Color Report: Phlox

Today in our continuing series on Pantone's top 10 colors for Fall 2011, we look at Phlox. Like its flowery namesake, this rich shade of purple contains a great deal of magenta, tipping it close to the warm side of the color wheel. It's noticeably warmer than the deep purples of the amethyst gemstones, but both amethyst and purple glass will complement phlox-hued fashion accessories for a fun purple-splashed outfit. 

Textile Cuff Bracelets Pair XVII Black Purple Cranberry Nuno Wet Felt with Merino Wool Silk and Metal Snaps by gwenbeads

Preserved Rose Necklace/Sterling Silver - Natural, Purple by mcstoneworks

VIOLET DREAM PHLOX Shoulder Bag by ikabags

Sterling Silver and Amethyst Wire Wrapped Bracelet by TheFamiLeeJewels

Nuno Felt Scarf Fall Preview Design by eneefabricdesign (Check out Nancy's blog on nuno felting tips and tricks, with tons of Pantone colors!)

Handcrafted Deep Purple and Peach Crystal Beaded Earrings by beadorigami

Silk Origami Butterfly Brooch Broach Corsage Vibrant Plum and Purple Mauve by SewSmashing

Wire Wrapped Purple Mohave Turquoise Pendant by AvaDesigns

All jewelry items featured above were created by members of the Starving Jewelry Artists 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.

Jump

“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along.”

Hugh Allen

July Blog Carnival - Names

It's blog carnival time again here with the Starving Artists Team.  This month, team members were asked if they name their pieces.  To find out their responses, please follow the links below to the blogs of participating team members.

Bead Sophisticate

Galadryl Designs

BeadSire

Island Girl

Honoring...Carol Ladine Lagoski

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of one of our longtime SJA forum members...Carol Ladine Lagoski. Carol passed away in her sleep on July 10, 2011... just weeks after celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary on June 3, 2011.

Carol1350, as she was known on our forum, was an inspiration to many both on SJA and other places online that I have been connected to her. Always offering genuine encouragement and loyal support to fellow jewelry artists and forum members...we will miss her.

In Carol's memory is a small representation of her lovely creations.

Rest in peace, sweet lady!

Sorry

I really am, but I just don't have time to write this blog post. The other day I read in a book the phrase "crazy as a bunch of neutered snakes". First it made me wonder if snakes are really ever neutered and it was hard to not take the time to google it (as mentioned already, I just don't have the time). Second it sounds much like the grade of craziness that I am going through at the moment. I decided to go through all of my pictures, edit them or retake them if necessary and I haven't come too far.
So I also decided to bring in a very savvy guest writer for today. Please give Ms. Classic Slouchy a warm welcome. Classic is from the Slouchy family - yeah, yeah, you already guessed that - an alien race who lives in the wardrobe of Cortney from Cleody Skye Creations and she - I quote - "likes to sit around and drink tea with the other fashionable Slouchies. She's also a fan of modeling pretty accessories. She has been known to steal the little jewels out of my craft supply box. I can't blame her. They are cute on her."
Well, I guess it's back to my pictures for me. Have fun, you guys, and don't do what I wouldn't do!

Hi, I'm Classic and I'm your guide to the wonderful world of jewelry today. As you can see, I'm a real fashionista. I had so much fun going through your shops to pick a few of my favorite items. Just a few because, oh, there were so many!

I'll start with this mind-boggling piece by Galadryl Design. Beautiful lampwork beads combined with silver, who could resist that combination? I love the wild animal print, too.

I'll stay with the lampwork for my next favorite. As you can see I like color and this beautiful bead by Bead Up A Storm is pure color. I have to be careful none of the other Slouchies will steal it because s/he thinks it's yummy candy. I'm very tempted to lick it myself, but of course I'm a lady, so don't tell anyone I said this.

My name wouldn't be Classic if I didn't choose one very classic and timeless creation. I adore tourmaline and I can see these earrings by Marie Cristine dangle from my ears now, ehm, even if you don't see them ... the ears. The perfect design to go with my beautiful bow, right?

You can see I like all kind of jewelry. I wish I could show you more, but the lady who brought me here, is looking at her watch. I think she's afraid I won't be able to stop talking ;-) Maybe we'll meet in one of the shops and then have a cup of tea together, who knows?

By Cat's Wire and Classic Slouchy

All jewelry items featured above were created by members of the Starving Jewelry Artists 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.

Summer is Here!

My summer holidays start this week and it feels pretty good. I love summer! It’s sunny, it’s warm and most people are in a good mood. People are travelling, visiting friends and family and having a good time.

Summer is the time for outdoor concerts, festivals and picnics in the park. It’s a casual, relaxed season. It’s the time to wear shorts and sandals and pretty little sundresses.

As I won’t need to dress for the office during my time off, my choice of accessories will be different. Pieces with a casual, laid back vibe will be preferred. What do you look for in summertime jewelry?

How about these fabulous bangles? With all the short sleeves and tanks being worn this season, I think an arm full of these would be great.

Hammered Bronze Copper Bangles by Galadryl Designs

As sandals are the footwear of the season, it’s a perfect time to wear a toe ring. Feet need accessories too.

Oxidized Sterling Silver Curl Toe Ring by Shiny Adornments

I’ve found the perfect pendant for a day at the beach. Myrtle the Turtle would be the perfect companion.

Sea Turtle Necklace by Popnicute

I love bright, happy colours and these mint green earrings are fun, casual and cheerful. Perfect for summer, I think.

Mint Green Teardrop Earrings by MC Stoneworks

The perfect little sundress needs a nice, summery necklace. This daisy necklace could be the right one for the job.

