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Silence Amidst the Owls

December 11, 2020 ·

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.

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✖️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

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You know when it gets quiet around here, I am usua You know when it gets quiet around here, I am usually swimming through a sea of gemstones and bending silver like a titan. I have so much goodness in the works for you. 

I am also nearly finished with all the commissioned orders, yay! By this afternoon, about 3/4 of all the custom pieces are in the mail. 

All I have left are the Winter Berry Tea Rings (because the garnets took a bit longer to get cut than I was anticipating), and a few of the more intricate designs that involve more steps than the others. But I am hoping to have everything all buttoned up and flying through the mail by this weekend, if all goes well!

Thank you for your patience, sweet friends!
Today is definitely a book and giant dinosaur mug Today is definitely a book and giant dinosaur mug kinda day. 📚🦖☕️
I am plucking dozens of rosebuds out of sterling s I am plucking dozens of rosebuds out of sterling silver for you! 
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✨ Hessonite Garnet Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces: Release Date TBD ✨
When working on a new collection, I often like to When working on a new collection, I often like to pair the work with books or media that embody the imagery, sentiments, and inspirations. 

(Which is how my Mossflower Collection morphed into a love letter to J.R.R. Tolkien's works.)

And so with these romantic Hessonite garnets, inverted heart bezels, and furtive rosebuds, I have begun dipping into Shakespeare's sonnets and "Cyrano de Bergerac." 

And now my mind begins to match my bench! All rose petal testaments and secret garden bowers. 
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✨ Hessonite Garnet Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces: Release Date TBD ✨

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Favorite break is book break. 📚💚 What have y Favorite break is book break. 📚💚 What have you been reading lately? 

I am positively devouring books lately, recommend me something! I always write down your suggestions and keep an eye out for them at my library. 
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#bookstagram #igreads #reading #booktube #reader #booksandbeans #flashesofdelight #nothingisordinary #thatsdarling #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #ardentfinds #theartofslowliving #pursuepretty #darlingweekend #livesimple #beautifulthings
This was a few weeks ago, an evening stroll by the This was a few weeks ago, an evening stroll by the river. The evening sky really does have the very best color palette. 

And when the sky looks just like the stones on my bench, well, that is even better. 🎨🌙 💎

(If you sent me a message and I haven't responded yet, just know I am on my way!)

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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
Friends, what can I say, but my endless thanks! Ev Friends, what can I say, but my endless thanks! Every tanzanite ring was claimed last night, and I cannot WAIT for you to see them. I might be biased, but I believe they are even more beautiful in person. 

I was so nervous for the collection release, and it was such a relief to know that it wen't relatively well for everyone. 

The most important thing to me was that all the pieces showed up at the same time for everyone, and I believe they did. The rings landed in the shop for me at the same time (7:01) as some of you all the way in Antarctica! (Hi Rebecca!) 

It did seem that a lot of people trying to pay with Paypal got errors, but the odd part is that there were a few people that it worked for, which means it wasn't a totally universal problem. My plan today is to troubleshoot with Paypal and Shopify customer service. Thank you to those who sent me screenshots, those will be so helpful while I try to fix it. My hope is that once this gets ironed out, it wont be a problem again. 

Thank you for all your feedback, it is invaluable. There are a few things I would still like to add/tweak. I am determined to get a search bar so that you can quickly search for particular sizes or design names, which will be sooo useful for the larger collections.

This was something I had tried to add a few days ago, but I fudged up the coding and broke the shop entirely, resulting in my having to restart with a blank theme and a sulk-watch of "The Hobbit." 

Anyways, I am so excited for future releases, I have so much planned for you! But next, some gorgeous, glowy garnets accompanied by some dainty secret rosebuds.

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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
Tonight, tonight, friends! (Link to the shop in my Tonight, tonight, friends! (Link to the shop in my profile.)
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
✨ A quick tip for if you are trying to catch som ✨ A quick tip for if you are trying to catch something quickly ✨

The “Shop All Available” tab on the home menu takes you to everything that isn’t sold out. 

The “Shop by Collection” option will show you everything from the collection, including what has sold. 

I thought I would leave the sold items on the collection pages for a little bit on each release night, so that if you are looking for a certain piece, you can actually see whether it has been sold on the collection page. 

Whereas if you just want to see what’s currently available in order to catch a piece more quickly, you have that option too.
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✨ TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct link inmy profile) ✨
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
The full preview is up on the blog, sweet friends! The full preview is up on the blog, sweet friends!
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✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: TOMORROW, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
Not going to lie, looking at these tanzanites as I Not going to lie, looking at these tanzanites as I size them on the mandrel and sort through photos has been such a balm to my tech anxiety. They are soothing and calming and just what my frayed nerves need.

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✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
I have a gemstone cabinet, which is really a very I have a gemstone cabinet, which is really a very old printmakers cabinet that a friend of mine found for me at an antique shop. It has dozens of little shelves and rows that I lined with felt and put dividers in. That is where most of my larger stones and bigger collections live.

But sometimes, I pull stones from the cabinet with plans to make something for you, and then the bowl of selected stones gets a little lost in the shuffle of my overcrowded studio. 

And that is what happened to about ten fancy cut tanzanites. I think I pulled them several years ago for something and never used them. And then a few weeks ago as I was pulling stones and checking stock for a few commissions, I found a little glass salt dip with these stones in it. Just in time for this tanzanite offering! 

They must be meant for very particular people, because the timing was uncanny. 
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✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadejewelry #heytheremaker #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #justmyart #ladysmith #madewithlove #mainemade #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #prettylittlethings #purplering #supportlocal #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate #tanzanitering #tanzanitejewelry
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