• Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop

North Wind Collection, Part II (Third Preview)

May 14, 2021 ·

The third preview for Part II of the North Wind Collection,
brought to you by the sweetest little Eastern Bluebird!
(He was too beautiful not to share, even though this picture is terribly dim!)


December Flight Necklaces

There will be 30 of these necklaces available.
Price: $110 per necklace
.
Pendant measures about 1″ (25mm) across.
Comes suspended from an oxidized sterling silver chain,

adjustable between 14 – 17″.

When I finished the December Flight Necklaces, I decided to include at least a few of each gemstone. Marquise-cut teal green kyanites, shimmering gray moonstone teardrops, and rutilated quartzes with the tiniest, most sparkly micro-facets.

There will mostly be teal kyanites, but for those who fell in love with either the gray moonstone or rutilated quartz, there will be a few special owls that will feature those!

Goodness, I love these simple necklaces. An owl in flight, clutching a sparkling winter gemstone.

Each of these is hand-forged from solid sterling silver. They feature tiny flying owls silhouetted against a black background, like an owl in the night sky.

Below each owl is a faceted gemstone to sway gently like a last leaf in the breeze. And the back of the pendants have been textured on granite to resemble a winter stone.

I have made them on shortish chains to sit just below the clavicle. (Though each will have about 3” off adjustable chain so you can get the perfect length.) Sweet familiars to carry through the day.


Glimmer Ice Rings

There will be 30 of these necklaces available.
Price: $90 – $120 per ring, dependent on the stone
.
Sizes available:
4.5 | 5 |5 | 5.25 | 5.5 |5.5 | 5.75 | 5.75 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.25 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.75 | 6.75 | 6.75 | 6.75 | 6.75 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7.25 | 7.25 | 7.25 | 7.25 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.75 | 8 | 8 | 8.25 | 8.25 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.75 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9.25 | 9.25 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 10 | 10.75 | 11 | 11 | 11

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.

Some of these aquamarines are the impossible blue of a summer day, others are a watery blue with flecks of algae floating through. And others are this unreal, misty grey-blue. I can’t even decide what those stones remind me of!

Some are faceted to catch and throw the light, others are smooth like a still pool. And they are cut in all different shapes. Many of the stones have feathery inclusions and crackles running through the stones.

A few of the stones have surface crackles, where you can feel the tiny fissures beneath your fingernail.

I considered not using any of these stones, tucking them into my box of stones needing resurfacing. But some of them were just TOO beautiful. So I used them anyway! They will of course be marked down a bit and I will let you know in the titles of each which rings they are. I ended up keeping one of the rings with surface crackles, it was just too beautiful to part with.


There is one more preview coming up, including a design I haven’t shared yet. Stay tuned!
North Wind Collection Release, Part II: Sunday, May 16th at 7PM EST in the Etsy shop

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: aquamarine, forest, forest jewelry, ice, kyanite, moonspinner, moonspinner jewelry, moonspinnershop, moonstone, north wind, owl, owl jewelry, rings, winter, winter jewelry

  • Forth
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 12
  • 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

  • Winter Berry Tea Rings
  • A Handful of Autumn
  • North Woods Collection (Second Preview)
  • North Woods Collection (First Preview)
  • Violet Linings Collection
  • Revisiting Memento Mori
  • Garnet Valentines
  • The Last Flock of Ravens
  • Nocturne Collection, Part II
  • Nocturne Collection, Part I
  • Violet Linings, Part I (Third Preview)
  • Violet Linings, Part I (Second Preview)
  • Violet Linings, Part I (First Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Final Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Third Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (Second Preview)
  • North Wind Collection, Part II (First Preview)
  • 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)

Blog Archives

  • January 2023 (1)
  • November 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • April 2022 (1)
  • March 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (2)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (1)
  • August 2021 (3)
  • May 2021 (4)
  • 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.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far t Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far to reserve a spot for a commission of a piece of my past work! I am slowly working through the requests, pulling gemstones, checking silver stock. Thank you for your patience, if you sent a message, I am on my way! 🙃🏃🏻‍♀️

I have gotten a fair number of requests for the Darkling Sea Rings.