Daisy Handpainted Necklace by Jewelry Art by Dawn

I apologize to those of you living in the southern hemisphere. I’m so happy that summer is finally here that I can’t even bear to think about winter. I’m sending warm, sunny thoughts your way.

 

All jewelry items featured above were created by members of the Starving Jewelry Artists 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: Cuts through the Ages - Old Mine Cut

The next metamorphosis in diamond cutting proved even more brilliant than the last. By tripling the number of facets, diamond cutters released more brilliance and fire from the depths of their diamonds than ever before. It also preserved a good deal of the weight of the original crystal.



The girdle profile still mimics the squared shape of the crystals these were fashioned from. You can see, also, the form of the single-cut before it was embellished with extra facets. In the diagram below, I have colored the new facets pink.



The proportions are different, but this cut possesses all of the facets of the modern round brilliant as shown in this diagram:



The Old Mine cut is deep with a small table and often squarish in shape. The depth allows light to leak out of the gem, so they are less bright than modern stones. The facet arrangement and small table, however, encourages a good deal of dispersion which is the breaking up of light into spectral colors. You might call this fire.

A couple more things worth noting about antique diamonds: because these were fashioned from well formed octahedrons, the clarity is often quite good. The Old Mine is also the precursor to modern cushion cuts.



For your Drooling Pleasure

SJA does not endorse the Three Graces website in any way, they just happen to have a lovely collection of fascinating specimens. You may click on the images to visit their website for more information on these antique jewels.

Edwardian earrings set with blue moonstone and old mine cut diamonds:



Edwardian pendant set with old mine and old European cut diamonds and a pearl:



A very unusual piece - portrait diamond surrounded by old mine cut diamonds and emeralds:



Next time we meet: Old European Cut

Color Report: Emberglow

Continuing our series of the more summery colors of Pantone's top 10 colors for Fall 2011, today we look at emberglow, a warm, but not overly loud shade of orange. Perfect for the fall, this color speaks of changing leaves, rich sunsets, and tasty tangerines...

SALSA Cubic Zirconia and Sterling Silver Earrings by WickwireJewelry

Diamond Ivy Times Echo Top in Vivid Sunset by dyedianadye

Lampwork Button - Lazy Days by NicoleValentineStudio

Real Rosebud Bird Earrings - Peach, Natural Preserved by mcstoneworks

Pressed Penny Carousel Horse Necklace by TheFamiLeeJewels

Mini Ruche Bag in Emberglow Leather by jennyndesign

Australian Solid Opal & Mexican Fire Opal Pendant by TJRJewellery

All jewelry items featured above were created by members of the Starving Jewelry Artists 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.

Explore

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain [Samuel Clemens]

June Challenge: Designing with Pearls

The Starving Jewelry Artists Monthly Team Challenge is a way of encouraging one another to grow as artists by stimulating our minds and our creativity to move in a new direction.

There is no voting.

There are no prizes.

There is fun, the joy of creating, and the pleasure of seeing how other jewelry artists interpret the theme.

June's traditional birthstone is the pearl. Pearls don't just come in ladylike strands anymore. They are sold in countless shapes and in every color of the rainbow. Is your style demure and understated or wild and bold? June's challenge was to show us what you can do with the gift of the oyster and mussel.

Pearls in a multi-strand bracelet by Galadryl.

Sylvia finished first with a beautiful multi-strand bracelet that combined soft gleaming pearls and sterling silver. There are some crystals in there for the perfect dose of bling.

Cat's use of texture makes this a stunning piece.

Cat gave us a feast for the eyes with a seven strand fine silver wire crochet (chain stitch) necklace with dark beads, lava stone in two shapes, peacock freshwater pearls, and hematite in different sizes and shapes. 

Pearls are a perfect wedding adornment in these earrings by Beadsire.

Caron provided us a glimpse of these elegant pearl earrings made for a wedding party in England. Don't they make you wish you could see the pictures of the ceremony?

Bonnie added pearls to a vintage rhinestone shoe clip for this bracelet.

My contribution from The FamiLee Jewels mixed vintage rhinestone jewelry with the softness of freshwater pearls in a seamless combination of old and new.

Beaded bead earrings by Island Girl

Lynne made beaded beads using pearls. She suspended them from delicate ear wires with fine silver chain for a feminine fashion statement.

As you can see from our accomplishments artists love a challenge. Won't you consider joining us in July's Fly me to the Moon Challenge?

Getting out the last ones ....

I know, it's not the 4th anymore, but if you think we already shot up all of our fireworks, you are wrong. I figured you'd like a little personal after-celebration firework, so I saved up some of the best colors for you. Take a seat and enjoy all the lovely bright colors in the night sky!

Red! Neat!

Lampwork button bead by Nicole Valentine Studio

Blue! Aaaaaah!

Amazonite dangle earrings by Shiny Adornments

Golden! Wow!!

Autumn amber lampwork earrings by Erika Price Designs

Green! Beautiful!

Lampwork tree bead by Fireballbeeds by Islandgirl

Orange! Amazing!

Real rose necklace by MC Stoneworks

Purple! Oooooh!

Amethyst stack ring by Madame Magpie's Shiny Things

Oops, we didn't wake up the neighbors with our yelling, did we? Oh, and the smoke of our fireworks ... cough, cough ... hm, what do you say, how about a cool drink for everyone now? As an uncle of mine used to say: "We'll never come together that young again."
I hope you enjoyed our little party, even if we were a day late ;-)

By Cat's Wire

All jewelry items featured above were created by members of the Starving Jewelry Artists 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.

July 4th!!!

Happy July 4th!!!