When it comes to haunted houses and ghostly gatherings, there are many popular venues to choose from around the UK. Here are a couple to get you in the mood for Halloween!

In London’s East End, The Ten Bells Pub is said to be haunted not only by the ghost of murdered Victorian man. It’s also linked to serial killer Jack The Ripper as it was the drinking hole of his very last victim Mary Kelly.

A little further north, Oxford Castle is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country. It’s been associated with ghosts and poltergeists and even served as a prison for just over 900 years! But one of the most famous tales revolves around the curse of 1577, where hundreds of people mysteriously died within the space of a few weeks.

Whether you’re planning a spooky sojourn this Halloween or just staying in to watch scary movies, Alchemy has a great range of products to get you in the mood. Why not complement your Dark Gothic outfit with our coffin shaped ‘Bone Casket’ leather handbag [LG36]. Or for something a little more subtle wear our chic ‘Deception’ pendant [P645] ; a fanged skull mask enhanced by red and blue enamel and Swarovski crystals. We all hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!

You can order yours online, and many other Halloween styled Alchemy Pieces by clicking the link to our Approved Alchemy Dealers: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

In this dramatic, chilling fossil, an arachnid was trapped in amber, just as it was about to devour a wasp, some hundred million years ago. Amber has been employed to make jewellery and other items of beauty since Neolithic times. But it also has great scientific interest that stretches even further back into pre-history. For amber – formed from fossilised tree resin – can preserve examples of ancient animal and plant forms from long before man walked the earth. There can be few more striking – and simultaneously sinister and fascinating – examples than this ancient struggle, frozen forever from when dinosaurs ruled the earth, and recently discovered in the South-East Asian nation of Myanmar:

‘This juvenile spider was going to make a meal out of a tiny parasitic wasp, but never quite got to it,’ explains Professor George Poinar Jnr. in the journal Historical Biology. ‘This was a male wasp that suddenly found itself trapped in a spider web. This was the wasp’s worst nightmare, and it never ended. The wasp was watching the spider just as it was about to be attacked, when tree resin flowed over and captured both of them.’ The Professor, an expert in such finds from Oregon State University, is excited by the dramatic discovery as it is the earliest example of a spider capturing its prey thus far uncovered. There’s also a little poetic justice there, as the ancestors of the wasp frozen here in amber now prey on spiders…

While we can’t deny that the fossil’s a little creepy, even icky, there also something profoundly beautiful about the colours of the amber, and captivating about the fatal moment suspended for such unimaginable lengths of time. There is something simultaneously terrifying and enchanting about arachnids that transcends time, and that our designers at Alchemy keep being drawn to. Just like our poor unsuspecting wasp… Take, for example, the Incy Wincy Forme Hand-Ring(R177), which uses its uncanny eight-legged elegance as the basis for an Art-Deco accessory. Or why not go for the Nidus cuff stud earring (E193), a ‘grotesque spider, chained to its fine lined web’..

Order yours online and many other Alchemy products here:www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Elvis Presley died in 1977, or to put it another way, has now been dead for as long as Alchemy have been established!
Elvis Presley still retains his title as the king of Rock ‘N’ Roll.
This year, more than 75,000 people have turned out for a Vigil at his Graceland Mansion! Many events are to be staged this year in honour of ‘The King’. Elvis Presley’s hits include; ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Hound Dog’. Famous not only for his vocals, Elvis was also a great actor, and has inspired many artists to this day.

Why not celebrate and pay tribute to ‘The King’ by ‘Takin’ Care o’ Business’ with the Elvis inspired Alchemy pendant (ULP26, shown below)..

This black enamelled neck thong, with its fully modelled skulls, echoes the famous Elvis icon; with tattoo style ‘UL13’ branding & plaited leather thong..
To order yours online, search our list of our approved Alchemy Dealers here: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Have you ever thought about becoming an Alchemy dealer? Whether you currently run a shop or webstore, or you are simply thinking of an extra or alternative income stream, Alchemy’s vast range of product and global popularity could be just what you are looking for!

Under the uberbrand Alchemy1977, Alchemy are the UK’s all-round alternative lifestyle-mongers, offering an unprecedented choice from a range of collections in one all purpose catalogue. Alchemy’s pedegree, background-history and long-experienced creative craftsmanship gives you everything you want to refine and indulge your own personal tastes.

