Five Fabulous Festive Gift Ideas

Greetings,

Tuesday is upon us, it never ceases to amaze me at how fast time flies by at the end of the year.  

Did you know there are three (3) more Tuesdays left before Christmas?  Today and two more posts of fabulous gift ideas are headed your way.  Get those orders in early, to avoid the rush and the crush of the Mall!

From: Jackie Guttuso Designs

Rooster art, Original rooster collage, Whimsical rooster, Rooster kitchen art, Kitchen art, Farm art, Farm nursery art, Chicken art

This 8 x 10″ whimsical rooster collage is an original, one of a kind piece. It was created with acrylic paint on professional grade heavy watercolor paper.

It would look great in the kitchen or in a farm animal nursery.

It is unmatted and framed but the vibrant colors would look good with any number of mat and frame colors. See photos above for framing suggestions.

Visit my shop for more original collage art, original paper sculpture, whimsical kids art, as well as canvas giclee prints and ready to hang gallery wrap giclee prints:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JackieGuttusoDesigns

Since no one else is playing this week it is my chance to show off some the new and exciting things still available in the shop.  Remember most of the items are customizable.  Your favorite gemstone, bead color, metal tone, or material can be substituted for the ones shown in the original.  We welcome the opportunity to work with you and create that special and unique piece all your own or that special something you’ve been looking for.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us assist you in finding or creating that perfect gift.

From: The Alchemists Vessel

Lady Bug Charm Bracelet Chainmaille with Czech Glass Beads

Absolutely adorable and just right for Lady Bug fanciers! Super cute and simply stunning, silver and shiny, this whimsical and feminine little bracelet is terrific for a pop of color at the office, a casual outfit, or Date Night. Irresistibly charming and bright. Sleek and slim, it looks fabulous when worn. The Lady Bug is offset as fanciful decoration. Removable too,attached with a Lobster Claw Clasp, just take off the charm for a whole new look.

Silver plated wire is hand-spun, cut, beaded and linked in the Half Persian 3-in-1 Chainmaille weave pattern. Silver-lined Czech glass beads in Ruby Red and Black Diamond line the length of chain at even intervals. Finished with a matching silver plated Heart-shaped Toggle Clasp.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

*Customizable, may be made to desired length at no additional charge. Please indicate wrist circumference when ordering. If no measurement is given a standard 7-3/4″ to 8″ bracelet will be sent. May be made in a variety of metal tones and bead colors. Please contact us about a custom bracelet in your favorites.

Ask us about multiple item discounts.

*These earrings can be made in a variety of metal tones and bead colors, or with out beads as well.  Order a custom pair in your favorites today.  Same price as pre–made pairs!

 Daring Silver Plated and Black Glass Bead Chainmaille Earrings

A little larger than a quarter, these fresh and cute chainmaille earrings are fun and feminine. Just right for dressing up a casual out fit of jeans and a t-shirt, or for a pop of color at the office. Black bi-cone glass beads drop from the rings in a chandelier accent. Light weight, can be worn all day.

Silver plated wire is hand spun, cut and linked into the Japanese 6-in-1 pattern forming a flower like shape and accented with a variety of glass bead shapes and colors or gemstones in stock. The earrings maintain the shape when worn.

Customizable, available Gold Tone, Nickel, Antiqued Bronze or Copper, and accented with any gemstone or glass bead in stock.

Arrives boxed, ready for gift giving.

*Alternatives shown are Lavender glass bi-cone beads and genuine Australian Green Jasper.


Appropriate for men or women, this genuine gemstone necklace makes a great gift, and there are several to choose from.  Ask us about making one in your favorite gemstones.

Denim and Leather Genuine Lapis Lazuli and Black Onyx Necklace

18″ total length this powerful and attractive necklace is part of our “Gems For Gents” collection. Hand selected gorgeous genuine Lapis Lazuli resembles those well worn and loved favorite pair of jeans, Black Onyx reminds one of a soft cotton T-shirt or a Leather Jacket with silver accents. Masculine, strong and sturdy, this makes a great casual accessory or a dapper extra for office attire.

