Tag Archives: runes

New Pieces, New Stones, Commission News…

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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~

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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!

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One Thousand Sales

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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.

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“The Wind-God Frowns In The Murky Skies…”

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It has been a little while since my last post, and I’ve had some amazing travels. It has also been raining the past few days, and I have been loving it. This is going to be a fairly long post. I have news to share, recent custom orders to show you, new pieces that’ll be added to the main Etsy shop tomorrow and Tuesday, as well as new stones!

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I’ve traveled before and left the Etsy shops open, but then it is never a true vacation. I always feel the need to respond to conversations immediately or think about all the sold items to wrap when I return. So, last week, I switched both shops to vacation mode. Thank you all for bearing with me!

For all those who don’t know, I love to drive. I mean truly. If I am behind the wheel, I’ll go anywhere. I spent around 23 hours driving in a span of 6 days and it was AMAZING. Thanks to my friend, who never asked to take the wheel. We drove all around the New England and Tri-State areas following one band around. Who needs a fancy vacation when you have good music? We spent all of Saturday at their festival in Portland, ME listening to new bands, and songs of other’s we could sing along with. Through heat stroke, blistered feet, frizzy hair, hot and humid weather, the worst sun burn I’ve ever had, and most importantly a serious lack of caffeine-we had the time of our lives. 

We plan to do it again.

~Pictures of the voyage at the end of this post~

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Now I know I missed “Rock Appreciation Day” this month, but don’t worry! I’ll be doing TWO rock/gem types next month on the 1st!

BELOW:

Some of the more recent commissions I have finished and adored:

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*I have one LAST pair of these beautiful natural rounded trillion cut druzy gems

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BELOW:

All the new goodies coming to the shop tomorrow and Tuesday, plus a few others that are still in the works! Some of these pieces include some beautiful quality stones and gems for extreme Statement pieces. Check the main shop tomorrow to see descriptions, prices, sizes, and more pictures of these new jewels! http://www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com

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Although I am *not taking* any custom orders for this month, I do have new stones to share! These can be reserved for custom orders which will resume next month.

In order of the photos below:

BOULDER OPALS (stone on right is already RESERVED)

MARY ELLEN JASPER

FOURTH PHOTO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:  WHITE BUFFALO TURQUOISE HEART, WATER WEBBED NACOZARI, PRUDENT MAN PLUME AGATE (already in use for a ring!)

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A peek of our travels…. Some new pieces shall emerge by the end of the month inspired by all that is Folk music, mainly old traditional Appalachian Folk ballads.

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*our night after an ADDITIONAL 4 hours of NYC traffic piled on to my 4 hour drive.

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*happy feet! A little leaf leaped into my shoe to join in our trek. I left him in there.

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A very nice gentleman was able to take two seconds of his time for a picture.

It is my one photo memento of the full week of music my friend and I shared.

Everyone we met were exceptional, sweet, generous, and all around great folks.

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Well I am now back in the studio at full steam! Prepare to see a lot of new pieces in BOTH shops in the near future. I wish you all the great luck bestowed upon my friend and I.

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xx Stray Arrow

RUNES

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Many people vaguely know about “Viking runes” or “Nordic runes” but few know the mythology and origin behind them. They are often believed to be a writing system, but they are also meant as magical symbols that can imbue objects with their assigned meanings. I am not going to pretend to be an expert as there is a lot of controversy and limited first hand sources-and I am no scholar. I will share with you what I have discovered in my own research…

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There are two full rune “alphabets”- Elder Futhark, and Futhark. Although it is less complete, I am going to focus on the Elder. Elder Futhark is thought to be the oldest form of runes discovered. They were used by ancient Germanic speaking peoples and can often be found on ancient artifacts like stone monuments, and weapons. Elder Futhark first appears in literature in a story called the Havamal, in a book called the “Elder Edda”. As most of these texts have been translated there are always discrepancies, but here is a little excerpt:

“Odin said:
I know that I hung on a high windy tree
for nine long nights;
pierced by a spear -Odin’s pledge-
given myself to myself.
No one can tell about that tree,
from what deep roots it rises.

They brought me no bread, no horn to drink from,
I gazed toward the ground.
Crying aloud, I caught up the runes;
finally I fell.”