(Can I just say how much it makes my soul sing that there are so many other mermaid-hearts out there!?)

And so I have put the preorder listing back into the shop from the last time I made them, if you'd like to catch one. (I am absolutely determined that everyone who wants one of these rings is able to get one! 🙇🏻‍♀️)
.
.
.
.
.
.
#kyanite #kyanitering #kyanitejewelry #tealkyanite #oceanring #oceanjewelry #oceancore #gemstone #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #supportlocal #mermaidcore #mermaidjewelry
Okay, friends, the Presold Collection is finally a Okay, friends, the Presold Collection is finally a go!

✨ I am going to start by taking (24) commissions for past work, just to see how it goes. 
✨ If there is a design from my past that you'd like me to recreate for you, send me a message on Etsy and we can chat about whether it is possible or not, as I will have to see if I have the right gemstones, silver, etc.
✨ I won't be able to make modifications to the design, because custom work gets complicated quickly, so they will be the same as previously designed. 
✨ I wont be able to create designs from Mossflower, Honeybees, Nocturne, or Night Owls, as those will be coming back later this year. (Hurray!)
✨ I also wont be able to recreate designs from the collaborative collection I did with Maia Toll, as I promised those would be one of a kind pieces. 
✨ The turnaround time will be 8-10 weeks (sooner if I can manage it) between date of purchase and date of shipment. Production will be a bit slow as I am going to be working on these alongside other collections.
✨ I think it's easiest to pay in full up front, rather than figuring out invoices. That way I can pop your piece in the mail the moment its finished! And so once we've chatted over on Etsy about whether your request is possible, I will make you a custom listing to purchase. 
✨ Please be patient with my responses, as I am trying to do this will also pulling together two other collections for you. (A whole bunch of tanzanite rings, the very last of the stock I've had for years! As well as a big, beautify Hessonite garnet collection for February.)

And that's it! So if there's a past design that's been singing to you for years, send me a message and I will see if I can spin some magic for you. 
-
-
-
-
-
#opthandmade #bohojewelry #instajewelry #jotd #shopsmall #handmadejewelry #bohemianjewelry #craftsposure #metalsmith #ladysmith #maker #artisanjewelry #artisan #freepeople #bohemian #livefolk #gypsystyle #bohostyle #dslooking #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #bohochic #gypsysoul #bohofashion #jewelrydesigner #festivalstyle #onthebench
✨ My endless gratitude, moving from Etsy to Shop ✨ My endless gratitude, moving from Etsy to Shopify, and a Presold Collection question for you! ✨ 
———————————————
Cozy friends, what can I say! Each Winter Berry Tea Ring was claimed within about 15 minutes. I like to imagine us all with our darkly brewed rings chatting an afternoon away. What a lucky gal I am! You are the sugar in my tea!
———————————————
Also, I know once again Etsy was a headache for some of you. Showing rings sometimes, and then disappearing again. Showing up if you sort by price, but not if you searched "Winter Berry." I couldn't even see any of the newly listed rings for almost 10 minutes... UGH. 

And so, with some computer work on my part, my next release (a batch of tanzanite rings) will be in a new Shopify shop. 

For the past week I have been setting up the new shop, figuring out Quickbooks integration, and getting through all the unfun parts. I am also learning how to make checkout fast so you can quickly catch your pieces. And I am loving the idea of early bird access for newsletter peeps. 

And best of all, no glitchy releases. (I hope! If you use Shopify and do timed releases, please let me know how they go for you.) 
———————————————
Also, I know some of you missed these rings. As well as many past designs. 

So! I am officially going to attempt my Presold Collection where you can request a past design. And if I have all the stones and silver necessary, I can then create a preorder listing for you and hit the bench running! 

