JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team

Finding Inspiration

2012-01-25T04:00:00.001-05:00

What inspires an artist?

An object?

A memory?

There are, in fact, an infinate number of answers to that question.

photo by Anthropologie

Inspiration can come from an ordinary group of objects around the house. You could see a color or a shape that triggers something in you to create something wonderful.

by AbacusBeadCreations

“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

~ Martha Graham

You may have walked outside past the same field a million times and not taken the time to notice how perfect Mother Nature gets it. Taking the time to listen to nature can bring about endless ideas.

Photo by Mary Ryan

How many times have you been so inspired that you can't wait to get back to your workbench and bring that inspiration to life?

by ArtMadeByTammy

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

~Vincent van Gogh

Inspiration does not need to be so literal. It can be a feeling that fills you. Let that energy guide you.

photo by Mary Ryan

by FuchsiaBloomStudio

You may be surprised at what you can create when you let your mind go and allow your heart to take over.

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

~Karen Ravn

OX~ Mary (Little Brown Bird)

Jet of the Day - Laura Stamper Designs

2012-01-24T07:41:00.000-05:00

“There is no remedy for love, but to love more”

Henry David Thoreau

Filigree Heart and Love-Tag Charm Necklace - Designs by Cher

The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. There are at least three saints’ legends in the Catholic tradition that pay tribute to Valentine.

Love Struck Notecards - BlancheB - SB Photography

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Sterling Heart - Sweetheart Ring - Metalicious

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death, others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

"Loyal" Copper Heart Enameled Earrings - Endless Bounty

In European traditional art and folklore, the heart symbol is drawn in a stylized shape. This shape is typically colored red, suggesting both blood and, in many cultures, passion and strong emotion. The shape is particularly associated with romance and love. Although it does not really resemble the actual human heart, it has been used as an illustration of the emotional heart for centuries.

Minimalist Red Swarovski Heart Pendant - Your Daily Jewels

Whatever the origins of this day and its symbols are, the celebration of romance and love crosses all cultures and ages. So what makes the perfect Valentine gift? Whatever speaks to your heart!

Heart Earrings in Reclaimed Copper and Sterling Silver - Laura Stamper Designs

“Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place.” Ice T

Thanks for reading,
Laura

Jet of the Day - JudesJujus

2012-01-23T08:05:00.000-05:00

Well the Holidays are over and now we have Valentine’s Day coming!!

I love making jewelry for Valentine’s!! Here are a few things from my shop!!


Be Still My Heart Pendant - in Lampwork and Sterling


Red Hot Mama Bracelet - Sterling, Pearls, and Sterling with Matching Earrings


Pretty in Pink bracelet - Swarovski and Lampwork with Matching Earrings

Thank you for looking!!

Jude

The JET Team

2012-01-20T08:21:00.000-05:00

On July 24 2007, my partner Terry and I decided to give Etsy a try. We already had a lot of experience making and selling jewelry; we began selling jewelry together in the early 1980's. And we had been selling silver jewelry online since 1998. But this fresh new site seemed to have a unique way of doing things. So we opened a shop to sell only our handcrafted jewelry designs. And now, looking back ... it was one of the best decisions we ever made.

For a few months we did things our usual way. I take care of the daily business stuff, and was learning about Etsy while running our silver jewelry website. But I soon found that Etsy was more social than any other selling venue we had tried. And this made me want to reach out to other shop owners.

Later that year, I took a big step ... and joined the JET team.

Many of the original members are gone. They've moved on. But the great thing about this group is ... it continues. We have new members joining all the time, and each new member brings something different, personal and unique to the table. I learn from each and every one of these talented people; interacting with the artisans that give their time to participate and contribute on the daily JET board is not just fun, it gives me a fresh look at Etsy features, social media, jewelry making techniques, and so much more. The bonds we form are real, even if we never meet. I truly love the JET team!

We help each other promote our shops. We use Facebook, Twitter, Google + and other social media sites. We make Etsy Treasuries promoting member shops. We share information on our suppliers. If a member needs a tip all we have to do is ask. Yesterday I asked about using resin to make pendants; several members offered valuable information that only comes with experience. This will help eliminate trial and error, so I don't have to waste valuable material to figure it out myself.

Teams are an integral part of the Etsy experience. I think back to the few months I spent in the beginning - before we became a member shop, and it was like being in a drifting boat. No focus, no real direction ... and I wonder why anyone would have an Etsy shop without joining a team. The time I spend with JET members promoting our shops has been returned many times over. Every JET member is my friend, my partner and an inspiration to do more, create more and promote more!

Jet of the Day - JEMSBYJBANDCOMPANY

2012-01-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR BUSINESS

By Judy from JemsbyJB&Company

The start of a new year always brings thoughts of what could have been and anticipation of what lies ahead. It can be a time of thoughtful reflection or a time of disappointment. The holidays which, most likely were a time for fun and merriment, are over and those beautiful decorations are neatly packed away. All of those sales you experienced, during the last few months, seem to have gone into hibernation and you may be rethinking your ability to be a successful business owner.

Chocolate Spice Pearl Necklace Labradorite by JemsbyJBandCompany

Now is the time to step back and revitalize! Running a successful business takes hard work and even those who have reached monumental success occasionally need to remember the most important tools which will sustain them.

Pressed Turquoise Beaded Bracelet by JemsbyJBandCompany on Etsy

These important reminders will hopefully help you regroup and celebrate your art.

1. Take Responsibility - Learn to take responsibility for anything that has your fingerprint on it. Learn to take responsibility for not just the good things, but even bad ones. Admit to your mistakes because it’s okay to be wrong. You cannot learn if you have not made any mistakes.

2. Believe In Winning - A rising tide lifts all boats – always think win-win. It exists. The power of positive influence you have on the people around you and the power to inspire people to greater heights is in front of you.

3. Do It! - If you have any ideas that are simmering in your mind, write it down. It doesn’t matter if it is not a plan yet, just write it down. Keep recording your thoughts and ideas. Some of them will turn into gorgeous jewelry creations!

4. See Opportunities Everywhere - The opportunities to lead are everywhere. You need to be mindful of these opportunities. Absorb the information that you read in the forums, internet and conversations with others. Jot down the names of the new sights that you hear about and spend some time perusing them. You might find something which will shed new light on your art. (Pinterest, Kaboodle, etc. etc. )

5. Be Open - Be open to criticism.(I really have an issue with this one!!)When you are open to feedback, you are being fed ideas from others that are free. Often times, these ideas come from people smarter than you. They will give you tips on how to improve and how to be better. That’s what a leader needs - constant feedback.

6. Give, Give, Give - That’s how you open up. Pour out all you got from inside you. Give all you have ideas, thoughts, plans. Feel the vulnerability and learn to like it. Design your jewelry with all the love and care you can muster.

HARD WORK + DEDICATION = SUCCESS

GO JETTEAM

Thanks for reading!

Jet of the Day - Milleth of Fully Hooked

2012-01-18T06:03:00.000-05:00

Life Happens

At the beginning of the New Year, my daughter asked me “Mom, so what’s your New Year’s Resolution?” then she went on and on listing her promises of do’s and don’ts, and I lost track after number 10 because I was so preoccupied with actually creating MY own list!

And here’s what I came up with:

Don’t worry, I didn’t provide the wrong file, it’s the right one. And yes, it’s blank. Because this year, I decided I don’t need a list after all. Some of us set such high unrealistic resolutions that the moment we fail, even though we feel bad, we shrug it off and say “oh well, try again next year”, then we go through the rest of the year repeating that phrase to ourselves, justifying our shortcomings. Sound familiar? Yeah.

Swirl Capiz Earrings

I honestly don’t need a list to remind me I’ve wanted to lose a few pounds, or that that dream garden is only a shovel away, or that coveted wholesale account is simply a show away. And I admit, sometimes getting things down on paper is a way to add finality and authority to it, but so is looking at a mirror, or that dirt path at the side of the house or that slow trickling of Etsy sales. Basically, I’m aware of the issue, I’m aware of the solution; there shouldn’t be anything in my way, right?-- In theory, yes, perhaps.

Vintage Lucite Red Teardrop Earrings

Calla Lily Hairclips

But this year, I’m going to let myself BE, because the truth of it is, LIFE HAPPENS.

