• Shop
  • Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop Most Recent Collections
  • Past Collections

Mossflower Collection: Fifth Preview

June 3, 2018 ·

And here it is, my friends! The final Mossflower Collection preview. I have been coaxing this collection into shape for about a month and a half now, and it is wonderful to see the pieces all together. Like a little garden that I am able to enjoy at my leisure.

One of the threads that I have trailed throughout this this series (in addition to leaf print and prehnite green) is movement. Many of the earrings and necklaces incorporate movement into the design. Some have a lilting sway like a willow bent over a pool, and others have the stiff, structured movement of oak leaves on a gnarled branch fluttering in the wind.

While trying to figure out how to incorporate movement into a set of rings, I filled two or three pages of my sketchbook with fanciful design ideas, but finally settled on this set of simple prehnite rings with a couple of leaves dangling below. The gentlest flutter of leaves throughout the day.

And of course, I needed to make tassle necklaces to pair with the tassle earrings I shared before. I found the most beautiful prehnite nugget beads with thorny rutiles shooting throughout and an irregular faceting, and I knew they would make perfect, weighty tassle necklaces. Below the prehnite is a swath of chain with tiny leaves built in. There are four, and they come on adjustable chains in order to accommodate whatever outfit you wear.

And with so many requests for these wide band rings with a botanical motif up the side, I knew I had to make a few more. So there will be six of these total in various sizes in the shop update!

I am so pleased to finally be able to share these earrings with you! For this collection, I turned my hand to designing a pair of ear jackets. They are simple prehnite studs with loose leaves meant to be set behind the ear lobe. When I put them on and took them for a test run, I felt as though I had become part tree and had begun sprouting leaves in my hair and behind my ears. I love these so!

Β 

I also made four comparatively simple rings. I chose four beautiful, high domed prehnite gemstones, set them in a leaf printed serrated bezel, atop a double half-round band. These rings are simple and unassuming.

Β Β  And of course, one more handful of dangle earrings. These are lovely double-layered, sterling silver leaves with single multi-faceted prehnite briolettes suspended below. The softness of these gemstones are truly lovely.

What I love most about these earrings, and really any piece that incorporates this leaf print, is how individual each impression is. Since I use real leaves for my impressions, the veining changes over the surface. You can see where little bugs had nibbled parts of the leaves and left holes. Removing the oxidization to reveal the pattern is perhaps my favorite aspect of the creation of the Mossflower pieces.

And last, but in no way least, the Glade Ring.

Usually for saddle rings, I like to have a very thick shank for heft and weight. However for these, I wanted them to feel delicate, like a second skin even with the stone. While sketching these out, I thought of a game I used to play with my sister, where we would wrap beach rose leaves around our fingers like rings, and we would pretend we were ladies of the forest. For these, I wanted to make rings that felt similar to that, light like a leaf wrapped around the finger. And so I used a lighter gauge of sterling silver and made them with one layer rather than two.

For the stones, I went through my prehnite collection and chose the softest gemstones with unique colors and feathery inclusions. I wanted them to feel fresh and new, like a new leaf unfurling. On either sides of the stones are little leaves, splayed open to catch the sun. I wanted the ring to look organic and natural, so I created a dotted pattern around the band to look as though it has been nibbled by little insects.

I made these in a range of sizes up to US 10.5, and a few of them are in petite sizes (US 4-6) for all you ladies who requested it! Many of my other rings are towards the larger end of the size range, but 8-year old me would be aghast if I had not made a few Glade Rings for slender hands.

(Though 8-year old me would have also snapped up that roundish one at the bottom of the stack and requested to be called Nimue for the rest of my life.)

And so here we are! I have shown you everything that will be included in Sunday night’s shop update. I hope something spoke to you.

This collection has been a joy to create, and watching it evolve has been the highlight of my spring. Many hours (we conservatively calculated in the 200’s!) were put into this offering and my hands are a bit worse for the wear, but being able to do this artistic work has been an ever-renewing blessing. Many of you have been with me for a few years, and the continued support I find is staggering and I am eternally grateful for you.

And if you are new here, I hope you stick around for a long time, because I have so much to show you!

All pieces in the Mossflower Collection will be in the Etsy shop on Sunday, June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. EST.

See you there, my ferns!

Filed In: Jewelry / Tagged: art, artisan, artist, artists, creative process, forest, inspiration, Jewelry, metalsmith, metalsmithing, moonspinner, mossflower, naturalist, prehnite, spring jewelry, springtime

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • 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

  • Last Tanzanites and a New Shop
  • 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

Blog Archives

  • February 2023 (1)
  • 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.

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. πŸ“šπŸ¦–β˜•οΈ
I am plucking dozens of rosebuds out of sterling s I am plucking dozens of rosebuds out of sterling silver for you! 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ 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. 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ Hessonite Garnet Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces: Release Date TBD ✨

-
-
-
-
-
#artisanjewelry #birthstonejewelry #birthstonering #bookishjewelry #garnet #garnetring #gemstonejewelry #handmadejewelry #handmadering #instajewelry #januarybirthstone #januaryring #jewelrydesign #jewelrydesigner #jewelrygram #jewelrymaking #madewithlove #mainemade #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #rhodolitegarnet #supportlocal #valentinesday #valentinesjewelry #valentinering
Favorite break is book break. πŸ“šπŸ’š What have y Favorite break is book break. πŸ“šπŸ’š 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. 
-
-
-
-
-
-
#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. πŸŽ¨πŸŒ™ πŸ’Ž

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

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

#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.

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

#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.)
.

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

#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 β€œShop All Available” tab on the home menu takes you to everything that isn’t sold out. 

The β€œShop 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.
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct link inmy profile) ✨
.

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

#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!
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: TOMORROW, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

#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.

β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
.
.
.
.
.
.
#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. 
β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”
✨ Tanzanite Rings Release: Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST in the new Shopify Shop! (Direct links soon!) ✨
.
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
.
 
#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
Follow on Instagram

Navigate

  • Shop
  • Blog
  • In the Studio
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis