Outside and Inside…

Lately I’ve been biting off a bit more than I can chew. I’m slowing things down a few paces, trying to remember I’m just one person. A few items have been added to the main shop today. A few more are still *nearly finished*, and just need to be photographed and listed. Custom orders are coming along on time, as well as “made to order” items. If I haven’t began conversing with you about a custom order, please wait until mid February to inquire, as I am fully booked now! 

The next month shall consist of finishing all orders, tweaking some things in the shops (photographs, listings), and overall just some very preemptive “Spring Cleaning”. I will also be putting both shops on “Vacation” from February 11-18th. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day goodies, *PLEASE* keep that in mind and order early! 

I’ve also been trying to spend a bit more time outside. The past few days have been very dark and fog ridden. The view from the studio has been particularly haunting. 

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New pieces coming soon will include those below….The Double Drop Turquoise necklace featuring Kingman and Kings Manassa turquoise stones. Some Robin Hood themed pieces featuring the deep green colour the Manassa Mine is known for, with hand sawed arrows and feathers. The “Three Needles Bracelet”, implying evergreen pine needles. Three Needles is made up of primo turquoise pieces from the Royston Mine, Manassa Mine, and Fox/Cortez Mine. All mine names are stamped on the backs of their respective settings for authenticity. This is in mid-production, and will look nothing like it does at present…

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Double Drop necklace

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Robin Hood blog preview

Three Needles In-Prog

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Alright folks. Back to the studio-cave beneath the mists for me. I hope everyone has been enjoying this lovely weekend!

xx Stray Arrow

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Giveaway Results, New Item Preview, New Rocks…

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:

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WINNER of Koroit Necklace:

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SARAH HAYWARD.

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WINNER of Buffalo:

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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!

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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*

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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.

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BANJOS.

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

Icarus.modeled

Icarus.side.

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KingmanGoldPosts

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KoroitBacchusnecklace

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ManassaStacker

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LittleLeafStacker

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Olive Arrowring

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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!

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

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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

Mini New Item Preview

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

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xx Stray Arrow

Holiday Frenzy

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~

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^*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.

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

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^*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!

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xx Stray Arrow

Preview Pieces for Tuesday’s Shop Update!

Time for a sneak peak! These newbies shall hit the shop Tuesday afternoon…

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A touch of gemmy greenery will embellish the shop with the “Emerald Sweet Heart” ring, featuring a rose cut faceted emerald gemstone and mini silver heart on oxidized sterling band….currently in a size 5, can be sized up to a 6 or “made to order” in your own size!

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And of course, what would an update be without a vast amount of turquoise pieces? The Green Grasses No. 2  ring features a huge stunning green piece from the Crow Springs Mine:

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Another beauty from the Crow Springs Mine features a strange and unusual deeper teal colour: the Ocean Bird Turquoise Ring, with feathered band stampings:

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The White Sands-Buffalo Turquoise Ring features a grand ribbon cut piece of turquoise from…you guessed it! the White Buffalo Mine of Nevada. It reminds me of all the old beach stones I’m sure most of us collected as children…

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In addition to the recent Thunderbird necklace, I’ve added another little guy to the “TOTEM” collection: a turtle! The Turtle Totem necklace features a freeform piece of Kingman Mine turquoise, and to match the cutie pie-a turtle totem ring! The ring has a piece of Royston turquoise as his shell. The ring is a size 6.5, but I will be offering custom turtles with stones of your choosing in your own size once listed on Etsy!

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Little Royston Turquoise Drop Necklaces will also be available in different shaped turquoise stones for simple and classic wear:

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Look for all of these lovelies and a VERY SPECIAL Turquoise Directions Ring this Tuesday in the Stray Arrow Etsy shop!

xx Stray Arrow

DECEMBER GIVE AWAY!

This month, everyone needs a little reward of their own. For the past year and a half I’ve been doing jewelry and selling via Etsy, trying hard as a one lady business to get my feet off the ground. Through hard work, amazing customers, and sheer dumb luck-I’ve managed to do it. Now its time to share some of my happiness with a lucky customer.

This give away will be from anything purchased from EITHER of my two Etsy shops, from December 1st to December 25th, 2011. It doesn’t matter how many items you purchase or their amount, once you purchase something your name goes into the hat! Literally. On December 26th, I will draw out a name from the hat and contact the winner via Etsy for their shipping address to mail the gift to.

What is the prize you ask? Behold:

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If you recognize this bracelet, its because its been in the works FOR.EVER.

This is a very old piece of mine, and it is still only 80% finished. I still need to re-patina and seal it. When it is finished, it’ll be sent to its new owner who I hope will wear it with affection.

