• Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop

North Wind Collection, Part I (Third Preview)

February 27, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Pocketful of Winter Necklaces

There will be eighteen of these necklaces available.
Price: $185 per necklace

Pendants measure about 45mm (1.5″) across
Comes suspended from an adjustable oxidized sterling silver chain,

which measures between 17 – 20″

I first designed this necklace for myself, as it sings to some essential part of me. When I am out for a ramble, I cannot help but fill my pockets with the beautiful, interesting things I find. (My fella can attest to this.)

I come home with handfuls of sweet little acorns, tattered butterflies, strange lichen, empty shells from long devoured snails, handfuls of milk-vetch, smooth river pebbles, bits of wasps nest. I bring these things home and line my shelves with them, tuck the leaves into books, drop the dragonfly wings into ormolu caskets. Perhaps you do this as well?

In this design, I wanted exemplify my naturalist inclinations. I wanted this piece to feel like a collection of winter you could tuck in your pocket.

I scooped up the icy blue of glaciers, plucked some hoarfrost from an alpine tree, found a bit of fools gold at the bottom of a river, caught the northern lights shimmering blue over a frozen white landscape, and even gathered a bit of black ice.

I pulled in rough textures and dark January shadows, and tossed about some sterling silver pebbles. Winter you can wear about the neck.

These necklaces feature a collection of wintery gemstones: aquamarine, rainbow moonstone, black druzy, pyrite, and little white quartz crystals that look like snowballs. They are arranged randomly with sterling silver pebbles strewn about.

I have sawn a window behind the aquamarine so it positively glows when held up to the light. The back is textured to make it look natural and wintery.

____________________________________________

Winter Current Rings

Price: $124 each
Sizes range from US 4.5 – 11.5,

and since the bands are narrow they fit true to size.

Looking into these stones is like looking up towards the light while underwater, dotted with crackling striations and dark inclusions like clusters of algae or leaves from nearby trees. Glistening facets refracting and throwing the light, like ripples on water.

The gemstones in these rings are so different from one another. Some of the stones are high domed and positively sing blue for all to hear. They catch even the gentlest ray of light to reveal their glowing depths.

Other kyanites greedily drink up the light but remain dark and brooding, like a late-winter shadow. And only certain light from certain angles will reveal a furtive flash of blue.

Some of the stones are clear and bright with tiny flecks of black crystalline inclusions.

Others wear their crackles near the surface, like stress cracks on a deep, dark glacier.

And just a few hold rainbows in their bellies and a have a bit of glitter on their cheeks.

Rings for finding forest pools after the first snow melt, breaking icicles off roof edges, and exploring coves still sparkling with sea ice. Rings for the deep currents that run through winter, dark and saturated.

____________________________________________

Winter Thaw Compass Necklaces

There will be 24 necklaces available.
Price: $155
Measures about 40mm from top to bottom
Comes suspended from an adjustable oxidized sterling silver chain,
which measures between 17 – 20″

I sketched this design for last year’s collection, but did not have time to complete it. I had been wanting to create a wintery version of my Honeybee Compass, and what a joy to now finally hold it in my hand.

In the center is a teal kyanite gemstone, cool and deep like the winter Atlantic ocean. I have sawn out the back of the pendant behind the gemstone so that when you hold it up to the light, it positively glows. I have inscribed lines radiating from the center, and it is double layered for weight.

A tiny window showing the underside of a beautiful, deep teal kyanite gemstone. A window to let light spill through.

And branching out from the glow of the center, tiny irregular cracks in the sterling silver, like the late winter ice that fractures from the warmth of the sun.

I tend to love all the pieces I create, but of tonights offering, I think I love the Winter Thaw Compass Necklace the best. The cracks were a labor of love to create, the kyanite positively glows when held up, and the shape of the pendant is so pleasing. A necklace for finding the light in winter.

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: artisan, Artisan Jewelry, moonspinner, moonspinner jewelry, moonspinnershop, north wind, winter, winter jewelry

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • Back

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

  • 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)
  • Just a few more owls…
  • Owls of Feather and Bronzite
  • North Wind Collection
  • A Winter Solstice Collab with Maia Toll
  • November is for Ravens
  • Winter Bee Collection – Part II
  • Winter Bee Collection – Part I
  • Nocturne Collection
  • Honeybee Collection: Last Preview
  • Honeybee Collection: First Preview
  • Light and Citrine
  • Silence, a Beatitude
  • The Building of Potential Energy
  • Thoughts on Art as Business

Blog Archives

  • 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.

The wind is whipping outside right now, and the bl The wind is whipping outside right now, and the blue satin sky looks as though you could take a scoop out of it with a spoon.

This bright, brisk winter day has me thinking about snowy hiking in the Adirondacks. Micro-spikes digging down towards granite, breath frozen to my hair, and -9 degrees before wind chill at the summit.

Winter hones you like a blade. You feel crisper, bolder; joints and legs gliding like machinery. I wouldnt trade winters in the northeast for anything.

Are you a winter person? Are your winters harsh where you are?
Phew! I have gotten nearly a third of your orders Phew! I have gotten nearly a third of your orders in the mail, and the others should be all packaged up by the end of tomorrow.

What a joy to tuck these pieces in paper and cotton, and know they are going to be loved and cherished by so many winter walkers and snow queens.
Fueled by coffee and very strong tea these days! B Fueled by coffee and very strong tea these days! But I have gotten through everyone's orders and printed all the shipping labels, and you should receive tracking information by Wednesday.

Now to package up each frosty piece! I will whisper words of gratitude to each one as I set them in their boxes and top them with a bow made of paper ribbon.
Kyanite has really stolen my heart this year. πŸ’™ Kyanite has really stolen my heart this year. πŸ’™
I am currently working on shipping refunds for tho I am currently working on shipping refunds for those of you who placed more than one order. I am hoping to have everything in the mail by Wednesday at the latest!
Friends, the warmth you continually show my work n Friends, the warmth you continually show my work never ceases to send me dancing. Your patronage allows me to continue buying silver (goodness, have you see the price of silver lately?! ooph!), keeps food in my kitties’ bowls, and reaffirms that life lived through art is a joyous one indeed. 

When you support my collections, it allows me to dream even bigger for future offerings. When you claim a piece that I have based around finding light in winter or a translation of my magpie-like tendency to collect bits of nature, it shows me that the designs that (in my doubtful moments) feel too particular to my own soul also sings to yours. This work has allowed me to share my heart, and in turn has revealed so many kindred souls. (I think Anne Shirley would have loved my Bee Garden Necklace!) 

Thank you for the encouragement, the orders, the sharing of my work, thank you for being here with me.
Everything is in the shop! I hope that if you are Everything is in the shop! I hope that if you are trying to catch a piece as they float by, you catch all the little snowflakes you love best. πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™
The final preview for Part I of the North Wind Col The final preview for Part I of the North Wind Collection is up on the blog!
The second preview is up on the blog! Working on t The second preview is up on the blog! Working on the final preview as we speak. ✨✨✨
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
βœ–οΈNorth Wind Collection Release: PART I - TONIGHT at 7pm EST in the Etsy Shopβœ–οΈ
The February Rings are set atop matte sterling sil The February Rings are set atop matte sterling silver, 6mm wide, half-round bands. I added a slight hammered texture on the ridge of the band, which to me looks like a path trod through fresh snow.

Don't forget that since these bands are 6mm wide they fit a bit snug!
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
βœ–οΈNorth Wind Collection Release: PART I - TONIGHT at 7pm EST in the Etsy Shopβœ–οΈ
Currently hurriedly writing listings and working o Currently hurriedly writing listings and working on blog previews! 

The blog posts will include additional pictures, ring sizes, and prices for the pieces in the North Wind Collection, Part I. I have the first preview up (link in the profile) and should be finishing the others soon.

Someone send me a time-turner!
βœ–οΈIMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE RELEASE!βœ–οΈ
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
πŸ”Έ All the pieces I have been previewing the last several weeks will be in tonight’s 7:00 p.m. EST shop update. It is first come first served, to give all a fair chance to claim the pieces that are calling.

πŸ”Έ Remember! Etsy won’t reveal my new listings for you right at the release time, you have to refresh and reload my shop page, sometimes a few times, before they all show up. It even does the same for me! 

πŸ”Έ Etsy is often slow with populating my shop after I publish my listings, I believe because I list so many pieces at once! I have been told this is because they work out of the cloud now rather than dedicated servers.

 So if you want to try for a piece at release time, start on the home page and move through the pages from there. If you click on the collection section on the left, sometimes it takes 15 minutes or so for listings to show up. A very strange glitch, but it happens. Refresh often!

πŸ”Έ Make sure you look at all the photos of the pieces you are looking to purchase, because I try to photograph these pieces from every angle, in my hand for size reference, and in natural light, so you can see exactly what you will receive. I want you to be sure you are purchasing the perfect pieces for you!

πŸ”Έ That being said, an item isn't "yours" until you complete checkout. Meaning that other people can purchase items you are looking at, or that you even have in your cart. This is an Etsy feature that I cannot change.

πŸ”Έ My advice is that if you have a piece you have your heart set on, complete checkout with that item first. And then go back for the other pieces you want. Checking out separately allows you to claim your pieces more quickly, and you have less of a chance of a piece being scooped out of your cart.

πŸ”Έ Following the release, I will refund any shipping overages for multiple orders. I will be shipping out all the Part I orders together though, that way I don’t get confused when it comes time to ship Part II orders. 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
I hope you are able to claim the pieces that have been calling to you!
Follow on Instagram

Navigate

  • Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis