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Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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Hand-forged artisan jewelry madein a little metalsmithing studio in Maine.

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Latest from the Blog

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)

Unless otherwise noted, all images, designs, and writing is property of Michaela Batstone. All rights reserved.

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✨ February Forest Necklace Sets ✨ During Part

✨ February Forest Necklace Sets ✨

During Part I of the North Wind Collection, I made a handful of larger February Forest Necklaces. What made them special is that each necklace had a twin, another necklace that was set with a stone cut from the same rough, like the two sides of the same coin.

I thought this was a sweet notion, knowing that your chosen necklace had a twin somewhere out there in the world, perhaps soaking up the California sun or maybe catching the wind while bicycling down a sweet, little street in Holland. (Both are places where these necklaces ended up!)

You all seemed to enjoy that as much as I, so I thought it would be nice to create a few more, but this time as sets. Like grown up friendship necklaces to give to a beloved.

I used some of my smaller dendritic agates, simple and small enough to tuck under a sweater. And as with the others, there is a rim around the stone which has been been textured to look like tree bark.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

✖️ Heads up about the Winter Owl Necklaces! ✖️

I just wanted you to know before tomorrow that the next time I revisit the North Wind Collection (2023 or so), these owls won't be included.

I have made them for every iteration of the North Win Collection, so it feels time to tuck the design away for a while.

And so, I made a few dozen of them this year in hopes that everyone who wants one can catch one! I used the very last of my large dendritic agates on these.

I always try to be clear about which pieces won’t be returning for a while, because there is nothing that breaks my heart more than when you sweet souls miss out on a piece you tried for, especially when knowing it won’t be coming back for a bit.

And since these have been so popular in the past and I always get requests for them, I wanted to make sure you knew these will be the last for a little bit. 💙
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - TOMORROW at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

✨ Alpinist Rings ✨ I designed this ring as an

✨ Alpinist Rings ✨

I designed this ring as an ode to climbers of high mountains. Rough and sturdy, like those who trudge for long hours and days to reach mountaintops that few others visit. Conquering peaks far above the tree-line, and then tracing outlines of mountain ranges on the horizon with scuffed fingertips. Dreaming of going further, hiking higher. A ring for snowy ascents and reaching up into bluebird skies.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - TOMORROW at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

Friends! I have begun putting up previews for this

1, 2, 3, 4, or 5? I always love hearing which piec

1, 2, 3, 4, or 5? I always love hearing which pieces you are most drawn to. I think I love 1 the best because of all those tiny, feathery sparkles.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

When I finished the December Flight Necklaces, I d

When I finished the December Flight Necklaces, I decided to include at least a few of each gemstone.

There will mostly be teal kyanites, but for those who fell in love with either the gray moonstone or rutilated quartz, there will be a few special owls that will feature those!
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

Can you believe it is only a few more days until p

Can you believe it is only a few more days until part II of the North Wind Collection gusts into the shop?! Eep!

Also, what do you think of this pyramid shaped aquamarine? I love the smoothy, creamy aquamarines, but boy, this icy, sparkly stone is incredible.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

Be still my heart! The necklaces to match the Icic

Be still my heart! The necklaces to match the Icicle Earrings from Part I of the North Wind Collection.

Each features a beautiful gemstone that to me looks like twigs and bits of detritus frozen just below the surface of a iced-over pond, captured by winter.

I have opened a window on the backs of each necklace to let light through and accentuate the feeling of ice.

And below the gemstone is a twist fringe; little sterling icicles, bright and swaying, caught by the cold and fixed mid-air.

Slices of winter to carry through the year.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

One of the greatest gifts of this work is to be ab

One of the greatest gifts of this work is to be able to work with stones so incredibly different from one another.

If I open up my gemstone cabinet and scoop out a handful of dendritic agate, each Lilliputian landscape caught in the stone will be utterly different. No windswept, leafless tree the same. The hues and inclusions swirling in unique patterns.

And when I make a handful of the same design but with such differing stones, it allows you to find the one that makes your soul sing, the one that rekindles a memory, the one that just makes you feel some kinda way. What a gift this work is!

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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

Tiny owls made of light and stone. ✨
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

✨ Winter Oak Earrings ✨ I have always loved a

✨ Winter Oak Earrings ✨

I have always loved a heavily textured piece of jewelry. Hammered bands, reticulated backplates, granulation running around a stone, it is all lovely to me.

There is something so personal about getting to know the very texture of a piece, thumbs remembering the well-worn path of mindless fidgeting. I tend to spin my rings around my fingers and rub the speckled texture of my Luthien Cuff when I am thinking.

This coming year I plan to explore texture much more with all my upcoming collections.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

That aquamarine though! 😍 Do you have a favori

That aquamarine though! 😍

Do you have a favorite "cool" gemstone? I am partial to moonstones with a blue flash. And dendritic agates with a purplish-blue hue.
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✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Sunday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy shop ✖️

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