Friday, July 31, 2009

SATeam Sez . . .

It's FRIDAY!

SATeam sez: the SATeam Summer Sizzler Sale is Here .... SSSH!!!! Don't tell anyone, get all the bargains yourself! Only kidding. The SSSH sale will be held from Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd, so start saving those pennies for some fabulous deals! Here's a quick look at what you can get; start making your shopping lists NOW!

The Family Jewels sez: free shipping, and a10% discount shop wide.

la valley girly sez: free shipping for any purchase over $20 before shipping.

The Blue Dress sez: free shipping, a gift with every purchase, and 10% off too!

Bead Sire sez: free shipping! See the shop for more details.

The FamiLee Jewels sez: free shipping, and a 10% discount, shop wide!

Milena's Supply Shop sez: Free shipping on orders totaling $25 or more (before shipping).

Two Belles and a Bead sez: stayed tuned for our fabulous deal! We're not telling...YET!!!

MC Stoneworks sez: free shipping!

Mary's Garden sez: free shipping on all orders of $20 or more as well as 10% off everything; see the shop for details on payment.

Rambling Rose Designs sez: free shipping on all orders of $20 or more as well as 10% off everything; see the shops for details on payment.

Bejeweled's Jewelry sez: a free item with every purchase!

Shiny Adornments sez: free shipping!

BEB Designs sez: Stay tuned for our fabulous offer!

Galadryl Designs sez: free shipping worldwide on orders over $40 and also a bonus 15% discount on top of any item bought!

Casual Gal sez: get 10% of any item!

RocknWow sez: free shipping and further discounts! Check out the shop for more info.

The FamiLee Jewels sez: free shipping on all items and a free gift for those who spend over $25.00!

Bead Origami sez: details coming soon...

For You Designs sez: free shipping, store wide!

Pixie's Treasure Chest sez: free shipping on orders over $10, and 15% off everything, including sale items!

Aeris Designs sez: free international shipping - check out our shop for details!

Fireball Beeds by Island Girl sez: buy one and get one of lesser value free.

Dancing Wind Designs has two great offers. Free earrings with the swag necklaces and free shipping with orders over $30.00

Elegance and Sparkles is offering free shipping on all orders $20 or more and 10% off everything!

Jewlie Beads has free shipping anywhere on all purchases $20.00 and over

Jenni Leigh Creations says there is 20% off everything, and we will donate 10% of all sales to Breast Cancer Awareness

N Valentine Studio is offering 25% off any order over $100.00

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, July 30, 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.

The Starving Artist's forum has a whole new look!  The powers that be have been slaving feverishly behind the scenes, and they have done wonders. So this week, we'll play tour guide, give you the big picture, and help you get your bearings.

  • Introductions: if you haven't already introduced yourself here, now would be a good time!

  • Questions about the Forum: bookmark this one! It's the place to go when you don't know how to do what you want to do.

  • Show and Tell: Eye candy, pure and unadulterated.

  • Bead With Me: General jewelry talk, bead stringing, types of stones, materials and more.

  • Business Ideas: Business ideas, search engine optimization, blogging, photo advice...ideas for marketing your work and all that stuff we like to put off!

  • Help, how do I?: Need help with a particular technique or have you scoured the internet looking for a tutorial with no luck? Use this forum to ask for help or request a tutorial.

  • Metal Heads: Bend it solder it and shape it in here. This is the place for wire wrapping, chain maille & metal smithing enthusiasts.

  • Itty Bitty Beads: Discuss all things relating to seed beading in here.

  • All Fired Up!: Lampworking and fusing discussions, how to's, equipment questions etc. Feel free to show off your beautiful beads!

  • Metal Clay: The title pretty much gives this board away, metal clay addicts this board is for you!

  • Polymer Clay: Dedicated to Polymer Clay jewelry. Questions, ideas, inspiration and all that is PC.

  • Tutorials: Here's the place to learn something new; some are free, some are not.

  • The Living Room: Pull up a chair and join us! You can talk about anything in here...well almost!

  • Personal Stuff: Dating, marriage, kids and all that drives us crazy and yet so happy at the same time...how does that happen?

  • Technical Help & Site Critiques: Need help with your website, would you like some opinions on your site layout, design?...ask for critiques here. If you need any technical help at all this is the spot!

  • Shameless Self-promotion: Advertised sales and specials, tell us about your website or blog, company news, promote your newsletter, upcoming classes, events etc. Posts must be relevant to the content of the forum, you may not offer non-craft related items you have for sale on the forum. You must have at least 50 posts and be an active participant on the forum before you can post in this area.


