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A Winter Solstice Collab with Maia Toll

December 6, 2019 ·

This collection is in celebration of Maia Toll’s beautiful book “The Illustrated Bestiary,” which explores animal totems and the guidance that may be obtained through observation and ritual. Maia has an uncanny ability to draw meaning from the world, to observe every corner of life and integrate the wisdom therein. It is incredibly easy to drift along, to passively observe, to distract oneself out of self-awareness. This book is a beautiful reminder to learn from the world.  

I first discovered Maia through her (now ended) podcast “The Lunar Lab” a few years ago, and I relished every episode. I started metalsmithing about seven years ago, and had a rocky transition into approaching it as a “business.” The dream was to spend my days making art without having to punch a clock in a profession that didn’t bring me joy. But the path forward was murky and unfamiliar. Early in the business, I was terrified of getting too deeply into debt, because unlike some other mediums, the cost of materials for metalsmithing is shocking. Precious metals, ethically sourced gemstones, a gajillion tools, one can easily go into substantial debt. In addition to that early apprehension, I also was disheartened by typical philosophies surrounding business. There was information thrown at me from all directions on how to do it “right.” Smart business and all that. Production strategies, tax payment plans, marketing campaigns, profit margins, and so forth. And in the face of these things, I felt the soul of my work recoiling. 

And that was precisely when I discovered Maia’s podcast, which was dedicated to exploring conscious business practices and all the beautiful ways in which people can carve out their own path forward. Through the podcast, I began to be more aware of my personal seasons, work cycles, the rhythms of my mind and hands. Maia’s words became one of the pillars in my approach to the business side of my art. Her friendly cadence moving with me through budget spreadsheets and calendar planning.  I found my way back to measuring success by different metrics, such as “How does this piece make me feel?” rather than “Did the piece sell, and if not, what was my profit loss?” I learned to not be scared of the financial side of things, because as long as I was being wise, the most important aspect is always to create honest work that moves the soul. I ditched much of the early business advice I was given, and moved along the path of art as business with Maia in my earbuds. And I cannot tell you what a balm that was.

There is a quote in the introduction to “The Illustrated Bestiary” that strummed my core: “The deep knowledge that I was woven-in and integral cured some nameless longing that had haunted me since childhood. Something in me calmed and became still.” This resonated to the very tips of my toes, because it spoke to my approach to metalsmithing. What gives my work meaning to me is the communing. Whether it is an ode to November ravens or a beloved book about a unicorn in a lilac wood, making collections that tether me more tangibly to that which has meaning to me is the soul of this work. Considering how honeybees navigate with internal compasses as I sail around their silhouettes with a coping saw. Sketching entire collections around my very favorite passages, characters, and notions from “The Silmarillion.” Picking up twigs and flowers while on a mountain in the Adirondacks with the intention of bedecking my metalsmithing bench. All of these things are my way of reestablishing my connection with that which I love. This work weaves me in even more closely with literature, the earth, my experience of life, the dear souls who connect with my work. It is one of the most soul-enriching ways in which I tuck myself into the tapestry. 

It took me nearly a month to decide which stone to use for this collection. I hemmed; I hawed; I turned stones over in my hands; I opened and reopened my gemstone cabinet countless times. And then, I happened upon my collection of silver sheen obsidian. These stones are incredibly special, with a beautiful silver schiller that plays across the tops. They look as though they are made of liquid glitter, mercurial in the way the light seems to drip across the slopes of the stones. Some of the stones have a very swirled pattern, like they were undulated into solidification. 
In the beginning of “The Illustrated Bestiary,” Maia includes a quote about the relationship between ourselves and animals: “Every creature of the world is a book or a picture, and also a mirror for ourselves.” – Alain de Lille, 12th Century 

This quote encapsulates my approach to the pieces I designed in celebration of Maia’s book. For hundreds of years, mirrors have served as symbols of self-realization and wisdom. In literature, there are numerous instances of liquid mirrors used for either portent or self-revelation: the mirror of Galadriel which showed past and possible futures, Merlin’s use of bowls of water in scrying in order to keep the young king safe, Narcissus’s revelation of self in a forest pool. And it is with these notions in mind that I designed this collection.

When held in the palm, one could almost imagine movement in the schiller of silver sheen obsidian, like a scene taking shape in a magic mirror. It is a volcanic glass, so this comparison to a mirror feels all the more apt. At the bottom of each pendant, I have included a swath of leaves curved over the stone, which harkens to Maia’s work as an herbalist. The leaves partially obscure the stone, like beech leaves strewn about a dark forest pool. And as animal totems are inherently a personal, inner journey, I have sawn the silhouettes of a few of the animals included in “The Illustrated Bestiary” out of the backs of the pendants to reveal the stone, a secret animal form to rest against the heart. The backs are like the silver sheen obsidian swirled into the animal form, as though you were looking into a magic mirror. A flash of illumination in an otherwise dark surface, like the flash of intuition in the self. 

This is a very limited run featuring representatives of “The Illustrated Bestiary.” There will be fourteen necklaces, with only one necklace per animal chosen. They will debut in the shop one at a time with one per day at 10:00 a.m. EST each morning from December 6th -19th. Each listing includes a signed copy of “The Illustrated Bestiary” to be mailed separately. The necklaces and books will be shipped on the same days as purchase to ensure swift delivery. And then, on the day of the winter solstice, we will conjure a bit of sunshine.

   

Filed In: Uncategorized / Tagged: Animal Totems, Artisan Jewelry, Jewelry, Maia Toll, moonspinner, moonspinner jewelry, Special Collaboration, The Illustrated Bestiary

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πŸ₯° Direct link to the Etsy shop in my profile! πŸ₯° Direct link to the Etsy shop in my profile!

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#uniquejewelry #artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #prettylittlethings #etsyhandmade #heytheremaker  #makersvillage #doitfortheprocess #madefromscratch #ardentfinds #modernmaker #justmyart #madewithlove #makermovement #handmadeaf #handcraftedjewelry #mountainmade #designerjewelry #womanmade #wildwoman #wildmagic #wildatheart #inspiredbynature #moonspinner #etsyjewelry #flashesofdelight #handmadejewelry  #womenwhocreate #daysofsmallthings
Trees made of light and stone, small enough to hol Trees made of light and stone, small enough to hold in your hand. 

I tried to make as many of these necklaces as I could, nearly every pendant sized moss agate gemstone became one of these sweet necklaces with the sterling branch and pebble border on the front, and sawn tree window on the back. 

I hope you are able to pluck yours during the release! 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatejewelry #artisanjewelry #botanicalrings #cottagecorejewelry #daintyjewelry #femalemade #forestcore #gemstonedesign #handcraftedjewelry #handmaderings #moonspinner #mossagate #mosslove #naturejewelry #pinejewelry #necklaceoftheday #silverjewelry #silverrings #slowmade #statementjewelry #terrariumjewelry #treejewelry #womenwhocreate
✨ The Forest Calls Ring ✨ Sweet friends, I t ✨ The Forest Calls Ring ✨ 

Sweet friends, I took a few days off with visitors, and then yesterday was my birthday, but now I am back to the bench for the final stretch.

I am setting stones by the dozens and have so much to share. (There are still two designs I haven’t even shown here yet!) 

Over the next week I will be getting everything ready for the collection release: photographing all the individual pieces for their Etsy listings, writing down their sizes from the mandrel, drafting a full preview for the blog (be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get the preview in your email inbox!), and dipping them in deciduous sunlight to carry to their intendeds. 

Image description: A bold statement ring made of sterling silver and smooth moss agate. A textured ring band made to look like birch bark. A ruffled, notched edge around the stone to make the ring look like the cross-section of a tree stump. Inside the ring reads β€œSilva Vocat,” which is Latin for β€œThe Forest Calls.” Oxidized for accent shadows and given a matte polish. 
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🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatejewelry #artisanjewelry #botanicalrings #cottagecorejewelry #daintyjewelry #femalemade #forestcore #gemstonedesign #handcraftedjewelry #handmaderings #moonspinner #mossagate #mosslove #naturejewelry #pinejewelry #necklaceoftheday #silverjewelry #silverrings #slowmade #statementjewelry #terrariumjewelry #treejewelry #womenwhocreate
Tiny silver hemlock trees that will never fade, ne Tiny silver hemlock trees that will never fade, never wither, never fall. An eternal ephemeral to wear against the heart. 🌲✨ 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatejewelry #artisanjewelry #botanicalrings #cottagecorejewelry #daintyjewelry #femalemade #forestcore #gemstonedesign #handcraftedjewelry #handmaderings #moonspinner #mossagate #mosslove #naturejewelry #pinejewelry #necklaceoftheday #silverjewelry #silverrings #slowmade #statementjewelry #terrariumjewelry #treejewelry #womenwhocreateaction
Eagerly awaiting autumn, while not wanting to let Eagerly awaiting autumn, while not wanting to let go of all this saturated, heart-filling green. πŸ’šπŸŒΏ
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#livefolk #staywild #quietinthewild #exploretocreate #countryliving #whimsicalwonderfulwild #theartofslowliving #pursuepretty #folkgood #livesimple #optoutside #foundforaged #earthspirit #natureinspired #getoutside #forestlife #wearewildness #naturelove #intothewoods #seekthesimplicity #findyourwild #wildandfree #natureisbeautiful #naturesbeauty #beautyinnature
The variations between the moss agates are endless The variations between the moss agates are endless! 

Some are light with wisps of  green swirling through, others are solidly packed with tufts of moss. 

