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ALL of these new pieces will be hitting the shop throughout the day tomorrow starting at 12pm, EST.
Necklaces at different sizes, rings, and several earrings so everyone has something to choose from!
Keep an eye on the main shop folks!
xx Stray Arrow
Hey folks!
Its been QUITE awhile. I can't even recall when the last of these rock appreciation days occurred, but the desire sparked after acquiring some of these lovelies...this month we have:
MEXICAN FIRE AGATE.
You know. The mesmerizing stones that look like fire spewed from a Phoenix and then solidified? Because well, they kind of are. Formed in volcanic activity that is.
Mexican fire agate is formed in volcanic activity in the Tertiary Period, and found in the Southern USA and northern Mexico. It is actually a form of layered chalcedony quartz (agate is in the quartz family). This type of agate is rare because of its iridescent qualities that give it the look of fire and flame. It ranges 6.5-7 on the MOH's hardness scale, and like other quartz can be polished to a great reflective waxy shine. My favourite pieces are ones with solid white or semi transparent quartz as a host rock to the fire agate. Iron oxide is what gives the fire agate its browner colourings. Rarer types include rainbow colour patterns to their shimmer from specific minerals. Metaphysically Mexican fire agate is used for calming, grounding, healing, and creativity.
Past Mexican Fire Agate pieces:
^these two stackers available at Arcana Healing Arts in Portland, Maine.
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Two rings with Mexican fire agate have been made for the shop, to be included in Sunday's update. A little twisted band stacker, and this glorious mini shadow box inspired piece:
****** Stay tuned for July 4th news, and thanks for reading!
If you have any requests for stones, gems, or minerals for the next Rock Appreciation Day, comment below!
xx Stray Arrow
Beltane and the coming of Spring (truly, finally) has brought on a wonderful weekend.
Friday night featured a great jewelry show called "Piercing the Pickle", depicting jeweler's interpretations of the pickle fork, at a groovy cocktail bar called The Jewel Box in my new hometown of Portland, ME.
Saturday morning I feasted on rocks in all forms at a gem show.
All are currently up for grabs for custom orders, but I'm only accepting a certain amount of customs this month as the shops will be closed from May 20th - June 5th.
I did go a bit overboard on the succulent labradorite....
^Carey plume agate for Fire Rise rings.
^ocean jasper and red horn coral
^pyrite and native silver
^kyanite
^seriously amazing dendritic opal
^ocean jasper, blue chalcedony, dendritic opal
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In other news, the annual MAY SALE has started!
In the main shop enter in the coupon code: MAYBABY for 10% off of your order from now until May 20th. This doesn't apply to custom orders or the plugs shop. Please be sure to enter in the code at checkout as I will not be able to refund those that forget.
That's all for now!
xx Stray Arrow
All of these pieces will hit the shop today at 12pm EST.
Giveaway news coming soon!
xx The Stray Arrow
Spring is almost here in New England and I've been getting back into using deer hide in my jewelry. I have wonderful customers of all types, sizes, backgrounds, and beliefs, so I know pieces with leather aren't for everyone. That being said I want to share with you all what I use and how it is sourced...
As with my stones, quality and sourcing is extremely important and a lot of time and effort goes into it. All of the deer hide I use, and it's currently the only kind of leather I use, I get solely from my local annual powwow. None of the beautiful creatures it is gifted from are hunted for sport of any kind, but for food. Every part of the deer is used and nothing is wasted. I acquire the natural hides in full, so I can cut my own cord pieces from them for another layer to the hand crafted nature of my work.
In addition, I've been hanging full hides in front of my window so certain folds can be lightened by the sun. This has over months created a really lovely ombre effect in the leather colouring.
With this hide sourced respectfully I've made a few fun earrings to add to the shop this afternoon. So far there are three pairs with different kinds of stamped markings. All sweet and simple to add to any woodlands lover's collection:
***Giveaway news with mythical ties coming soon***
xxStray Arrow
Throughout my years of collecting and research, I've established some really wonderful contacts for the materials and supplies I use in my work. This goes especially for my cabochon and gemstone collecting. I feel extremely fortunate with how wonderful the folks in the mining and lapidary business I've met are. Them enabling me to provide the best choice stones for my customers and my work just makes this full time gig of mine that much more delightful!
Below are new recent turquoise and variscite scores with their respective origins listed. All are currently up for grabs for custom orders, but please know I have a cap on how many commissions I can take at this time.
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A few new items also hit the shop this morning
xx The Stray Arrow
It's been a little bit, hasn't it?
I think it's time to share some of the new stones I've been amassing. I've been releasing stones less and less, taking on less commissions so they can be wrapped up quicker. This has proved to be a science; something I'm still tweaking. Commissions are still taking longer than I would like, and lengthening regular production times of "made to order" pieces in the shop as well. There's much more involved: hashing concepts and designs out, spending hours getting back to conversations and inquiries, sketches, etc. that I do not charge for.
Because of this I will be making a monthly commission amount cap. This will change slightly depending on what the commissions are and how much extra time will be involved for each. I want people to enjoy the process and I love doing them so folks get exactly what they're hankering for, and I'd like them to not have to wait as long to receive it either! To make this process faster and easier I'll also soon be drafting up a little form for folks who are interested in custom orders to fill out... basic info that sometimes takes me awhile to get from potential customers that can draw out the process. More on this soon.
In the meantime, here they are!
New all natural stones as listed, some freshly cabbed straight from the mine owners, some old stock. If interested in any of these please shoot me an email: stasia@thestrayarrowjewelry.com, or convo me on Etsy.
Note that as usual, until a solid design is nailed down and agreed upon, and a deposit is paid, no stones can be reserved.
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These new items will be in the shop today~
COMING SOON:
More stone stackers with Rune Drop sides. Also on the new side and growing in popularity are Rune Weavers and Rune Drop Stackers, for which customizable listings will be created soon with a rune guide!
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That's all folks!
Thanks again for taking peak into the backgrounds of my jewelry workings, staying in touch, and for the overall general support of my creativity!
Whether you're celebrating turkey day, the day of mourning, or just getting together with family for some good food, I wish you all a happy weekend!
Black Friday kicks off tonight at midnight, and so does my weekend long sale. Get any goodies listed in the shop at a whopping 15% off! This sale doesn't apply to custom orders, just any item listed. Coupon code is:
CYBERWKNDSALE
Please do NOT forget to enter this at time of purchase where it says 'apply code'. New items will also hit the shop at midnight, including some new one of a kind molten silver stud earrings at discount pricing of $15/pair.
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For THROWBACK THURSDAY:
A few pieces of photo candy of items from 2011 and 2012:
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This has been a very tumultuous year- from moving home and business to a new state, to stocking with Free People. I am ever grateful for the opportunities that have been sent my way, and the ones I've worked my ass off for. For loyal customers, old and new, for the peer jewelers I've befriended and new rock sources I've established. I'm loving every second of this hard earned self employed state of life. To show my excitement for new things to come and gratitude to the faithful who read this blog, I'm offering a special discount code. I don't often have sales as my jewelry is priced the best and fairest I can with materials, highest quality stones, and labor. This code is extra special...
Check the shop soon for new items! Making for perfect stocking stuffers, Channukah or Yule gifts!
With this Holiday season I'll update the blog every Sunday morning with new shop items as I'll be cranking out a grand amount of new pieces in both old and new designs.
Cheers folks!
xx Stray Arrow
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
Remember all of that quiet hinting in the past few months? News is on the way...news is on the way...
WELL.
Here it is.
Free People are now carrying one of my signature rings-
my Chained in Turquoise Arrow Vane Rings, which they are labeling as
"Chained Turquoise Arrow Ring".
They will be sold both online and in some physical stores, including the shop on 5th Ave. in NYC.
For these rings I curated some top natural turquoise pieces, and each ring has the mine name stamped inside the band for authenticity. Mines include Fox, Blue Moon, Candelaria, Skyline...all high grade succulent pieces. I cannot express the level of excitement I've been feeling since Free People reached out to me. It's because of you reading this, and everyone who has supported me on this path that this could even become a reality instead of some distant dream. It hasn't been an easy road trying to do what I love full time and make it work. Being the creator and sole runner of a business has it's downsides, but the reward of not just doing what I love but being able to share it with those who also enjoy it is worth everything. Thank you all for stickin' with me, giving me support and exposure, and taking a peak into my world of myth, stone, and metals.
with much love and appreciation ((and a decent amount of gleeful squealing))
xxThe Stray Arrow
These new jewels will be added to the shop tonight!
A shop I have stocked with for years gave me back some old consignment pieces in exchange for finished wholesale pieces...so you get the first pick! Some of these goodies are 1-3 years old! Others are brand spankin' new.
Pieces are in the works. Commissions are orders are in the works.
News is in the works.
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xx The Stray Arrow.
