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ALL of these new pieces will be hitting the shop throughout the day tomorrow starting at 12pm, EST.
Necklaces at different sizes, rings, and several earrings so everyone has something to choose from!
Keep an eye on the main shop folks!
xx Stray Arrow
Hey folks!
Its been QUITE awhile. I can't even recall when the last of these rock appreciation days occurred, but the desire sparked after acquiring some of these lovelies...this month we have:
MEXICAN FIRE AGATE.
You know. The mesmerizing stones that look like fire spewed from a Phoenix and then solidified? Because well, they kind of are. Formed in volcanic activity that is.
Mexican fire agate is formed in volcanic activity in the Tertiary Period, and found in the Southern USA and northern Mexico. It is actually a form of layered chalcedony quartz (agate is in the quartz family). This type of agate is rare because of its iridescent qualities that give it the look of fire and flame. It ranges 6.5-7 on the MOH's hardness scale, and like other quartz can be polished to a great reflective waxy shine. My favourite pieces are ones with solid white or semi transparent quartz as a host rock to the fire agate. Iron oxide is what gives the fire agate its browner colourings. Rarer types include rainbow colour patterns to their shimmer from specific minerals. Metaphysically Mexican fire agate is used for calming, grounding, healing, and creativity.
Past Mexican Fire Agate pieces:
^these two stackers available at Arcana Healing Arts in Portland, Maine.
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Two rings with Mexican fire agate have been made for the shop, to be included in Sunday's update. A little twisted band stacker, and this glorious mini shadow box inspired piece:
****** Stay tuned for July 4th news, and thanks for reading!
If you have any requests for stones, gems, or minerals for the next Rock Appreciation Day, comment below!
xx Stray Arrow
Beltane and the coming of Spring (truly, finally) has brought on a wonderful weekend.
Friday night featured a great jewelry show called "Piercing the Pickle", depicting jeweler's interpretations of the pickle fork, at a groovy cocktail bar called The Jewel Box in my new hometown of Portland, ME.
Saturday morning I feasted on rocks in all forms at a gem show.
All are currently up for grabs for custom orders, but I'm only accepting a certain amount of customs this month as the shops will be closed from May 20th - June 5th.
I did go a bit overboard on the succulent labradorite....
^Carey plume agate for Fire Rise rings.
^ocean jasper and red horn coral
^pyrite and native silver
^kyanite
^seriously amazing dendritic opal
^ocean jasper, blue chalcedony, dendritic opal
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In other news, the annual MAY SALE has started!
In the main shop enter in the coupon code: MAYBABY for 10% off of your order from now until May 20th. This doesn't apply to custom orders or the plugs shop. Please be sure to enter in the code at checkout as I will not be able to refund those that forget.
That's all for now!
xx Stray Arrow
I, like many of the smiths I know, am a nut for patterns and textures.
This is mainly ever seen in the rocks I collect (hoard).
My entire home and world is filled with an overload of different prints, patterns, paintings, plants and flowers, shelves upon shelves of books and rocks, anything that captures me.
Below is a little peak into my life of this for your enjoyment...
A bit of my world of pattern love~
^print close up by a Beehive print from Kris Johnsen, click on photo
^Swamp print by Tory Novikova (click photo)
xx Stray Arrow
All of these pieces will hit the shop today at 12pm EST.
Giveaway news coming soon!
xx The Stray Arrow
Spring is almost here in New England and I've been getting back into using deer hide in my jewelry. I have wonderful customers of all types, sizes, backgrounds, and beliefs, so I know pieces with leather aren't for everyone. That being said I want to share with you all what I use and how it is sourced...
As with my stones, quality and sourcing is extremely important and a lot of time and effort goes into it. All of the deer hide I use, and it's currently the only kind of leather I use, I get solely from my local annual powwow. None of the beautiful creatures it is gifted from are hunted for sport of any kind, but for food. Every part of the deer is used and nothing is wasted. I acquire the natural hides in full, so I can cut my own cord pieces from them for another layer to the hand crafted nature of my work.
In addition, I've been hanging full hides in front of my window so certain folds can be lightened by the sun. This has over months created a really lovely ombre effect in the leather colouring.
With this hide sourced respectfully I've made a few fun earrings to add to the shop this afternoon. So far there are three pairs with different kinds of stamped markings. All sweet and simple to add to any woodlands lover's collection:
***Giveaway news with mythical ties coming soon***
xxStray Arrow
Throughout my years of collecting and research, I've established some really wonderful contacts for the materials and supplies I use in my work. This goes especially for my cabochon and gemstone collecting. I feel extremely fortunate with how wonderful the folks in the mining and lapidary business I've met are. Them enabling me to provide the best choice stones for my customers and my work just makes this full time gig of mine that much more delightful!
Below are new recent turquoise and variscite scores with their respective origins listed. All are currently up for grabs for custom orders, but please know I have a cap on how many commissions I can take at this time.
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A few new items also hit the shop this morning
xx The Stray Arrow
It's been a little bit, hasn't it?
I think it's time to share some of the new stones I've been amassing. I've been releasing stones less and less, taking on less commissions so they can be wrapped up quicker. This has proved to be a science; something I'm still tweaking. Commissions are still taking longer than I would like, and lengthening regular production times of "made to order" pieces in the shop as well. There's much more involved: hashing concepts and designs out, spending hours getting back to conversations and inquiries, sketches, etc. that I do not charge for.
Because of this I will be making a monthly commission amount cap. This will change slightly depending on what the commissions are and how much extra time will be involved for each. I want people to enjoy the process and I love doing them so folks get exactly what they're hankering for, and I'd like them to not have to wait as long to receive it either! To make this process faster and easier I'll also soon be drafting up a little form for folks who are interested in custom orders to fill out... basic info that sometimes takes me awhile to get from potential customers that can draw out the process. More on this soon.
In the meantime, here they are!
New all natural stones as listed, some freshly cabbed straight from the mine owners, some old stock. If interested in any of these please shoot me an email: stasia@thestrayarrowjewelry.com, or convo me on Etsy.
Note that as usual, until a solid design is nailed down and agreed upon, and a deposit is paid, no stones can be reserved.
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These new items will be in the shop today~
COMING SOON:
More stone stackers with Rune Drop sides. Also on the new side and growing in popularity are Rune Weavers and Rune Drop Stackers, for which customizable listings will be created soon with a rune guide!
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That's all folks!
Thanks again for taking peak into the backgrounds of my jewelry workings, staying in touch, and for the overall general support of my creativity!
These new items will be hitting the main shop throughout the morning:
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These beauties are now stocked at The Lion's Nest in Austin, TX:
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These beauties are now at Arcana boutique in Portland, Maine:
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Also recently listed is this beautiful vintage Navajo storyteller ring in my destash shop:
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That's it for now folks! Stay tuned for more news-
xxStray Arrow
Whether you're celebrating turkey day, the day of mourning, or just getting together with family for some good food, I wish you all a happy weekend!
Black Friday kicks off tonight at midnight, and so does my weekend long sale. Get any goodies listed in the shop at a whopping 15% off! This sale doesn't apply to custom orders, just any item listed. Coupon code is:
CYBERWKNDSALE
Please do NOT forget to enter this at time of purchase where it says 'apply code'. New items will also hit the shop at midnight, including some new one of a kind molten silver stud earrings at discount pricing of $15/pair.
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For THROWBACK THURSDAY:
A few pieces of photo candy of items from 2011 and 2012:
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This has been a very tumultuous year- from moving home and business to a new state, to stocking with Free People. I am ever grateful for the opportunities that have been sent my way, and the ones I've worked my ass off for. For loyal customers, old and new, for the peer jewelers I've befriended and new rock sources I've established. I'm loving every second of this hard earned self employed state of life. To show my excitement for new things to come and gratitude to the faithful who read this blog, I'm offering a special discount code. I don't often have sales as my jewelry is priced the best and fairest I can with materials, highest quality stones, and labor. This code is extra special...
Check the shop soon for new items! Making for perfect stocking stuffers, Channukah or Yule gifts!
With this Holiday season I'll update the blog every Sunday morning with new shop items as I'll be cranking out a grand amount of new pieces in both old and new designs.
Cheers folks!
xx Stray Arrow
For this week's Throwback Thursday...
One of my first pieces. Ever. A necklace made from copper, cheap jasper stones, patina, and deer hide I still collect at the local powwow. I still love wearing this piece.
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In other news, I'm now stocking items at another shop! Arcana is the first and sole boutique I stock with in my new home town of Portland, ME. Since I've changed locations I've gotten multiple messages of folks passing through Portland enquiring if my jewels are in any local shops. I'm so happy to have found a great place for my work after residing here for my first year, and just in time for Holiday shoppers. Rune pieces and one of a kind items with turquoise and tiger's eye are currently stocked. New items will slowly roll in as well...
xx Stray Arrow
Adding new items to the shop has been slow due to an influx in custom orders and shop orders. These new items will be hitting the shop today with more added tomorrow!
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^This is one of my very first pieces from 2009, now finally getting listed!
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Also new-
Items for The Ritual Ritual in Philly!
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Check the main shop for new items throughout today and tomorrow!
xx Stray Arrow
NEW to my blog- Throwback Thursdays!
Each Thursday I'll be posting some older pieces or photos for a little nostalgia.
For this first one, some pieces back from 2011!
^Natural old stock Royston turquoise ring with cigar band. Commissioned.
^Deep blue apatite gemstone clover and flower plugs. Commissioned.
