All of these pieces will hit the shop today at 12pm EST.
Giveaway news coming soon!
xx The Stray Arrow
New Items!
Adding new items to the shop has been slow due to an influx in custom orders and shop orders. These new items will be hitting the shop today with more added tomorrow!
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^This is one of my very first pieces from 2009, now finally getting listed!
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Also new-
Items for The Ritual Ritual in Philly!
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Check the main shop for new items throughout today and tomorrow!
xx Stray Arrow
Throwback Thursday
NEW to my blog- Throwback Thursdays!
Each Thursday I'll be posting some older pieces or photos for a little nostalgia.
For this first one, some pieces back from 2011!
^Natural old stock Royston turquoise ring with cigar band. Commissioned.
^Deep blue apatite gemstone clover and flower plugs. Commissioned.
^Commissioned ring based off of my original piece below. With high quality chrysocolla malachite stone. Quote is from one of my favourite poems of all time by Walt Whitman.
^Original with high quality Bloodstone and Baltic amber.
From the poem, "O Me! O Life!"
O Me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless - of cities fill'd with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light - of the objects mean - of the struggle ever renew'd;
Of the poor results of all - of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest - with the rest me intertwined;
The questions, O me! so sad recurring - What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here - that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."
Lastly, a handful of rings in front of one of my old watercolour paintings-
Next update Sunday!
x Stray Arrow
Sale, New Items-
In honor of the melt worthy heat outside, take 13% off in the main Stray Arrow shop with all orders over $25 (does not apply to custom orders).
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NEW ITEMS
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One of my very first rings from years and years ago with a rugged Pilot Mountain turquoise is now coming to the shop~
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This wondrous statement piece that has been creeping in the corners of my Victorian curio cabinet will also FINALLY make a shop appearance~
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More news coming soon!
xxStray Arrow
New Items...
A few new items will be hitting the shop this morning that I've created in between filling orders and custom pieces.
Here's a short preview...more news soon!
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xx Stray Arrow
SALE & New Items
I'd like to announce it's now the annual MAY SALE! All throughout the month of May in the main Etsy shop enjoy 10% off of your entire order by applying the coupon code: MAYBABY at checkout. The sale will end May 31st at Midnight, and does not apply to custom orders.
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A few new items made in between working on custom orders will be added to the shop tonight. Here's a quick preview:
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^Chained rings now made to order with your stone of choice.
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Now, a little highlight on rutile & tourmalinated quartz, plus some photo candy:
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I also just want to thank everyone for having patience with me while I was sick for several weeks, due to a reaction from some medication. All pending custom orders are still in the works and getting little extras! The Plugs shop will reopen shortly once I'm more caught up with orders.
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NEW STOCKIST ALERT-
Small Home Studio in Brooklyn, NY now carries Arrow Ware by The Stray Arrow!
more news soon
xx
Stray Arrow
New Item Preview
These new pieces will be hitting the shop throughout the day and this evening!
Things have been a bit slow in the studio for various reasons. Now that the icy shores I've recently planted myself on are starting to show signs of life again, so will the shops! I'll be finishing up commissions (don't I always say that?), and creating more items for BOTH shops. YES, that means plugs too!
For now, here are new offerings:
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^Old Grounds earrings, a made to order offering of dark silver, pyrite fool's gold, and deer hide straight from my annual powwow.
^WEAVER rings, all featuring a ring band with a textile/weaved patterning.
^new Cave Stack set with Fox mine turquoise. Size 7.5.
^Bangle bracelet with copper, bronze, molten silver, and natural Kingman mine turquoise.
These old lovelies will be hitting the shop again as a made to order item:
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That's it for now folks!
xx Stray Arrow
Giveaway and News!
Well folks, it's the first of the month. I think it's time to bring back the Rock Appreciation Days, what about you? Today VARISCITE will be highlighted. See the feature and photo examples of current and past jewelry pieces using variscite at the END of this post.
For now, I'd like to update you all. Studio access has been slightly limited in the recent past due to construction on the building. A big thank you to all who have placed orders for your immense patience during this time! The studio is now at full speed again and any work in my space has finished. Due to the slower production speed I have solely been keeping up with "made to order" items and custom items. I will finally be updating the main Etsy shop with new items next week. To stay posted on exactly when you can follow any of my social media seen at the right side bar.
In more exciting news,
I will be going to the Tucson Gem Show!
This is a big deal for me, because it is absolutely huge and spanning a month's time, and I wasn't able to go last year. I will be gone from February 9-13th. Please note that I will keep both Etsy shops open during this time, but some "made to order' items may be deactivated. All orders will ship upon my return. As I am shopping for rocks, I'm giving you all an opportunity to weigh in. What kinds of stones would you like me to use more? Have a custom piece in mind with a specific kind of stone you want me to hunt for? If you have a serious hankering, please list your desires in the comment section below. I'll be adding it to my 'treasure hunt' list. When I return all new scores will be photographed and posted here. For the most up to date Gem Show experience you can follow my Instagram: @thestrayarrow.
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GIVEAWAY NEWS
This giveaway will primarily be for Instagram. Any comments below on THIS post will also be included into the giveaway! Comment with stone opinions! Win the Feathered Band with Arrow Vane below, in your size. Winner will be chosen Feb. 14th.
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On a more serious note...
I want to bring up something that often goes unsaid by most jewelers. It goes unsaid because of backlash. Because of people getting defensive. Because you take something that is "fun" and "aesthetically pleasing" to the general public and shed light on a negative aspect of the industry. That's right. Industry. This is a trade, not a hobby. I've mentioned this before and I want to mention it again. Creative rights are constantly being infringed upon. It is not okay, and should not be supported. It is morally bankrupt. Yes, there are others out there with technical skills, no, they do not have my mind, or the mind of a peer. If you see something that you *immediately associate with my work or think is mine initially* chances are fair that my creative toes are being stepped on. If you see someone using ALL of my main themes I've been working hard to curate for years-
(turquoise.wampum.myth.literature.Native American.Nordic.)
then yes. There's no respect being shown, and my hard work is being stolen. Unfortunately there is little to be done, and speaking with people who clearly have no respect for others OR respect for themselves is most often a dead end. Again. This is a message for you to be aware. Not to dictate whom you should be buying from. When folks purchase my work along with that of my peers I get excited customers enjoy our work all around. There are wonderful, talented, respectful artists out there with some true integrity. They spend years creating work that evolves into a personal aesthetic. I will always fight for my creative rights and the rights of my peers. Please be respectful of the creative rights of other artists. Please be aware of what you're looking at and who you are supporting. Lastly, please take this message as a celebration of those who know themselves and stay true.
ROCK APPRECIATION DAY
[DISCLAIMER: I am not a lapidary (stone) artist, gemologist, mine owner, or any other kind of authority on gems, stones, or minerals. I am simply an enthusiast who likes to share the information I’ve gathered in my goal to attain the perfect rocks for my jewelry pieces].
VARISCITE.
Variscite is an aluminum phosphate mineral, ranking about a 3.5-4.5 on the MOH's hardness scale. It is often confused with turquoise, although more often than not much greener. It is another popular southwestern stone for jewelry use. The most popular can be found in Lucin and Fairfield, Utah, and Esmeralda and Lander counties in Nevada. It also hails from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Poland and Germany. Many kinds of variscite, especially from the USA, can have host rock webbing in them again making it easy to confuse with turquoise.
Below are pieces I've made with different varieties of variscite:
(^from Australia)
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That's it folks!
Have a good weekend~
xx The Stray Arrow
Eye Candy.
No. This isn't a post about rocks.
There will be one down the line, but not today!
I've been spending some time going over old photos, admittedly clearing space on my computer. I thought I would share some old and new that may not have made it to item listings, social media posts, or just been swept under the carpet of time...
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I hope everyone has had a lovely Holiday Season, whichever you choose to celebrate!
For future notice on a packaging change:
I used to send all bangle bracelets and bracelets in general in plain sweet little muslin bags. They'll now be going out a bit more spruced up, as such:
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That's it folks!
NEW ITEMS will be hitting the shop throughout tomorrow, including two Chained in Turquoise rings, and two unique stacking ring types.
xx The Stray Arrow
New Items, A Taste of Home, and NEWS-
Firstly, a brief photo viewing of the pieces that'll be listed today, Sunday. Then some photos of the outdoor ventures in this lovely New England Autumn weather. Lastly, some very important news concerning the month of October for my shop and all jewels.
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...HOME...
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I've been swooning over this delightful weather lately. I've been opening all the windows and the door to the studio to let through the nice crisp breeze. I love hearing the leaves rattle and fall....
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NEWS:
I am excited to say I am moving my home and studio from the woods to a city. This is going to be a hectic and semi slow process, so in the coming month a few things will change in the shops:
***THE ETSY SHOPS WILL REMAIN OPEN***
There may be a few 2-4 day spans when they're on "Vacation", but on the whole they'll be open. Many of the "made to order" items will be deactivated. Mostly "ready to ship" pieces will be available. If you're looking for something you were hankering for and no longer see it listed, convo me either on Etsy or email me here: Stasia@thestrayarrowjewelry.com. I may have studio time available to whip it up. If something is listed, it means I CAN make it. Production time will extend on all orders to 2-3 weeks.
*FOR CUSTOM ORDERS*
If I have started conversing with you about a commission, don't worry. I still have a studio to work in and we can create something lovely for you in a timely manner. I will NOT be taking custom orders during the month of October UNLESS it is a very desired and needed gift for someone (I've got a soft spot). If you do have an idea for a custom order you're serious about, contact me to plan for it come November/December.
Everything should be settled by November in PLENTY of time to handle the Holiday season which I am very excited for this year. If you have any questions about any of this feel free to contact me! I will update moving status on my Facebook and Instagram (@thestrayarrow).
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I hope you're all enjoying the season!
Another blog update will occur Tuesday, Oct. 1 with further (happy) news! Stay tuned folks-
xx Stray Arrow