Would make a fabulous September birthday present, it makes a wonderful alternative to Sapphire. Deep blue in color it is the stone of truth and enlightenment, wisdom and royalty, said to create a feeling of harmony and balance within the wearer.

Genuine Lapis Lazuli and Black Onyx beads are interspersed along the length of 18″ Tiger Tail beading wire. The gold flecks that appear along the Lapis Lazuli tubes is Pyrite. Four black rhinestone roundel beads accent the focal point of the necklace, silver spacer beads add interest and draw the eye along the piece. Finished with a Silver Spring Clasp.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

From the $10.00 and Under selection

Hoot Owl Pendant Sterling Silver Plated Charm Necklace

This cute little owl is sure to be a topic of conversation. Perched on a branch he stands just shy of 1/2″. Watchful and wise this owl is an adorable sterling silver plated charm and makes a unique and interesting pendant. Perfect for Bird Watchers or Harry Potter fans.

Sterling silver plated Owl charm is suspended from a silver chain and finished with a Lobster Claw Clasp.

Arrives boxed ready for gift giving.

*Customizable, genuine gemstone beads of the customers choice may be added to the chain upon request for an additional $5.00

Now through December 15th, when ordering from The Alchemists Vessel, enter Coupon Code: HOLIDAY10 and receive a 10% discount off your entire purchase.

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.

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

 

The Muddfip Photographer: Featured Artist Thursday

Good Morning,

The weekend is almost here and that means fun in the sun, down by the river, the creek, the pond, the swimming hole, a walk in the woods, along the beach, things to do, people to see, and pictures to take.

This weeks Featured Artist is my Multi-talented friend, Shelly Moody, The Muddfip Photographer.  I can’t take a photo to save my life and am amazed at the composition and quality of other people’s photos.  Shelly has an an amazing eye for composition and her black and white photographs are stunning.

The Muddfip Photographer may be found on Facebook, won’t you stop by and give her a Like.

What Shelly has to say about her page:

Hello and Welcome! My name is Shelly and this page features photographs, all of them taken by me. All photos are copyrighted, so please do not use without permission. All photos on this page are available for purchase. Please contact me regarding prices and sizes. Photos will be signed and numbered. I am happy to ship them to any location. Thank you for taking time to browse my photos!Have a blessed day!

The photos below are taken from her Facebook page.  I have tried to include a variety of subjects that she takes, from nature to industrial buildings and machinery.   All of the prints are available for sale.

I love frogs! 

Any of these photos would make excellent prints or  posters, cards or stationery.  Decorating in a “Steampunk” theme?  Those huge gears on the water would make the perfect wall hanging!

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.  I hope you will also stop by and take a The Muddfip Photographers page.  There are more wondrous and wonderful photos to look at and choose from. 

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

Three Great Gifts To Give Presenting Handmade Artists Site

Good Morning.

Today I would like to feature some truly unique, clever and beautiful, handmade from start finish gift ideas.  All of today’s featured gifts are from shops on handmadeartists.com.  A great site to find things handcrafted by some amazing artists and craft-people.  There is no question here about re-sellers, these items are handmade by the shop owner.

Although I invited any and all shop owners to participate, I only received three entries for this weeks blog, so I turn the post over the them.  Hoping to pique your curiosity enough to click the link and have a look see at some of their other offerings as well.  Looking is always free!

Without further ado:

From Southern Country Creations

Brown Leather with Green Tree Agate Beads and Peace charm

Product Details: This bracelet was handcrafted using brown leather and round green tree agate beads. It sports a shell button for closure and a Peace charm.

It measures approximately 7 1/4 inches

From: Blue Highways

Hand Bound Book Wings of Scarlet

 Product Details: It may be fall but I’m holding on to warmer weather with this gorgeous 6″ x 9″ book covered in a fabric of red tulips. The colors are shades of scarlet and greens popping on a black background. The red was difficult for me to photograph perfectly, the 4th photo is the actual cover scanned on my scanner and represents the colors a little better.

Inside I have bound 160 pages (front & back) of premium 80# acid free white drawing paper excellent for pencil, colored pencil and charcoal also good for pen and ink, marker and oil pastels. I have them sewn with a hand waxed red cotton thread and ribbon bound them with a 7/8″ scarlet grosgrain ribbon. As with all my ribbon bound books, refills can be ordered once the book has been filled, please contact me if you are interested in one – it’s simple to replace, I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

From: My European Touch

Handmade Mosaic Tray shabby cottage chic china broken plate rims Mosaic Tray clay roses pearls

 Product Details:   Glamorous shabby chic cottage Mosaic Tray. This was a vintage silver plate tray, Silver plate all gone, I sanded it down, primed it, it got a coat of cottage white paint. A lil bit of distress to give it that worn well loved look. I then proceeded to cut up my already damaged fine bone china plate rims and stained glass and filled the inside with this lovely mosaic. Roses and blooms are climbing on this tray like a briar bush in the wild, so romantic.

I then filled the rim with lil pearls and tulle roses all the way around to give it that finished look. A lil arrangement of handmade clay roses in the left corner and this Mosaic tray is brimming with beauty.
The mosaic is grouted in an antique white grout and sealed. I showed it photographed in different light and it can be hung up on the wall too.

It is a footed tray and I tied a pale cream organza ribbon to two of the the feet, tied it in a nice bow and it can hang on your wall..
The colors are the truest on the close ups of the pictures.

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

Creativity on Vacation

Good Morning!

Friday is here, the weekend is closer and for many of you so is vacation time.

Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t be creative.  You may not be able to carry all your supplies with you but, you can always pack light, especially for the kids.

Things to Bring to Be Creative:

•  Blank Note Book: small enough to pack, big enough to sketch in. 
• Pencil or Pen (see above) 
• Colored Pencils – you can:
  • Draw the Hotel Sign
  • Note where you ate
  • What you saw
  • Where you went
  • What you did   
  • Decorate the pages of your notebook

• Disposal Camera, so you can take pictures and paste them next the to journal entries, once photos have developed.   If you’re luck enough to be able to print your own photos at home, take your digital instead.

You just made a Travel Journal!

Get inspired:

• Camping?  Make a rock drawing around your camp.  Pick ’em up and put ’em down in an interesting pattern.  Include sticks, leaves and other available things around camp to add interest.

• Beach?  Sand castles and drawing in the sand are staples, go hunting for seashells and wrap them with craft-wire, or hot glue them together in interesting shapes. (Clean ’em first!)

•  Elsewhere in general?  Check out the local flora and fauna.  Ask with Front desk if there are things going on in town.  Grab that hotel note pad and jot down what interests you.  Then go!  

• Remember, you can always bring a favorite hobby, too. 
  • Knitting
  • Crochet
  •  Quilting
  • Painting

If you can pack it, you can do it on vacation!

I mean that’s why you’re on vacation anyway, right?

   

A Quick List For The Kids:

• Clipboard or sturdy flat object.
• Crayons, you can’t go wrong with an eight pack of Crayolas.
• Wire bound Sketch book.  The kids can draw / color on both sides of the paper and it will flip to fit a clipboard.
• Stickers or other things so they can decorate the cover.
• Ask them to draw what they see on the way to their destination.  Draw objects or places they saw or visited while there.  Encourage them to draw something daily.  When they get home they will have a picture book of their vacation.
• Disposable camera (you don’t want them breaking the $200.00 Digitial!)Ask them take pictures (with your help), encourage them to take pictures in front of places they visit or things they have seen with each child in the photo.
• NOTE:  All these things will fit in your child’s school backpack, no extra luggage or special car seat organizers required.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful weekend.