Which do you prefer?
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🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#forestjewelry #forestcore #handmadejewelry #artisanjewelry #seekinspirecreate #womenwhocreate #cottagecorejewelry #jewelrywithintention #handmadewithlove #moss #mossterrarium #mossagate #agatejewelry #gemstonejewelry #terrariumjewelry #mosslove #slowmade #naturejewelry  #silverjewelry #gemstonejewelry #pinejewelry
🌟🌲 Less than two weeks!! 🌲🌟 North Woo 🌟🌲 Less than two weeks!! 🌲🌟

North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop

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#forestjewelry #forestcore #handmadejewelry #artisanjewelry #seekinspirecreate #womenwhocreate #cottagecorejewelry #jewelrywithintention #handmadewithlove #moss #mossterrarium #mossagate #agatejewelry #gemstonejewelry #terrariumjewelry #mosslove #slowmade #naturejewelry  #silverjewelry #gemstonejewelry #pinejewelry
I just cant help but hold each and every one up to I just cant help but hold each and every one up to the light. So know that when you claim yours, it will undoubtedly come to you infused with sunshine that trickled through the north woods of Maine.
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🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatenecklace #bohonecklace #bohonecklaces #botanical #botanicaljewelry #cottagecore #forestjewelry #gemstone #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadenecklace #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #moss #mossagatejewelry #mossagatenecklace #mossterrarium #mossy #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #supportlocal #terrarium
Did I even create a collection if I didn't try to Did I even create a collection if I didn't try to put all the rings of a particular design on my fingers at once? πŸ‘‘πŸ’πŸ’Ž
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatejewelry #artisanjewelry #botanicalrings #cottagecorejewelry #daintyjewelry #femalemade #forestcore #gemstonedesign #handcraftedjewelry #handmaderings #moonspinner #mossagate #mosslove #naturejewelry #pinejewelry #necklaceoftheday #silverjewelry #silverrings #slowmade #statementjewelry #terrariumjewelry #treejewelry #womenwhocreate
✨ Tuft of Moss Rings ✨ Little tufts of moss a ✨ Tuft of Moss Rings ✨

Little tufts of moss all in a row! 

A few of the stones in these dainty rings are faceted. When packing up for our summer in the mountains, I found a little handful of faceted agates that I had completely forgotten about. 

And so I scooped them out of my gemstone cabinet and planted them amongst the others of similar sizes. I am so glad I brought them to the cabin, because I think the faceted ring might be my favorite of the bunch. Just wait until you see the large rings with faceted moss agates! Ooh la la! 

Which do you prefer? Faceted or smooth?

β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#agatejewelry #artisanjewelry #botanicalrings #cottagecorejewelry #daintyjewelry #femalemade #forestcore #gemstonedesign #handcraftedjewelry #handmaderings #moonspinner #mossagate #mosslove #naturejewelry #pinejewelry #necklaceoftheday #silverjewelry #silverrings #slowmade #statementjewelry #terrariumjewelry #treejewelry #womenwhocreate
Could someone just shrink me down so I could make Could someone just shrink me down so I could make my home on this tuft of moss??? 🌿✨

When I was little, my favorite stories were ones about tiny creatures living in a giant world. They still are, perhaps. 

I was endlessly enamored with the idea of acorn cups and thimble hats, homes made in birds nests and inside mantle clocks. 

I adored The Borrowers, Ralph S. Mouse, The Indian in the Cupboard, Mossflower, etc.

I made innumerable fairy houses with my sister, some quite elaborate, which we would leave along a small brook which trickled into the cove behind our house. I did this for much longer than most children do, I am sure. 

Later, as a children’s librarian, I was constantly lugging home all the newest middle grade books featuring toads fishing from lily pads and Lilliputian communities. 

Still, even in my thirties, I will stop dead in my tracks when I see a magical looking book about little mice warriors. (Actually, the most recent book I added to my Goodreads β€œWant To Read” list was β€œMice of the Round Table: A Tail of Camelot.” Mice knights!?!) 

All of this to say, is that to this day, I cannot see a comfy looking tuft of moss without wishing I were small enough to take a nap on it. 

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#livefolk #staywild #quietinthewild #exploretocreate #countryliving #whimsicalwonderfulwild #theartofslowliving #pursuepretty #folkgood #livesimple #optoutside #foundforaged #earthspirit #natureinspired #getoutside #forestlife #wearewildness #naturelove #intothewoods #seekthesimplicity #findyourwild #wildandfree #natureisbeautiful #naturesbeauty #beautyinnature
✨ Furtive Hemlock Necklace ✨ Moss and trees m ✨ Furtive Hemlock Necklace ✨

Moss and trees made of stone and silver, and quiet calls from within. 

This is the moss agate necklace design with the secret inscription under the gemstone. On the back is a tree silhouette set against shadows. A solitary tree standing in a misty forest. 

Can you spot the hidden message under the stone? 

There will only be six necklaces in this style in the collection release!
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
🌲North Woods Collection Release: Sunday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop🌲
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#forestjewelry #forestcore #mossagatejewelry #artisanjewelry
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