Rock Day On The Way…

Posted on January 2, 2013 by TheStrayArrow

In replacement of the monthly “Rock Appreciation Day”, I have been working on a Turquoise Guide post. This will be for any turquoise enthusiasts, but primarily for customers to see examples and know exactly what they’re getting-whether it be Stray Arrow Jewelry or from elsewhere. There is a lot of turquoise jewelry out there-as there should be! It’s an amazing stone with so many lovely variations. Unfortunately, it is often misrepresented, not labeled at all, or people just don’t know enough to know what they’re looking at. This identification stuff can get pretty tricky, after all. Even mine owners and lapidary artists can fight about where a stone came from, and the more time has passed the harder it is to tell. So, the information I will be giving you is how *I* pick the turquoise I use. Specific concerns that factor into stone selection.

The post will cover: natural vs stabilized, location characteristics, and first and foremost quality. I’ll have examples from very low quality to museum quality.

The most important part of this upcoming post will be a

*TURQUOISE GRADING SYSTEM*

created by me for use only within my shops, for my pieces. This will consist of a three star system, and be at the top of every single turquoise listing I create. I’ll stand by it so you know what you’re getting, and can have confidence in your purchased treasures. Because this is going to be extremely extensive, please allow me one more day to finish it! All of the examples are coming straight out of my own Treasure Chest from my collection. The post will be published tomorrow night and used as a reference point from then on.

Giveaway Results, New Item Preview, New Rocks…

Posted on December 27, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

LET’S GET RIGHT TO IT, SHALL WE?

For both giveaways I made a list of the names entered with numbers next to the names. The drawing for the Koroit Dirt Drop Necklace was out of 24 names, the Buffalo out of 64. I used a random number generator to choose the winners:

WINNER of Koroit Necklace:

SARAH HAYWARD.

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WINNER of Buffalo:

LAUREN PROPER.

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Congrats to Lauren & Sarah! You’ll be contacted to confirm shipping info. Thank you so much to everyone who participated! Grazie Mille for the comments, compliments, shard stories, quotes, lyrics, and little diddys. We’ll have to see what I come up with next December!

If you all didn’t notice, both shops are currently on VACATION. I had some panic last time that folks couldn’t “find” my shop on Etsy and thought I had been lost forever, so DON’T PANIC. They’ll reopen next week! Meanwhile I’m out on the road to see some good ol’Bluegrass banjo music. Speaking of banjos…..

*NEW ITEM PREVIEW*

I’ve always liked some nice twang. While I listen to many, many different “genres” of music, I adore old Appalachian Folk, Bluegrass, Delta Blues, and old Country. Banjos in general are just neat. So, I’ve been bangin’ out some 5 string banjo-shaped pieces for keychains and little necklaces. They are out of thick copper and bronze in two different sizes. Each has my maker’s mark on the back, and a CUSTOM song quote or tittle on the front. There will also be a standard set of quotes to choose from. The key chains will be great for guys and gals alike, the necklaces shall veer slightly towards a steampunk fashion with antique watch faces for the banjo body, reading, “BANJO TIME”, on the back. These will be up in the shop for sale next week as a “first draft”at this new concept.

These new goodies will also be in the shop next week:

Also new will be one of a kind stacking ring sets, “The Cave Stack”. Each will feature two pieces of natural turquoise from a collectable mine. Each will have 4 rings in the stack total, often spur of the moment made stackers. These may be one shot items. They’ll all be patina rustic, echoing your inner cave dweller. The Cave Stack below features Castle Dome turquoise from the Southwest in a size 7.5. A set featuring Damele mine turquoise is also made up in a size 6, and a #8 Mine Cave Stack is currently in production in a size 8.5. These can also be custom made!

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NOW ON TO ROCKS.

Some sad news is I *WON’T* be heading to the fun and fruitful Tucson Gem Show this coming year. After getting slightly more organized this year, I’ve realized that I do have an extensive rock inventory that really does need to be used up before I buy oodles more. Because of this, I just snagged a HUGE, MASSIVE amount of natural old stock turquoise stones from a secret source of mine. In addition I’ve formed a couple of other selective sources for primo quality natural turquoise. A few days before I picked these out, the man I acquired them from had just had a mini summit of sorts with 5-7 different Mine *owners*, so this is pretty great stuff straight from their respective sources. Most are currently up for grabs for any custom orders (great for Cave stacking sets!). Feel free to inquire about any sizes, or custom ideas!

^ABOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: rough Manassa, rough Damele, Skyline Mine, Snowville Variscite from Utah.

That’s it! Hope everyone has had a Happy Holiday season, whether you’re celebrating Channukah, Christmas, Yule/Solstice, or what have you. See you all January First for Rock Appreciation Day!

xx Stray Arrow

Preview Day

Posted on December 9, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

The Giveaway necklace has been decided upon and finished! For the lucky winner chosen December 26th, the Koroit Opal Dirt Drop:

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NEW ITEMS:

These goodies will be added to both Etsy shops tonight and tomorrow.

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And now, a new favourite.

Quality White Buffalo Turquoise, old Kings Manassa Turquoise, peridot gemstone, and a little poetry bring:

The Storm Caller

quote from William Cullen Bryant’s, “To The Fringed Gentian”

That’s it folks! Check out the shops later on~Don’t forget Holiday shopping deadlines!

xx Stray Arrow

One Thousand Sales

Posted on December 4, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

It has happened! I have officially hit 1,000 sales in my main Etsy shop, and I know it had nothing to do with luck. Selling on Etsy has been amazing. Starting a business in any capacity is hard. Perching over my little sawing set up late at night while still at school with a full 8 class course load and tons of things on the side was worth it. It’s been an absolute pleasure to do what I love, and be able to share it with people. It’s been a slow and steady learning experience that is the most rewarding thing I’ve done to date. Those that know me personally know I’m not a particularly gushy person, but I truly want to thank all of you for your support. I’ve had some unique and inspiring customers. I swoon over the feedback some have left, and I adore discovering how many people out there share my interests. Y’all truly are, the bees knees.

In celebration, I’d like to give back a little. The 1,000th sale was free. From tonight, until *tomorrow night at midnight*, take 25% off your entire order! Use the coupon code in the photo below upon checkout in the Stray Arrow Etsy Shop.

Thanks all!

-Stasia.

Mini New Item Preview

Posted on December 2, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

These lovelies will be in the main shop and in the plugs shop later this evening. Another item preview will be next Sunday~

xx Stray Arrow

DECEMBER GIVEAWAYS

Posted on December 2, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

For the month of December, I’ll be having *TWO SEPARATE* GIVEAWAYS.

*each person’s name will only go in once for each giveaway, regardless the amount of items purchased or the amount of comments made.

Giveaway 1 will be for this buffalo bracelet (currently unfinished). The bracelet will fit a small to medium sized wrist, and pictures will be posted when finished, when the winner is announced. All purchases made in BOTH Etsy shops, Gauged by Stasia and The Stray Arrow, from December 1 through December 25th at midnight, will be entered in to win. The winner will be announced on the blog on the 26th, and be contacted for shipping information.

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GIVEAWAY 2 won’t require any purchased items. To have your name entered, simply leave a comment on EITHER this blog post, or the corresponding post for this announcement on my Facebook Page (liking my page won’t hurt either!). The comment can be anything you want, a favourite quote, a picture, your favourite colour-anything at all. All comments on this blog post or the facebook post will be entered and a random name drawn on December 26th. The prize is *UNDECIDED* at this time! I’m thinking some kind of necklace, possibly a koroit opal Ice Shard, have any ideas? Get to commenting before I start making it quick! Once the prize is completed this post will be edited to list it.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

xx Stray Arrow

Rock Appreciation Day

Posted on December 1, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

For Rock Appreciation Day we have….

WILD HORSE MAGNESITE.

Other names the stone has been called are, “Crazy Horse”, and “Appaloosa”. It is called Wild Horse for it’s similar patterning to the Appaloosa horse. It is unfortunately often mislabeled as turquoise or white turquoise. Hailing solely from Southern Arizona wild horse is seen in a lot of Native American Indian jewelry, along with turquoise, coral, and shell. It is considered quite rare because of the one current Wild Horse marketed source, and is very popular.

Magnesite is magnesium carbonate. Wild Horse differs from your basic white/gray magnesite because it has hematite mixed in, giving it beautiful white and brownish patterning. It is around a 4-5 on the hardness scale, and in the Calcite rock group.

The picture below shows the current Wild Horse Magnesite stones I have in stock. They range from decent quality (left) to highest quality (right). The higher the quality, the more separated and clear the minerals within the rock are, thus the incredible bark like patterns. The decent quality (note: NOT low or poor quality, of which I don’t stock), can have lighter mauve colours blended within it. All of these are up for grabs for custom orders. The three long oval shaped highest quality would be grouped for a bracelet.

I currently have one piece with Wild Horse Magnesite up in the shop. Below is that piece, The Stormy Plains Ring, and other pieces with Wild Horse that have sold.

Below is a ring I currently have in progress. The White Oak Bark ring features a lovely little drop of Wild Horse Magnesite, set on a hand sawed sterling silver white oak leaf with rose gold fill veining. This will be in the main shop later on…

That’s it folks!

A big heads up that by the end of tonight will be a very important blog post about a GIVEAWAY.

