JUMPING SPIDERS
January - February 2025
Little fuzzy babies! I love bugs. I love painting bugs. Jumping spiders, um, yes, please! Along with the 12 jumping spider mugs I also made 12 praying mantis mugs, orchid mugs, and new plates! Almost every mug I created for this batch was painted. I always strive to paint on everything because my paintings are what make my work stand out against everyone else’s pottery. My carpal tunnel surely does not like it after a weeklong painting session, but I love the fulfillment painting gives me.
My inspiration obviously comes from the spiders themselves but let’s dive a little deeper. Living in upstate NY, the weather is dreary, snowy, and cold. This time of year, I try to create work that has a lot of color with a tropical, warm weather theme to try to get through the winter without going crazy. Bugs are warm weather creatures! Bug remind me of my favorite things to do like gardening or hiking through the woods. Also, my favorite flower is orchids! I have many orchid plants in my studio which bring me a lot of joy when I get them to bloom year after year. My orchids start to bloom around late January. Possibly one of my favorite things to create are the 3D-ish painted orchid mugs. The colors wakeup my soul!
Fun facts about jumping spiders-
They have four pairs of eyes, allowing them to focus on insects from about 20cm away and distinguish between prey and danger.
The hair on their legs helps them walk across very smooth surfaces like glass more easily
They can jump 50 times their body length.
Jumping spiders are found worldwide with over 5,000 species.
Jumping spiders have silk glands, which they use for various purposes, including building egg sacs and creating draglines.
Some species of jumping spiders are cannibalistic, with females occasionally eating smaller males after mating.
These spiders can see a wide range of colors, including ultraviolet light, which is invisible to humans.
They are active hunters and do not build traditional webs to catch prey.
Jumping spiders use silk to create safety lines and shelters but rely on their agility and vision to pounce on prey.
Jumping spiders have hydraulic leg mechanisms that allow them to control the force of their jumps.
Jumping spiders primarily feed on insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and aphids.
Jumping spiders have venomous fangs (chelicerae) to immobilize and digest their prey.
Their venom is generally not harmful to humans and is primarily used for subduing small insects.
Jumping spiders exhibit complex courtship behaviors, including visual displays and vibrational signals.
Courtship dances often involve intricate movements and body vibrations.
Female jumping spiders lay eggs in silk sacs or retreats, where they guard and care for their young.
After hatching, spiderlings often stay with their mother for some time before becoming independent.
Some species of jumping spiders have been known to mimic ants, which may provide protection from predators.
Despite their small size, jumping spiders are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
These spiders have a life span of several months to a few years, depending on the species.
Some species have been studied for their ability to perceive polarized light, which aids in hunting.
Jumping spiders are valuable in pest control, as they help keep insect populations in check.
Research on jumping spiders has provided insights into vision and neurobiology.
They are known for their inquisitive behavior and have been observed examining their reflections in mirrors.