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Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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Revisiting Memento Mori

March 12, 2022 · 2 Comments

“If I had my life to live over again, I would form the habit of nightly composing myself to thoughts of death. I would practice, as it were, the remembrance of death. There is not another practice which so intensifies life. Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by surprise. It should be part of the full expectancy of life.” – Muriel Spark

Symbolically, poppies are flowers of remembrance and consolation. Labradorite matches this sentiment, in my mind. They are somewhat somber, somewhat brooding, like a chilled rainy day. The base stone is a murky gray, or sometimes dark but clear like a rain puddle. But then when you tilt the stone in just the right way, there is a flash of brilliant blue or green, like a sudden memory. As such, these feel like perfect memento moris, tokens of remembrance.

Despite their somewhat melancholy origin, watching these poppies grow and bloom across my bench-top over the past few weeks has been like pure, springtime magic. These flowers inspired me dig out an armful of dresses to wear around the house, because I am ready for summer sunshine, dappled forest shadows, and handfuls of wildflowers. And I am pleased as punch to share them with you now!


Memento Mori Rings

There will be 44 rings available.
Price: $126 per ring

Sizes: 4.75, 5, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 6, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5,
7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,
8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75, 9.75, 10, 10.5, 11

When I decided to revisit the Memento Mori Earrings for those who missed them during the Nocturne Collection, I knew I wanted to add a ring. Something simple and dainty, but unique. I knew that this design was going to be pretty, but I didn’t know how I would fall head over heels for them!

Whenever I make a new design, I always like to wear the prototype for a day to see how she handles. I want everything to feel just right before I make the others.

What I was not expecting was that I would spend the entire afternoon staring at the ring, tilting it in sun and shade, watching it as we drove to the ocean.

I find I love everything about this design, the way the gemstones catch and throw the light, the broody shadows of the poppies, how they rest so lightly on the hand.

I tried to make as many of the requested sizes as possible. They will still be first come first served, so no worries if you didn’t get a chance to call out your ring size. There will be a little over three dozen available.

These rings have been hand-sawn and forged from all sterling silver. Fabricated petal by petal, this design features a poppy with gently curled petals to give the piece dimension and texture.

In the center of each flower is small sterling silver pollen granulation. The flower measures around 8-9mm, but each ring will be slightly unique in size and shape.

Each poppy rests gently against a shimmering, faceted labradorite gemstone. The stones in the rings have a liquidy glimmer across the top, and a warm glow from within. Pure, otherworldly magic in a stone.

Each ring is set atop a 3mm rectangle sterling silver band and fit true to size.

They have been oxidized and brushed to bring out the intricate detailing of the petals, and offset the bright flash of the stone.

These rings truly send my heart a-patter. They are all flaunt and flash and furl!


Memento Mori Earrings

There will be 35 pairs available.
Price: $148 per pair
They measure about 40mm from the top of the earwire to the bottom of the stone
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“Memento mori” is a Latin phrase which translates as “remember death.” Throughout art history, there has been a wide range of memento mori objects: Rennaissance paintings of decaying fruit, marble sculptures of skulls, morbid prayer beads, and so forth. All to remind the viewer of the transience of life. And so, a poppy for remembrance, and a somber stone with a sudden brilliant flash of memory.

Can you even believe that the earth created such otherworldly, magic, thundery gemstones as these?? This teal is so jaw-dropping, especially in person.

I kept a deep blue pair for myself, and find myself constantly tilting them in sunshine whenever I catch sight of them in a mirror or shop window. I am bewitched by these gemstones.

Labradorite can be somewhat hard to photograph. The flash can be furtive and selective, waiting for just right light before it will streak across the stone.

But there is something about dim afternoon light in winter that positively sets these stones aflame.

Like the rings, this design features beautiful labradorites, some are smooth and some are faceted. They range in color and hue from leafy green to deeply saturated teal to deep dark blue.

For the earrings, I used big generous cuts of labradorite, somewhat rough and organic. Many featuring crackles and fissures, bold flashes and sometimes irregularities on the surface. Like stones one would find tucked amongst wildflowers, weathered and natural.

Each stone is suspended below a fluffy hand-forged poppy, and dangle from french ball earwires.

Like the rings, the earrings have been given a patina and hand-polished to give the pieces shadows and texture set against the brilliant flash of the labradorites.


Memento Mori Cuff Bracelets

There will be (14) bracelets available.
Sizes: There will be (10) S/M bracelets, and (4) M/L bracelets available.
Price: $165 per bracelet
* S/M = 6″ around with a 1″ gap
* M/L = 7″ around with a 1″ gap

Is there anything better than having a handful of poppies blooming and thundery gemstones atop your wrist? I think not.

I could tilt and twirl these labradorite gemstones all day. The flash in each stone is so different, as is the clarity.

Some are somewhat rough and organic, with surface crackles and striations running through the stones. Others have the most unreal, uniform, watery shimmer across stones that looks like a bright, blue sky reflected in springtime sky puddles.

I tried to get a family photo of them all in a bowl, but I just couldn’t tame them. They were flashing and blooming in all different directions, but I hope you can get an idea of them!

This design consists of a few beautiful cuts of shimmering, faceted labradorites, and delicately crafted poppies, dotting satiny bracelet bands.

Unfurling poppies (for remembrance), thundery labradorite in various cuts and hues, and shadows in all the corners.

These cuff bracelets are easily adjustable and are hand-forged from sterling silver. The cuff band is made from strong half-round band for comfort.

And that’s everything that will be included in this final Memento Mori offering!

Memento Mori Collection Release: Sunday, March 13th at 7PM EST in the Etsy shop


A few things to keep in mind

Please double check your shipping address on your Etsy account before the release to make sure it is correct before you place an order. 

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 that for me to see all my new pieces! 

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!

Also, some have noted that the Etsy App is glitchy, so a web browser on your phone or on a computer is the most reliable way to go.

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!

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.

My advice is that if you have a piece you have your heart set on, complete checkout with that item first. If you click “Buy It Now” the listing’s page, you can purchase much quicker. 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.

 In the days following the release, I will refund any shipping overages for those of you who place more than one order. 
Cheers!

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: art, artisan, artist, artists, botanical, creative process, flower jewelry, inspiration, Jewelry, labradorite, labradorite ring, memento mori, metalsmith, metalsmithing, moonspinner, poppy jewelry

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💜 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! 
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#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! 🌟

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#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.

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#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. 💫

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#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.

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#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. 

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#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!

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#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! ✨💜
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