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.

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.

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.

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.