Geometry

I was pretty lousy in geometry. Actually I'm not a math hero at all. There is this embarrassing story ... 8th grade ... nope, it better stays untold. Just let me say that most of my math teachers were lovely men and it was not their fault that my interest was way below zero. Now if the Count von Count had been my math teacher - who knows? I'm sure however even the Count wouldn't have been able to teach me more than the very basic of geometry.

When I stumbled upon this beautiful quilted wall hanging by Evening in the Garden I thought that being so clueless is a real pity, but then again I'm lousy at sewing, too ...

A while ago while changing channels I ended up in an educational programme for kids, though. Wanna know what I've learned?

The circle is a simple closed curve. Not at all simple is this circle with content aka the beautiful Kaleidoscope pendant by Dianne Karg Baron.

The triangle is a polygon with three corners and three sides. MC Stoneworks doesn't stop at the triangle with these earrings, she also includes spirals. Spirals are curves which emanate from a central point, getting progressively farther away as they revolves around the point. Ok, I guess I'm not allowed to call them swirly thingies then. That's still not all, though. There are cubes, too. Or should I say three-dimensional solid objects bounded by six square sides?

When trying to explain basic geometry with team members' items, I can't leave out Bead Origami and Gwenbeads.
While Bead Origami brings you this beautiful octahedron - a beaded pendant ......

... Gwenbeads uses words like icosahedron and dodecahedron and makes it look so good! See for yourself. Hm, maybe she could teach me.

P.S. Ok, it's true that I was never brilliant at math, but I have to admit that I exaggerated about the shapes a bit. Actually I was very good in the early stages of set theory in elementary school. We had the little shapes in all colors and with different textures and it was fun. So call it artistic freedom and don't sue me. Thank you ;-)

By Cat's Wire

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

Don't waste life

“Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

May Blog Carnival

It's that time again...  It's the SATeam blog carnival!  Each month the members of the Starving Artists team pick one topic that all participants write about on their blog on the same day. 

This month, participants tell you about their current obsession...  To find out what our members are obsessing about, follow the links below to their personal blogs.


Galadryl Design

AM Designs by Angela

Jewelry Art by Dawn

Bead Sophisticate

Studio DTQ


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

A Story of Diamonds: The Inside Scoop

Carbon crystallizes in two forms: diamond and graphite. How can these very unlike things both be crystalline carbon? It's the way the atoms are arranged. In a diamond, each carbon atom is linked to four more creating a very strong crystal. The carbon in graphite link together and form sheets which is why graphite is so slippery.



Diamond forms in the cubic crystal system which manifests in a number of growth forms. The following rendering shows the typical arrangement of carbon in a diamond crystal. Each cube represents the basic carbon structure pictured above.



Octahedron: The most common form the diamond crystal assumes. This mimics the rendering above. Generally suitable for finishing.



Dodecahedron: Similar to the octahedron, but without the points. Look at the rendering and remove the corners. Also generally suitable for finishing.



Cube: Again, look at the rendering and you will see that if you clip off the points more severely than the dodecahedron, you are left with a cube. The vast majority of these are put to industrial use.



Sometimes a crystal gets turned around, so to speak, while forming. Have a look at that diamond octohedron above. Slice it in half along a diagonal and twist it 180 degrees. You now have a macle. Many of these wind up finished in triangular shapes.



Growth conditions can cause uneven crystal face development. Large diamond crystals are often strange shapes, like this 507 carat rough crystal:



It sold at auction in 2010 for $35 million.

Color Report: Lavender

Today in our color report we look at Lavender, one of Pantone's top 10 colors for Spring 2011. As the definition of a light, whimsical purple, the lavender hue isn't just for its flower namesake. Our talented SATeam members have created many items in this color. Click on the links below the pictures to learn more about the item: 

White and Lavender Mother of Pearl Necklace and Earring Set by EleganceAndSparkles

Dancing Fan Earrings -- Shaded Purple CZ Cubic Zirconia and Silver by gwenbeads

Amethyst and Apatite Teardrop Sterling Silver Earrings by WickwireJewelry

Handcrafted Lavender, Blue, and Green Beaded Pendant by beadorigami

Lavender Trumpet Flower/Brass Earrings by mcstoneworks

Handmade Amethyst & Purple Lampwork Earrings - Happy Lilac by ShinyAdornments

Blues Lover - handmade lampwork set of 11 beads by beadupastorm

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

The man

If you know Monty Python, imagine this to be said in the tone as "The Larch", if you don't, just ignore this. Thank you. And now on to something completely different.

Men and jewelry - not something we find on this blog too often. Such a pity. One would think that there are no jewelry choices for men which is not at all the case. Dim the light please and I'll show you my latest research on the subject. Today we'll concentrate on these five major areas. We'll start at the ear and work our way down.

The ear.
We'll start with an all-time classic, the single stud earring. Made from recycled silver by Azoho they have an organic look. Just the right little touch for a man's ear.

The neck.
If you expect a simple gold or silver chain now, you guessed wrong. I found something much better, a pressed penny. The FamiLee Jewels have this great line of jewelry featured a pressed penny which is finished off in fabulous copper wirework, like this necklace with the carousel horse.

The chest. Kind of.
In the early days knights wore chainmaille armors. Tone that down a bit and combine it with the modern man's armor, the business suit. How about this tie chain in the beautiful Jens Pind weave, made by Elegance and Sparkles? No holes in your tie and a really classy look, too.

The wrist.
Copper and boy scouts - how do they go together? Well, I happened to find out that the scouts wear a Turk's head knot as a woggle, the Turk's head knot being a decorative knot forming a closed loop with a variable number of interwoven strands.
A knot of that kind has been used in this cool bangle by Tasha Chawner. A nice pair of jeans, a t-shirt, this bangle - perfect!

The finger.
Now this is a kind of design you might be familiar with. It's timeless, classic and just plain beautiful. The silver ring with the lapislazuli inlay is perfect for a man, just as silver and blue always is a perfect combination. It can be found at TJR Jewellery.

Ok, turn the light back on. I hope you enjoyed our little educational movie. Stay tuned for more.

By Cat's Wire

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

Favorite Tool - Canon MX700 printer

I use my printer a lot! I am often printing up images for my pierced pieces, tutorials, inspirational sayings to hang in the studio. I got the Canon MX700 about two years ago and I really do like it. It scans and faxes as well, so it's really the only machine I need office wise. It's pretty easy to use, and has wonderful image quality.

Types of Bracelets

Last week we discussed how to find a bracelet that will fit. This week, we will explore the different types of bracelets.


A bangle is one solid closed piece.  It is usually round.  It is often thin and made of metal, although other materials, like glass, are possible. Bangles are often worn in multiples and make an attractive soft clinking sound when the wearer moves her arm. Unlike the sizing method we discussed last week, the diameter of the wearer’s fist is the critical measurement when choosing a bangle as the bangle must be able to slip on over the hand.

Copper Bangle Bracelet by Nicole Valentine Studio

A true cuff bracelet is semi-rigid and has an opening on one side that allows the wearer to slip her wrist through it. Cuff bracelets are often fairly wide and are frequently made of metal, although other materials are possible. A cuff bracelet is usually worn more tightly on the wrist that other types of bracelets.

Bronze Textured Cuff by Galadryl Design

Charm bracelets are popular because they can often be added to over time. Charms are added to a central chain and can reflect a theme, important events in a person’s life or be an eclectic collection of items. A charm bracelet could make a fabulous gift for a collector – it’s a fabulous way to see and show off one’s collection.

Fluttery Dreams Sterling Charm Bracelet by Studio DTQ

Mail is the ancient art of linking small rings to form a solid, almost impenetrable mesh surface. Maille was used as armour starting around 300 BC. Mail has been modified into chain form and is often made into bracelets. Chain mail patterns vary, as do the metals used to make it. Chain mail bracelets are great choices for men or women.

Copper Box Weave Chain Maille Bracelet by Elegance and Sparkles

Sterling and Gold Half Persion Chain Maille Bracelet by Erika Price

Some bracelets are made up of a series of metal links. The links can be the same or varied throughout the bracelet. The length of a link bracelet can often be adjusted by the maker, making it a great choice for a person with a larger or smaller than average wrist.

Copper Silver Brass Bracelet by AM Designs by Angela

Beaded bracelets are perhaps the most familiar. Beads can be strung, they can be a series of wired links or they can be joined in some other way. Beaded bracelets can be one strand or multiple strands. They are available in a wide variety of colours, materials and styles.

Turquoise Magnesite, Shell Pearl and Sterling Silver Bracelet by Wickwire Jewelry

There are, of course, many bracelets that don't fit into any of these categories, but that are equally wonderful to wear.


