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Moonspinner

Artisan Jewelry by Michaela Batstone

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Warmth in the Archives

April 8, 2018 ·

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

This has been a long winter, but perhaps not in the way you might think.

I relish long winters, the kinds with weekly snowstorms and the biting cold that pushes its way through scarves and mittens. The kinds with heaps of snow falling from tree boughs with a satisfying “farumph.” The kinds with hockey on frozen frog ponds and snowshoeing through silent forests.

Those kinds of long winters I count as old friends because those are Maine winters. But here in the Finger Lakes region of New York, it feels as though winter never properly arrives, and yet also will not move on!

We seem to experience about six months of 30-35-degree weather, too warm for snow and too cold for anything else. Perhaps the winters here have not always been such and we are passing through during a pocket of peculiar seasonal conditions.

Regardless, it has been 6-months of gray skies, cold muck, and no snow to speak of, and I am ready for springtime. And so I have gone back through my photographs from last spring and summer, as I am craving color and texture, life and warmth. And I thought I would share a few with you.

 

Pssst! I have a collection in the works for you. I have started working on my annual springtime collection, featuring ferns and prehnite, leaf-print and twisting tendrils. This will be the third year I have done this collection, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

   

Filed In: At Home, Musings / Tagged: creative process, forest, inspiration, lifestyle, naturalist, nature, photography, springtime, winter

Unless otherwise noted, all images, designs, and writing is property of Michaela Batstone. All rights reserved.

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My new rotary tool (to replace my much loved compa My new rotary tool (to replace my much loved companion of ten years, now laid low) just arrived, so I am back at the bench running! (And sanding and polishing, of course.) 

I am still not sure how being without a flex shaft for a few days has impacted the release schedule. But hopefully, at most, the Yavanna Earrings might be part of the Part II release. We will see!

Send coffee and endless energy my way, please! 
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 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #botanica #botanical #botanicalearrings #botanicalhistory #botanicaljewelry #cottagecorejewelry #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #folklore #forestcore #jewelrymaking #leafearrings #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #plantfolklore #planthistory #plantjewelry #plantnecklaces #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #tolkien #tolkienart #tolkienjewelry
"He sought her ever, wandering far Where leaves of "He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling."
⭐️ Part II Collection Update! ⭐️ Late las ⭐️ Part II Collection Update! ⭐️

Late last night while at the bench, my trusty rotary tool gave up the ghost. 

As I look around at the work I have left, I am realizing just how much I depend on it! (Sanding, drilling holes, polishing, etc.) 

I have ordered another one with express shipping, but theres a chance this will affect the date of the Part II release. 

(Most of Part I are all photographed and tucked up waiting for you to pluck them!)

I will keep you updated!
——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #forestcore #forestjewelry #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadewithlove #instajewelry #jewelrywithintention #justmyart #leafprintjewelry #madewithlove #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #prettylittlethings #slowmade #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate
As Part 1 of the Mossflower Collection gets closer As Part 1 of the Mossflower Collection gets closer (only five days away, eep!), I become more and more convinced this is the most beautiful prehnite offering I've ever created. 

I searched and saved these stones for years, and in making these pieces, I chose from my collection the most beautiful ones.

 The most brambly thorny rutiles, the most light-drinking domes, and the softest greens comprise these pieces. 

Jewelry fit for Sindarin elves and Shire-folk. 

——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #botanica #botanical #botanicalearrings #botanicalhistory #botanicaljewelry #cottagecorejewelry #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #folklore #forestcore #jewelrymaking #leafearrings #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #plantfolklore #planthistory #plantjewelry #plantnecklaces #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #tolkien #tolkienart #tolkienjewelry
For a moment the other day, I was wishing I had cr For a moment the other day, I was wishing I had created some of these necklaces with the other fern silhouettes: the wide fanned fern and the little sprig. 

But with every one of these necklaces I photographed, I became more glad that I made just these romantic, unfurling ferns for you. 

I wasnt able to make as many as were requested by all you forest nymphs, but I did make a big handful! 

About four dozen prehnite ferns plucked from a magical grove I know. 

——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️

#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #forestcore #forestjewelry #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadewithlove #instajewelry #jewelrywithintention #justmyart #leafprintjewelry #madewithlove #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #prettylittlethings #slowmade #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate
🍃 Tinuviel Ring 🍃
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While her true name was Luthien, "Tinuviel" is what Beren called her when he saw her dancing in the forest. 

