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Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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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.

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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.

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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

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Recent Posts

  • North Wind Collection, Part I (Third Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part I (Second Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part I (First Preview)
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Unless otherwise noted, all images, designs, and writing is property of Michaela Batstone. All rights reserved.

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An update and a question! •••••••• An update and a question!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
My studio is a whirlwind at the moment! I am pulling the last breaths of the North Wind into these pieces. They are cool to the touch and lasting tokens of winter in the north country.

It is bittersweet finishing these last few designs knowing I won’t be revisiting this collection for a few years. It is particularly bittersweet since most of the designs from this year’s iteration won’t return for a long while. (I like to repeat a few designs each year, but most get tucked away to make room for new ideas.) 

However! As I was packing away the stones and metal components I wouldn’t have time to get to, I did stumble upon a dish of little kyanites I had forgotten about! And so, I thought perhaps I should add some Winter Oak Earrings to this upcoming second release. It felt like kismet that I found them waiting patiently while knowing so many of you weren’t able to catch a pair last time. 

So tell me, is this a design you would like to scoop up if I make some for Part II of the North Wind Collection? Please let me know below if so, that way I can have an idea of whether I should make some or not, and if so, how many! 
———————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD (April)✖️
I am back in the studio, sweet friends! The last I am back in the studio, sweet friends!

The last few weeks were all about Belgian waffles, best friends, and baby toes. (And some Covid tests and sleepy new parents for good measure.) 

I hope to have all your purchases from the surprise sale on the wing to you by tomorrow. And then, in a few weeks, the very last of the North Wind Collection. The pieces will sail by like those last cold breezes that usher in springtime.
——————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD (April)✖️
Just a quick reminder that my surprise sale ends t Just a quick reminder that my surprise sale ends today!

And then I will be back in the studio week after next to finish up the very last of my aquamarine, dendritic agate, and quartz point pieces. (I can’t WAIT to show you the quartz rings I am making. Eep!) 

———————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD (April)✖️
I am so glad so many of you have already caught th I am so glad so many of you have already caught this quick surprise sale I am running! Even a few of the last Mossflower pieces have found thier homes, just in time for spring. I am feeling so joyful right now, and being able to have this little surprise sale to share my warmth has been just the thing. 

( I could have added an exclamation point to every sentence above, but I showed restraint. . . !) 

I plan to leave the sale up for a little while longer, with plans to ship everything in a few weeks.

———————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD (April)✖️
✨ Release postponed and a little sale! ✨ Swee ✨ Release postponed and a little sale! ✨

Sweet friends! I will be postponing Part II of the North Wind Collection until sometime in April. (This includes the simple Glimmer Ice Rings I last previewed, and 4-5 other designs I haven’t shared yet.) 

Looks like this collection will be like that sort of winter that is still knocking on your doors in springtime. I suppose the snowdrops and crocuses will be pleased! 

Since I will be postponing due to some wonderful family events, I am delighted to have a quick little sale for you! I usually only have a sale like this at the end of each year, in order to make some space on my shop shelves for new designs. But, right now life is a little bit unpredictable and a little bit magic, so I wanted to share a bit of that with you. 

I won’t be able to ship for a few weeks, until I am back at home, but if there is something that has been calling to your heart, my shop link is in my profile. The sale will end in a few days!

———————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD (April)✖️
✨ Glimmer Ice Rings ✨ I have been so eager to ✨ Glimmer Ice Rings ✨

I have been so eager to show you these rings! And here they are, all finished and sitting delicately. 

I designed these rings after the type of ice we see in late winter/early spring. When the ice on lakes and pools begins to groan and crack, and spring is beginning to lace its fingers around the vestiges of winter, on some mornings you can find bits of glimmer ice.

The technical definition is the delicate ice that forms in the cracks of or on top of old ice. Glimmer ice appears when old ice has begun to melt and pools of water are collecting, and then a cold night and the North wind lays down a new thin layer of ice.

When I came across that late-winter term, I knew I had to catch it in a ring and save it for late winter. I chose the lightest blue aquamarines I had. Small and glowing, like little frozen puddles. Soft and gentle, like late winter. 

I set them simply, but decided to give them a polished finish to give them a glimmer. I don’t often polish my pieces, I love the earthiness of matte and the shadows of oxidization.

And sometimes polishing feels too easy, because polished pieces always looks beautiful! (Learning to create a perfect antique patina without odd colors, flaking, or going too far in the removal took a fair while to get right!)

But after finishing these pieces, I think I might have fallen in love with a polished finish.

What do you think? What kind of finish to you prefer? (Matte/Oxidized/Polished)

———————————————
✖️North Wind Collection Release: PART II - Date TBD✖️
My steadfast smithing companion. She has her own c My steadfast smithing companion. She has her own chair and demands snugs about once an hour. What would we do without our furry companions??
Falling in love with each and every aquamarine rin Falling in love with each and every aquamarine ring I set! 

Collection release date will be announced soon. I promise!
I am at that point with the North Wind Collection I am at that point with the North Wind Collection where it is time to put away the gemstones and designs I know I won’t have time to get to this year. It breaks my heart whenever I get to this stage! But the North Wind Collection will return in a few years, so I take comfort in that knowledge.

Still not sure if these crackling aquamarines will be tucked away or not. Perhaps if I discover a way to slow time down they will make an appearance!

I am planning to gather up the very last of winter for Part II of the North Wind Collection. I haven’t chosen a date yet for the final North Wind Release. I want to give these upcoming designs the time they require to crystalize. I am hoping to release them the last weekend of March, but we shall see!
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.
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