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
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 Item Preview...
These couple of new rings will be hitting the shop today, ranging from size 6-7.
Check back to the blog late this afternoon or tomorrow to see the AMAZING new haul of gemstones and stones I got at the rock show yesterday!
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That's it folks! Check back soon. The stones posted later can be reserved for custom orders
xx Stray Arrow
New Item Preview
I've spent a little time lately outside of the studio, doing inventory of the pieces I already have made up. A ton of jewels have been sitting quietly and patiently in the corner, waiting to be photographed and listed. I'll be posting some of these throughout today (Sunday) and tomorrow. I've also reshot some oldies but goodies. Oldies will be posted first, followed by newer pieces. If you've been keeping up with my Instagram (@thestrayarrow), you may have seen some of these already!
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NEW JEWELS
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(ghost echo)
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Check back to the shop for these new pieces soon!
xx Stray Arrow
New Items, New Thoughts.
This post may be a bit longer, as I feel text has been slightly dwindling from this blog. Firstly, new items! These will be hitting the shop later tonight and tomorrow.
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Stone rings in natural old stock Royston and Manassa mine turquoise, and a luscious pink rhodochrosite.
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Other newer pieces include mini "Sweet Sayings" rings. These sterling bands feature delightful short quotes by yours truly. Each ring features a different quote, but they can be made to your size upon inquiry. Currently made are: "We are the brazen bold", and "A darling day for rain" (for the English). These sterling bands are patina darkened and then polished to a steel like finish, with the darkened quotes hidden on the inside of the ring band. On the outside is my jeweler's mark. These also make great knuckle rings.
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A wampum necklace with mini wampum beads, old stock cut of green Manassa mine turquoise, wild horse magnesite Crossed Arrows dangles, and silver & rose gold stackers will be joining them.
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It's also been pretty evident that I've been somewhat neglectful of the Stretched Ears Jewelry shop. The Arrow Vanes, signature Stray Arrow wear, will soon be available in multiple gauge sizes in the shop. I'll also be making more plugs featuring rare turquoise (Blue Moon mine), and other designs quite soon.
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Now for my favourite new addition. Awhile ago I made a necklace for myself that, along with The Stray Arrow necklace, has become a signature daily piece. Out of bronze and silver sheet metal I made a 5 string banjo. Completed with a wrap around quote on the body, and sawed out arrow in the back. I'll be offering these in the shop as of tonight as a *CUSTOM* piece. The quotes and backing design can be customized. Four string banjos are also available. They'll put a little folk mountain life in you. No templates, all hand forged.
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That's it for new items for the next few days. I've also been working on some custom orders that'll be shown here and the usual outlets (Tumblr, Instagram @thestrayarrow, Facebook), once finished.
A Note-
I've been noticing people imitating my work. While this is a touchy subject that seems taboo to talk about, this is getting unavoidable. Artisan one of a kind jewelry design is a difficult art to protect when compared to other art fields. Copies will happen. "One offs" are tolerated and occasionally flattering if the artist is *given credit* as being behind the inspiration. This is unfortunately not the case. I have been seeing people not only imitate my very specific signature materials (not that one can ever claim to own such a thing), but my writing descriptions, photography style, work title style and themes, and my overall aesthetic entirely. A continual 'paraphrasing', if you will. Most people have the grace to come up with their own designs, for those that don't they bring down the work of others. I want to reiterate and remind everyone that if there is space to stamp my half inch "STRAY ARROW" logo onto an original piece, and it is not there, it is not made by me. This means that it is not backed by my quality guarantee, nor my 6 years of turquoise study experience. Just because a piece of turquoise is claimed from a mine does not equal good quality. I am an artist with eccentric interests, and my jewelry work is an extension of that. I try to be respectful of everyone's creative and intellectual property, and truly wish the same in return.
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In other news, I've been in the process of taking some jewelry group shots of pieces for things like packaging, cards, and promos (hint hint *soon*). Below are some of those shots, as well as some really great folks wearing my jewels. Click on their photos for their respective work links and check them out!
