Supplies

Check out these recent SATeam listings for lampwork beads, jewelry components and tutorials! Click on any picture to learn more about the item.

The SATeam blog features 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

In the air, on the ground, in the water

They are there, they always have been as long as mankind can remember.
We loathe the harmful ones and we admire the ones we find cute or pretty. Some we try to keep out of our houses, with others we decorate the houses or even adorn ourselves as you will see.
We use sprays on them and old house remedies or we carry them outside carefully as to not hurt their fragile beauty.
We go ewww or aaaah, depending on which ones cross our way.

Do you know what I'm talking about? Insects.

Picture by Fritz Geller-Grimm

Maybe I am a little strange. To me there are no ugly animals. Granted, I wouldn't be happy about cockroaches in my house (and now I apologize if somebody thinks this is not a subject for a jewelry blog), but I still think they are fascinating. At a dragonfly or a butterfly I could stare forever, yes, I have been known to follow them to be able and watch them as long as possible.

Nature is very creative. Who else would have thought of making millions of little critters with a three-part body, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and two antennae? We are talking between six and ten million species existing at this moment.
Who but Nature would have thought of taking a caterpillar and changing it into a beautiful butterfly like these ones by For You Designs?


Dragonflies are beautiful as well, but also dangerous. You didn't know? I learned about it from Snoopy who told Woodstock that dragonflies sew sleeping people's lips together. Actually dragonflies were and in some areas still seem to be called "Devil's darning needle". As Luzie tells Snoopy and Woodstock, though, they can't really do that, and they don't sting, either.
That means that you can wear this pretty necklace by The Family Jewels without a worry.


Last but not least I want to show you a piece I admire in particular. It's a praying mantis by Catherinette Rings. I love how the artist captured the way a mantis poses!
I'm also in love with his spiders, but I couldn't feature one of them as spiders are no insects.

Now I just hope I didn't creep you out too much. Why don't you give a bug a chance the next time you see one? Get a little closer and take a look at the fine details of the antennae, the colors, the body. Maybe it will inspire you.

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.

Eye Candy: Focus on Gold

Gold is precious, beautiful, and wonderful to wear. Not all of the members of SATeam work with gold, but here are a few pieces from those who do. Click on any image to learn more about the piece:






















The SATeam blog features 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.

Beautiful Blues

Blue is the colour of the lake on a beautiful day. It's the colour of the clear sky. It's soothing and restful.

Blue is my favorite colour, always has been. My wardrobe has been dominated by the colour since I was a young child. Even my high school uniform was blue. With so much blue clothes comes a lot of blue jewelry.

What is your favorite colour? Do you have a disproportionate amount of jewelry in that colour too?

Today I offer you a selection of blue jewelry from the members of the Starving Artists team.















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.

Quote Me - Emma Goldman

I'd rather have roses on my table, than diamonds on my neck.

~Emma Goldman

Rose - Sterling Silver and Carnelian Necklace by LA Valley Girl

Beauty to share... roses on your table.

While diamonds may light up a woman's eyes, roses on your table warms your heart and home.

Yellow Rose Bobby Pins by Alatvian

I don't get roses from the hubby very often any more. Thankfully there are several rose bushes in my back garden, so that when they are in bloom I can go and pick my own.

I love to have them on my kitchen table. It is the centre of our house - meals, homework, morning coffees, catching up with friends - a place where my family shares their day, their worries, their joy.

That table is the heart of our house.

Real Rosebud Earrings by MC Stoneworks

So, where is the heart of your house?

And do you get roses anymore?

...or would you prefer diamonds?

Featuring handmade items from SATeam - the Starving Artist Etsy Team.

Be sure and pop by the team Etsy shop - SATeam Etsy - to see other wonderful creations from this talented team.

See all our team members here - SATeam members.

SATeam Sez . . .

It's FRIDAY!

SATeam would like to welcome our newest members, and show you what these marvelously talented people can do. Click on any photo to learn more about the item:

RioRita

Katalina Jewelry

Alegria Designs

madame magpie's shiny things

Ca'Lucia Creations

Alatvian

Twining Vine Designs

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.

