a very special vintage postage stamp pendant - more epic love!

I've been writing about how my vintage postage stamp pendants are part of an epic love, and this weekend I was able to experience that on an even deeper personal level than I usually do.

When I snatched up this White Tailed Kingfisher postage stamp from my treasure box, it was still attached to a small portion of its original envelope paper. I noticed the postmark was from Kadina, and we know only one person who lives there - a very beloved cousin of my Mum's who is a real kindred spirit to me.

Then I noticed the postmark date, 6th January 1981 - two days before my Aunty Jean's birthday (who tragically passed away in 2011 four years ago under traumatic circumstances) this stamp clearly carried a birthday card between two of my favourite people, and I'm not parting with it for all the world, its going straight around my neck.

I did not notice the postmark when I carried the stamp all the way home from Adelaide to Mandurah after Aunty passed away, closing up her house was just so sad for us, but I am glad I noticed this stamp's details before they were lost. Most of my stamps have already been removed from paper - most of them have been removed from their envelopes for 50 years, so this is just so special to me.

As I said, its going straight around my neck, so I have my two girls with me always.

You can see the current range of vintage postage stamp jewelry I have available in my
Madeit Store or Etsy Store if you are interested in owning a beautiful work of art that has historic and sentimental value.

I've Been a Busy Little Beader

Wow, its been a bit longer break than I intended, not aided by being unable to upload pictures here recently, but onwards and upwards! I have really enjoyed busily creating new pieces of jewellery this week and having the requisite photo shoots prior to listing them in my online stores. Here's just a very small taste of what I've been up to....

the top image is Mulberry Butterfly Necklace, vintage Papua and New Guinea postage stamp, glazed and set under domed magnifying glass, in a copper setting. This just went into my etsy store yesterday.




The madeit store has been shown some love and attention too, with Persuasion Earrings above, and Sweet Disposition Earrings below both being placed up for sale.

I also just put these Serene Teal Rose Earrings in my madeit store, www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

The etsy store link is, as always, www.starzyia.etsy.com

BUT, don't go away yet! If you would like to join my Birthday Club, you can leave a comment here on the blog, simply stating the month of your birthday. What do you get? Well a 15% discount not just on the day of your birthday, but during the entire month of your birthday! That way you don't miss out if you're too busy to shop on your special day. Simply code 'Birthday Club' at checkout and your discount will be applied before you pay!

Bright Colours, the Mystery is Solved

When I returned from Adelaide, the first thing I did (business wise) after re-opening my two stores was start ordering some new supplies. I found myself attracted to some very bold and bright colours, which was unusual for me, and so I went on my facebook business page and promised my fans 'more colour'. But I wasn't sure why I was working with bright yellow for the first time in my life.

The supplies started to trickle in and this week in particular I began to create and list my 'more colour' designs.

Then last night, I suddenly realized what was behind it all.... I was choosing colours that my late Aunty can see and enjoy, with her vision impairment the pale colours all blend in and she can't distinguish one from another. So I guess I am making things that might bring her seal of approval.

Although I did list this last pair of earrings today, more my original style, in my madeit store. They are called Midnight Sun, because the flower design is helianthus, the wild sunflower native to America.

So far the bright colour trend seems to be something my fans are welcoming, so thank you for supporting me. I will keep working the 'more colour' angle, as well as producing some of the classic, elegant and vintage inspired pieces from before.

www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

Enchanting Etsy Finds

Every day should be enchanting, wonderful, truly worth living, no matter what you have going on in your life, find the magic and you will endure with joy. Here are some of my favourite enchanting handmade items...

The top image shows the necklace Magic of Home by Australian etsy seller jewelflyt, I love the feeling of nostalgia for home depicted inside this witches' hat pendant.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51554917/magic-of-home-fine-silver-pendant

I find these earrings by beautyspot bring me great serenity, but also awe for the simple beauty, and remind me of the wonderful symbolic meaning of deciduous trees which denote harmony in nature.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62842891/tree-crown-earrings-free-worldwide

The robin's nest terrarium necklace by WoodlandBelle is made to order, and is part of the seller's star line up of beautiful terrarium necklaces.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60912235/tiny-woodland-terrarium-robins-nest

Blackberry Patch necklace by MySelvedgedLife, one of my very favourite etsy sellers, and so hard to pick just the one creation from this shop.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73493666/blackberry-patch

And from fellow Australian seller sageandmage I had to include the ritual potion, but you should check out her sacred jewelry and other offerings today (if you have not already, and hey if you have, why not do it again!)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/41026570/protection-ritual-oil-all-natural

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More of my favourites can be viewed on my profile page at etsy!

Under My Umbrella, Images of Peace

This is my newest altered art necklace, entitled Under My Umbrella. It features a classic UK Christmas postage stamp, a symbol of love and peace, with the two doves taking shelter beneath an umbrella of a map of the world. You might also note that there is a black dove and a white dove, in loving harmony.

As a long time peace advocate and activist, I have decided to open a new etsy Treasury to celebrate and promote images of peace, which I will call No Pipe Dream: Images of Peace. I will post a link here and on my faceboook fan page when I have compiled the first line up. I intend to keep this treasury as a perpetual gallery, so there is time for you to still take a photograph or create a piece of art suitable for display in the treasury.

May you create peace in your self, in your community, and in this cosmos, with love, Starry.

What's New at Starry Girl by Starzyia

I've been busy making more altered art necklaces, the one featured above, Butterfly Symphony, will be added to my etsy store very soon. The Purple Delight necklace below, is currently in my etsy store and features a vintage Hungarian (Magyar Posta) stamp from my grandmother's collection.
www.starzyia.etsy.com

Soon to come to my etsy store... Tea Leaf Readings, yes! Email or convo me the image of your tea leaves and I will give you a divination of their symbolic meaning. The readings are great fun, and will cost $5

I am also considering offering tarot card readings through the store, or privately via paypal, I am very experienced, and my readings focus on inspiring and encouraging you on your journey, a guide to coping with what you are experiencing in life.

The earrings below are a recent addition to my madeit store www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia and were inspired by vintage Madonna, the Like A Prayer album where she wheres all the different coloured gemstone fashion jewelry at once.

I have also begun a new tweet segment, every morning via twitter, I choose a symbol for the day and a link to an item featuring it by another etsy seller. So far the daily symbols have been: pyramid, heart, apple, owl. If you'd like to see my daily symbol please follow me on twitter

www.twitter.com/sssStarzyia or use the button on the side of my blog.

Twice a week on my facebook fan page I will feature my own handmade Pick of the Day with a 24 hour discount code to save 15%, these picks will be posted on Tuesdays and Fridays in the afternoon. If you'd like to see my featured items, please join me on my business page using the link on the side of this blog.

So what's new in your world? I'd love to know

My Newest Creations...

Talkin' Turquoise earrings.
This is the first time I've created with my turquoise beads, these combine both colour therapy and crystal healing. I love that this stone is also known as the 'friendship' stone. This radiates platonic and unconditional love, is an ancient symbol of prosperity, and was revered for its protective qualities. In colour therapy this colour is very balancing for the self esteem, helps express matters of the heart, and also helps envelope you in that unconditional love.
In my etsy store now.

Violets Are Blue, Necklace.

I made one of these for myself two or three years ago and people have asked for similar, so here it is, first in best dressed! This has a medley of blue, violet, purple, and silver grey beads.
In my etsy store now.

Unamed as yet, I'm thinking possibly California Zen for the necklace title.

Gorgeous beaded metal filigree button and dazzling leaf on a plated silver snake chain.

Will be available soon.

Miss Delicate Elegant earrings.

I love the dark note to these swarovski baroque drops and the vintage feel of the copper flower pieces.

In my madeit store now www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

Sayonara Gypsy earrings.

Gorgeous mini chandelier earrings with tiny little green beads that glow lovely in the light, and a cloisonne bead in the middle.

Will be available in my etsy store, very soon.

And how are your creative efforts going? making anything interesting? made anything using my vintage postage stamps or yarn? I'd love to share your interesting work, so tell me about it!

New Satin Cord Necklaces

I've had a lovely time today photographing these necklaces made a little while ago, they have now been added to my etsy store.

The top image shows a vintage peacock cabochon threaded on an electric blue satin cord, adjustable up to 18 inches. I have two of these, just one listed at the moment.

This sweet painted shell button showing a bird on a branch is another favourite of mine, I have two necklaces like this, one in my etsy store, one in my madeit store www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

Here you can see a button, which I have pimped out by gluing the rose pendant on top and adding a bail for threading onto the light purple satin cord. Again, I have two like this, one is currently in my etsy store.

All of these would make excellent gifts, but my shipping deadline for overseas delivery has passed, for Australian residents I can take orders up until December 14th.

My etsy address is www.starzyia.etsy.com

Its Here... 20% OFF JEWELRY all November! Starry Girl by Starzyia

Its here! My Early Bird Christmas Sale.... save 20% off jewelry in both my etsy and madeit stores, for the entire month of November. As I wish to encourage early christmas shopping when I am less busy and the post office lines are shorter, no offer I make in December will beat this.

Most of this is newly listed stock and you can grab it at sale price! Please note that I only create one of each design.

Etsy shoppers: the listing prices have been cut by 20% on all stock marked ON SALE so you only need to pay the discounted price and shipping, no code word needed, and no waiting for me to send a discount refund. All items in my jewelry and earrings store sections are included in this sale.

Madeit shoppers: the prices have not been pre reduced, you will save 20% on the listing price of ALL items in store. Either pay with paypal and I will send your discount amount back as a paypal refund ASAP, or if you are an Australian resident and select to pay by cheque or money order I will send you a message asking you to pay the discounted price and shipping NOT the full price! Once again no code word needed!

I am happy to combine shipping if you order from both stores, the shipping will be recalculated and the excess refunded or discounted.

The far top image shows Diva Butterfly Earrings in my etsy store, these have a great vintage feel, but are a fresh handmade creation with plenty of sparkling bling.

The next image shows All Things Nice, lavender and violet beaded earrings, in the Madeit store www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

Sweet Love Birds Roosting, the pink, Madeit store variation (I have a red pair in etsy)

my etsy store is http://www.starzyia.etsy.com/

you can keep track of my additions and notifications by following me on twitter, see button on right of page.

Happy shopping to you! I am thrilled to have bought my father's christmas gift this week, he is by far my hardest to buy for, a big relief to have found something great for him SSHHHH I can't say what it is!

Who is your most difficult person to shop for?

Dicount Code SAVE 15% off LISTING PRICES ALL JEWELRY

Its my birthday weekend, and to celebrate I'm sharing a 15% discount with my friends and readers, you can save 15% off the listing prices of all earrings and jewelry in either of my online stores, for 48 Hours (ends Monday 18th Oct at 10.30am)

Just enter the code 'bestwishes' at checkout message to seller, or paypal instructions to merchant, and I will issue a paypal refund for the amount of your discount ASAP.

My store addresses are www.starzyia.etsy.com and www.madeit.com.au/Starzyia

The top image today shows my Grace Abiding earrings, from my madeit store, these feature the natural gemstone autumn jasper, and were recently selected by the website Cuteable!

The second image shows my newest etsy listing, Lead, Kindly Light necklace, entwined chain and ribbon, with large filigree heart, lantern charm, and glass pearls. Homeis where the heart is, and the lantern is symbolic of faith, vigilance, and safe homecoming. The necklace is named after an old hymn and a scanned image of the vintage hymn book page is included with the listing.

I'd really love to share my birthday happiness with you!

Regret Not Me, my new Portable Memorial Jewelry

Its been a year of losses for many around me and I have found myself making jewelry as a kind of portable memorial for those who grieve, and also as a symbol that there is hope for the future even in the darkest of times.

The top image is of my Regret Not Me earrings just added to etsy, these were inspired by the Thomas Hardy poem of that name, in this poem, Hardy speaks of slumbering peacefully beneath a tree. These earrings are black as the pain of grief, but the etched bead is like a nut or seed for new life and the leaf is also symbolic of the life cycle. Although I could only use an excerpt of the poem in my listing, here is the poem in its entirity, from my beloved book "Poems of Thomas Hardy, selected and introduced by Claire Tomalin" (Penguin Classics 2006)
Regret Not Me:

Regret not me

Beneath the sunny tree

I lie uncaring, slumbering peacefully.

Swift as the light

I flew my faery flight

Ecstatically I moved, and feared no night.

I did not know

That heydays fade and go

But deemed that what was would be always so.

I skipped at morn

Between the yellowing corn

Thinking it good and glorious to be born.

I ran at eves

Among the piled up sheaves

Dreaming, "I grieve not, therefore nothing grieves".

Now soon will come

The apple, pear and plum

And hinds will sing, and autumn insects hum.

Again you will fare

To cider-makings rare

and junketings; but I shall not be there.

Yet gaily sing

Until the pewter ring

Those songs we sang when we went gipsying.

And lightly dance

Some triple-timed romance

In coupled figures, and forget mischance.

And mourn not me

Beneath the yellowing tree

For I shall mind not, slumbering peacefully.

(Thomas Hardy)

I also have these czech cross earrings in black and gold, this pair on a chain, a second pair hangs simply from their earwires, in brass findings.

My heart goes out to all who have lost near and dear ones, may you find some hope and comfort in your lives.

Recreating the Created, Reinventing My Handmade Jewelry

I have just been remaking some of my early, unsold creations... I had nice elements, but tended to make everything too big, too over the top... which was probably more to do with inexperience than taste, since I prefer classically elegant, feminine pieces. You will also be able to see that my photography has improved, though I will always be learning new tips and tricks.

The apple earrings above are remade from the earrings below.... I don't know why I thought these beautiful glass apple charms needed any additional beads, they are just so lovely on their own. Plus the section with the swarovski butterflies are set aside to make a different pair of earrings, so I've turned one creation into two.

These painted shell buttons and blue beads are the new edition of a piece that was one of my first etsy stocked items.... people liked them (or claimed to) but really they were too long and too busy. Much better don't you think?

Now back to my fun, going through my stored items and reclaiming some beautiful beads that might otherwise go to waste.

Etsy Christmas in July

Its my first etsy, Christmas in July sale, and I'm offering discounts on all creations in my 'jewelry' and 'earring' store sections. The discount is off the listed price, and exludes shipping, your discount will be refunded ASAP after you have cleared checkout.

Save 15% off when you buy one item
Save 20% when you buy two items
Save 25% when you buy three or more items.

All my creations have symbolic, traditional or healing properties, the meaning and effect of each creation is carefully described in my store and can be printed to accompany items when they sell.

You can visit my store www.starzyia.etsy.com via this link or using my etsy display on the right of this page.