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^lady Arlie, of Urban Revisions in 14k yellow gold and dark silver faceted sapphire gem ring. Paired with her new white glass jewels!
^the extremely talented Rachel (photographer), in Royston turquoise and dark silver necklace.
^Dominique of Couture Vulture wearing Stray Arrow No-see-'ems, and mini crystal rings by Concrete Polish.
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Cave Ladies, Shooting in The Dark,
still a favourite.
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That's all folks! I leave you with an illustration from one of my favourites, the Pink Fairy Book~
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xx The Stray Arrow
Rock Appreciation Day and News-
For this double Rock Appreciation Day we have...
TOURMALINE & EMERALD GEMSTONES
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Tourmaline is one of the most varied gemstones out there. It ranks a 7-7.5 on the hardness scale, and can come transparent to opaque, in any colour (colourless to black). The tourmaline gem is actually a group of mineral species, but because some of these minerals vary with varying colours, they are simply termed “tourmaline”. Because there are so many colours, tones, and opacities to tourmaline, it can be mistaken easily and is usually termed solely by colour. There are many different varieties, for instance bi-colour, watermelon, chrome, etc. Rubellite tourmaline is a very rare type that was often mistaken for rubies in Russian crown jewels of the past. Tourmaline can hail from many places, including the USA, Russia, Sri Lanka, Africa, Brazil, Australia, and so on. Tourmaline has strong pleochroism, which means you can see different colours or depths of colour when viewed at different angles, such as when you rotate the stone in the light. Different varieties tend to have different clarities. Those of the blue/green variety can be eye clean, while the pinks of reds of the spectrum almost always have eye-visible inclusions. Tourmaline can come natural, or is sometimes heat-treated to bring out colour depth.
Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. If a specimen is put under a pressure or temperature change, it will generate an electrical charge (how cool is that!?). When this happens, dust particles become attached to the crystal ends. For a long time tourmaline was known in Europe as aschentrekker (ash puller) as the stone was used by the Dutch to pull the ash out of their meerschaum tobacco pipes.
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May birthstone, ranking a 7.5-8 on the MOH’s hardness scale. Personally one of my all time favourites… but being a May baby with green as a favourite colour, I’m biased. The colour of emerald (aka ‘emerald green’) is so unique it earns its status as one of the four “traditional” precious gemstones, along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire. The colour of emeralds is caused by small amounts of chromium and vanadium. It is in the Beryl family, and is essentially just the highest quality of beryl that can come transparent to opaque. Emerald is a particularly brittle gem. Natural emeralds almost always have inclusions and should be handled more gently. They are also almost always treated with oils, resins, or waxes. Exceptions are made for this treatment and for inclusions more than other gemstones. Inclusions and flaws are not always seen as negative, and can be an assurance that the gem is natural. Quality is determined by colour, and occasionally geographical origin. Emeralds can come from Africa, India, Russia, Brazil, Peru, among other places. Columbia is the center for mining emeralds, and South America in general produces the highest qualities. There a many stories and myths circling the emerald. The Egyptians mined it near the Red Sea, and it was said to be a favourite of Cleopatra. The Aztecs and the Incas both collected and valued emeralds, possibly regarding them as symbols for good luck and foresight.
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OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS:
My work load has become exceptionally large, and I can no longer be accepting any custom orders from May through the end of July. Unless I have already started conversations with you regarding a project, I simply don't have the extra time for them right now. This doesn't include "made to order" items. Essentially what is listed in the Etsy Shops is what's available. This hiatus does not apply to wholesale or consignment orders.
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A congratulations to the two winners of my Instagram Giveaway! For those of you unfamiliar with the application, you can do a little snooping and follow me @thestrayarrow, or check updates by clicking on the photo below.
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LAST BIT OF NEWS:
10% OFF ALL OF MAY!
For the entire month in the Main Shop, there is a 10% off deal on your order with the coupon code in the photo below. PLEASE do not forget to apply the code at purchase. I cannot issue refunds for those that forget to do so. Enjoy!
Merry May all!
xx Stray Arrow