Friday, December 31, 2010

Pearls - A General Overview

Last Friday I wrote about keshi pearls. The article reminded me of how complex the pearl market can be and it inspired me to break it down into bite sized pieces. This post covers the basics of natural pearls. Future posts will get into different types of pearls and various culturing processes.

What are pearls, anyway? The snarky answer is: solid evidence of an irritated oyster. The scientific answer is: layers of aragonite platelets bound together by conchiolin.



Where to start?
How about the thing that's irritating our oyster. A piece of sand gets into the oyster shell. The oyster can't spit it out or scratch so it coats the particle with something smooth - nacre.

Nacre is a combination of conchiolin and aragonite. Aragonite is the crystal form of calcium carbonate. Conchiolin is a substance similar to hair or fingernails that binds the crystals together.



Pearls grow a bit like trees - in layers. Some years produce beautiful, thick layers, some years aren't so pretty. The color, layer thickness and texture vary between oyster types and environments.



Over time, the pearl gets larger. The final diameter depends on the size of the oyster it's irritating. Shapes also vary.



And now for some cultured, probably freshwater, pearl jewelry from our fabulous artists:




Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Tutorials from the SATeam

The New Year is upon us, and what better time to try a new jewelry design? The SATeam has plenty of detailed tutorials to get you started:







 

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

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New Year resolutions

 

I don't make resolutions anymore. I started about 5 million diets on New Year, mostly with a piece of chocolate cake or some other low calorie food. I cleaned my kitchen right after I had lunch (which was prepared in my sister's kitchen which helped to make my cleaning much, much easier, almost obsolete). I did some very thorough hunts for dust bunnies, but you have to understand they look so cute with their shiny little eyes, I had to let them go.

Then I found there is something that makes me re-think my opinion about resolutions, actually some things.
I am talking about the resolution to learn new things and what could be better than learning some new techniques which the following artists already have mastered?
Wanna take a look with me?

Chainmaille - it's something that looks fascinating to me. I have no idea if I would have the patience to do it. Galadryl does, here's proof.


I am afraid of seed beads. It's absolutely fine the way I use them in my own designs, but in order to do what Gwenbeads does I would need a biiiiig resolution, patience and much, much experience. This pair of earrings is an absolute favorite of mine.

 

I have done wirewrapping, but to learn and to do it in this perfection would be resolution #3. I bow in front of Dianne Karg Baron who created this beautiful pendant.



Where will these resolutions lead me? I don't know, maybe nowhere, maybe into the realm of the dust bunnies. Hope springs eternal, though, and these resolutions are worth a bit of hope, don't you think?

By Cat's Wire

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.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Interview with the artist - Nicole Hill

By N Valentine Studio

Featured artist - Nicole Hill, Europe


Nicole's pieces always seem to say "classical elegance" to me. Her chainmaille work is very unique and has such lovely finishing touches to it. I'm drawn to copper a lot and I really like the square wire in this piece.


How long have you been working in your medium?
I've been making chainmaille jewellery for just over 2 years now.

What drew you to this medium?
Initially, a fascination with medieval history, of all things. I like the idea of using a centuries-old technique designed for use in warfare, and subverting it to create decorative, feminine items of jewellery.

What is your favorite thing about your art?
The versatility - all the different metals you can use, the different effects of the different weaves, the sense of achievement you get from creating something beautiful with your own two hands.

What's your favorite piece?
I'd been wanting to make a dragonscale bracelet in square wire for a while, but wasn't sure of the ring sizes to use - square wire rings don't work in quite the same way as round wire. Then CandTDesigns (who I buy a lot of supplies from) released information on the best ring sizes to use and I gave it a shot. I loved the resulting piece so much that I've kept it - I offer it as a custom order now, but the original is all mine!


These earrings are also a favourite, made from a tutorial by the wonderfully talented Jewlie Beads - I wore them at my wedding and am planning to offer a range of similar earrings in sterling, copper and copper/sterling mixeds, with different stones, all sorts of variations. (If there's something specific you've got in mind, do get in touch to discuss custom orders!)