This bracelet will fit a small to medium wrist size. It is all hand made from scratch of sterling and fine silver, patina, and a colorful natural turquoise from the Crow Springs Mine in Nevada,Southwest. The main design is of little dragonflies. This is a $300 value! I most likely will not be doing another giveaway…

Please feel free to email or comment below with any questions

(stasiaarts@yahoo.com)

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GOOD LUCK!

xx Stray Arrow


Preview Night

With the Holiday season approaching, I’ve been spending more and more time in the studio. Thinking about everyone who is making or purchasing goodies for others reminds me we all need a little something for ourselves every once in awhile – be it created, purchased, or eaten. So, in honor of the gifting month of December, for every purchase that is placed between Dec. 1st and Dec. 25th, each person shall be entered into a December raffle! I shall have a separate blog post specifying what the grand prize shall be, and the boring terms, etc.

Before sharing newly created lovelies, I simply must show off my new rock. I have recently snagged this darling natural turquoise from the ever rare and unique Damele Mine. This baby is of some of the highest quality this mine produces, with a  crisp webbing…

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First up we have a wide band turquoise ring,

The Dark Waters Ring”

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This ring features a clear drop of natural Royston Mine turquoise, set in pure silver on a comfy wide sterling band. The ring band has been stamped with feathers and all the silver has been patina darkened;in a fantastic contrast with the watery drop of stone. This is a size 9:

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Next up with have a ring featuring one huge, fat, STUNNING aquamarine gemstone.

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The “Aqua Flower Ring”  is one of my negative space rings,

one side feathers the gem, the other a little domed flower. The silver has been patinaed for contrast, although it is not entirely finished…

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Lastly, we have a turquoise and feather necklace,

The Turquoise Flight Necklace”

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Featuring a teardrop of old stock Kings Manassa Mine turquoise, this necklace features a hand sawed sterling feather. The chain, clasp, and all silver on this piece has been darkened to a gloomy, deep nighttime gray…

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These new loves plus additions to the Rune necklace line will hit the Etsy shop tomorrow (Thursday) evening. New pairs were added to my Gauged shop today. Check back to my blog tomorrow for GIVEAWAY details! 

and….coming in the near future, a Green Turquoise mini ring series featuring three stunners from the Crow Springs and Royston Mines. See a rock you like? request the ring size ASAP!

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xx Stray Arrow

HAVE YOU HEARD!?

The Stray Arrow is having a SALE!

For this weekend only, from Midnight Thursday to Midnight Monday

everything in the shop is 10% off!

and for those who take a peak at my little blogging fancy here, why not

have an extra 5%off?

JUST ENTER THE COUPON CODE BELOW AT “APPLY CODE” AT CHECKOUT!

whether you’re celebrating by chomping some turkey, tofu, or just a delightful glump of cranberries-or participating in the National Day of Mourning, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ❤

xx Stray Arrow

Gem Show and New Work Preview…

Well, I went to the gem show with the intention to restrain myself from buying too many sparkley goods, and have succeeded! Only three new cabs this weekend…

one a beautiful light and white dotted variscite stone, one stunning red fossilized dinosaur bone, and one big fat flashy labradorite…

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New goodies for the Gauged folk will hit the shop Wednesday:

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New goodies for the main Etsy shop…

mini turquoise drop stackers from the Royston mine. These are perfect for turquoise lovers looking for an everyday ring or something on the less expensive side!

Other new turquoise is a large ring featuring a fantastic natural Nacozari turquoise of  a brilliantly deep blue…

Also coming soon is a new edition to the Romantics Line, for winter…

“The Evergreen Necklace”

featuring a snowy moss agate and two teardrop rainbow moonstone gems. The main pendant is set in a pebbled piece of recycled pure silver…

Lastly is the “Winter Lace” ring, featuring a collector’s slice of Calico Lace Agate with snowflake like orbs in the background.

Keep a look out in the shops on Wednesday!

xx Stray Arrow

“Weave The Wind…”

A few new pieces are hitting the Etsy Shop this coming Wednesday afternoon…

This lovely variscite ring features a lovely stone from Nevada, Southwest. The wide band gives extra comfort, and is stamped with feathers on the outside….

Also new is the “Winter Wind” ring…

This beauty features a STUNNING dendritic agate. The ring band features a semi-hidden quote from a T.S. Eliot poem,

“Weave the wind

I have no ghosts”

This is like a personal mantra for the wearer. 

The silver in which the stone is set is file polished, so the agate will warmly glow whenever light hits it.

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catch these two plus a few more jewels in the shop Wednesday!

xx Stray Arrow