^Commissioned ring based off of my original piece below. With high quality chrysocolla malachite stone. Quote is from one of my favourite poems of all time by Walt Whitman.
^Original with high quality Bloodstone and Baltic amber.
From the poem, "O Me! O Life!"
O Me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless - of cities fill'd with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light - of the objects mean - of the struggle ever renew'd;
Of the poor results of all - of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest - with the rest me intertwined;
The questions, O me! so sad recurring - What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here - that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."
Lastly, a handful of rings in front of one of my old watercolour paintings-
Next update Sunday!
x Stray Arrow
This weekend was a nice mini break from working.
My fella and I had a pleasant hike to a new place for both of us to visit Portland, Maine's only natural waterfall (i.e. not man made). The air was crisp, the sun was warm, and colourful leaves showered down on us with every burst from the wind. It's simple, fun adventures like this that make me grateful for the little things this favourite season of mine offers...
Jewelry news next Sunday!
xx The Stray Arrow
Remember all of that quiet hinting in the past few months? News is on the way...news is on the way...
WELL.
Here it is.
Free People are now carrying one of my signature rings-
my Chained in Turquoise Arrow Vane Rings, which they are labeling as
"Chained Turquoise Arrow Ring".
They will be sold both online and in some physical stores, including the shop on 5th Ave. in NYC.
For these rings I curated some top natural turquoise pieces, and each ring has the mine name stamped inside the band for authenticity. Mines include Fox, Blue Moon, Candelaria, Skyline...all high grade succulent pieces. I cannot express the level of excitement I've been feeling since Free People reached out to me. It's because of you reading this, and everyone who has supported me on this path that this could even become a reality instead of some distant dream. It hasn't been an easy road trying to do what I love full time and make it work. Being the creator and sole runner of a business has it's downsides, but the reward of not just doing what I love but being able to share it with those who also enjoy it is worth everything. Thank you all for stickin' with me, giving me support and exposure, and taking a peak into my world of myth, stone, and metals.
with much love and appreciation ((and a decent amount of gleeful squealing))
xxThe Stray Arrow
These new jewels will be added to the shop tonight!
A shop I have stocked with for years gave me back some old consignment pieces in exchange for finished wholesale pieces...so you get the first pick! Some of these goodies are 1-3 years old! Others are brand spankin' new.
Pieces are in the works. Commissions are orders are in the works.
News is in the works.
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xx The Stray Arrow.
Well, once again it's been quite awhile since my last post here. I wanted to update folks about an exciting opportunity to acquire not just my jewels but work by local artists from Portland, Maine, where I now live! For those of you that follow me closely you know I have a studio space at The Dooryard Collective. I'm the only jeweler, and others work in mixed media, paint, printmaking, stencil art, installation, and bronze sculpture. I love being among these talented people, and two of them have recently created CSArt, Portland's first art share program. By purchasing full shares or half shares you can invest in several *surprise* art pieces by different Portland artists for the price of one of my larger pieces of jewelry. Many of these artists are from The Dooryard. The cost is an amazing deal for what you receive, and it's also a great starter package idea for anyone with bare walls calling to be covered.
Now because this is an art share program, I will be creating *ONE OF A KIND* works for it! This means one of a kind stacking ring or Cave themed ring sets, one of a kind earrings, plus keychains, rings, or leather necklaces for fellas. This is an opportunity to not only score some mystery pieces from me, but invest in some great talent for the price of one of my statement pieces.
You can check out the other artists participating here:
A few new items will be hitting the shop throughout Sunday, made again in between filling orders. Long term custom orders are almost all complete so more pieces will be filtering in soon!
AND FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY:
In the main shop enter in coupon code: FIREWORKS, for 10% off of your order.
(not applicable to custom orders)
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Check back to the shop tomorrow for these sweet and simple new pieces!
xx Stray Arrow
A few new items will be hitting the shop this morning that I've created in between filling orders and custom pieces.
Here's a short preview...more news soon!
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xx Stray Arrow
I'd like to announce it's now the annual MAY SALE! All throughout the month of May in the main Etsy shop enjoy 10% off of your entire order by applying the coupon code: MAYBABY at checkout. The sale will end May 31st at Midnight, and does not apply to custom orders.
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A few new items made in between working on custom orders will be added to the shop tonight. Here's a quick preview:
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^Chained rings now made to order with your stone of choice.
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Now, a little highlight on rutile & tourmalinated quartz, plus some photo candy:
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I also just want to thank everyone for having patience with me while I was sick for several weeks, due to a reaction from some medication. All pending custom orders are still in the works and getting little extras! The Plugs shop will reopen shortly once I'm more caught up with orders.
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NEW STOCKIST ALERT-
Small Home Studio in Brooklyn, NY now carries Arrow Ware by The Stray Arrow!
more news soon
xx
Stray Arrow