Tag Archives: silver work

Digit Adornments and New Stones…

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Its preview night time! The new goodies below will hit the Etsy shops at various times on Friday…

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First, a ring featuring a beautiful watery variscite from Australia (Not Utah!). The lovely gem features a bubbled white pattern that, when paired with the gold fill bezel, gives off a nice and dreamy tropical feel….

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The bezel has a high polish, while the band remains stamped, patinaed, and sanded for a nice satin flash. 

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Next, another take on the “Dark Water Ring”. This ring is in the same style as the previous Royston Mine Turquoise Dark Water Ring, with a larger stone set in a horizontal oval position. The sterling has been patina darkened, with a polished flash around the bezel to frame the stone. The ring band is stamped with feathers, glazing the surface of dark waters…

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The following are two of my current favourites. I adore green turquoise, and solid green colours are hard to come by! These two lovelies are of a set of 3 green turquoise stone rings that will hit the shop Friday, all in different sizes. First off, the “Turquoise Home” ring, featuring a ribbon cut Royston Mine stone shaped like a house!

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This fatty has a very wide band and is extremely comfy to wear. 

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The second green turquoise ring holds a very high quality stone I have been hoarding for a few years from the Crow Springs Mine. The colour is a very intense grass green, thus the name, “Green Grasses Ring”. The molten rose gold fill droplets on the ring shank and intentional rose fire scale on the ring band combined with the green have me longing for spring….when the weather is still cold before the blooming period sets in…

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With all of this love of turquoise and stones going on, I recently realized all I have been wearing lately are silver bands. Sometimes, all someone wants is a little unique spin on an everyday piece. With that in mind, I’ve started making little cigar band sterling rings. These lovelies are called “Friendship Rings”. Crossed arrows are a symbol of friendship, so these make the perfect gifts  and have a vintage feel to them. Soon available in darkly oxidized or oxidized and sanded patinas. 

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For the Gauged Folk…

Why not spread the vintage inspired love?

Made to order, in any gauge size…

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Of course, more turquoise! These babies are FACETED. YES. THEY ACTUALLY FLASH AND SPARKLE. I am enamoured with these faceted *stabilized* turquoise from Arizona. Currently made in a 0 gauge, I have one more pair of these that can be made into any other size…

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That’s all for now. Coming soon in the near future (in the new year!) we have more turquoise plugs, gemstone plugs, and dangles for tunnels (gagagagold!) on the way.

For the main jewel shop we have turtles, more turquoise drop stackers, and a couple very ornate Romantics line pieces in the works.

Have a grand New Year (if this is the New Years you celebrate). Check back to the Shops Friday!

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xx Stray Arrow

DECEMBER GIVE AWAY!

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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

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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!?

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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…

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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

Neglect

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I have truly been ignoring updating this blog of jewels, life, and any imaginative light bulb moments.

Throughout the past few weeks I’ve been struggling to find time to create new goodies for both Etsy shops-and only just now have some fresh bling to share! Being a “one woman show” not only entails creating and photographing items to list, but commissions (convos, sketches, etc.), packaging-cards, decorating parcels, networking, supplying boutiques, and add to that gem/stone hunting and an actual day job and we get a burnt out Stasia. While both of my shops are not taking on any commissions this month (thank you for your patience!), I have literally spent the whole month *catching up* on commissions and finishing them. Don’t even think about interpreting any of this as complaining! The only things that may be sad here are my fingers. I love personalizing and creating for specific moments. I also love to brainstorm more on all the half finished projects in the corners of my studio. I find the pieces I let sit around in stages the longest always come out the best.

What I am essentially building up here to, is a break. *NOT* a break from my beloved Etsy shops, but a vacation for next month. Between September 3 to the 16th, I will be on retreat in Europe with an artist friend. During this time, *my shops will remain open*. Anything purchased between these dates will ship out Monday September 19th. I will be posting this little reminder on EVERY single one of my listings so there is no confusion, as I know many “laid back” folks like myself occasionally won’t read a full shop announcement, etc. During the vacances, I won’t have constant internet access, so I will answer convos whenever it is possible.

I shall come back relaxed, ambitious, and full of new shapes, colours and concepts floating in my mind. I will also have time to do some concept sketches to build my Romantics Line and start a new line that I’m planning for the near future, called the “Atsenhaienton” line, which loosely translates to “the fire still burns” in Mohawk Iroquois (i.e. Kanien’gehaga). For most that don’t know, the word “Mohawk” is actually an Algonquin word meaning “MANEATER”…these tribes didn’t get along much. This jewelry line will be semi rooted in the revival of lesser known Native myths, theories, quotes, etc., and feature stones and gems that either reflect on the history or landscape of the specific myth/concept the jewelry piece is based on. I want to create something that will be cherished, rooted in history, and enjoyed by anyone who appreciates learning and sharing.

