• Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop

Silence Amidst the Owls

December 11, 2020 · 1 Comment

I have been saving my precious Laura Mears porcelain owls for quite a while now, and had originally planned to revisit them sometime next year. But after much hemming and hawing, I decided to tuck away those last two prehnite designs (Tending Necklaces and Oak Rings) to be finished next time around with the Mossflower Collection. And instead decided to gather up my last creative moments of this year and spend them with these owls.

2020 has been such a year of noise. Some that was powerful and thrumming leading into great, snapping cracks in edifices designed to elevate some and oppress the rest. There was a bit of sweet, grateful noise towards those who have risked so much recently in the service of others. There was other noise that was sharp and insidious: political bluster, cruel insults, and power posturing. And if you leaned in a bit, you could also hear the steady harmony of kindness underneath all the other crashing and bellowing: the buoying of people who are struggling, the supporting art and small business.

Here at the end of this year, after months of listening and feeling and not turning away, I crave a bit of silence. Silence like a cool stream on aching feet.

Perhaps you remember, my first porcelain owl collection was created as a meditation on silence. In these owls, I look for the grace that can be found in a moment of silence in a dark, wintry forest, wherein stars are close enough to touch and owls are your brethren.

Nighttime Forest Necklaces: $375 each

These necklaces are bold and sturdy. Studded with shimmery gray moonstone, jet black onyx, sterling silver pebbles, delicate curving leaves, an alder twig cast from a real branch, and a double layer for weight and substance. And resting above it all, a porcelain owl sculpted and painted by Laura Mears Designs.

They are asymmetrical in shape, curving and undulated around the various stones and silver elements, like a cool current of night air tracing its way around a tree. On the backs of all the pendants are the imprints of tiny stars, small pieces of the night sky to press upon the heart.

And on the backs of these pendants, an inscription. A long time ago I read an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and there is a quote by him that was the original inspiration for these pieces and feels particularly relevant here at the end of 2020: “Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of the gods.”

This was a line from an essay about friendship, and contextually it is about not sullying the pure connection between friends with unnecessary words. But I chose to consider that sentence apart, and took a simpler meaning: the divinity of silence.

Tiny Owl Rings: $250 each

These rings are such a joy to wear, I kept one for myself years ago. Whenever I wear it, I feel as I though I have a tiny familiar accompanying though the day. I love to glance down at it and feel as though I have conjured him out of the forest.

Above and below him are a icy moonstone with a flash of blue and a jet black onyx, dark like a forest dipped in midnight. And on either side of his face is a tiny branch cast from a real twig.

What sweet little fellows to wear upon the hand.

There will be a few available in the collection release in the following sizes: 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 8.25, 9.25, 10.25

Silent Owls with Grey Moonstone Bellies (Larger Size): $310 each

Perhaps my favorite design in the entire offering are these simple little owls, a few of them tiny.

Silent Owls with Grey Moonstone Bellies (Smaller Size): $245 each

Each studded with two tiny sterling silver pebbles, a faceted gray moonstone custom cut for this collection, and a double layer for weight and substance.

And resting above it all, a few different types of porcelain owl sculpted and painted by Laura Mears Designs.

On the backs of the pendants are the imprints of tiny stars, small pieces of the night sky to press upon the heart.

These pieces, particular the ones with the deep gray bellies, give me the feeling of silence I was trying to capture. The owls looks so patient and still.

They embody that silence I seek, that is both overwhelming and empty: a place for unfettered thought, a moment of beatitude. And then the smallest sound brings you back into the regular flow of being.

With the noise of this year, those moments of divine silence feel rare, but such a welcome balm. And these pieces are my attempt to capture those quiet moments.

The smaller ones are so sweet, don’t you think?

Barn Owls with White Chalcedony Drops: $335 each

And the final two designs, the full-bodied owls. These cabochons were always the hardest for me to claim during Laura’s shop updates.

Barn Owl with Onyx Drop: $360

They are the rare, full bodied version of her much loved barred owls. They are is set simply atop two layers of sterling silver. Understated to show off the detailing of the porcelain owl. Below them below them swing single gemstones, some with pearlize chalcedony, and one with a multi-faceted onyx.

And again, on the backs of the pendants are the imprints of tiny stars, pieces of a silent sky to carry with you.

——————————————
✖️Night Owl Collection Release: Sunday, December 13th at 3pm EST in the Etsy Shop✖️

   

Filed In: Inspiration / Tagged: forest jewelry, Jewelry, laura mears, moonspinner, owl, owl jewelry

Comments

  1. Lois Venarchick says

    December 12, 2020 at 11:15 am

    Beautiful works. Your compositions of porcelain, stone, metal, and texture dance across my vision and I am pulled into the magic that are your pieces.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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

Newsletter

Sign up below for exclusive previews of new collections, glimpses behind the scenes, and words on the inspiration behind the work.

Recent Posts

  • ✨🌟 S P R I NG S A L E 🌟✨
  • 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)
  • Mossflower Collection, Pt. I (Third Preview)
  • Mossflower Collection, Pt. 1 (Second Preview)
  • Mossflower Collection, Pt. I (First Preview)

Blog Archives

  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (1)
  • March 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (2)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (1)
  • August 2021 (3)
  • May 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (3)
  • January 2021 (1)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • November 2020 (2)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • November 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (1)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (1)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • July 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • February 2018 (3)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (6)
  • September 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (2)
  • June 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (1)
  • April 2017 (3)
  • March 2017 (2)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • July 2016 (1)
  • May 2016 (2)

Categories

  • At Home
  • Gifts for You
  • In the Studio
  • Inspiration
  • Jewelry
  • Musings
  • On the Bench
  • This and That
  • Uncategorized
Unless otherwise noted, all images, designs, and writing is property of Michaela Batstone. All rights reserved.

Newsletter

Sign up below for exclusive previews of new collections, glimpses behind the scenes, and words on the inspiration behind the work.

💜 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! 
-
-
-
-
-
#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! 🌟

-
-
-
-
-
-
#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.

-
-
-
-
-
-
#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. 💫

-
-
-
-
-
-
#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.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#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. 

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#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!

-
-
-
-
-
#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! ✨💜
Follow on Instagram

Navigate

  • Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis