In My Studio New Chainmaille Ring

Good Morning,

With the holidays over, and things almost back to the norm here I finally had an opportunity to sit down and make something.  It had to be a quick project, something I could complete inside a couple of hours.  This ring will be included in the projects for the E-Book “In Chains” currently in progress.

The solution was a Mini Maille Ring.  It didn’t start out as one, but during the process of weaving, it insisted that it be small and round, and I had no other choice but to join the ends and create the small circle of maille.

This ring comes in two sizes of jump rings and has many variations.  It can be beaded, made in a variety of metals, and customizable in your ring size.

Simple, stunning and sturdy these rings are not meant to be worn during heavy lifting or hard work with your hands, but treated properly they can last life time.

Sample Ring:  US size 7-1/2 to 8 average ring size for most folks.
18 gauge Sterling Silver plated wire.  There is no elastic or clasp, the ring slips over your finger and fits comfortably.  It has a silky smooth feel against the skin and makes an attractive ornament.

The completed ring sits on a ring mandrel.

The finished ring, there is no stop or start, the band is joined in pattern and left as it is.  

 The ring like any other is a simple circle, instead of a solid strip of metal interlocked rings have been woven together.

Very pretty when worn.  A lovely decoration and perfect for those that like the look of maille but do not wish to wear a large piece.

Available in Sterling Silver Plated, Silver, Gold Tone, Copper, Merlin’s Gold, and antiqued Copper and Bronze.  18 or 20 gauge wires, plain or beaded styles in single or double ring weaves.  Single ring weave shown in this post. 

*Precious Metals are available by request only.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

 

Tools In My Studio

Happy Wednesday!  

Here we are in the middle of the week!  Where does the time go?

I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the tools and other materials I use to make jewelry.

This is my Micro Torch, I use it for soldering, firing PMC (Precious Metal Clay) annealing, and any number of other things that require me to heat things.

This is my Jeweler’s Saw.  I use it to cut wire (for jump rings), sheet metal and sizing stock.  Yes, it is exactly like a hacksaw, except the blades are much finer and thinner, and the saw itself is much smaller and lighter weight than a Construction Tool.

These are the tools I use in the creation of Chainmaille, two pairs of pliers, and three mandrels. Of course I have more, these are all that would fit on the background area.  Mandrels are used to wrap the wire to create a coil, from which jump rings are cut.  Pliers are used to open and close the jump rings during the linking process.

Hammers and Anvil.  Yes, it is very cathartic when designing to bring that hammer down on the little piece of wire.  Striking area is very tiny, so precision is a must, and a great deal of attention paid to the piece you are working on.  One wrong blow with the head, and the piece can break, bend, or be ruined.

Stainless Steel Head

Stainless Steel Anvil

Rubber Mallet

4 oz. Brass Claw Hammer (there are screwdrivers in the handle!)

Here is a selection of wire that I use.  Brand new stock that has not been opened as of yet.  From Left to Right: 20 gauge Copper, Nickle, and Jeweler’s Bronze (aka “Merlin’s Gold”), and the last roll is 18 gauge copper wire.

Here is a coil of Sterling Silver Plated Copper Jewelry wire, I have used up the last of the Silver Plated wire, making the last choker I created.  The wire is straightened, wrapped around a mandrel, the coil is removed from the mandrel and cut using the Jeweler’s Saw for a flush cut or it is “Pinch Cut” using wire cutters.

I offer both Hand-forged and Manufactured or machine made clasps, but that is the only thing you will find besides beads and gemstones (I don’t have the equipment to do that at home) that are not hand-crafted by my self.  That includes head pins, jump rings and chain.

I suppose it would have been easier to just take a photo of the Bench, but that is covered with materials and stuff that needs to be cleaned up and gone through, I currently use the dining table or head out the garage for creation these days.  Evetually I’ll get back to the actual Bench and then I can take a photo.

You can always check out Youtube or Dailymotion.  Currently there are three very short tutorial videos, on opening and closing, measuring the Interior Diameter and winding / cutting your own jump rings.

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

In My Studio – Beads and Baubles

I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the new beads and items we have available for creating beautiful things for you!  The Alchemists Vessel specializes in Sterling and Semi-precious gemstone jewelry, but lately has had an in flux of or custom orders asking for glass beads.  I have listened and obeyed!  Greens, Reds Blues, Faceted, Bi-cone, Round, we have a nice selection and are in hope of receiving the Japanese Seed beads soon!

Many of these beads have been purchased per customer request to complete their orders.  Upon completion of the custom orders these beads will begin to appear in many of the pieces created by Alix, The Alchemist, Designer and Owner of The Alchemists Vessel.

 Also available in limited quantities new gemstone and brass beads, along with a brass finding or two.

 

Precious Metal vs. Jewelry Wire

Many people have asked me why precious metal is so much more expensive than a plated jewelry wire, and why I do not offer ready-made Chain Maille pieces in Gold or Sterling Silver.  Precious metal is just that, precious and it is also more expensive.  Things like copper and brass are more abundant.  The Alchemists Vessel does not determine the price of precious metal; we watch the market for the current price, as it fluctuates, currently Sterling is $34.02 an ounce, and Gold is $1753.44 an ounce.  Sterling Silver is usually available in 5 or 25-foot spools to be spun, soldered, wrapped, and hammered or other wise fashioned into jewelry.  It is common of Gold wire to be “Gold filled” or a brass core with a .15 mm to .25mm outer layer of 14kt gold.  Current Supplier prices are about $90.00 for 25 feet spool for Silver and $150.00 for Gold Filled.  Manufactured jump rings may be purchased, but size cannot be guaranteed as many manufactures measure outer diameter instead of inner diameter, which is used when calculating appropriate jump rings size for Chain Maille.

Precious metal pieces are available per custom order only.  A 50% non-refundable deposit is required before your work begins.  Pricing works as follows.

We charge per foot of wire. 5 feet of wire makes one pair of earrings, it takes 12” of wire to create a 1” coil from which jump rings cut.  Depending on gauge, Sterling Silver wire is $25.00 (20g) to $45.00 (18g)

A 20 gauge pair of Byzantine Weave earrings in sterling silver would cost, $40.00, $25.00 for wire, $5.00 for findings,  $2.00 for beads, and $8.00 for spinning and assembly.

A Necklace takes about 30 feet of wire, depending on the weave.  It takes about 459 jump rings to create a necklace and earring set, depending on Gauge.  To create on of the “Parures”,  $175.00 for wire, $5.00 for beads, and findings, $100.00 to spin and assemble.  Total cost $280.00.

Necklaces, bracelets, or different weaves require different amounts of wire.  The above Precious Metal prices are quoted from the suppliers catalog. All materials and costs will be discussed prior to ordering the necessary material for your project.  The above is an example of possible cost to the customer, your cost may vary depending on your project.

Jewelry wire is usually copper, either colored (dyed) or tinned (plated) with a thin coating of precious metal.  Sterling Silver Plated copper wire is used in many of our projects and is just as pretty, and an affordable alternative to precious metal pieces.  The wire is plated or surface dyed, and some copper will show through the cuts, this is a mark of a hand made item, and although we try our best to keep these marks to a minimum, they do appear on occasion.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.

Five Great Gifts To Give

It’s Tuesday, and that means we have Five (5) Great Gift ideas for you!  We are pleased to bring you two new Etsy shops, a returning shop and an odd or end here and there.  These gift ideas range from jewelry to Children’s Room Decor (and is it ever cute).  

One of the new shops is Lucky Stars Hawaii, with these very cute Devoted 2 U Heart (Swarovski Elements Series) Earring w/Pink Swarovski 8 mm Pearl dangling from Heart Chain – Sterling Silver, are available in the shop now!

 Description: Total length of this adorable earring is about 2 1/4 inches. The Swarovski Devoted 2 U Heart is a stylishly asymmetrical version of the classic shape. All components are sterling silver.

(Blogger’s Note:  Valentine’s Day may be over, but don’t forget, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduations, or just to say I love you!  These cuties will do the trick!)

Next, another new shop, ThumbAlina Lane with this wonderful Alphabet Animal Silhouettes Art Print.  Brighten your child’s room with this fun, colorful print!

Description: This listing is for an 8×10 art print professionally printed to order on heavyweight archival matte paper with high definition archival inks.  

NOTE:  Frame and mat are not included.

**This listing has several options, size and color are just a couple.  Have a look for complete details.

(Blogger’s Note:  Grandparents, new parents, relatives looking for a fun, educational and interactive gift, that doesn’t require batteries?  This is the one.  Quality time can be had with your special little one learning the Alphabet, animals and a color or two.  I bet they can be printed in your child’s room color scheme!)

Our returning shop is Wire Witchery, with this spectacular Tiger Eye and Garnet Pendulum. 

Description: This pendulum is made with a highly faceted tiger’s eye bead on 18 gauge copper wire. Its accented with two micro-faceted garnets and a copper yarn ball bead. The grabber is a hand twisted spiral of copper and gold colored copper wire with another garnet. 

(Blogger’s Note: The unique focal bead is worth giving this a piece a look!)

A new offering from my own shop is this twist on Chain Maille.  Golden Spiral, is crafted from gold tone base metal jump rings, this continuous pattern spirals and twists throughout the bracelet.  Great for men or woman and comes in a variety of metals and jewelry wire, including, sterling silver plated, hypo-allergenic, gunmetal, copper and brass.

Being the crafty woman that I am, I like to hand make gifts sometimes. Not everything needs to be purchased, even though all Etsy gifts are hand made, and the idea is to provide you with unique and purchasable gift ideas, it might be fun to experiment yourself.  Although I am not sure if Cuff Links are in fashion any more, this is a simple, easy, low cost project.  

Instructions:

Check out your local Thrift stores, they are a goldmine of unique and easy-on-the-wallet finds.  Look for a pair of unadorned, plain, flat face Cuff Links, make sure they are a complete set.

Once home, clean them up, if they need it, let them dry thoroughly. 

With a small brush and a paint color of your choice. paint the face of both Cuff Links.

Add a design, his initials, a stencil you find interesting, dots, whatever suits your fancy (ladies, no flowers please).  Keep it small and simple.  Let your pieces dry thoroughly.  With some acrylic spray or brush-on sealer, (Clear Nail polish works in a pinch) lightly coat the surface of your Cuff Link Design (this will protect your design longer).

Once dry find a box, wrap them up and gift them!

(Picture is taken from image search on internet)

 

NOTE:  This would also make a fun project for the kids with plastic buttons or other things that they might like to personalize.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look at some of the beautiful things offered by people from around the web!

What’s New In The Shop?

This morning we have a couple of new items to show you and a rather neat announcement.  Sterling Silver Charm earrings and a new Chain Maille pattern in different colors of wire.

These are very cute.  Sterling Silver Flower Charm earrings with Malachite and Azurite or Lapiz Lazuli beads.  Only two pair available!

We also have Sterling Silver Feathers, here they are shown with a very pretty green stone, Chrysocolla.

One of my favorite animals is the turtle.  This adorable little charm is attached to Malachite and Azurite beads, these resemble the Earth, according to my friend’s daughter Bri.  In some cultural myths, a Turtle carries the world on his back.

These items will be listed in the store by this afternoon.

Available February 1, 2012, are these fascinating Chain Maille Parures.  But Alix, what’s a Par… a Paru… it’s OK, I can’t say it either.  A Parure consists of various matching pieces of Jewelry, earrings and a necklace or bracelet, in some cases a ring.  In actual terms it is an entire wardrobe or suite of jewelry.  Women wore them to denote their stations.  No woman would be caught without a complete jewelry ensemble to match their clothing wardrobe.

These earrings are created from Hypo-Allergenic jump rings and purple glass beads, in a “closed” European weave.  They have a matching necklace, but I do not have a photo.

This is the same pattern created in Gold tone metal jump rings with gold glass beads.

I hope to take pictures of their matching necklaces today and have them all listed by tomorrow.  There is one more set in this collection, but I am leaving that as a surprise!

SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT:

In an effort to keep things consolidated, I will be closing several of the pages around the web in favor of a website, alchemistsvessel.net.  Still have some of the kinks to iron out, but we hope to have the new site up by mid-February.