AND NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, NEW PIECES

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Lab Created White Sapphire, 14k Rose Gold Fill and Sterling Stackers:

these lovelies will be made to order in your own size, I currently have 3 sapphires in stock (all roughly 1-1.3 carats)

^Sweet Kings Manassa Turquoise Posts with 14k Gold bezels

^The Holy Dirt Necklace:~

This necklace features a beautiful blue chalcedony teardrop gemstone, a nice clean slice of stalactite, a NATURAL microfaceted Columbian emerald gemstone, and soon some other mini gemstone goodies. It is 80% finished! Chain length to be adjustable. The stalactite rests in a “dirt mound” of PURE, FINE SILVER that has been sanded, oxidized, chemically patinaed, buried, and beaten to literally resemble pebbles. The finish on this is fantastic in person. I love the idea of putting dirt on a pedestal, the primordial goo still exists in us all, and comes out from time to time when we walk outside barefoot, and roll in the leaves. Celebrate it!

^ The Siren Ring:~

This ring features a stunningly deep natural variscite stone from Nevada, Southwest. The patterning looks exactly like thick seafoam in the deepest green oceans pounding each other in a storm. The bezel of this ring is highly polished (Not my usual!) while the back and ring band remain oxidized, sanded and rustic. The patina is protected by a museum quality jeweler’s wax.

Also in mid-production are new WAMPUM earrings. I have gabbed about wampum a lot in earlier posts, I can’t get enough of it.