That's just a brief overview of what's available 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.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Featured Shop: Accent Yourself

Accent Yourself has an ecclectic collection of handmade sterling silver jewelry. Barb enjoy making all sorts of things, so you never know what may show up in her Etsy shop! Click on any photo to get more information:


Moonstone, sterling silver, and circles. . . This pair of earrings was an attempt to try my hand at wirewrapping with fine gauge wire & small faceted beads. I don't normally do much wirewrapping, but had a lovely strand of rainbow moonstones (one of my favorite stones!), so I started with these!



This is a rather large, bulky piece of green sea glass that I wrapped with sterling silver wire. Portions of the wire are hammered, for a different look. To keep with the laid back, hodge podge feeling for this necklace, you can see that the bail wrap is a bit on the sloppy side. I actually like the look of messy wire work for sea glass. For fancy brios or finer gem stones, I'll use a more uniform (or perfect) wrap. . . but for these I say, "Hang loose!"



Here is a dagger-shaped pendant made with piece of sea foam beach glass that I drilled and wrapped with sterling silver wire. It most likely is a piece of a Coke bottle that broke and smoothed in the ocean
.


Like hoops? Need a pair of earrings that goes with everything? This is the pair for you!



This adorable flower necklace is made with 5 (what I think are) blue green amazonite briolette beads wire-wrapped together with sterling silver wire. In the center, I've "sewn" in chocolate brown Czech glass beads with fine beading 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, July 27, 2009

Eye Candy

Recent listings from SATeam members! Click on any photo learn more.


I Want Candy Earrings from Two Chicks Too



Rainbow Concentric Circles Necklace from Jenni Leigh Creations



Rainbow Pendant Necklace from ShinyAdornments



Silver Doves and Lace Necklace from 2 Belles Beads



Preserved Orchid Necklace from MC Stoneworks






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, July 26, 2009

Hot Glass Artist Nicole Valentine-Rimmer

By Nicole Valentine-Rimmer
www.NValentineStudio.etsy.com
www.nvalentine.blogspot.com


I think my real fixation with wearable art started in grade 10. I took sewing and was determined I’d be a fashion designer one day. I designed and made my own graduation dress, but my sewing skills were basic and I found the whole process frustrating.

From that day forward I played with various mediums, I dabbled in paper arts for several years. Polymer clay grabbed my interest for a short time frame, I moved onto clay thinking I’d be able to make pendants for jewelry. Clay was a pliable medium I enjoyed but always felt like something was missing.

One day I stumbled upon lampwork beads on ebay. They literally took my breath away. I still remember the first beads I saw, a heavily encased set of simple purple beads made by a seller by the name of BlueHealer. I was hooked!

For about 2 years I bought lampwork beads and assembled them into my jewelry pieces. I loved glass and the way light travelled through it bringing life to each piece. I started to wonder if it was something I could learn myself, wouldn’t it be nice if I could custom make beads for my customers. Offering them special order options would be nice ………… wouldn’t it? Lampworking can’t be rocket science …………. can it?

I hastily signed up for a beginner class held locally here in Victoria. My first class did not go well, the studio was small and instruction was brief. Glass popped off the ends of rods, torches popped and flared, beads cracked but I was still intrigued. Lampworking wasn’t rocket science, but I knew I needed a lot more practice before my beads would be of the caliber of that very first set I purchased on ebay! I bought a small beginner set up and torched in the alleyway of our barn for almost an entire year before buying a “big girls” torch. I moved into my husband’s garage with my new minor burner, propane and oxygen and started furiously torching almost every day after work. Needless to say my husband did not appreciate the intrusion into his garage, he’s an old car collector and my torch was perilously close to his cars!

The next week my studio was started, it’s still one of my favorite rooms in the house. I had the opportunity to take a two day private class with Andrea Guarino and Micheal Barley. Both full time beadmakers it was just the inspiration I needed to know this was finally my calling.

I torched after work casually for several years. I expanded my setup, purchased a kiln so I could properly anneal my beads, bought many pounds of glass and tools, boy did I buy a lot of tools!

Over those years I took all the classes I could afford. I was fortunate to learn from Kimberly Affleck, Larry Brickman, Jennifer Geldard, Amy Johnson, Cynthia Archer, Teresa Laliberte, Sherry Bellamy,and Akhiro Okhama. Each and every one of these instructors helped shape me into the beadmaker I am today. Classes pushed me outside my comfort zones, helping me expand my skills and getting my creative juices flowing. I still enjoy classes, watching another artist work is always a treat, everyone has unique and different ways of working glass and I always come away with new ideas.

Glass calls me, almost every day. I find ideas in the countryside we travel across a lot. My garden and it’s riot of color provides me with color palettes I’d never have thought of on my own. But most of all glass and beads cause me to smile every time I sit down to work it. I’m thankful I get to do something that brings me such joy, and hope that I can continue to smile ………… and work glass for many years to come.

