REBOOT. Rock Appreciation Day.

To get back into the groove of these I'm reposting an old Rock Appreciation Day from 2013. As these are all older images please excuse the image quality and old trademark.

For each 1st of the month a different stone or gemstone type will be highlighted and given information on. Jewelry examples using that month's stone will be featured along with current for sale pieces using the stone. As a general disclaimer, I am no lapidary (stone) artist nor gemologist. All information I post here is researched by myself and sources for stone/mineral information can be given upon request. 

For Rock Appreciation Day this month we have:  

King's Manassa Mine Turquoise

Manassa mine turquoise has also been called King’s Manassa turquoise, King’s turquoise, and was originally called the Lick Skillet mine. It is located in South Central Colorado near Manassa. The Manassa mine is reputed to be the oldest turquoise mining deposit in Colorado, and was speculated to have been mined by the Anasazi Pueblo peoples. The mine was “rediscovered”, or founded, by Israel Perviose King when he was searching for gold in 1894. He filed claim on it the next year. The mine has stayed with the King family and is now with his grandson Bill King.

The turquoise from this mine is some of my favourite. It is known for it’s deep greens with host rock rhyolite golden brown matrix, but can produce turquoise in a range of colours.

The turquoise can come in solid colour, bi-coloured, or with host rock webbing. It pairs beautifully with gold and some of the most saturated dark greens are among the most collectible. I love that turquoise from this one area has been used for over 1,000 years and is still seen as a prized and treasured finite commodity.

Below are photos of pieces used with Manassa turquoise that have been sold or claimed.

That's all folks!

If you have any suggestions for a stone or gem to be highlighted for next month please comment below!

New Stones...

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

New Items

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

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

Tucson Gem Show!

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

Inside The Stray Arrow...

Things are now settled, it's time to share the new place and new jewels!

Here is a tiny peak at my new place, and some detail shots of the new studio...

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^Russian music boxes that each play a different theme from "Fiddler on The Roof", antique mirror with Stray Arrow Featherblade necklace, and my favourite designated CAVE LADY plaque. The music boxes represent an old memory from one of my grandmothers. The plaque was made for me by the dear Tory of ToryNova, featuring me in true Cave fashion on the left, and her in true T-REX fashion on the right.

^ My favourite old TURQUOISE TREASURE CHEST. I scored this favoured piece at an antique & flea market. The Marines illustrated fold out piece was acquired along the St. Martin Canal, Paris.

^ Three different Arrow Vane sizes. Painting of Muninn with oils, cold wax, and fire ashes.

^ My gargoyle Askewheteau ("He who keeps watch"). Dangling from him is one of the first finished necklaces I made 4-5 years ago. The necklace was an "East meets West" theme featuring a Southwestern Thunderbird and the three clans from the Kanienkehaka (turtle, wolf, bear). Dangling stones are white buffalo turquoise and Crow Springs mine turquoise.

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The Bookcase

with some snippets of my vast collection...

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JEWELRY DOCKING STATION

---where jewels await new homes---

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THE STUDIO...

I'm now in a shared studio space with other artists. These are just a couple of close ups. To see peaks of my space throughout its evolution you can follow me on Instagram: @thestrayarrow

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NEW JEWELS

---these new pieces will be added to BOTH shops by the end of the night---

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That's it folks! Thanks for keeping up and supporting my work. As always, there's more to come!

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

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