Sunday, May 31, 2009

Freshwater Pearls

by Bonnie of The FamiLee Jewels

Enjoy the sophisticated simplicity of 
Snow Drops by Aeris Designs.
Freshwater pearls are considered to be the world's oldest gem. Their translucent luster is created by multiple layers of nacre formed inside a living organism.  

Throughout history, pearls have been treasured and highly valued. In China, Egypt, India and Persia ancient texts refer to pearls as prized possessions. In ancient Rome, they were worn as a symbol of wealth and prestige.  In ancient Greece, pearls were worn at weddings as symbols of purity and love.

Native Americans also used pearls for trade and ornamentation. Legends tell of a Native American princess who gifted Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto with furs, copper and freshwater pearls.

By the end of the 19th century North American and Caribbean pearl supplies were greatly diminished due to over fishing and the uncontrolled pollution associated with industrialization.

See how Two Chicks Too combines rustic with 
elegance in their Pearl Tangled necklace
Traditionally, salt water pearls are grown in oysters and fresh water pearls in mussels.  In modern times, pearls are grafted into triangle shell mussels by pearl farmers. Ironically, these mass produced pearl products rival the quality of the most expensive natural pearls ever found.

No longer reserved for royal families and wealthy consumers, freshwater pearls are an affordable fashion accessory for everyone. Pearl is the birthstone for June.

Pearls are said to be calming and centering. They represent purity, and promote faith, charity, integrity, truth and loyalty. They help one to connect with the Goddess; the ultimate feminine energy.

Look at The Family Jewels use of pearls 
in their Nesting Instinct pendant.
Pearls need to be treated with care. They will stay cleaner if you put them on after you have applied your makeup and perfume. Wipe them with a soft cloth when you take them off. If they become soiled, you may clean them with mild soap and water. Air dry before putting them away. Never clean pearls in ammonia based cleansers or put them in an ultrasonic cleaner. Store pearls carefully so that they are not scratched by other metal or gemstone jewelry.


Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists Jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

SATeam Treasuries

Here are a few of our newest treasuries for your viewing pleasure! Click on the Treasury to go to the shop that created it:



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The Starving Artists Forum features Artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists jewelry team, and many others. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Friday, May 29, 2009

SATeam Sez . . .

It's a weekend! Hooray!  
This sale is over, but check back next Friday and see what SATeam Sez!

From Friday, May 29-Sunday, May 31, the following SATeam shops are offering freebies and discounts. All you have to do is order before midnight on May 31st and type:

I SAW IT ON SATeam 5-29-09 

in the comments section. Here's a list of participating shops and the freebies and discounts that can be YOURS!!!

Two Belles & a Bead sez: a FREE pair of earrings if you buy any necklace in our shop.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Jewelry Tales sez: a FREE tutorial of your choice with purchase of the Orchids tutorial. Just put the name of the tutorial you want for free and "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!



Bonhomie Jewelry sez: 15% off any Copper Item in the shop. Refund will be sent via paypal.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Accent Yourself  sez: 15% off any sea glass purchase, including custom items.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!



Bonfire Beads sez:  You can have the focal bead on the right for FREE with purchase of the Bronze and Silver Focal on the left. Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Casual Gal sez: 10% off any Wonky Heart.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Shiny Adornments sez: Purchase any necklace from my shop (see some examples below)






and you will receive a pair of hoop earrings of my choice (similar to the ones below) FREE






Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Rambling Rose sez: buy any charm bracelet and receive a pair of coordinating earrings for FREE. Earrings will be made to order at the time of purchase.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Beads...Ready to Create Wearable Art...by~Melissa Vess sez: buy any focal or fish bead and get a set of 4 matching made to order accent beads for FREE! Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

Valentine Studio sez: Purchase $50.00 worth of any shop items and receive one earring pair of your choice for FREE!! Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section, and tell me which pair you want!

Dancing Wind Designs sez: I'll offer FREE matching earrings like these to any swag necklace you purchase.  Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" and your color preference in the comments section!

Galadryl Design sez: I'll offer a discount of 15% on every bracelet or necklace purchased. Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!

La Valley Girly sez: FREE shipping in my whole shop! I will either refund shipping or send a revised invoice, your choice. Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section!



Jewlie Beads sez: Any purchase made from my shop receives one FREE tutorial of your choice. (Three tutorial package not included in free offer.) Just put "I saw it on SATeam 5-29-09" in the comments section and tell me which tutorial you would like!

Bead Sire sez: FREE pair of custom made earrings to match any necklace purchased from my shop




Featuring artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

What's up at the Starving Artists Forum?

SATeam has a home in the Starving Artists Forum and we'd like to share it with our blog readers.  Here are a few brief descriptions, with links, to give you a taste of the scope and diversity of the Starving Artists forum.  We'd love to have you join us.

On our Home Page: Congratulations to Maureen Connor of Meant 2b Cherished, creator of Aprils Over the Rainbow challenge winning entry. Maureen's design is an excellent display of rainbow colors in both the main body of her creeation and its embellishments. The kumihimo braided necklace is enhanced by the primary rainbow crystals...definitely Over the Rainbow

Curious about the new Copper Clay? Come join SATeam member Rhonda Reagan of Prolifique as she shares her experience in the New Copper Clay, I got to play with it today! thread.

Members of the forum are always happy to help each other out; in the What's The Best Way To Take Los Off? thread, members discuss hand and machine finishing techniques for antiquing silver.

And do I hear you asking for Eye Candy?  We've got that!  Check these out:

For The Dads!!
A Fun Project
A Trip To The Beach
Busy Week
Crochet Critters
Not Just Fish.. Birds Too.., and a couple new sets and focals!!
New Justbeads Auctions!
Rose Quartz Kokopelli
Orchids
This Is 'zara'

That's just a brief taste of what's happening this week on the forum.  Every week brings new information, ideas, friendship and, of course, eye candy.  Come join us, and get to know the members of SATeam and their friends on the Starving Artists Forum.

The Starving Artists Forum features Artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists jewelry team, and many others. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Featured Artist: Kristy of ShinyAdornments

Website: http://www.shinyadornments.com/
Etsy:
http://shinyadornments.etsy.com/
Blog:
http://shinyadornments.com/wordpress
Flickr Profile:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinyadornments


ShinyAdornments is artisan handmade beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, handcrafted in Wichita, KS. Kristy uses sterling silver, gemstones, SRA lampwork, glass, and polymer clay beads to create her beautiful pieces. Her jewelry shop includes bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces and cocktail rings for both work and play.

Kristy says, "I make jewelry I would wear myself. The materials depend on my mood and inspiration. My goal is to create wearable items for work and play that offer an interesting statement about the women who wear them."

She candidly admits that she started making jewelry because she couldn’t find pieces to coordinate with her work attire. Along the way, she discovered that she really enjoys the creative outlet. Kristy admits, "I’ve come to crave coiling wire, which I’ve discovered creates an almost meditative state."  Laughingly, she adds, "I also love being able to hammer components into submission.  Creating little wearable expressions of color has become a stress reducing therapy for me."

Kristy is self taught, but has been inspired by many other jewelry artists. She believes in honing her skills to a fine point; saying, "You cannot even imagine how MUCH copper wire I have used practicing and experimenting with a shape or wrap, before trying it out in sterling."

Kristy likes jewelry that makes a statement; when she wears jewelry, she WEARS jewelry. Those who know her best would say she is definitely NOT a shrinking violet and her jewelry generally reflects that attitude. She loves color, and offers, "I like pieces that have heft and texture best. Or mix light and dark elements. Or both."

When asked what advice she would give to someone just starting, Kristy became very serious. "I wish someone would have just told me to make what I love. About 6 months in, I had an epiphany of sorts. I was making things I didn’t particularly like. Making things "to sell". Not fun for me and wasn’t filling the creative void nor was the act of creating them particularly stress reducing. I decided that going forward, I would ONLY create things that I loved. Items that I would wear if they weren’t purchased. So that’s what I do today."