*wink

Milleth

Pewter Dove Earring with Yellow Flowers

Jet of the Day - Elizabeth of Foret

2012-01-17T12:01:00.000-05:00

'Rainbow of January Garnets' by Foret
The many colors and moods of garnet brought to you by the Jewelry On Etsy team.

Garnet Necklace : Moder... NaturalGorgeou... $37.00	Grossular Garnet Gemsto... stoutdg2 $26.00	Sterling Silver Earring... TraceDesigns $39.00
Wire Wrapped Gold Fill,... bMichelleDesig... $80.00	Rare Mandarin Spessarti... TheSilverBear $265.00	Large Dark Red Garnet F... SilverSmack $40.00
January Birthstone Earr... thelittlehappy... $27.50	Rainbow Copper Patina S... DebrasDivineDe... $49.00	Valentine Green Amethys... cooljewelrydes... $59.00
Poetry Necklace- Scapol... OddlyEnchantin... $167.00	Autumn Spessartite Garn... YourDailyJewel... $62.00	Handmade Chunky Garnet ... CapitalCityCra... $75.00
Romantic Garnet Briolet... genevievejewel... $139.00	VALENTINE SALE 15% Off ... PoppyLayne $38.25	Vintage Garnet Earrings... BeadzNBling $129.00
Sterling Silver and Gar... ShazzabethCrea... $210.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Jet of the Day - Erika Price

2012-01-16T01:41:00.067-05:00

So you think you know your birthstone?!

While my passion is creating one-of-a-kind jewelry using lampwork glass and sterling silver, I also love to use gemstones. I'm frequently asked to incorporate birthstones in my bespoke designs, particularly in my pure silver pieces. If I ever had the time to make a gemstone piece especially for myself I would probably choose a deep blue sapphire, as these and diamonds are my favorite gemstones. But I would never, ever choose my actual birthstone, which is a green emerald, because green is my least favorite color. So, do you know what your birthstone is? Are you sure?!

Birthstones are precious or semi-precious gemstones that symbolize our birth in some way, usually our birth month. They first became popular in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries, and the jewels listed in the "Traditional Birthstones" column in the table below all date from this period

Almost every country or region traditionally had their own list of birthstones. As a result, birthstones can represent not only the calendar month we were born in, but almost anything to do with our birth, including the time and place of our birth, the lunar month, the day of the week and our Zodiac sign

Many of us will be familiar with the birthstone chart above, which is the most-widely used across the world today. It was standardised by what is now Jewelers of America in 1912, and these gemstones are the "Modern Birthstones" listed in the chart below

Occasionally more than one stone is listed for a particular month. For example the traditional birthstone for April is both diamond and sapphire. This is because historically the traditional birthstone for April in the West has been the diamond, while in Hebrew society it is the sapphire. Many cultures have believed in the healing and protecting powers of gemstones, and the lists of Mystical and Ayurvedic birthstones above both date back over a thousand years: the Mystical birthstones are of Tibetan origin, while the Ayurvedic list is taken from Ayurvedic Indian Medicine

So you now have a choice of two or more birthstones, according to your preference! If you're looking for a special piece of jewelry in your particular birthstone, click this link to see more beautiful handmade birthstone pieces from the Jewelry on Etsy Team. Here are just a few of my favorites for the first quarter of 2012!

January - Garnet Earrings by TraceDesigns

February - Amethyst Ring by Jewelry24Seven

March - Aquamarine Earrings by DesignsByCher

Abridged from an article first published March 2011 by Erika Price

Jet of the Day - Lisa of Emerald Pixie

2012-01-11T06:06:00.000-05:00

Jewelry Making. An Ancient Artform.

Most of us have a piece of jewelry that was passed down from a loved one. We have a precious family heirloom that may have been in the family for generations. Do you ever stop to think of how ancient the art of jewelry making is?

Some of the earliest jewelry found dated back To the middle stone age about 100,000 years ago. Mollusk shells with holes strung into beads were found in a cave in South Africa thought to be some of the first man made pieces. It's amazing to think that jewelry was one of man's very first art forms.

