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Archives for April 2019

Winter Bee Collection – Part II

April 28, 2019 · 1 Comment

It has been a whirlwind eight weeks for your friendly, neighborhood moonspinner. Full of honeybees and citrine, the dreaded tax season, untimely illnesses and cat snuggles. So as you can tell, some ups and downs. But through it all, I continued to work on this batch for you, part II of the Honeybee Collection. And in the end, this next offering boasts an even 100 pieces!

Everything previewed here will go live in my Etsy shop tomorrow at 3 p.m. EST as planned.

However, as I have mentioned elsewhere, I am planning on trying out a webstore here on my website. There are a few designs I haven’t shared with you yet, and I will be saving those for some surprise updates on the webstore I have been working on.

So after April 28th, I will be posting on Instagram with a handful of surprise Honeybee updates! I have chosen one ring design, a few necklace designs, and one cuff design to hold back from the regular update. But I will wait to share photos of them until the times of their debuts.

Anyways! On to the preview for tomorrow’s regularly scheduled collection release.

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Apiary Rings

The first of two repeat designs for this collection release is the Apiary Rings. After Part I of this series, so many people contacted me about missing out on these. So I pulled every single ring-sized citrine I could find in my studio.

US Ring Sizes: 5.5, 5.75, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7 (x3), 7.25 (x4), 7.5,
7.75 (x3), 8 (x6), 8.75, 9 (x2), 9.5 (x2), 9.75 (x2), 10.75

To make this batch, it took over a hundred hours of finger-numbing, wrist-aching work. These are not cast, so each band and every bee silhouette were shaped and sawn one by one.

And the result of all that work: a few dozen little cups of citrine honey with two little honeybee silhouettes in either side of each double-layer sloping band. This is the last batch I will be making of these rings for quite some time. I have spent so many hours in recent weeks with them, it is a little bittersweet tucking the design away. But, I have used up all my citrine, so there’s no turning back now!

They sit so well upon the hand, and I am convinced they can call the honeybees from their hives.

If you are planning to try to scoop one up, remember to look for a ring sized at least half a size up from your regular size. I list the rings as they measure on the mandrel, but since these have wide bands they will fit snug. For example, if you normally wear a size 7, look for a 7.5 or 7.75.

Queen Bee Necklaces

The other design repeated from Part I, the Queen Bee necklace. Let me explain how I ended up making five more.

I am a bit of a gemstone squirrel. I tend to sort stones into little carnival glass dishes and salt cellars scattered around the studio, which means that every now and again I will come across a stash of stones I didn’t know I had. And that is what happened with this surprise repeat design. I found a little orange dish with five perfect stones, and I knew I had to offer them up for you.

And so here they are, five more Queen Bee necklaces. The grandest design in the collection. These necklaces are comprised of freeform, round heated citrine druzy clusters set inside floral borders. The backs of the pendants feature the impression of a large honeybee, the only design in the collection with this detail.

Large and bold and crowned with a circlet of flowers, like the queen bee herself.

Tending Necklaces

For a long time I had been wanting to design a necklace that felt reminiscent of an old-fashioned cloak clasp. When ladies and gents of yesteryear would wear cloaks, they would put a pin on both edges of the cloak below the neck, and the pins were connected by a chain. This would keep the cloak on the shoulders.

And this is my necklace that echos that shape, the “Tending Necklace.” Each necklace features two swooping honeybees reminiscent of cloak pins, and a gradient of rough citrines to comprise the “chain.”

In my mind, I designed this for dedicated beekeepers and early spring gardeners, trudging through muck and detritus to check on sleeping bees or sprouting bulbs with a cloak over the shoulders, because not even the rain could keep them from that which needs tending.

Bee Bloom Earrings

So many people contacted me asking if I would be making any dangle earrings. And so I have!

I made just three pairs of earrings, and they are the sweet, tinkling kind for wearing in a breezy, sun-warmed garden. Droplets of citrine honey drip below hand-forged ruffly roses, carefully constructed petal by petal, with brass pollen centers.

Bee Bloom Rings

US Ring Sizes Include: 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, 10.25

For this collection release, I also picked you a handful of roses.

Carefully forged sterling silver flowers with brass pollen centers.

Rings for calling the bees.

Wild Hive Necklaces

A few months ago when I was telling you about my experiences with bee lining with my fella, and idea for a design struck me. While imaging all the wild honeybee hives tucked into craggy mountain cliffs and held by gnarled trees, I thought of this piece.

It features a sparkling faceted citrine like droplet of honey, set atop a honeycomb patterned base, all of which is being held by a hammered branch border. Like golden treasure hidden by bees, tucked away in the forest, encased in silver and oak.

My talisman for finding the quiet, secret places of the wild bees. Never to disturb, only to observe.

Solitary Bee Necklaces

A single, bright honeybee set above a smooth cupful of honey-colored citrine. In the backs I have sawn little hexagon windows to let the light through, like a little honeycomb cell full of glowy orange citrine.

Little worker bees gathering up the warmth of summer into a honeycomb cell’s worth of citrine. Perhaps the most lightweight, every-day designs in tomorrow’s release.

Simple and straightforward, a necklace meant for a bustling beekeeper who always wishes to keep a honeybee close by.

Midsummer Necklaces

Each of these Midsummer Necklaces has a unique gemstone focal surrounded by a swirl of summer.

Leaves with the patterning taken from once-living leaves, little brass pollen granules floating on the breeze, hand-forged ruffly roses blooming all at once, warm citrine gemstones heated to the color of orange blossom honey, and tiny honeybees on the back made of light and citrine.

The most detailed and work-intensive design in the entire collection, these necklaces are like little slices of summer you can wear about the neck.

And there you have it! Everything which will be in tomorrow afternoon’s collection release.

Everything will land in the Etsy shop at the same time at 3:00 p.m. EST.
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A few things to remember if you plan stopping by the collection release:

🔸 This is the last of these particular designs for a few years. I am actively using up the very last of my citrine/yellow amethyst for this offering and what few stones I have left are reserved for a few designs in progress. So if one of the designs I have shared has been calling to you, be sure to stop by tomorrow’s update because I won’t be able to make more.

🔸 Make sure you look at all the photos of the pieces you are looking to purchase, because I try to photograph these pieces from every angle, in my hand for size reference, and in natural light, so you can see exactly what you will receive. I want you to be sure you are purchasing the perfect pieces!

🔸 That being said, an item isn’t “yours” until you complete checkout. Meaning that other people can purchase items you are looking at, or that you even have in your cart. Unfortunately, this is an Etsy feature that I cannot change.

🔸 My advice is to decide which piece you want the most, complete checkout with that item first. And then go back for the other pieces you want. Checking out separately allows you to claim your pieces more quickly, and you have less of a chance of a piece being scooped out of your cart. I will refund any shipping overages in the following days!

I wish there was a less hectic way to do this. My number one priority is that it is fair for everyone, which is why I don’t take reserves, but it does make for a rather stressful shop update.

That being said, I hope you are able to claim any pieces that have been calling to you!

See you at tomorrow’s collection release, all you bee-charmers and garden-walkers!

Filed In: Uncategorized / Tagged: honeybee, honeybee jewelry, jewellery, Jewelry, mermaid jewelry, moonspinner, moonspinner jewelry, moonspinnershop

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💜 I kept a pair of these for myself, and it fee 💜 I kept a pair of these for myself, and it feels perfectly right that they wanted to wait until it was a bit more summery. 

☀️ They drink the sunshine and brush bare shoulders, perfect for long summer days. 

🌸 Keep an eye out for more of these and one other amethyst earring design! I couldn't finish them in time for the amethyst release, but they are finished now and begging to be plucked. As soon as we are settled, I promise! 
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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #heytheremaker #makersvillage  #ardentfinds 
#handmadejewelry #bespokejewelry #persuepretty  #modernmaker #justmyart  #jewelrywithintention  #everydayjewelry #craftsposure #mainemade #thatsdarling #meetthemaker  #shopsmall #seekinspirecreate #inherstudio #handmaderings #femalemade #womenwhocreate #standwithsmall #cottagecoreaesthetic
🌿 The shop is officially shuttered and the sign 🌿 The shop is officially shuttered and the sign on the door reads "Back in 5" while we move house. 

🌲 Three days from now we will be tucked in a cabin up north, and I will be dreaming up new designs for you.

💌 All orders placed during the sale will ship over the next day or two. Thank you, my sweet friends, for keeping food in my kitties bowls and the lights on here at Moonspinner Headquarters. You are just the peachiest!
🌟 Sale ends tonight, sweet friends! 🌟 - - - 🌟 Sale ends tonight, sweet friends! 🌟

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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #heytheremaker #makersvillage  #ardentfinds 
#handmadejewelry #bespokejewelry #persuepretty  #modernmaker #justmyart  #jewelrywithintention  #everydayjewelry #craftsposure #mainemade #thatsdarling #meetthemaker  #shopsmall #seekinspirecreate #inherstudio #handmaderings #femalemade #womenwhocreate #standwithsmall #cottagecoreaesthetic
D R Y A D L E A F E A R J A C K E T S 💫 Per D R Y A D  L E A F  E A R  J A C K E T S

💫 Perhaps my very favorite design I have ever created. 

🌟 Leaves sung into silver and prehnite gemstones made of the first spring leaves. 

✨ Made for dryads stepping out of ancient oaks.