There will be a few exceptions, like I wont be able to recreate any Mossflower, Honeybee, or Night Owl pieces, since those collections will be returning later this year!

I am likely only going to take on a few dozen commissions at first, just to see how things go. 

Production time will be a bit slow because I am going to be making the commissioned pieces alongside all my other collections (likely 8-10 weeks?). 

And so, if you are hoping to reserve a presold slot, let me know below what past design you are hoping for, so I can start peeking into my gemstone cabinet to see what's possible. 

And then in a few days, I will let you know more!
(Sold) All the Winter Berry Tea Rings are in the s (Sold) All the Winter Berry Tea Rings are in the shop! I hope you'll have a cuppa with me. ☕️💕
———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
A love affair with rhodolite garnet on a snowy aft A love affair with rhodolite garnet on a snowy afternoon. 💕
———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
Oh! I forgot to tell you, the blog preview of all Oh! I forgot to tell you, the blog preview of all the Winter Berry Tea Rings is up. There's a direct link to it in my profile, if you'd like to take a gander. 🌨🧣🫖✨
———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
Tonight, tonight, cozy friends! I have brewed 48 l Tonight, tonight, cozy friends! I have brewed 48 little cups of garnet tea for you. I hope you'll join me! 

Also, thank you to everyone who pretended you were having a cuppa with me, and told me how you take your tea, what the weather is up to where you were, and what novels are on your nightstands. It was the loveliest tea time! 

It is bright and blue and cold here, and I am currently reading the manga "Rose of Versailles" as well as "Leviathan Wakes." Craving a classic these days though too. 

Any recommendations?
———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: TONIGHT, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademia #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I just love these 🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I just love these rings. Spare and simple, but rich and comforting at the same time. 

Like a hot cup of berry tea on a  winter afternoon, shadows clinging to ever surface. 

———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I like to imagine 🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I like to imagine that each of these is a cup of tea I have made for you cozy souls. You would tell me whether you prefer yours sugared or no, and I would ask what novels you've been reading lately. 

We would drink our berry tea before it got cold while we watched the gannets meander down the river. And I would be watching the sky for snow.

———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
A cup of winter berry tea while I photographed the A cup of winter berry tea while I photographed the Winter Berry Tea Rings. Each were equally comforting. 🧣🫖✨
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 Garnet is the per 🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

Garnet is the perfect stone for January. 

Like this dusky, restrained month, rhodolite garnet is often quite dark. That is especially so in a low-dome cut, such as in this batch of gemstones. The color is rich, but furtive. 

When encased in silver, rhodolite garnet darkens to a deeply shadowed purplish red. 

But then, like those shining, bluebird days that we sometimes catch during January, the right conditions give the most saturated colors, light reflecting and refracting off every facet. 

When you wear these rings, they will be dark with flashes of berry red in the right light. On the hand, they look like dusky cups of the strongest pomegranate tea you can imagine. 

But since I have sawn out the backs, the promise of light and color is there for you. 

If it be a dark day and you need the bright comfort of a cup of tea, you can take your ring off, hold it to the light, and let it sing the warmest song you've ever heard.

Whoever chose garnet as a birthstone for January, I see what you did there. 

———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣 I have had a few 🫖 Winter Berry Tea Rings🧣

I have had a few comments and messages asking if I will still be revisiting the garnet design from last year, and the answer is yes! 

These rhodolite garnets, which are cooler and pinker in hue, will be in a batch of a few dozen rings releasing this Sunday. 

The hessonite garnets, which are warmer and more orangey in hue, and will be in a smooth cut, will be coming next month! 

(Scroll back on my instagram to last year if you'd like to take a peek at what those pieces will look like.) 
———————————————
✨ Winter Berry Tea Ring Release: Sunday, January 22nd at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Etsy Shop ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal
Follow on Instagram

Navigate

  • Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis