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Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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Archives for February 2021

North Wind Collection, Part I (Third Preview)

February 27, 2021 ·

Pocketful of Winter Necklaces

There will be eighteen of these necklaces available.
Price: $185 per necklace

Pendants measure about 45mm (1.5″) across
Comes suspended from an adjustable oxidized sterling silver chain,

which measures between 17 – 20″

I first designed this necklace for myself, as it sings to some essential part of me. When I am out for a ramble, I cannot help but fill my pockets with the beautiful, interesting things I find. (My fella can attest to this.)

I come home with handfuls of sweet little acorns, tattered butterflies, strange lichen, empty shells from long devoured snails, handfuls of milk-vetch, smooth river pebbles, bits of wasps nest. I bring these things home and line my shelves with them, tuck the leaves into books, drop the dragonfly wings into ormolu caskets. Perhaps you do this as well?

In this design, I wanted exemplify my naturalist inclinations. I wanted this piece to feel like a collection of winter you could tuck in your pocket.

I scooped up the icy blue of glaciers, plucked some hoarfrost from an alpine tree, found a bit of fools gold at the bottom of a river, caught the northern lights shimmering blue over a frozen white landscape, and even gathered a bit of black ice.

I pulled in rough textures and dark January shadows, and tossed about some sterling silver pebbles. Winter you can wear about the neck.

These necklaces feature a collection of wintery gemstones: aquamarine, rainbow moonstone, black druzy, pyrite, and little white quartz crystals that look like snowballs. They are arranged randomly with sterling silver pebbles strewn about.

I have sawn a window behind the aquamarine so it positively glows when held up to the light. The back is textured to make it look natural and wintery.

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Winter Current Rings

Price: $124 each
Sizes range from US 4.5 – 11.5,

and since the bands are narrow they fit true to size.

Looking into these stones is like looking up towards the light while underwater, dotted with crackling striations and dark inclusions like clusters of algae or leaves from nearby trees. Glistening facets refracting and throwing the light, like ripples on water.

The gemstones in these rings are so different from one another. Some of the stones are high domed and positively sing blue for all to hear. They catch even the gentlest ray of light to reveal their glowing depths.

Other kyanites greedily drink up the light but remain dark and brooding, like a late-winter shadow. And only certain light from certain angles will reveal a furtive flash of blue.

Some of the stones are clear and bright with tiny flecks of black crystalline inclusions.

Others wear their crackles near the surface, like stress cracks on a deep, dark glacier.

And just a few hold rainbows in their bellies and a have a bit of glitter on their cheeks.

Rings for finding forest pools after the first snow melt, breaking icicles off roof edges, and exploring coves still sparkling with sea ice. Rings for the deep currents that run through winter, dark and saturated.

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Winter Thaw Compass Necklaces

There will be 24 necklaces available.
Price: $155
Measures about 40mm from top to bottom
Comes suspended from an adjustable oxidized sterling silver chain,
which measures between 17 – 20″

I sketched this design for last year’s collection, but did not have time to complete it. I had been wanting to create a wintery version of my Honeybee Compass, and what a joy to now finally hold it in my hand.

In the center is a teal kyanite gemstone, cool and deep like the winter Atlantic ocean. I have sawn out the back of the pendant behind the gemstone so that when you hold it up to the light, it positively glows. I have inscribed lines radiating from the center, and it is double layered for weight.

A tiny window showing the underside of a beautiful, deep teal kyanite gemstone. A window to let light spill through.

And branching out from the glow of the center, tiny irregular cracks in the sterling silver, like the late winter ice that fractures from the warmth of the sun.

I tend to love all the pieces I create, but of tonights offering, I think I love the Winter Thaw Compass Necklace the best. The cracks were a labor of love to create, the kyanite positively glows when held up, and the shape of the pendant is so pleasing. A necklace for finding the light in winter.

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: artisan, Artisan Jewelry, moonspinner, moonspinner jewelry, moonspinnershop, north wind, winter, winter jewelry

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A place for stories behind jewelry pieces, glimpses into the process, and musings on inspiration.

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Recent Posts

  • Winter Berry Tea Rings
  • A Handful of Autumn
  • North Woods Collection (Second Preview)
  • North Woods Collection (First Preview)
  • Violet Linings Collection
  • Revisiting Memento Mori
  • Garnet Valentines
  • The Last Flock of Ravens
  • Nocturne Collection, Part II
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  • Violet Linings, Part I (Third Preview)
  • Violet Linings, Part I (Second Preview)
  • Violet Linings, Part I (First Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Final Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Third Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Second Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (First Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part I (Third Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part I (Second Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part I (First Preview)
  • Be My Valentine
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Unless otherwise noted, all images, designs, and writing is property of Michaela Batstone. All rights reserved.

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Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far t Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far to reserve a spot for a commission of a piece of my past work! I am slowly working through the requests, pulling gemstones, checking silver stock. Thank you for your patience, if you sent a message, I am on my way! πŸ™ƒπŸƒπŸ»β€β™€οΈ

I have gotten a fair number of requests for the Darkling Sea Rings.

(Can I just say how much it makes my soul sing that there are so many other mermaid-hearts out there!?)

And so I have put the preorder listing back into the shop from the last time I made them, if you'd like to catch one. (I am absolutely determined that everyone who wants one of these rings is able to get one! πŸ™‡πŸ»β€β™€οΈ)
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#kyanite #kyanitering #kyanitejewelry #tealkyanite #oceanring #oceanjewelry #oceancore #gemstone #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #supportlocal #mermaidcore #mermaidjewelry
Okay, friends, the Presold Collection is finally a Okay, friends, the Presold Collection is finally a go!

✨ I am going to start by taking (24) commissions for past work, just to see how it goes. 
✨ If there is a design from my past that you'd like me to recreate for you, send me a message on Etsy and we can chat about whether it is possible or not, as I will have to see if I have the right gemstones, silver, etc.
✨ I won't be able to make modifications to the design, because custom work gets complicated quickly, so they will be the same as previously designed. 
✨ I wont be able to create designs from Mossflower, Honeybees, Nocturne, or Night Owls, as those will be coming back later this year. (Hurray!)
✨ I also wont be able to recreate designs from the collaborative collection I did with Maia Toll, as I promised those would be one of a kind pieces. 
✨ The turnaround time will be 8-10 weeks (sooner if I can manage it) between date of purchase and date of shipment. Production will be a bit slow as I am going to be working on these alongside other collections.
✨ I think it's easiest to pay in full up front, rather than figuring out invoices. That way I can pop your piece in the mail the moment its finished! And so once we've chatted over on Etsy about whether your request is possible, I will make you a custom listing to purchase. 
✨ Please be patient with my responses, as I am trying to do this will also pulling together two other collections for you. (A whole bunch of tanzanite rings, the very last of the stock I've had for years! As well as a big, beautify Hessonite garnet collection for February.)

And that's it! So if there's a past design that's been singing to you for years, send me a message and I will see if I can spin some magic for you. 
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#opthandmade #bohojewelry #instajewelry #jotd #shopsmall #handmadejewelry #bohemianjewelry #craftsposure #metalsmith #ladysmith #maker #artisanjewelry #artisan #freepeople #bohemian #livefolk #gypsystyle #bohostyle #dslooking #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #bohochic #gypsysoul #bohofashion #jewelrydesigner #festivalstyle #onthebench
✨ My endless gratitude, moving from Etsy to Shop ✨ My endless gratitude, moving from Etsy to Shopify, and a Presold Collection question for you! ✨ 
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Cozy friends, what can I say! Each Winter Berry Tea Ring was claimed within about 15 minutes. I like to imagine us all with our darkly brewed rings chatting an afternoon away. What a lucky gal I am! You are the sugar in my tea!
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Also, I know once again Etsy was a headache for some of you. Showing rings sometimes, and then disappearing again. Showing up if you sort by price, but not if you searched "Winter Berry." I couldn't even see any of the newly listed rings for almost 10 minutes... UGH. 

And so, with some computer work on my part, my next release (a batch of tanzanite rings) will be in a new Shopify shop. 

For the past week I have been setting up the new shop, figuring out Quickbooks integration, and getting through all the unfun parts. I am also learning how to make checkout fast so you can quickly catch your pieces. And I am loving the idea of early bird access for newsletter peeps. 