Here at Alchemy we are wholeheartedly dedicated to the marketing of the brand to the benefit of all our dealers! With our increased marketing efforts, ever growing Licensed range of products and endorsements by such highly recognised bands as Five Finger Death punch, Lacuna Coil and The 69 Eyes, We have gained an enormous following the world over, with over 40,000 fans now liking our Facebook page! So there is no better time than now, to come on board and reap the rewards of stocking a range of UK manufactured products from a highly successful well recognised brand which is continuing to grow from strength to strength each year!

When becoming an Alchemy dealer, your will be designated an account manager who will oversee the whole order process, taking personal care of your account and every need, offering as much advice as possible.

To find out more about becoming an Alchemy dealer, please visit our trade website www.alchemygroup.com and fill in the online registration form to receive our trade pack in the post, and login details to the site.

At once a piece of sumptuous design and a token of dark affection, many tales surround the Dark Engagement as a symbol of an undying love that can never be. Whispers and rumours tell of a wealthy young man and a woman born of working class so deeply in love that they had eyes only for each other, wishing only to marry and make their union complete despite fierce disapproval from all sides and an era in which class divides made such a longing impossible.

Presenting her with this offering of betrothal, the young man promised to run away and elope with her on the condition that she wear the ring always, for the dark blue crystal within would only keep its rich colouring when worn by one completely in love. And run away they did, in the dead of night while prying eyes were sound asleep – though none know how their story ends. Decades after the ring was recovered, no trace has ever been found of the illicit couple, as though they have fallen out of time and recollection altogether…

A regally familiar, most authentically beautiful and stunning Swarovski crystal ‘sapphire and diamond’ engagement ring, but with artfully saturnine undertones. To treat yourself or a love one visit www.alchemyengland.com/buy to order online through our recommended dealers.

We generally steer clear of politics here at Alchemy, but we couldn’t help but feel inspired by the latest candidate to throw their hat into the ring for the upcoming US Presidential elections. The only nominee to represent the interests of the undead, Mr A. Zombie has been attracting high profile coverage from such media outlets as USA Today and Fox News, in order to broadcast his post-mortem agenda. However, as his speech is mostly confined to worryingly hungry moans, articulating Zombie’s policies has largely fallen to his still-living (and doubtless very understanding) wife, Patti Morgan-Zombie. Such as his stance on unemployment, where Zombie vows to “strive to increase America’s workforce… even if it kills me. Again.”

Employing the living dead to deliver a serious message is nothing new. The classic horror flicks by zombie king, film director George Romero, have all featured a heavy dose of social and political satire beneath all the gore and gut-munching. Most controversially, ‘Homecoming’, the December 2005 episode of the Masters of Horror TV series, portrayed America’s war dead rising from their graves to vote a pro-war presidential candidate out of office. In the case of A. Zombie’s current presidential campaign, however, the aims are rather less lofty, as it’s actually a publicity stunt to try and convince the US Dish Network to reinstate the popular horror series The Walking Dead.

While none of us outside of the USA can vote for any of the Presidential Candidates, living or otherwise, we can still show our support for our undead friends in other ways. Here at Alchemy we can offer a wide range of accessories guaranteed to turn heads at the most exclusive graveyard soirees. For example, might we suggest the Nosferatu’s Hand belt buckle (B24) as a suitably ghoulish style statement? Or for something a little more elegant and eerie, the Dead Man’s Cuff (A61) bracelet will enchant every discerning necrophile, the ideal accessory for that chic Chanel shroud…

You can buy yours, and other Alchemy Possesions by searching for your local Alchemy Dealers here!..http://www.alchemyengland.com

This Monday will be October 1st and October for many of us can only mean one thing… Halloween. What does Halloween mean to you? Does it mark the dark season, or is it just simple fun for the kids. A time to dress up, decorate, carve pumpkins and scare the living day lights out of their friends by telling the scariest stories that their little minds can imagine, or maybe all of these things?

Halloween or All Hallows Eve, as it is sometimes referred to, began way back when Pagan rituals around harvest time included festivals honouring the dead. Of which in some faiths are still practised today.

These days Halloween has become a time for celebration all around the world. These celebrations include collecting sweets and gifts from neighbours houses or as it is commonly named trick or treating! Apple bobbing, making toffee apples and wearing the most grotesque costumes possible! Here is a particularly strange ritual dating back to the 1900’s. If an unmarried woman sat in darkened room in front of a mirror on the evening of Halloween, the face of her future husband would appear. However, if they were destined to die before they married a skull would appear!

Whatever way you choose to celebrate, have fun and enjoy. We, here at Alchemy, would love to see pictures of you in your darkest dress. Please send them to us, you never know you may be featured on our Facebook page. Don’t forget the finishing touch though……. Your favourite piece of Alchemy!

Check out some of our spooky selections below! All of which are available to order by visiting our recommended dealers page at www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Alchemy have been established for 35 years. Having began in 1977 in a one-roomed flat in England, as two young, alternative culture model-makers and artists, hand-making generic rock music badges from scrap metal and selling them to fans by mail. In less than a year We had taken a nearby small shop with a workshop above, and were supplying shops and distributors with quantities of the merchandise. Production techniques became more sophisticated and staff were needed to expand production, and by around 1980 We began making exclusive badges and necklaces for headline rock bands on tour.

In 1984, the biggest breakthrough came with a new, small collection of simple, gothic & heavy-metal style pewter jewellery called Alchemy Metal-Wear. Nothing like this had ever been seen before except for a few silver skull rings, and so Alchemy set the new trend and standards for alternative jewellery. Alchemy became so popular, so rapidly, that more staff were recruited and exports to Europe began.

After 35 years, We have expanded our collections to suit all ‘alternative’ tastes and have over 600 items in the Alchemy1977 catalogue. W are still designing and making our extraordinary pieces by hand in our workshops in England, and now sell to over 50 countries.

The Alchemy1977 Brand:

Alchemy1977 is now recognised across the world as the style-innovator of the alternative cultures, the high-end designer brand; the ‘Gucci of gothic’ and the ‘Cartier of rock’. Music gods such as Ozzy Ozbourne and Alice Cooper have been patrons of Alchemy1977 over time, as well as many upcoming bands of today like Five Finger Death Punch and Lacuna Coil, etc.

Alchemy’s British team of specialist designers, artists and model makers is second to none, and every jewellery design is developed around a thoroughly conceived and/or researched theme, often historical, mythological, legendary or metaphysical.

Alchemy Studios, the creative arm of the production company, is prolific and diverse in its extraordinary output. Every year the team produce at least 150 new jewellery/accessory items for its alternative collections, 80 pieces of artwork and design and produce around 100 custom made products for many prestigious clients.

The Alchemy brand has grown to be highly respected amongst aficionados everywhere, from Los Angeles and Paris to Dubai and Hong Kong, and typically, owners of Alchemy pieces treasure them for eternity.

Last month marked the fifth anniversary of the death of Sophie Lancaster – the 20-year old British goth who was killed in because of the way she dressed. Her murder continues to have an impact on the alternative scene with her mother Sylvia launching the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and giving talks to raise awareness of image-based prejudice. There’s even a stage named after Sophie at the annual Bloodstock Open Air Festival in Derbyshire.

Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage was so moved by Sophie’s death that he teamed up with Sylvia Lancaster to create a radio performance called ‘Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster’, which was based on his poetry collection of the same name. The performance has just been adapted for stage and is now running at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre until 29 September.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was created as a lasting legacy to Sophie, fighting for the respect and understanding of subcultures in our communities, campaigning to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from “alternative subcultures” or “Lifestyle and Dress” If you have not already please visit and like The Sophie Lancaster Foundation Facebook page and show your support for the fantastic work of the foundation.

http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/

The legendary ‘Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards’are back for the eighth year running, and as ever include spectacular nominees, featuring the greatest celebrated rock icons! The award ceremony was first established by ‘Classic Rock Magazine’, in the year of 2005. Since then it has captured the attention of lovers of Rock bands, events, films and songwriters.

Here at Alchemy, we are proud sponsors of the awards! Infact we actually handmake each award. This year the category we are sponsoring is: Reissue Of The Year.
Previous years winners in this category include; Queen (2011) and Rolling Stones (2010). This year in the line-up it features the likes of legends such as The Who, Pink Floyd and Whitesnake.

The other five categories you are eligible to vote for are as follows;

Best New Band of The Year
Album of The Year
Film/DVD of The Year
Event of The Year
Best Band of The Year

The awards will be taking place in London at ‘Roundhouse’ in November 2012.

Get involved by casting your votes now, before it’s too late!

You can vote by clicking the link to take you to the Official Classic Rock website .. http://awards.classicrockmagazine.com/