These are part of the new Atsenhaienton line…:~

featuring mini natural genuine wampum shell beads in sterling jump rings and oxidized chains. On one earring mini sawed out circles are stamped with “WAM” on the other earrings “PUM”. To be added are sawed out silver arrows and my jeweler’s tag on each earring..

~~~**FOR THE GAUGED SHOP**~~~

6 gauge lapis lazuli (GOOD stuff! not denim lapis) plugs in sterling, and 6 gauge Pilot Mountain Turquoise set in 14k bezels with sterling. These turquoise lovelies are natural, high quality, and have the most BEAUTIFUL water webs…

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NEW ROCK GOODS

Columbian microfaceted emeralds, White Buffalo ribbon cut natural Turquoise, and mini Royston Mine Turquoise ribbon cut-matching pair for gauges! These would work for anything 10 gauge-0 gauge, or anything 00 gauge and up with a border or design around them.

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NEW ITEMS WILL BE IN THE SHOP THIS TUESDAY NIGHT!

xx Stray Arrow

Guillotines are Handy + Preview Night

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So I now have two amazingly new handy and…well…*A-MAZING* tools to work with. Firstly, my new guillotine, compliments of lady Alice-the best non-grandma-grandma ever. Alright….it is *really* called heavy duty shears for cutting sheet metal-with all the class of a medieval chopping block….now instead of sawing ring bands slowly and filing them perfectly straight I can just chop them straight and smooth in seconds! Talk about a time saver!

 

 

The second new goodie is my new, glorious, and overall self-promoting jeweler’s stamp! Custom made for me from *my hand drawn logo design* into carbon steel. Now all jewelry pieces (except plugs) shall be marked with this! It simply says “Stray Arrow” with an arrow underlining it. Look for it on all new work!…

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and now. a preview

rings coming soon in square labradorite (design and size undetermined) and American Southwest variscite (size undetermined)

Also a soon-to-be ring is the Southwest History ring with natural King’s Manassa Mine teardrop turquoise and a stunning Wild Horse Magnesite in sterling, possibly 14k rose gold fill embellishments (size undetermined)

***ALMOST FINISHED AND COMING THIS WEEKEND:…***

another version of the King’s Manassa and rose gold droplet ring, in a size 8. Patina and oxidation are almost finished.

AND! The King’s Feathered Ring, featuring a really funky rare natural King’s Manassa Mine turquoise stone, and a thick fat feathered satin finished ring band. Ring size is 5.5 on a mandrel, but because of the width of the band will fit *at least* 1/2 size smaller…

can you tell that I am in love with this one? Good thing I made it too small for myself. The way the satin feathered ring band is done is so nice and soft against the skin-I hand sanded the insides vertically so they slip onto your fingers smoothly. I will most likely be making plain fat ring bands in this style-made to order in ye own size.

ALSO COMIN’ TO THE SHOP FOR YOUR SHOPPIN’ SOON:

-black leather fringe dangle earrings with sterling in two sizes

-mini “Chained and Charmed” bracelets, earrings and necklace

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So, not as many new goodies as I had hoped, but I have been slaving away on commissions, commissions, commissions. All of them are REALLY groovy, I am excited. Fear not! If you have commissioned something from me it is in the works. Here is a taste…

below~finished lapis lazuli with pyrite inclusions plugs, King’s Manassa Mine turquoise and feather silver dangle plugs…

Also recently finished were a pair of 1 inch hollow sterling plugs featuring 3 King’s Manassa Mine turquoise stones on each plug earring, ornate borders, and secret Joni Mitchell quotes on the the inside backings! 

*ONE* of the many commissions in the works…Candelaria Mine (rare rare rare!) Turquoise ring and Apache Mine Turquoise and crow bracelet. This is all one commission, and includes a STUNNING old stock rare Damele turquoise, but it is currently in the studio and I refuse to venture out when I hear coyotes..so photos of it will have to wait. These will be done completely within the next few days!…

Well folks, that’s all for now. The new finished pieces will hit the shop this coming Sunday by 8pm. There are new pieces just posted in the Gauged shop and more on the way Sunday. This week I am off to hunt the fields at the Brimfield Antiques Show, wish me luck and good turquoise finds!

xxStray Arrow

Snooze You Lose, and Other News

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These Turquoise rings are now at the Muse’s Window shop in Concord, MA.

 

Bummed? Been stalking one of these? No worries. New turquoise rings will be in the shop soon!

 

Other new items in Muse’s Window include wampum silver dangles and Kings Manassa Mine turquoise rustic post earrings….

 

 

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In other news, on Saturday I will be attending the yearly “Olde Home Day” in my town. A celebration before July 4th where our Farmer’s Market sell their goodies in the festival. The Etsy shop will be closed for this day, and new items will be posted for your oogling eyes Sunday. 

 

Saturday will be filled with the basic essentials of silver body embellishments-a grande selection of mini stud and dangle ear bling, sweet mini necklaces including a new line of Nordic Futhark runes, and lovely Native inspired leather bracelets, necklaces and belts.

I currently have my new jewelry stamp in progress and it should be arriving within the next couple of weeks. I have some seriously exquisite couture statement rings waiting to be punched with this stamp! So do expect a few gems to hit in the shop within 3 weeks time…in the meantime, new mini goods and my exciting custom orders are all in the works! Check the Etsy shop announcements for the next blog PREVIEW of new items before hitting the Etsy shops soon.

 -Stasia.

The Stray Arrow

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Glories of Couture Shtuff from ToryNovaCouture and New Turquoise!

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Recently, my friend and fellow artist Tory Novikova of Tory Nova Couture released a fashion line with many unique and wonderful items. I am now the proud owner of two lovelies! So naturally, bragging must ensue.

I acquired these leggings from her Etsy shop (http://www.ToryNovaCouture.Etsy.com). I’m not a huge fan of leggings, but these are made of lycra which is thick, dense, and *glides* onto your legs. They are also surprisingly light! This stuff is made of dreams. What’s more, the sewing is perfect, the print lies on the legs in an attractive manner and is bold, original, and completely killer. All of the prints from her shop she has initially drawn *by hand*, colored *by hand*-all illustration work is done by her. Many are based on Shakespeare themes. I admit, I got these leggings for the skulls. This is part of her Carmen print. Now what I think is bloody fabulous about these are not only are there skulls involved, but it is done in such a tasteful and artistic manner that it in no way can be seen anywhere else or be considered cheap or cliche. As a painter, I consider the colors delectable. The reds are rusty instead of boring crimson, and the skulls and skeletons aren’t white but a nice warm gray-like the color of actual bones. The ‘blood’ almost has a paint splatter effect, which I adore-and the packaging was not only professional but slick to boot..