Don’t miss out! There will also be another mini blog post tomorrow with a PREVIEW of new items before they hit the shop tomorrow night and Monday.

xx Stray Arrow

Holiday Frenzy

Posted on November 25, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

This post will feature new pieces and new stones. With all the Holiday shopping frenzy going on, the studio has been busier than ever. This month in particular has been quite tumultuous, between the hurricane, losing power, having the near-lack of a car or transportation of any kind, constant guests, and gearing up for the Holiday season. I want to thank you ALL for bearing with me if I’ve been at all disorderly. Regular Preview posts will now resume before new items hit either shop (instead of listing one new item every few days unannounced). Rock Appreciation Day will be posted once again on the First of December, along with secret special details. I hope you all enjoy the new lovelies I’ve been hammering away at. Other pieces in the near future will include an Icarus Ring, Storm Earrings, ornate dangles for tunnels, more of the To Make Much of Time and Towards Mountains series, and more! During the Holiday season, its best to take a few breathers. Remember what and who are important, take time to do what you love most, and support handmade small business-or make something yourself!

All of these will be in the shop today or tomorrow for the Cyber Monday Sale.

~*ENJOY*~

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NEW CABS~

^*TOP ROW, left to right: beautiful quality high grade Bisbee Arizona district Azurite Malachite, premium fossilized Dinosaur Bone, Royal Imperial Nodule Jasper.

BOTTOM ROW: 16mm chrysocolla, Russian serpentine.

^*the ever popular high grade Australian Koroit Opal from Queensland.

^*a new absolute FAVOURITE stone. This is Pietersite, from Namibia. This stone actually glints like labradorite, spectrolite, or larvakite. They remind me of a study painting for Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa. Pietersite is the perfect stormy mood stone. For those that follow my INSTAGRAM (username TheStrayArrow), you’ll know that I’ve been working on a pair of pietersite earrings since last weekend, posted a few days ago. These large loves will feature moons, morning stars, chevrons, among other dangling elements. Follow me there for the freshest previews, inside studio pics and stone finds.

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All of these new stones are up for grabs for custom orders. Check back to the blog DECEMBER FIRST for Rock Appreciation Day, a special announcement, and more. I’ll be working longer hours in the studio from now until the end of next month so production times for items do not slow down for gifting! See the results on Instagram and my Facebook Page.

Better start snagging the plugs you want and gifts while the sale is still up folks! Don’t forget to put in the coupon code: BLACKCYBER!

xx Stray Arrow

Weekend Sale!

Posted on November 23, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com

www.GaugedbyStasia.Etsy.com

Sale starts at MIDNIGHT THURSDAY. There will be a new blog post this coming Sunday morning with all new items, just in time for Cyber Monday! New for Sunday will also be my latest haul of stones from a previous gem show. “Shopping Season” is now officially starting, better get your little (or grand!) gifts early folks! Production times will be swifter during the season rush to ensure delivery dates. Keep your eyes peeled for Sunday- with morning tea, coffee, and other fancies come turquoise, petrified wood, and wonders from beneath the soil…

*A Happy Turkey Day to those celebrating!*

xx Stray Arrow

Rock Appreciation Day + Preview Night

Posted on November 9, 2012 by TheStrayArrow

ROCK APPRECIATION DAY:

DAMELE MINE TURQUOISE.

*To repeat the disclaimer from the first Rock Appreciation Day: I AM NO LAPIDARY ARTIST OR GEOLOGIST/GEMOLOGIST. All of my information comes from research and experience working with these stones, not mining or cutting them.

The Damele Mine is located in east central Nevada near the Godber-Burnham Mine and Carico Lake Mine. It is also known as Damale, or Damaile. The mine itself is quite small, and also produces popular kinds of variscite and faustite (similar minerals to turquoise). The high zinc content makes all three stones types the bright, collectible green and yellow colours the Damele Mine is especially known for. This also increases the hardness of the stone, although the most yellows of the turquoise can be fairly soft. The stones from the Damele Mine that are more bright green or lime in colour are more often than not faustite or variscite. The mine doesn’t produce much turquoise anymore. Most new turquoise on the market is cut from old stock rough. As with most turquoise, high colour saturation and tight webbing determine quality. Webbing can be grey, black, or deep brown in colour. Because of the rare colour intensity, Damele is very collectible and highly prized.

The picture above is my current Damele collection, all those goodies are available for custom orders. Below are new Damele pieces coming to both Etsy shops over the weekend…

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Also coming to the shop this weekend are pieces with koroit opal, high grade Crow Springs Mine turquoise, and rare and collectible Indian Mountain Mine turquoise. The more rare turquoise is set in 14k yellow gold bezels on sterling patterned leaf bands…find them in the shop this weekend!

http://www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com