Supplies

Check out these recent SATeam listings for lampwork beads, jewelry components and tutorials! Click on any picture to learn more about the item.

The SATeam blog features 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

Just so

Since I was a child, one of my very, very favorites was the book "Just so stories" by Rudyard Kipling.


I read it countless times (and still do) and when I moved out, I took the book with me. It wasn't mine, it belonged to my brother, but I had the feeling as I was the one using it most, right was on my side. Of course I could have bought a new one, but it wouldn't have been the same. My brother didn't mind, though. Maybe because I never told him?
One special appeal for me was and is the style the stories are written in. Some people might recognize now that I sometimes imitate it without even noticing, but only if the right "some people"read this post. And moreover the stories just made sense to me! Don't tell me you never wondered how armadillos developed or how the elephant got his long trunk! No, seriously, even if you never did, don't tell me ;-)

But maybe you never read these stories or had them read to you?
How about some little teasers then?

"How the Camel Got His Hump" tells us about the time the camel didn't have a hump yet. When the world was still new, he lived in the desert, wouldn't work and when anybody tried to talk to him, all he said was "Humph". When the Djinn responsible for the deserts came along, the others complained to him about the camel that hadn't worked for three days. So he tried to talk him to back to his senses and really, who would want to mess with a Djinn? But the camel was very stubborn and that was why he finally got "humphed" by the Djinn. Of course we call it a hump today to not hurt the camel's feelings. Thanks to the hump the camel could work for three days without eating because it missed the first three days.
I wonder if this camel by Wirestorm Creations is "the one"?


I bet you also don't know "How the Leopard Got His Spots". In the beginning of time the leopard was plain sandy-yellow-brownish like all other animals and used to hunt with his friend, the Ethiopian. But after a while all the game went away to avoid being hunted and they went to the woods and step by step changed color. The leopard and his friend asked the baboon, the wisest animal around, for help and he advised them to go into other spots and change.
After finding the game and seeing their new unfamiliar patterns, the leopard and his friend decided to change as well. The Ethiopian changed into a dark skin and with the rest of the color on his fingertips he printed lots of little spots on the leopard's fur.
I doubt that that's the way The FamiLee Jewels did it with their copper cuff, but everyone has their own way.


Last but not least I'll give my very, very, very favorite story "The Cat That Walked By Himself". Not surprised? I didn't think so.
A long time ago the animals were still wild, but after a while they joined the wild man and his woman, the horse, the dog, the cow, all of them except the cat who didn't want to give up his wild ways, but would have liked to take advantage of the good things in the cave, a fire to sleep next to and milk to drink. Because he was a very smart cat, he could trick the woman into a bargain. The deal he made was not with the wild man and the dog, though, so these still go after a cat today if they see one.
And the cat keeps his part of the bargain, he will kill mice and be kind to babies. But when he has done that, he is the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to him.
Beadles and Stones has a cat in her shop that fits that description perfectly.


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.

Eye Candy: Focus on Abalone

Many people believe that gemstones have metaphysical, healing and even magical properties. Whether or not you actually believe in these properties of gemstones, a little extra help just might be what you want some days. Click on any photo to learn how you can add abalone to your collection:

Abalone is a type of shell fish, not unlike mussels or clams. It is said to be especially useful for handling and calming emotional situations, and it is supposed be very soothing to the emotions. If you are going through a difficult time, you might find it helpful to wear abalone; looking at the beautiful shimmering colors just might calm your mind and refresh your spirit.

Having abalone nearby is said to increase cooperation among people who hold opposing views. If you are having problems with co-workers or family, wearing abalone might just make it easier to resolve them and find a mutually beneficial solution. Abalone makes an excellent Mother's Day gift; especially from a teenage daughter.

Abalone is thought to increase intuition and stimulate the imagination. Artists may find that wearing abalone helps them find their muse and get past creative blocks.

According to folklore, wearing abalone is helpful for arthritis and other joint disorders. It is also supposed to ease muscle pain, strengthen the heart, and aid in digestion.

The SATeam blog features 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.