In the 19th century, archaeologists found crude forms of bracelets and necklaces dating between 17,800 and 6,500 BC. These pieces were made from natural materials such as bone, teeth, shells and stone and strung together possibly with the sinew of an animal that was most likely hunted for food. The art of beading has come a long way since those primitive pieces.

There is no exact date known for the beginning of metalsmithing. The Romans brought smithing to England around 450 BC. Ancient Roman pieces that have bezel set gems, or wirewrapping have been unearthed and showcased in museums for people to admire.

So next time you purchase a piece of JET made jewelry, remind yourself that it's not just an accessory, but a piece of art that may have historical significance long after we have left the earth.

'JET made art' by EmeraldPixie

Beautiful JET made jewelry. Art made to wear.

Blue Earth Natural Turq... OVGilliesDesig... $64.00	Hammered Wide Ring Anti... SilverSmack $45.00	Pink Pearl Bracelet Gra... AbacusBeadCrea... $28.00
Blue Morpho Multi Wing ... DebrasDivineDe... $90.00	Mixed Metal & Black Lea... DesignsbyCher $30.00	Rustic Bracelet Copper ... RoughMagicCrea... $30.00
Bezel Set Round Druzy G... YourDailyJewel... $54.00	Silver Ring Green Jadei... Jewelry24Seven $119.99	Copper Wire Money Clip ... AdroitJewelers $8.50
Dragon Earrings- Tiger ... Foret $50.00	Garnet and Pearl Heart ... FuchsiaBloomSt... $62.00	Passionate Soul Necklac... EmotionalOasis $20.00
Tourmaline Earrings in ... NaturalGorgeou... $47.00	Ring in Recyled Sterlin... laurastamperde... $148.00	Ancient Roman Glass & S... TheSilverBear $215.00
Silver and Emerald Cut ... WearableByDesi... $90.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Jet of the Day - Donna's Artisan Designs

2012-01-09T07:13:00.000-05:00

'In LOVE with GARNETS-ALL JET Valentine Gift Guide' by DonnasArtisanDesigns

The beauty of the Garnet Family as presented by the JET Team

A Valentine's Gift Guide

Sterling Silver and Gar... ShazzabethCrea... $210.00	Raspberry rhodolite gar... metalicious $176.00	Garnet Ring in 100% Rec... laurastamperde... $200.00
Garnet Gemstone Earring... SendingLoveGal... $38.00	Hessonite Garnet and Go... Foret $125.00	Mystic Hessonite Facete... stoutdg2 $62.00
Rare Mandarin Spessarti... TheSilverBear $265.00	Valentines Day Cranberr... YourDailyJewel... $40.00	Red Garnet Gold Dangle ... bytheseagemdes... $45.00
Faceted Oval Garnet and... Jewelry24Seven $98.99	January Birthstone Garn... RoughMagicCrea... $37.00	Rhodonite Garnet Sterli... JemsbyJBandCom... $42.00
Large Dark Red Garnet F... SilverSmack $40.00	Handmade Chunky Garnet ... CapitalCityCra... $75.00	Garnet Briolette Fine S... DesignsbyCher $42.00
Sterling Silver Earring... TraceDesigns $39.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Baby Its C-C-C-COLD Outside!

2012-01-05T06:17:00.003-05:00

'stay warm!' by sendinglovegallery
inspired by Beadsme's firey earrings : )

Orange And Flame Red Ch... BeadsMe $32.00	Copper Hammered Ring Wi... SilverSmack $35.00	Orange Fire Earrings, L... ErikaPrice $22.00
Mexican Fire Opal Facet... TheSilverBear $105.00	Fire Agate with Gold Be... JemsbyJBandCom... $16.00	Copper Bar Earrings wit... ELEVEN13 $20.00
Feed your Fire pink flo... WanderingJewel... $20.00	Sliced Amber Agate Copp... endlessbounty $38.00	Swarovski Fire Opal Rin... PersonalDesign... $25.00
Empress Earrings - Fire... oliviasgarden $18.00	Red Necklace - Swarovsk... ChayaGallery $78.00	Gemstone mix earrings -... DesignsInc $28.00
Orange Explosion Glass ... EmotionalOasis $7.00	Copper and Fine Silver ... HGWjewelrydesi... $48.00	Fresh water pearl wire ... sianykitty $15.00
ocean jasper and copper... cooljewelryJR $33.00

'Red Hot Jets' by tracedesigns
This team is RED HOT!

Red Shield Earrings TheBrassHussy $25.00	Red Spears and Teardrop... DebrasDivineDe... $30.00	Sweetheart...Lampwork S... stoutdg2 $52.00
Red Flowers Necklace ChayaGallery $68.00	Red Quartz Wire Wrapped... SilverSmack $26.00	Tangerine Tango Valenti... cooljewelrydes... $22.00
Red Hot Art Deco Magnet... EmotionalOasis $10.00	Red Brassy Earrings BeadsMe $12.00	Garnet Earrings January... RoughMagicCrea... $42.00
red collective pendant ... sianykitty $19.75	Crystal Filled Sterling... ShazzabethCrea... $210.00	Black and Red Bracelet ... DonnasArtisanD... $21.75
Rajasthani jade pendant... DesignsInc $10.00	Flower Earrings Carved ... WillowCreekJew... $20.00	bike chain red square g... WanderingJewel... $12.00
Red Heart Chalcedony an... dashery $15.00

'Wintery Pearls, Gemstones, and Bling' by TheBrassHussy

Snow White Earrings wit... TraceDesigns $23.00	Frosted Lucite Antique ... DesignsbyCher $21.00	White Cluster Bridal Ea... FuchsiaBloomSt... $30.00
Fine Silver Pendant, Li... SendingLoveGal... $45.00	White Pearl, Sterling S... Foret $71.00	Virgin White with Brass... FullyHooked $26.00
Large White Pearl, Quar... BrookeJewelry $90.00	Valentine White Opal, S... cooljewelrydes... $36.00	Snowballs - Frosty Whi... SilverSmack $15.00
Sterling and White Crys... ShazzabethCrea... $105.00	Sterling Silver Wire Wr... BeadsMe $42.00	White Hearts Wedding Br... RoughMagicHoli... $30.00
Moss Green Necklace Whi... AbacusBeadCrea... $102.00	Snow Flowers Earrings W... OVGilliesDesig... $22.00	Mother of Pearl Inlay P... DonnasArtisanD... $22.17
White Fresh Water Round... CrystalImpress... $75.00

'DASHing Through the Snow' by YOURDAILYJEWELS
Inspired by my teammie, Dashery and our chilly North East weather

Red Heart Chalcedony an... dashery $15.00	Snow White Earrings wit... TraceDesigns $23.00	Fused Glass Dichroic Pe... DebrasDivineDe... $20.00
Snowflake Fine Silver P... SendingLoveGal... $58.00	Valentine in the Snow -... JBowerEngravin... $62.00	Icey Winter White Cryst... DesignsbyCher $19.00
Moss Green Necklace Whi... AbacusBeadCrea... $102.00	Virgin White with Brass... FullyHooked $26.00	White Pearl, Sterling S... Foret $71.00
White Opal and Silver B... MacKSwank $100.00	Pearl Teardrop Earrings... ErikaPrice $14.00	Sterling and White Crys... ShazzabethCrea... $105.00
Sterling Silver Wire Wr... BeadsMe $42.00	White Hearts Wedding Br... RoughMagicHoli... $30.00	Snowballs - Frosty Whi... SilverSmack $15.00
Dog Collar, Cat Collar,... BeadzNBling $22.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team

Finding Inspiration

Jet of the Day - Laura Stamper Designs

Jet of the Day - JudesJujus

The JET Team

Jet of the Day - JEMSBYJBANDCOMPANY

Jet of the Day - Milleth of Fully Hooked

Jet of the Day - Elizabeth of Foret

Jet of the Day - Erika Price

Jet of the Day - Lisa of Emerald Pixie

'JET made art' by EmeraldPixie

Beautiful JET made jewelry. Art made to wear.

Jet of the Day - Donna's Artisan Designs

Baby Its C-C-C-COLD Outside!

'stay warm!' by sendinglovegallery inspired by Beadsme's firey earrings : )

'Wintery Pearls, Gemstones, and Bling' by TheBrassHussy

'stay warm!' by sendinglovegallery
inspired by Beadsme's firey earrings : )