What's the hardest piece you've ever made?
This bracelet is in Viperscale, a complicated weave, and if you stop in the middle of making it, it can be hard to pick it back up again. I, sadly, have the attention span of a sick goldfish, so I had real trouble making this bracelet the first time - I can't count the number of times I had to unpick the weave and start over when it had gone wrong - deeply frustrating! I recently made another version as a custom order for a customer, and was surprised by how much easier it is when you do it all in one go!


What's the one favorite tool you cannot live without?
Pliers. One of pairs of pliers broke recently and I've been limping along without them. But good pliers are crucial for maille works, otherwise you'll knacker your wrists and hands.

What is your other craft?
I write, usually fairly badly. I'm in the middle of my third novel - one of which is completed, one of which is very definitely not, and I'm aiming to get this one mostly done by the end of November, as part of NaNowWriMo.

Who or what inspires you?
Pretty much everything - the pattern in leaves and flowers, the curves of wrought iron gates. Brickwork. I get a lot of ideas for jewellery when I'm out doing other things - my husband has more or less grown used to me pulling out a notebook in the middle of the street and scribbling furiously before the idea floats away!

What's your favorite inspirational saying?
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

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.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Turquoise - December's Birthstone

The ancient Aztecs believed that turquoise was a holy stone and that mortals were not worthy of wearing it. As such, it was reserved for the worship of gods.

Double headed turquoise serpentAztecbritish museum
Double headed serpent originally from Aztec Mexico, now at the British Museum.  It is a mosaic of mostly turquoise over a carved wooden sculpture.

Turquoise is a very soft material that is blue to green to yellow green in colour. It has been mined since at least 6000 BC and used in jewelry for almost as long.

Médaillon Musée Guimet 27117
Medallion with Turquoise from Tibet, now found in the Musée Guimet in Paris

Turquoise has long been sought-after because of its beautiful blue colour. In the past, the finest material came from Persia (Iran) and was a sky blue colour. Persian turquoise is no longer mined, and today most turquoise come from the US and China.

Turquoise is the birthstone for those born in December.

Turq mcGuin bunker (retouched)
Turquoise rough and turquoise cabochons


Much of the turquoise sold today is not natural turquoise. Simulated turquoise is not new. Ancient Egyptian artisans developed faience, a copper glazed ceramic imitation, when high quality deposits of turquoise were no longer available.

Although natural turquoise does exist, this high grade material comes with a high price tag. Because turquoise is such a soft stone (5 to 6 on Moh’s scale of hardness), it is usually treated for stability.

When purchasing turquoise, one should be aware of the different treatments and imitations that exist for this stone.

• Stabilized turquoise - Real turquoise that is treated with plastic resin or waxes to make it more stable and less crumbly.

• Reconstituted turquoise – Small chips and powder of real turquoise are bound with resin and dyes. This material is much less expensive than natural turquoise.

• Block turquoise – Mixture of resins and dyes and does not contain any actual stone. Does not have the same value as natural turquoise.

• Imitation and simulated turquoise – Materials that are dyed to look like turquoise. These include stones like howlite and magnesite as well as glass, plastic and ceramic. These materials do not have the same value as natural turquoise.

• African Turquoise – This stone is not turquoise. It is jasper and should have a lower price.

Nugget of howlite, dyed to imitate turquoise

Caring for Turquoise

Turquoise is a porous material and natural and stabilized turquoise can darken with wear as it tends to absorb body oils. It should be wiped with a damp cloth after wear for cleaning.

Protect your turquoise jewelry from heat, chemicals and shock. Ultrasonic or steam cleaning should not be used and one should avoid putting on lotions or perfumes when wearing turquoise jewelry.

Rings and bracelets made from turquoise should not be for everyday wear. Keep them for occasional wear to protect the stone from the abuse that bracelets and rings often take.

Store your turquoise jewelry in a cool, dark box in a layer of acid-free tissue paper.


Fortunately, the Aztec practice of reserving turquoise for the gods is no longer observed and we can all enjoy some beautiful turquoise jewelry. 


Natural Brass Turquoise and Smokey Quartz Bracelet by Beb Designs

Bronze Square Earrings with Turquoise by Dream Some

Green Turquoise and Ruby Necklace by Elegance and Sparkles

Turquoise Button Earring Drops by Pixie's Treasure Chest

Turquoise and Sterling Silver Flower Cocktail Ring by 2 Belles and a Bead

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, December 25, 2010

12 Days of Christmas - finale!

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
10 lords a leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing, 8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying, 5 Golden Rings, 4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

Feathered Gems' Jewelry





On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing, 8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying, 5 Golden Rings, 4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
 
TJR Jewellery




On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...
12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing, 8 Maids a Milking, 7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying, 5 Golden Rings, 4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

Colla 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

Friday, December 24, 2010

Keshi Pearls

Keshi pearls are an accidental procuct of the pearl culturing process. Sometimes an oyster rejects the implanted nucleus and a pearl. of sorts, forms anyway. Even though they are comprised entirely of nacre they cannot bear the designation of natural because they are a byproduct of the culturing process.

Typical culturing takes about a year or two, so keshis are often very small because they lack a nucleus. This also means their shapes vary widely. Keshis can occur both in salt and freshwater oysters and come in a wide variety of colors.



I have noticed, lately, the term Keshi applied as a shape description to many pearls. Keshi is a very specific type of cultured pearl, not a shape. The mis-use of the term has made it nearly impossible for me to find pictures of these little beauties to show you.

Since I don't see any of our talented team members usung keshi pearls, I leave you with a selection of beautiful cultured pearl creations:

From jeweledblossoms:



From twochickstoo:



From bonhomiejewelry:




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

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Little Christmas eve

Well since Christmas is nearing, I thought I'd tell you all a little bit about how we celebrate the Holiday here in Denmark. In Denmark we call today "Little Christmas eve", because our celebrations are held on the eve of December 24th. We don't have to wait for Santa till Christmas morning, we get our presents before we go to bed on the 24th. Most people spend today, making the last preparations for Christmas, maybe doing some baking or decorating the Christmas tree. 

Christmas tree from my parents house

Here in Denmark we have lots of pine cone trees, so our Christmas trees are natural trees. Most of us will be eating rice pudding tonight, because it is used in our traditional Christmas dessert "Ris a'la mande". We play a game of hiding an almond in the dessert, and the one who gets it, will receive a present. I could probably tell you lot's more, but I'd like to get back to the celebrations. So to end this post, I will give you a few holiday inspired pieces from our talented SAteam members.







I wish you all a happy "small Christmas eve" - Danagonia

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.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Supplies from the SATeam

Check out these recent SATeam listings for lampwork beads, tutorials, and jewelry components! Click on the links below the images to learn more about the items. 








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


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's time to panic. Or isn't it?



I know it's too late now. I should have started earlier, but noooo ... it's still so far away, right? Well, I'll tell you a secret, guys. It's not. It's just around the corner. The chocolate Santa Claus on my desk should have warned me, but since they started throwing out those in late August (not that I myself would buy them then), my time feeling is all messed up.

Now what?
I could panic. I am great at panicking. I roll my eyes, whimper, yell at innocent furniture - like my desk - and at chocolate figures. Guess what? I bit his head off. Now that'll teach him.
Not that it helps me a lot.
The solution? Gift certificates. Embarrassing, true. However sometimes it's the way to go and if you choose gift certificates to the right places, I'm sure you'll easily be forgiven.

How lucky that SATeam shops offer gift certificates.
So your loved one could for example choose these beautiful earrings from RioRita's shop.



Or this simple, but stunning wire bangle that Dianne Karg Baron is offering in her shop maybe?


Maybe you think this could be the desired item - Bubbles on a Wire by Twining Vine Design.


Oh, and by the way, if you feel like giving me something, I'd be more than happy with a gift certificate ;-) Maybe for bribing me to stop my rambling ...

By Cat's Wire

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.