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.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

SATeam Treasuries

Here are a few of our newest treasuries for your viewing pleasure:







SATeam 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.

Friday, July 24, 2009

SATeam Sez . . .

It's FRIDAY!

SATeam sez: the SATeam Summer Sizzler Sale is Here .... SSSH!!!! Don't tell anyone, get all the bargains yourself! Only kidding. The SSSH sale will be held from Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd, so start saving those pennies for some fabulous deals! Here's a quick look at what you can get; start making your shopping lists NOW!

The Family Jewels sez: free shipping, and a10% discount shop wide.

la valley girly sez: free shipping for any purchase over $20 before shipping.

The Blue Dress sez: free shipping, a gift with every purchase, and 10% off too!

Bead Sire sez: free shipping! See the shop for more details.

The FamiLee Jewels sez: free shipping, and a 10% discount, shop wide!

Milena's Supply Shop sez: Free shipping on orders totaling $25 or more (before shipping).

Two Belles and a Bead sez: stayed tuned for our fabulous deal! We're not telling...YET!!!

MC Stoneworks sez: free shipping!

Mary's Garden sez: free shipping on all orders of $20 or more as well as 10% off everything; see the shop for details on payment.

Rambling Rose Designs sez: free shipping on all orders of $20 or more as well as 10% off everything; see the shops for details on payment.

Bejeweled's Jewelry sez: a free item with every purchase!

Shiny Adornments sez: free shipping!

BEB Designs sez: Stay tuned for our fabulous offer!

Galadryl Designs sez: free shipping worldwide on orders over $40 and also a bonus 15% discount on top of any item bought!

Casual Gal sez: get 10% of any item!

RocknWow sez: free shipping and further discounts! Check out the shop for more info.

The FamiLee Jewels sez: free shipping on all items and a free gift for those who spend over $25.00!

Bead Origami sez: details coming soon...

For You Designs sez: free shipping, store wide!

Pixie's Treasure Chest sez: free shipping on orders over $10, and 15% off everything, including sale items!

Aeris Designs sez: free international shipping - check out our shop for details!

Fireball Beeds by Island Girl sez: buy one and get one of lesser value free.

Dancing Wind Designs has two great offers. Free earrings with the swag necklaces and free shipping with orders over $30.00

Elegance and Sparkles is offering free shipping on all orders $20 or more and 10% off everything!

Jewlie Beads has free shipping anywhere on all purchases $20.00 and over

Jenni Leigh Creations says there is 20% off everything, and we will donate 10% of all sales to Breast Cancer Awareness

N Valentine Studio is offering 25% off any order over $100.00

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, July 23, 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.

One of the most interesting type of threads that appear in the forum are Work in Progress, or WIP threads. It is always fascinating to see how other people work, and to see a piece of jewelry unfold over a period of days or weeks. If you haven't been following these threads, we think you'll enjoy seeing them now!


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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Featured Shop: Two Belles and a Bead

Two Belles and a Bead is your place for unique handcrafted jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and more. A mother and daughter team of jewelry designers specializing in sterling silver, Two Belles and a Bead also make 14kt gold filled, gemstone, copper, brass, and hand stamped jewelry.

They accept custom orders, so if there's something you'd like but do not see, you can request a custom item from their shop.

Here is just a taste of what is available from Two Belles and a Bead. Click on any photo to learn more about the item:


This Tropical Dreams Pendant is made from a solid sterling silver domed disc imprinted with the image of flowers, leaves, and butterflies. It is adorned by your choice of two czech glass flowers. The flowers can also be removed for those days when you feel like wearing something a little more plain.



These lovely new floral earrings are made with brass discs that are deeply oxidized to a rich chocolate brown and etched with a lively flower design. They hang off of comfy 14kt gold filled round ear wires.



This necklace is made with a satin finish sterling silver bar that has been stamped with the words "je t'aime" which means "I love you" in French. It is suspended between sterling silver cable chain and finished with a sterling lobster clasp.



This stunning necklace is made with an aqua colored quartz glass flower focal. The flower is surrounded by sparkly clear czech glass beads and one fluted round aqua quartz glass bead. The beads are connected to sterling silver cable chain which is finished off with a sterling lobster clasp and 2" (5 cm) extender.



Funky but still somehow classy too, these new earrings are made with copper triangles that were hand sawed, textured, and oxidized for depth. The copper is mixed with handmade sterling silver hammered rings. They are hung on sterling silver round ear wires.


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, July 20, 2009

Eye Candy

Recent listings from SATeam members! Click on any photo learn more.





















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.