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This sacrifice for knowledge is a continuous theme in most of Norse mythology. I think this is a way of thought many can relate to, or aspire to. Everyone feels better after they’ve earned something. I’ve loved Nordic sagas for a good while and discovered very little in the way of rune themed jewelry out there. So…envisioning each rune as a token, or a magical symbol, I’ve made some more affordable pieces of bronze, copper, and silver. I feel these could be great little charms for gift giving, or for oneself for a little push of ambition and aspiration towards something greater. I also love to focus on the sound of jewelry. The runes paired with my jeweler’s tags make a great light clink on the bangle bracelets-like little wind chimes. These bracelets now in the Etsy shop are a lot of fun when stacked! Check them out now:

http://www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com

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Along with the Elder Futhark Runes, I have created Odin’s Ravens in silver form. Continuing my “Black Bird” theme, I have paired the birds with faceted gems on half round sterling oxidized bangles. In mythology, Odin has two ravens that fly around Midgard (the world of Man) and listen for information. They then sit on his shoulders at the end of the day for a debriefing. One bird is called Huginn, and represents “Thought”. The other is called Munnin, for “Memory”. These will hit the shop tomorrow, and can be customizable with whatever gemstone you desire that I have in stock…

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xx Stray Arrow

Finally Here…Almost…

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Having an abundant number of interests and getting inspiration from a vast number of sources always seems to leave me flustered and behind. Well-not this week! It is officially crunch time. Why? Because it is summer, and like most folks I’d love a day or two outside myself! This week I will be finishing up ALL pending commissions, and FINALLY releasing these RUNES I’ve been hinting at. The affordable Runes line will include the mini bronze & silver necklaces already currently in the shop, bronze and copper rune bangles, and larger copper runes on deer hide leather for fellas and ladies alike. Odin’s ravens will also make an appearance in the silver bangle bracelet persuasion. This will tie in my Black Bird pieces. A blog post Thursday will explain the origin of the Runes in Nordic mythology, the original purpose and use of runes, and all of the runes to choose from for custom pieces. In one weeks’ time, next Sunday, will be my first Rock Appreciation day! Check back then for a full post dedicated to the controversial White Buffalo Turquoise~

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xx Stray Arrow

Stone Adorned Digits….

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Well, its been awhile. I have essentially been knocking out commissions and custom orders these past few weeks, thus the lack of new items in the shops (no complaints, though!). I also have brilliantly hurt my right wrist (possible minor sprain? something pulled? who knows), so I have been sawing away with a brace. Speed has been picking up! The weather has been lovely- perfect for open windows and doors with blaring tunes in the studio! The snow from storms has slowly melted and dim sunlight has lead to creepy and inspirational views…

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Just before my Business trip to Tucson, AZ for the gem show, I was able to make myself two pairs of earrings to wear down there. These lovelies are the first things I’ve made myself in years! Both feature birds from my “Stormy Night” series styles…

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I have several piercings on each ear, so these Wampum Birds fit my first and fourth piercings~the tips of the wings has *detachable* studs through them! The wampum was carved by Native artist Mark Changing Bear of buffalocarvings.com. The beauties below feature natural Royston teardrop turquoise stones…

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Other recent completions include a (surprise!) Bird ring for a friend, featuring a STUNNING and deep boulder opal that almost crackles with energy!

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AND NOW:

A PREVIEW

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SHOP UPDATE THURSDAY EVENING!

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A bunch of new fancies for the fingers! Stones include petrified wood, landscape jasper, wild horse magnesite, raw turquoise, Nacozari blue turquoise, old stock Kings Manassa turquoise, and what I’m going to call lily pad jasper (its been called many names):

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IN THE WORKS:

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For the Gauged by Stasia Etsy shop: more BIRDS! A slight difference from the Stormy Night style of having birds flanking round moon-like stones or gems. Featuring HUGIN & MUNIN from Old Norse mythology. They are Odin’s ravens and are often seen each to a shoulder. One stands for Thought, the other for Memory

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and, some new further development of…

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Watch the Etsy shops for updates THURSDAY! A future notice that I WILL NOT be taking any commissions or custom orders for the month of April. If I have not at least started conversing with you on ideas for a custom piece by April 1st, you’ll just have to wait…..and see what I create that month 🙂

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xx Stray Arrow