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Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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Archives for August 2021

Violet Linings, Part I (Third Preview)

August 27, 2021 ·

It has been a joy naming these designs after resilient, purple wildflowers. Some resemble the flowers in design, other are merely a similar shade of purple, and then others are just in namesake.


Iris Rings

There will be 30 rings available.
Available sizes (in US sizing): 4.25, 5.25, 5.75, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 6.75, 6.75, 6.75, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 7.75, 8, 8, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.75, 10, 10.5, 10.5.
Set on split double half-round band, so they fit a bit snug, about 1/4 size small.
Price: $135 per ring

Named for the flower that prompted the shift in this collection. As I mentioned before, when things felt overwhelming, the fella and I would walk down to the pond behind the house and crouch among the cattails, looking for the snapping turtle that summers here and watching the dragonflies. And of course, I would come back to the studio with a handful of irises to cheer my studio with.

Irises are such an unapologetically beautiful flower, despite often growing in muck and mire. Rich in color, flamboyant in shape, pushing up between gray pebbles and shadows.

Irises need for very little, finding purchase at the waterside or roadside ditches. They are lovely splashes of color where many other flowers cannot grow.

A reminder to be bold and strange, even in a landscape devoid of other flowers.

Each of these rings features a unique amethyst gemstones, all are different in hue, dome height, and inclusions. Some of the stones are light and watery, like a delicate springtime flower. Others are so inky purple to nearly appear black, except for when held to the light.

Around the gemstones are a pebble border, and the ring is set upon a split double half-round band. The band has been textured to give it a very rustic feel, like something you picked up in a forest meadow.


Harebell Earrings

There will be 21 pairs of earrings available.
Earrings measure about 2″ (50mm) from the top of the earwire to the bottom of the earring.
Each earring weighs about 5g, which is the same as a US nickel.
Price: $130 per pair of earrings

Named for that endlessly resilient flower often found clinging to granite cliff-faces above the alpine-line. Delicate flowers nodding their bell-shaped flowers, collecting dew on their flared petals. A delicate beauty that keeps itself alive despite being battered by wind and rain.

Over a hundred years ago, Christina Rossetti wrote a poem called “Hope Is Like a Harebell.” I had never read that poem before this year, though I studied her poetry in college. And it seems as though Rossetti felt the same thing as I about that humble flower: “Hope is like a harebell, trembling from its birth.”

This design, this collection, is my humble interpretation of that idea. Amethyst growing amidst rough silver granite feels like a hopeful thing to me.

These earrings feature rich purple, faceted amethysts set at the bottom of a beautifully flared sterling silver base. Seemingly spilling below the ear.

The earrings has been roughly textured and oxidized, and then the surface of the silver finished with a soft satin finish.


Becalm Necklaces

There will be 49 necklaces available.
Necklaces will be suspended from a chain adjustable between 16-20″
Price: $119 per necklace

This necklace I did not give a botanical name, I didn’t create it with any subtle nods to resilient wildflowers. I didn’t have poem or image in mind as inspiration when I made it.

I created this necklace to soothe. There are a lot of objects people use to calm anxiety; some people have a spinner ring, others have a worry stone. I myself am a necklace tugger. When I am thinking or uncomfortable, I tug and twirl whatever necklace I am wearing.

When this summer became really stressful, one day I noticed myself tugging on the little onyx necklace I constantly wear these days. But the onyx is small and difficult to grip, and the chain is short, which made it awkward. And in that moment sitting at my bench, I imagined a simple amethyst necklace with a length of chain swinging gently below. A lariat for when days feel overwhelming.

I kept the very first one I made, and have worn it every day since. It is a reminder to let the breath you’ve been holding in out, to plant your toes firmly in the ground, and say “Okay.”

Each of these necklaces feature a small, faceted amethyst; the sweetest, gentlest gemstones I had.

Below the stone is a short length of chain with a tiny silver drop. The silver drops swings about 2” below the gemstone. A bit of necklace to twirl between your fingers when things feel overwhelming.

I built these necklaces into somewhat short chains, adjustable between 16-20”. They are meant to be worn high, gemstone around the clavicle, with the silver drop swinging comfortingly below. But there is enough chain if you prefer your necklaces a bit longer (worn at 20″). But if you’d like yours even shorter, leave a note during checkout with how many inches you’d like me to snip out. (They can be shortened, but not lengthened.)


And that’s everything that will be included in Part I of the amethyst collection!

Violet Linings Collection Release, Part I: Sunday, August 29th at 7PM EST in the Etsy shop

“Softly the evening came with the sunset.” – Henry Wordsworth Longfellow

Tonight I am feeling hopeful for the autumn. The amethyst collection has truly been such a balm for me; resilience and hopefulness encapsulated in metal and stone. After ruthlessly hammering and roughening every piece of silver on my bench, the amethysts soothed what was left. And now, with all of these little violet linings photographed and tucked safely away while they await the collection release, I am feeling hopeful and soft. And this sunset felt particularly soft, as well.

Ahead of this collection release, I just want to say a thousand times thank you for being here. Every time you leave a sweet comment, share my work, or joy of all joys, claim a piece of my jewelry for yourself, you are supporting a dream and a family, and four very demanding cats. Your ongoing support is every day a violet lining for me, to be able to do this work, even when everything else can be frustrating, disappointing, or lackluster, means everything. My endless thanks to you.

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: amethyst, art, artisan, artist, artists, creative process, inspiration, Jewelry, metalsmith, metalsmithing, moonspinner, violet

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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
  • Nocturne Collection, Part I
  • 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
  • Silence Amidst the Owls
  • The Ravens Are Flying In
  • Beren’s Shield Necklaces
  • Mossflower Collection, Pt. I (Fourth Preview)

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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! 🙃🏃🏻‍♀️

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! 🙇🏻‍♀️)
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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. ☕️💕
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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. 💕
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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. 🌨🧣🫖✨
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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
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I just love these 🫖 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
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I like to imagine 🫖 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. 🧣🫖✨
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 Garnet is the per 🫖 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
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I have had a few 🫖 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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