Well, once again it's been quite awhile since my last post here. I wanted to update folks about an exciting opportunity to acquire not just my jewels but work by local artists from Portland, Maine, where I now live! For those of you that follow me closely you know I have a studio space at The Dooryard Collective. I'm the only jeweler, and others work in mixed media, paint, printmaking, stencil art, installation, and bronze sculpture. I love being among these talented people, and two of them have recently created CSArt, Portland's first art share program. By purchasing full shares or half shares you can invest in several *surprise* art pieces by different Portland artists for the price of one of my larger pieces of jewelry. Many of these artists are from The Dooryard. The cost is an amazing deal for what you receive, and it's also a great starter package idea for anyone with bare walls calling to be covered.
Now because this is an art share program, I will be creating *ONE OF A KIND* works for it! This means one of a kind stacking ring or Cave themed ring sets, one of a kind earrings, plus keychains, rings, or leather necklaces for fellas. This is an opportunity to not only score some mystery pieces from me, but invest in some great talent for the price of one of my statement pieces.
You can check out the other artists participating here:
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
A few new items will be hitting the shop throughout Sunday, made again in between filling orders. Long term custom orders are almost all complete so more pieces will be filtering in soon!
AND FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY:
In the main shop enter in coupon code: FIREWORKS, for 10% off of your order.
(not applicable to custom orders)
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Check back to the shop tomorrow for these sweet and simple new pieces!
xx Stray Arrow
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
These new items will be hitting the shop throughout the day and night
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^size 9 Royston ribbon turquoise stacker in blackened silver.
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^size 6.75 Blue Gem turquoise in gold fill and blackened silver.
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^size 7.5 iolite gemstone Arrowvane ring with band detailing.
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* Spheres and Tides ring, featuring Castle Dome and Manassa turquoise, will fit sizes 6.5-7.
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^size 8 rustic ruby in zoisite stacker.
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^size 6.5 Royston Ribbon turquoise with cut out bezel detailing and extra stacker.
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^size 7.5 Kingman blue turquoise and dark silver stacker.
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^size 7.5 CAVE STACK, featuring old stock Number 8 mine turquoise in gold fill, and dark silver.
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^necklace with Blue Boy variscite, gold fill, and dark silver. 20" chain.
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^White Buffalo Arrowvane earrings, 1.5" tall in total.
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That's it folks! Check back in the shop and be sure to use the COUPON CODE for 15% off of your orders over $25!
xxStrayArrow
Alright folks. This is going to be a fairly long post, so hold tight.
To give a brief summary, I'm sharing my experience and rock haul from the Tucson Gem Show this year. Anything marked N/A in the photo is not available for custom orders. All other stones are up for grabs and will ONLY be fully reserved once you nail a design down with me and a deposit for said design has been paid. Please be aware that unless you've sealed a piece with me, I may be showing the same stones to others.
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So. I started in New England, looking at this:
Packed up jewels from my personal collection to sport in the sun:
Took a few planes...
....and entered a region where aliens are abundant. Aliens. Yes. They are everywhere, in bizarre variations that look inviting yet are secretly hazardous...
And yes. I'm talking about these:
I swear these are the weirdest, coolest things. I got so many, "Uhm how many photos of cacti is this girl going to take???" stares. I don't even care.
Oh yeah. There was also the huge gem show all over the city, that was cool too.
(^natural rough Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise)
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Now, onto conquests.
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^Broken Arrow mine variscite. natural. straight from the mine owner.
^Burtis Claim Cripple Creek mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise and Royston ribbon cut turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise. natural.
^White Buffalo turquoise. natural. Straight from the mine owner.
^Blue Moon mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston ribbon cut turquoise. natural.
^ left to right: New Lander mine, Peacock mine, Carico Lake mine, Number 8 mine (!!! truly!), Damele mine.
All natural.
^the amazingly tight webbing in this one is hard to photograph.
^this one has a very high dome.
^ Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise. natural.
^Fox // Cortez mine turquoise. natural.
^old stock Number 8 mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise. natural. Along with some strays.
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That's the haul folks! I hunted and enjoyed the skies of the Southwest
Then I returned home to a series of snow storms. Fantastic.
Keep a look out as I'll be posting NEW ITEMS to preview here on the blog this coming Sunday before they hit the shops!
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SALE NEWS
From tonight until next Thursday at midnight, enjoy 15% off of your order in the Main Etsy Shop with coupon code:
SNOWVERDOSE
in honour of there being too much snow here and wanting to empty the shelves in the shop a bit for new items! Sale does not apply to custom orders, minimum purchase of $25 required to apply.
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KEEP POSTED FOR SUNDAY.
In the meantime, if you aren't in a sunny land, stay warm and bundle up!
xx Stray Arrow
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
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