And best of all, no glitchy releases. (I hope! If you use Shopify and do timed releases, please let me know how they go for you.) 
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Also, I know some of you missed these rings. As well as many past designs. 

So! I am officially going to attempt my Presold Collection where you can request a past design. And if I have all the stones and silver necessary, I can then create a preorder listing for you and hit the bench running! 

There will be a few exceptions, like I wont be able to recreate any Mossflower, Honeybee, or Night Owl pieces, since those collections will be returning later this year!

I am likely only going to take on a few dozen commissions at first, just to see how things go. 

Production time will be a bit slow because I am going to be making the commissioned pieces alongside all my other collections (likely 8-10 weeks?). 

And so, if you are hoping to reserve a presold slot, let me know below what past design you are hoping for, so I can start peeking into my gemstone cabinet to see what's possible. 

And then in a few days, I will let you know more!
(Sold) All the Winter Berry Tea Rings are in the s (Sold) All the Winter Berry Tea Rings are in the shop! I hope you'll have a cuppa with me. β˜•οΈπŸ’•
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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
A love affair with rhodolite garnet on a snowy aft A love affair with rhodolite garnet on a snowy afternoon. πŸ’•
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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
Oh! I forgot to tell you, the blog preview of all Oh! I forgot to tell you, the blog preview of all the Winter Berry Tea Rings is up. There's a direct link to it in my profile, if you'd like to take a gander. πŸŒ¨πŸ§£πŸ«–βœ¨
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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
Tonight, tonight, cozy friends! I have brewed 48 l Tonight, tonight, cozy friends! I have brewed 48 little cups of garnet tea for you. I hope you'll join me! 

Also, thank you to everyone who pretended you were having a cuppa with me, and told me how you take your tea, what the weather is up to where you were, and what novels are on your nightstands. It was the loveliest tea time! 

It is bright and blue and cold here, and I am currently reading the manga "Rose of Versailles" as well as "Leviathan Wakes." Craving a classic these days though too. 

Any recommendations?
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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I just love these πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I just love these rings. Spare and simple, but rich and comforting at the same time. 

Like a hot cup of berry tea on a  winter afternoon, shadows clinging to ever surface. 

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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I like to imagine πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I like to imagine that each of these is a cup of tea I have made for you cozy souls. You would tell me whether you prefer yours sugared or no, and I would ask what novels you've been reading lately. 

We would drink our berry tea before it got cold while we watched the gannets meander down the river. And I would be watching the sky for snow.

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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
A cup of winter berry tea while I photographed the A cup of winter berry tea while I photographed the Winter Berry Tea Rings. Each were equally comforting. πŸ§£πŸ«–βœ¨
πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 Garnet is the per πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

Garnet is the perfect stone for January. 

Like this dusky, restrained month, rhodolite garnet is often quite dark. That is especially so in a low-dome cut, such as in this batch of gemstones. The color is rich, but furtive. 

When encased in silver, rhodolite garnet darkens to a deeply shadowed purplish red. 

But then, like those shining, bluebird days that we sometimes catch during January, the right conditions give the most saturated colors, light reflecting and refracting off every facet. 

When you wear these rings, they will be dark with flashes of berry red in the right light. On the hand, they look like dusky cups of the strongest pomegranate tea you can imagine. 

But since I have sawn out the backs, the promise of light and color is there for you. 

If it be a dark day and you need the bright comfort of a cup of tea, you can take your ring off, hold it to the light, and let it sing the warmest song you've ever heard.

Whoever chose garnet as a birthstone for January, I see what you did there. 

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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I have had a few πŸ«– Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I have had a few comments and messages asking if I will still be revisiting the garnet design from last year, and the answer is yes! 

These rhodolite garnets, which are cooler and pinker in hue, will be in a batch of a few dozen rings releasing this Sunday. 

The hessonite garnets, which are warmer and more orangey in hue, and will be in a smooth cut, will be coming next month! 

(Scroll back on my instagram to last year if you'd like to take a peek at what those pieces will look like.) 
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✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

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#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
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