dried.

Green Bead Cord and Pink Crackle Glass Beads

 

Product Details: This little bracelet is created using green bead cord and pink crackle glass beads. The closure is an antique silver Celtic Knot button.

The bracelet is approximately 6 3/4 inches in length.

As you can see Dee crochets, and uses that technique to create jewelry and other wonderful items.  The items above are but a small sampling of what can be found in her shop.  Won’t you stop by and give this artist a look?

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

 

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.

New Items In The Shop? Yes, Indeed!

Hello Monday Morning!

The week begins with a bright and shiny day in store for us at The Alchemists Vessel.

Today we have a new chain to show you in two sizes, it comes in four styles and may be special ordered to desired length, metal of choice with added Gemstones or Czech Glass beads.

This is a very pretty weave, here its laid out horizontally to show size difference.  

Top: Small version Silver Plated wire hand-spun in to jump rings.

Bottom: Large version Gunmetal Jewelry wire, hand-spun in to jump rings.

Somewhat like the lacier-look European 4-in-1 weave, this is more of a closed weave, but still light weight and feminine.  Small is 15-1/2″ long and the Large is 17-3/4″ in length, they rest flat against the throat, and shine in the light.  Each chain is finished with a matching toggle clasp.

This weave tends to resemble a “Fish bone”  or Herringbone pattern.  Serpentine in appearance, the chain is supple, strong and sensational alone or when accented with semi-precious gemstones or Czech Glass beads.  Shown here in the smallest version, Silver plated wire and unadorned.

Here is the same pattern in the larger scale, accented with drops of jump rings.  Beads may be added to these, or left as it is for more monochromatic look.  The rings may be removed and replaced with Semi-precious Gemstone drops.

Here is the small version, accented with Amethyst Czech Glass Silver Lined Beads.  We have a variety of colors to choose from, if we don’t have your favorite, we can make it!  Would make a great Birthday gift in a Genuine Semi-precious Gemstone bead, or Czech Glass color to match.

This may also be woven to bracelet length, usually about 7″ to 7-1/2″ long for women.  Also available in Antiqued and Bright Copper,  Antiqued Bronze and “Merlin’s Gold” (aka Jeweler‘s Bronze), Nickle, and Plated Copper Jewelry Wire, also available in Precious Metal choices.  Please contact us to discuss your custom order.

These pieces are of course available at The Alchemists Vessel on Etsy,  handmadeartists.com, Facebook Fan Page (you can shop directly from that page as well.  Click on “Etsy Theme Shop” or “The Alchemists Vessel” buttons, under the cover photo!  They’ll take you to pages that have special deals, and you don’t even have to log out of face book.  That’s super convenient! You can find these links on the right hand Menu as well.

A gentle reminder:  ROCK STARS in the shop are going, going, GONE on Wednesday, May, 9th.  A Limited Edition now only $7.50 to $10.00 a pair.  This special offer will soon be gone forever!  Hurry and get your favorite!

Sterling Silver and Genuine Peridot Earrings.  Sterling Silver Star Charms have a Brushed finish.

Available in a variety of Birthstone and other Semi-precious Gemstone selections.

A note about the website http://alchemistsvessel.net.  We are in the process of revamping the site, just a little and it will be up and running again soon.  Thank you for your patience.

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

In My Studio – Beginning Jewelry Classes

Hello,

As many of you may be aware, I was offered a Contracted Instructor position at a local Craft Supply store here in lovely Boise, Idaho.  After much thought, weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and the offer, I have decided that it would be in my best interest to not participate in the program.

However, a little enamored with the idea of teaching in a social atmosphere, I have decided to start up my own class.  The complete and solid details have yet to be worked out and right now I am putting feelers out to see if there is any interest in a Beginning Jewelry class.  If response and class / lesson plans go well, or some people would like to continue past the basics, Intermediate and Advanced classes will be offered.  If you’re interested in private lessons those may be taught as well.  I hope to schedule the first class for sometime in June.

Open to the public and all who wish to attend.  Before everybody get’s excited, these classes will not be free.  You will be expected to provide your own tools, materials and a fee will be charged to include class time, forgotten materials (provided from stock on hand), and of course classroom space.  A list of all the materials, where to buy them and their cost will be provided along with printed instructions and a completed projects to take home when class is over.

Beginning Jewelry or Jewelry Basics will cover the very basics, a sample of class instruction may include and will not be limited to:

What is a finding?

– head pin

– eye pin (difference in pins and their uses)

– jump rings (aka O-rings)

– Clasps (spring, Lobster Claw, “S”)

Ear wires (styles and variations) 

Gemstones, Crystals and Glass beads (Birthstones and alternatives)

Opening and Closing Jump rings properly

Using a head / eye pin

Wire vs. Beading Wire or “Tiger Tail”

Wire Wrapping (We may have a special guest to demonstrate another process / form of wire-wrapping)

Threading or Stringing beads

Metals and their composition (Copper, Bronze, Nickel, Sterling)

Design Elements (Fibonacci Numbers, Focal Points, Accent Beads and Caps)

A completed pair of earrings or project made by you to take home and wear!

There are also other projects that may be offered, such as a Seed bead Flower-chains, a simple charm or crystal bracelet or an easy to string beaded necklace (lanyard for your glasses).

Techniques taught will cover a wide range of how to’s and don’t do’s along with basic finishing touches.  No special equipment is necessary, I bet most of you have at least several pairs of pliers at home, those will work great!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  If you are interested in the class you may leave a comment, e-mail, or phone, details will be given at a later date.

What’s New In The Shop? Beads and Bracelets

Happy Monday!

Is everyone ready for a fabulous work week filled with fun and excitement?  No?  Can’t say as I blame you.  Busy with Easter activities last weekend and inspired by spring and the beautiful things mother nature has to offer, I sat down, racked my alleged mind, and came up with these Springtime festive and fashionable beaded beauties! Yes, they are available in the shop!  Finally something new!

First, however, I would like to give an example of the weave without all the additional beads.  Although jewelry is a very forgiving medium / art form that allows you to play with ideas and styles, patterns, textures and colors, the traditional pattern must be incorporated as a basis from which to start.  So let us begin at the beginning, as that is usually best.

Here we see the Full Persian Chain Maille weave, completed in 6mm *Nickel silver jump rings, which have been hand spun and linked.  A strong, supple, and striking pattern, it is appropriate for either men or women.  Would make a great gift for a Boyfriend!

I should mention that “Nickle Silver” is not Silver, and has no Silver content at all.  Also called “German” or “Indian” Silver it is actually an alloy containing copper, nickle and zinc.

The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.  

Nickel 

These next two pretties are designs and patterns of my own creation.  Full Persian Chain Maille is not usually beaded, but the creativity bug grabbed me and said, “You SIMPLY MUST bead these bracelets”.  So like a good Craft-person, I listened to my inner muse and went with its decision.  After all if I didn’t, it would annoy, pester, harass, harangue me, and be a nuisance in general until I did so.

Dubbed “Chunk Maille” for their large size, which is all the rage this season.  Big, bold, colorful jewelry or statement pieces, are very in vogue this year.  I have created two distinct patterns for these bracelets, Walking Beads and Serpents Spine.  Although I am sure other Maillers have thought of this before, I haven’t seen / found an exact pattern to match.

Done in Black and Red Silver lined Czech Glass beads, is March of the Lady Bug, in honor of my friend Shelly Moody.  The beads appear to walk, or march across the surface of the bracelet a versatile pattern the beads may also be worn “in front” instead of on “the top” for a different look.  The Walking Bead pattern is available in a variety of colors, single or multiple as seen here.

March of the Lady Bugs

This is one of my favorites and has two versions, the second is not shown here, and is a basic bead addition to another version of the Full Persian where a single connector ring is beaded.  That pattern will be shown later.  Serpents Spine is modeled after Dragons, Sea Serpents / Monsters (Nessie!), and of course, snakes.  The beads appear to be tucked or set inside the bracelet.  Using even intervals of non-beaded units to allow the pattern to flow and move, the beads appear to undulate through the bracelet like something through the water, a snake in the grass, or a Dragon in the clouds.

Dragon’s Back

We also have some new Chain Maille Earrings and some fun and simple jewelry for those that like something a little more understated, but still shiny.  Shown here in Gunmetal jump rings in Dragon Chain and Byzantine weaves, and Red round glass beads, these are also available in a variety of shapes and colors.  At $5.00 a pair and Free Shipping, you can’t go wrong!

Chain Maille Dangles 

Red Dragon

Busy Byzantine

Light

Light Blue Splatter Paint Glass Beads (Also available in Purple)

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  We wish you a pleasant work week.

In My Studio – Chain Maille and Beads

Currently I am working on several things, however I have been talking about learning a new weave, the Full Persian.  Much like the Box or Inca Puno Weave, as well as the Byzantine weave, the jump rings are grouped together, flipped, turned, and closed to create units, each unit forms a link, the links then form a chain.

The Full Persian begins with a Box weave, and additional jump rings are added to the unit to create a link that that consists of six rings, instead of four.  In the photos below a red bead marks where I have stopped the chain pattern.  I like the addition of the bead so much that I slightly opened already added jump rings to let me know where the other beads must go to complete the pattern.

Jump rings and pliers are all that is required to create and produce this very pretty and complicated-look chain.

 

I have also been tucked away at the Bench working on Brochure Projects for Jo-Ann Fabrics.  I now remember why I don’t bead.  If you have the knack and the talent CONGRATULATIONS! Tiny uncooperative things make my head hurt, needles prick my finger and the thread gets tangled up, but I suppose it’s not art if you’re not bleeding.  Diagrams and poorly written or confusing instructions don’t help either.  Just a personal observation on my crafting abilities.

Don’t laugh, it took me three days to figure out this pattern.  As an example of what I may be teaching and what kind of Advanced Jewelry Making Classes you can sign up for and learn by doing.  From Jo-Ann’s “Link -n- Bling” project.  6/0 Amethyst Czech Glass Seed Beads are woven flat in a Figure 8 or infinity symbol weave, rows are counted and the beads are then laced up along the length of the vertical edge and sewn together to form a Circular tube.  Since no one has signed up for this particular class, I do not have to finish the project.

With the Treasure Valley Market next week and then again in July, I suddenly find myself very busy, perhaps even over extended to the point of burnout.  This is not good.  What does one do when burnout begins?  One takes a  break, a respite, a walk in the woods, and then reorganizes and prioritizes and gets it done!  That being said, many of the irons I have in the fire are either just sitting due to lack of attention, or so red hot that they take up the majority of my time, leaving everything else behind to be caught up with later.  I will be paring down some of the things to better manage my time and the business.

Although I just opened and listed things on Cafe Press they want the shop owners to put a lot work into promoting the site instead of their shop, and  I have gotten ZERO response, so I will be closing that down.  The Official Website will be downgraded to little more than information and the shopping pages will be removed as customers seem to click through from the site to purchase items on Etsy instead of the direct “Buy” button.  

I have also started to attend classes to upgrade my skills.  A combination of Hands-On Training and Internet Reading Material and Examinations, I must carve out enough time to complete the course work, that means limiting or eliminating some of the other things that aren’t working or producing results in favor of study and class project time.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  We would like to wish you a pleasant rest of the week.