Jewelry
Starcat Designs came into being in 2002, growing out of founder Lee Billings' love of rocks and minerals. Most of the jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind; exceptions to this are the "Fashion Jewelry" and "Sterling Charm Jewelry" items. The materials used include stone, glass, organics (pearls, bone, shell, wood, etc.), and metals. Findings may be sterling silver, 14k gold-filled, vermeil, or copper. Wirework may be done with craft wire. Hypoallergenic surgical steel earwires can be substituted on request for most earring designs.
The designs range from "wearable art" to "fashion jewelry" in price, for a wide variety of tastes and pocketbooks.
The designs range from "wearable art" to "fashion jewelry" in price, for a wide variety of tastes and pocketbooks.
Gift Items
These are items that are acquired from wholesale suppliers for direct resale, as well as beaded items which are not jewelry (bookmarks, sun-catchers, etc.). They are largely items which experience (and customer input over the years) has shown tend to appeal to Lee's market..
Frequently Asked Questions
November 2018
Q1: Do you cut and finish the stones yourself?
A1: No. The stones are acquired in their usable form from suppliers based around the world.
Q2: Do you do your own casting or sculpting?
A2: Lee had hoped to do so, but that was never achieved. Plans for the business are on hiatus, and getting into casting with Lee gone does not seem likely.
Q3: What is kumihimo?
A3: Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding art that can be used to produce a multitude of patterned cords in thicknesses from less than 1 millimeter to as large as the braider wants to lift. For the most part, Lee stayed within the range of 5mm to 10mm as the finished thickness or width. Most of the cords were made during what would otherwise have been downtime; if they were the main product, the cost would need to be considerably higher given the time required.
Q4: Can you custom-make something for me?
A4: As of November 2018, production is on hiatus; whether it will resume with Lee's partner as the creative force has not been determined yet.
Q5: Can you repair this piece of jewelry that I bought somewhere else?
A5: As of November 2018, although repairs to pieces that Lee produced will continue to be accommodated where the needed materials are at hand, no outside repairs are being accepted.
Q6: Can I mix-and-match on the sterling charm earrings for the same price?
A6: Yes, but it's not an automatic process on the site. Use the contact information to request the combination you prefer, and assuming that the required components are on hand, a link to make the purchase will be provided.
Q1: Do you cut and finish the stones yourself?
A1: No. The stones are acquired in their usable form from suppliers based around the world.
Q2: Do you do your own casting or sculpting?
A2: Lee had hoped to do so, but that was never achieved. Plans for the business are on hiatus, and getting into casting with Lee gone does not seem likely.
Q3: What is kumihimo?
A3: Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding art that can be used to produce a multitude of patterned cords in thicknesses from less than 1 millimeter to as large as the braider wants to lift. For the most part, Lee stayed within the range of 5mm to 10mm as the finished thickness or width. Most of the cords were made during what would otherwise have been downtime; if they were the main product, the cost would need to be considerably higher given the time required.
Q4: Can you custom-make something for me?
A4: As of November 2018, production is on hiatus; whether it will resume with Lee's partner as the creative force has not been determined yet.
Q5: Can you repair this piece of jewelry that I bought somewhere else?
A5: As of November 2018, although repairs to pieces that Lee produced will continue to be accommodated where the needed materials are at hand, no outside repairs are being accepted.
Q6: Can I mix-and-match on the sterling charm earrings for the same price?
A6: Yes, but it's not an automatic process on the site. Use the contact information to request the combination you prefer, and assuming that the required components are on hand, a link to make the purchase will be provided.