I designed this piece to be a counterpart to my Beren Ring from the last iteration of this collection. Both feature smooth prehnite gemstones and sturdy wide bands with organic texturing and the edges of leaves carefully pressed into the bands. 

But her ring needed to be bolder and more magical. 

So I chose the most beautiful large stones to sit confidently atop the hand, sturdy as an oak. And on the backs of the stones, I have sawn a tiny window in the shape of a delicate leafy frond. A little sprig made of light and prehnite. A secret piece of the forest to keep with you. 

Some of the stones are clear enough that you can see the silhouette when it's atop your hand. Others are truly secret, only revealing themselves when held to the light. 

(Keep an eye out for ring sizes! Blog post sometime this week. Also keep in mind that these fit snug since they are about a 10mm wide band. Look for a ring that reads 1/2 - 1 full size larger than your regular size.) 

——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #forestcore #forestjewelry #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadewithlove #instajewelry #jewelrywithintention #justmyart #leafprintjewelry #madewithlove #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #prettylittlethings #slowmade #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate
Bowls and bowls of summer green, filling their bel Bowls and bowls of summer green, filling their bellies with sunshine so that they may glow their finest when you call them home.
——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #botanica #botanical #botanicalearrings #botanicalhistory #botanicaljewelry #cottagecorejewelry #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #folklore #forestcore #jewelrymaking #leafearrings #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #plantfolklore #planthistory #plantjewelry #plantnecklaces #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #tolkien #tolkienart #tolkienjewelry
"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Indeed "Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." 

Indeed not, because they are destined for you.
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🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 
⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 
⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 
✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #forestcore #forestjewelry #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadewithlove #instajewelry #jewelrywithintention #justmyart #leafprintjewelry #madewithlove #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #prettylittlethings #slowmade #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate
🍃 Leaves of Lorien Ring 🍃 —————— 🍃 Leaves of Lorien Ring 🍃
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With every new iteration of the Mossflower Collection, it becomes increasingly woven with threads of Tolkien. When I start pushing prehnite gemstones around in my sketchbook, Tolkien drifts onto the page with them. And in the deep of winter, when I reread “The Silmarillion,” new prehnite designs demand to be sketched out and tucked away until springtime.

As such, I think of every design now in terms of Tolkien’s legendarium. 

So I decided to rename this beloved design. 

Say hello to the “Leaves of Lorien” Ring!
——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 
 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️
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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #botanica #botanical #botanicalearrings #botanicalhistory #botanicaljewelry #cottagecorejewelry #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #folklore #forestcore #jewelrymaking #leafearrings #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #plantfolklore #planthistory #plantjewelry #plantnecklaces #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #tolkien #tolkienart #tolkienjewelry
🌿⭐️ Tinuviel Rings ⭐️🌿
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“and the song of Luthien released the bonds of winter, and the frozen waters spoke, and flowers sprang from the cold earth where he feet had passed. Then the spell of silence fell from Beren, and he called to her, crying Tinuviel; and the woods echoed the name.” 
——————————————————
 
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃

 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
 ⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST 

 ✖️ Both will be in the ETSY SHOP ✖️


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#artisanjewelry #bohemianjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #crystaljewelry #etsyjewelry #femalemade #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #forestcore #forestjewelry #gemstonejewelry #girlsthatmakestuff #handmadewithlove #instajewelry #jewelrywithintention #justmyart #leafprintjewelry #madewithlove #makersvillage #modernmaker #moonspinner #natureinspired #natureinspiredjewelry #naturejewelry #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #prettylittlethings #slowmade #uniquejewelry #womenwhocreate
A spot to sit a while, fit for a hobbit if I must A spot to sit a while, fit for a hobbit if I must say.
Forever inspiration. 🌲📖⭐️

——————————————————
 🍃 Mossflower Collection 🍃
 ⭐️ PART 1: Sunday, September 24th at 7pm EST
⭐️ PART 2: Sunday, October 1st at 7pm EST
 Both will be in the ETSY SHOP 


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#bookstagram #igreads #reading #booktube #reader #booksandbeans #flashesofdelight #nothingisordinary #thatsdarling #livethelittlethings #thehappynow #ardentfinds #theartofslowliving #pursuepretty #darlingweekend #livesimple #beautifulthings #botanicaljewelry  #fernjewelry #fernnecklace #folklore #forestcore #prehnite #prehnitejewelry #tolkien #tolkienart #tolkienjewelry
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