The second Tory Nova item I have acquired, is something I’ve secretly stalked and lusted after for awhile now. It is my absolute favourite print of hers, for Swan Lake. She has dresses, ties and scarves for this print. The scarves come in two color options-the full original saturated version and a lighter, airy version for Spring/Summer. I love the original print-the colors are romantic without being too girly or feminine. I completely adore this and *live* in scarves. The fact that this one is super long (also comes in a square version for kerchief style) but also extremely light is grand for all seasons in my book.

How wicked are these!? And they perfectly match my Romantics Jewelry line as well 😉 More for that line coming this summer.

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In other news, for all the gauged folk-I couldn’t wait. I photographed the new natural Kings Manassa Mine turquoise, and it is all top notch. I am pleased with the quality-there are no cracks, fractures or “blemishes” on these stones and all have great polish. They are all brilliant colors! Unfortunately, there are few stones on the round side for gauges. These are what I’ve picked out from the lot that could work as pairs for plugs or for regular earrings:

 

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AND NOW~ I BRING YOU ALL THE OTHER GOODIES TO CHOOSE FROM-these are separated into groups roughly by shape. If you desire anything custom with any stone(s) of your choosing, just say the word…

 

 

Great stuff right? Now a little info on the mine:

~~**Kings Manassa Mine Information**~~

This American mine is located east of Manassa, Colorado. It has been mined for centuries by Native American Indians and is thought to be the oldest mine in Colorado. This kind of turquoise was named after I.P. King, who came upon the mine around 1890. The King family owns the mine and it is most famous for its green and blue/green colored turquoise. The highest of qualities and rarest of Kings Manassa turquoise are a deep green, and green with golden matrix.

 

Also acquired recently!!! :

Beautiful, beautiful GENUINE WAMPUM. This lovely wampum has been carved by artist Mark Changing Bear of buffalocarvings.com . Mr. Mark is one of the few wampum carvers left. He also does amazing work carving wampum into feathers and totem animals. He is currently carving my totem: deer, for me! Check out the “custom” section on his website, or the Etsy shop he and his lovely wife Candida run : http://www.SomethingWiccan.Etsy.com  As the wampum I have photographed below was gifted, it will not be used in any custom orders, *however*, if you desire anything custom with wampum just say the word and we can most likely collectively make something special for you…

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Last, but not least…

I consider my jeweler’s trademark to essentially be an “S” with two opposing arrows on either side. Please know that I am working on creating a one of a kind metal stamp for a more unique jeweler’s signature! This will be my brand and alter ego, “STRAY ARROW”. This will be coming within the next month or two and be stamped onto all of my future jewelry pieces for a more unique and recognizable signature to last the ages! Get ready.

Western Massachusetts Gem/Mineral Show

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I know…I have a problem.

I just can’t seem to contain myself, I keep buying rock after beautiful rock. But….at least I can share….

2 new drusy cabs-the lovely seafoam colored one has a little dendrite (plant fossil) on the bottom-see? These both have incredible sparkle, the seafoam one is currently being made into a honkin’ ring…size yet to be determined…

 

This is an old gaspeite cabochon I acquired yesterday. These stones are a rare mineral to find (this one was the only one I saw at the whole show). They can be anywhere from this color green to a bright neon green, and will occasionally have a brownish matrix in them. This mineral usually hails from Australia, or Quebec, Canada as this one did.

 

Next, we have (above) genuine Baltic Amber. This piece is FAT, and like all amber very light. The white splotch is the price tag on the other side (lazy lazy me not removing it). When looked at closely…closer than my silly camera will allow…you can see a couple of bugs. Gross, but cool, right?

 

I have so much of this, but I couldn’t resist. This is a lace agate, not uncommon, but these pinkish tones are so romantically themed I just had to snatch it up. I love the very circular ones as this that look like tree rings. Please note~ there is already a pure silver scalloped bezel around this one that I whipped up, as I have a ring design in mind for the cabochon.

 

 

This is a pair of tear dropped drusy cabs (roughly 10mm tall). They are incredibly sparkley and light reflective, perfect for gauges and earrings. Its so hard to find good matching pairs so as soon as I saw these I grabbed them. I know they’ll make someone happy.

 

Koroit Boulder Opal~

Finally found one! These stones have been getting VERY popular, and I haven’t gotten my hands on any at all, so I finally buckled down. Along with Opal being the October birthstone, it is also the birthstone of the Zodiac Libra sign. ALL of it is found in Australia, and the browns are from iron mixed with the opal. This kind of boulder/matrix opal from Koroit, Australia is very sought after, and this piece has great light reflective, glow and a very nice pattern.

 

Alright, saved my favourite stones for last, and I’m sure anyone that knows me can guess they’re turquoise….

 

CARICO LAKE TURQUOISE~

I’ve never gotten my hands on any of this mine before until now. Because of this, please know that the stone on the left is *not for sale* ~ I’m keeping it for my collection…The Carico Lake Mine Turquoise is from Nevada, Southwest and named after its location (dried lake land). It produces a highly collectable and unique green color because of the amounts of zinc in the area. This teal/green is similar to a lot of dark variscite stones.

 

~~~**COMING SOON**~~~

To the StasiaSalvucci.Etsy.com shop….herkimer diamond rings!

 

 

Soon to be in for the Gauged by Stasia shop:::

1/2″ black onyx sterling and deer hide leather dangles…IN PROGRESS….

 

ofcourse, these are all along with the commissions that are in progress, soon to be finished for the lovely folk who’re waiting ever so patiently 🙂

 

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on a side note, in other news my dear friend miss Tory of ToryNovaCouture (whom I warmly refer to as “the Russian Doll” when she ain’t around) is soon to be releasing scarves of her exquisite Shakespearean themed fashion line for Spring/Summer! The color and printing quality is sublime, the compositions and fabric a dream, the color palettes are true, blissful romance wrapped around your neck, all for you. Love them.

View the preview scarf of her “Swan Lake” illustration (my favourite!) at her Etsy shop:

http://www.ToryNovaCouture.Etsy.com