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

A Story of Diamonds: Made by Man - The HPHT Process

Natural diamonds aren't always the best choice for scientific and industrial applications, so scientists developed several ways to grow them under controlled conditions. One method uses a High Pressure High Temperature press.



This process duplicates the high temperatures and pressures needed for a diamond crystal to form. Above is a basic diagram of the BELT type hydraulic press. Other types of presses exist, as well, but this is one of the most prevalent models in use for diamond production.

A diamond seed is placed at the bottom of the press. Then, a tubular, graphite heater generates temperatures above 1400°C and melts the solvent metal, usually nickel or iron. The molten metal dissolves the high purity carbon source, which is then transported to the diamond seed where it forms a diamond crystal. The addition or subtraction of certain trace elements produces different colors. A diamond crystal of about a carat in size can be produced in as few as three days.



Nitrogen causes yellow, the elimination of nitrogen produces a colorless crystal, and adding boron makes blue. Other colors are possibe, too. Fancy yellows are the easiest, as nitrogen is plentiful in the atmosphere and it can be very difficult to eliminate it from the process.



Rather than spending their efforts on producing colorless crystals for the jewelry industry, most producers focus on reproducing the fancy colors. Fancy colors are much more rare in nature than the colorless and near colorless varieties. A blue, yellow, or pink synthetic diamond is well within the reach of the average consumer, as opposed to their natural counterparts.

Synthetic diamonds can display some very interesting fluorescent colors and patterns under short wave UV. Natural colorless diamonds usually exhibit an even, white or blue when they do fluoresce.

Here is an example of a synthetic diamond fluorescing green:



This one shows off the growth pattern of the crystal:



Advances have been made to minimize characteristic fluorescent patterns in synthetics co that they more closely mimic their natural counterparts.

Synthetic diamonds of high quality are used in electronics for their excellent heat transferring abilities. The processor in your computer may use one as part of its heat sink. I have also seen diamond slices used as scalpel blades.

Earrings...What's Your Favorite Style

Whether your ears are pierced or not earrings are a favorite jewelry accessory. However, not all styles are favored by everyone, some favor dangles, some hoops and others inconspicuous studs. So why don't we just examine some of the earrings style options available and try to decided which style works best for each of us. Using these examples designed and created by our SATeam members what style is your preference?

Studs: Generally, small single stone set on a post that sits centered on and close to the ear lobe.

By Dianne Karg Baron

Buttons/Disks: Similar to studs, but greater in proportion. These are also worn close to the lobe.

By Azoho 

Drops: Bead(s) or other small decorative charm which hangs from an ear wire (pierced or screw-on). The drop part is usually a single component that doesn't hang too far from the lobe.

By Wickwire Jewelry

Dangles: Another style that is an extension of another, this time extended drops. Dangles can be single or multiple connected beads, larger and/or longer charms or other decorative component(s) that hang from the lobe more than just a little. I would consider anything that drops more than 3/4" from the lobe a dangle. Chandeliers would be considered a more complex and elaborate dangle variation.

By Galadryl

By Northern Girl

Hoops: Hoops come in many sizes and also a variety of shapes, not just circular. Hoops are very popular, but the size of the hoops are definitely a personal preference as they may range from as small as 1/2" to 3" or more.

By Shiny Adornments

By TheFamiLeeJewels

This certainly doesn't exhaust the style options but is a good representation of the variety available. I don't think I can settle on a single style preference...I love wearing earrings. Depending on my mood I would wear any of these styles from the demure bead studs to the fun and funky zipper hoops. What about you?

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

Color Report: Blue Curacao

Today in our color report we look at Blue Curacao, one of Pantone's top 10 colors for Spring 2011. This light blue-green hue is as refreshing as its namesake. Our talented SATeam members have created many items in this color. Click on the links below the pictures to learn more about the item:  

Lampwork Focal Bead Pendant - Ankara by NicoleValentineStudio

Handmade sky blue lampwork earrings - Blue Curacao by ShinyAdornments

Real Rose Petal Necklace - Pearl/Turquoise/Sterling Silver by mcstoneworks

Aqua Teardrops Sterling Silver Earrings - Japan Relief by ErikaPrice

Sterling Silver Aqua Quartz, Apatite, Amethyst, Mesh Bead Pendant by WickwireJewelry

Hand Painted Steelhead Trout Pendant With Azurite Malachite by JewelryArtByDawn

My Heart is Still Blue (1 bead) by islandgirl

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