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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #heytheremaker #makersvillage  #ardentfinds 
#handmadejewelry #bespokejewelry #persuepretty  #modernmaker #justmyart  #jewelrywithintention  #everydayjewelry #craftsposure #mainemade #thatsdarling #meetthemaker  #shopsmall #seekinspirecreate #inherstudio #handmaderings #femalemade #womenwhocreate #standwithsmall #cottagecoreaesthetic
🌟 Heads up! My Spring Cleaning 25% Off sale end 🌟 Heads up! My Spring Cleaning 25% Off sale ends Thursday. 💫

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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #heytheremaker #makersvillage  #ardentfinds 
#handmadejewelry #bespokejewelry #persuepretty  #modernmaker #justmyart  #jewelrywithintention  #everydayjewelry #craftsposure #mainemade #thatsdarling #meetthemaker  #shopsmall #seekinspirecreate #inherstudio #handmaderings #femalemade #womenwhocreate #standwithsmall #cottagecoreaesthetic
🌟 Just a reminder that the 25% sale will end in 🌟 Just a reminder that the 25% sale will end in a few days, and then I will be buttoning up my shop so we can settle into our summer place!

🌟 Cheers to everyone who has stopped by the sale so far! I am so pleased that so many of you have been able to pluck some pieces you’ve had your eye on for a while.

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#amethystjewelry#amethyst#amethystring#amethystcrystal#crystaljewelry#crystals#handmadejewelry#handcraftedjewelry#witchyjewelry#witchy#witchyvibes#witchythings#handmadering#sterlingsilverjewelry#jewelrymaking#bohojewelry#instasmithy#seekinspirecreate#femalemade#womenwhocreate#cottagecoreaesthetic#everydayjewelry#jewelrywithintention
🌟 Cheers to everyone who has caught my spring c 🌟 Cheers to everyone who has caught my spring cleaning sale so far! 🌟

It is such a joy seeing past designs being plucked, like they were waiting for their intendeds all this time. And soon all of those claimed pieces will find their people: owls will fly off to the post, tiny icicles will form below ears, lucky feathers will settle around necks, and last year's violets will bloom atop hands. 

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#amethyst#springfashion#handmadering#sterlingsilverjewelry#jewelrymaking#bohojewelry#instasmithy#seekinspirecreate#femalemade#womenwhocreate#cottagecoreaesthetic#jewelrywithintention#everydayjewelry#amethystjewelry#amethystcrystal#springtime#springjewelry
✨🌟 S P R I NG S A L E 🌟✨
 As we pack ✨🌟 S P R I NG  S A L E 🌟✨

As we pack up our home and take endless trips to the summer cabin and our storage unit, I thought “what better time to have a spring cleaning sale?” 

I don’t often do sales, but I am so appreciative of your patronage, and relish the thought of making space for new work on the shelves. And then I can also purchase some yummy gemstones I have been eying for a summer collection for you! (I spent one single morning with my sketchbook, and now this summer is looking quite foxy.) 

🌟 The sale includes all my older designs, as well as pieces from Part I of the Violet Linings Collection from last summer. 

🌟 No need for a code! Everything that is included in the sale is already marked down. 

🌟 My shop will be open for a few days, and then I will put it on pause while we get settled. When it reopens, the sale will be finished and we will be back to our regularly scheduled programming. 

Cheers!
🌟 Life Update 🌟 We are in the process of mo 🌟 Life Update 🌟

We are in the process of moving house, so life is rather akilter at the moment! 

Our 9-month lease ends this month and doesn’t pick back up until September, so we decided to spend the summer at a cabin in northern Maine. My fella is taking a much deserved summer off to spend his days hiking, making wood-fired pizzas, fishing, reading on a sunshiny deck, mountain biking, all the best woodsy things. I am bringing my studio with me, so I will be spinning silver for you all summer!

I will be taking things a bit slower than usual, days spent reading my back-log, and sipping coffee, and napping with the cats, and taking pictures of funny mushrooms, all the usual things. 

The shop will stay open for as long as I can tuck orders in the mail, I will give you a heads up if I have to put it on pause. 

I still have two lilting earrings designs to share with you that are just about finished, so keep an eye out for that!

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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #prettylittlethings #etsyhandmade #heytheremaker #ladysmith #makersvillage #instasmithy #silversmith #crystaljewelry #ardentfinds #bohoinspo #modernmaker #justmyart #madewithlove #jewelrywithintention #standwithsmall #everydayjewelry #etsyjewelry #seekinspirecreate #inherstudio #handmaderings #amethystjewelry #springjewelry #springtimejewelry #springtime #cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic
Packing up your orders is always such a lovely tim Packing up your orders is always such a lovely time for me. 

I get to greet familiar names, and many new ones. Often I can remember what pieces from past collections these familiar names had caught. I can imagine their growing collections of my work, the specific-to-them pieces that called to them from my studio. 

I imagine personalities based around the pieces claimed. “I bet she puts her hand on the bark of every tree she passes.” “They would totally have a pet crow named Copernicus.” “She probably wears all my pieces at once, like beautiful, feminine armor.” 

You, my sweet friends, are the best.
Our sweet, little, dorky menace, Finn. ✨ Our sweet, little, dorky menace, Finn. ✨
Everything is in the mail, sweet friends! If you p Everything is in the mail, sweet friends! If you placed an order, your violet should be winging its way to you as we speak! ✨💜
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