“Low on the Sand, and Loud on the Stone”…

Before I post new work to be added to the Etsy shops tomorrow, and recently completed work,  Etsy has made a few changes to their hosting websites where my shops are. They have recently added the option to change a Shop Name. While my shop for the gauged folks will remain “GaugedbyStasia”, my shop name for my StasiaSalvucci account will now be “TheStrayArrow”, permanently. All bookmarks and URL’s will be forwarded to http://www.TheStrayArrow.Etsy.com

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Tomorrow, in The Stray Arrow shop…

a new addition to the Grave Series, featuring sweet little silver and copper Momento Mori studs:

Also new, an addition to the Stormy Night miniseries in the form of a splendidly fat ring of substantial size and weight, inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson

This lovely features a square flashly labradorite gemstone flanked by two hand sawed sterling black birds. The back is adorned with a raven and the quote..

“SILENCE FELL WITH THE WAKING BIRD”

from Part 1 of Tennyson’s “Maud; A Monodrama”…

Come into the garden, Maud,
      For the black bat, night, has flown,
Come into the garden, Maud,
      I am here at the gate alone;
And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad,
      And the musk of the rose is blown.
   For a breeze of morning moves,
      And the planet of Love is on high,
Beginning to faint in the light that she loves
      In a bed of daffodil sky,
To faint in the light of the sun she loves,
      To faint in his light, and to die. 
   All night have the roses heard
      The flute, violin, bassoon;
All night has the casement jessamine stirr’d
      To the dancers dancing in tune;
Till a silence fell with the waking bird,
      And a hush with the setting moon.
   I said to the lily, “There is but one
      With whom she has heart to be gay.
When will the dancers leave her alone?
      She is weary of dance and play.”
Now half to the setting moon are gone,
      And half to the rising day;
Low on the sand and loud on the stone
      The last wheel echoes away.
   I said to the rose, “The brief night goes
      In babble and revel and wine.
O young lord-lover, what sighs are those,
      For one that will never be thine?
But mine, but mine,” so I sware to the rose,
      “For ever and ever, mine.”
   And the soul of the rose went into my blood,
      As the music clash’d in the hall;
And long by the garden lake I stood,
      For I heard your rivulet fall
From the lake to the meadow and on to the wood,
      Our wood, that is dearer than all;
   From the meadow your walks have left so sweet
      That whenever a March-wind sighs
He sets the jewel-print of your feet
      In violets blue as your eyes,
To the woody hollows in which we meet
      And the valleys of Paradise.
   The slender acacia would not shake
      One long milk-bloom on the tree;
The white lake-blossom fell into the lake
      As the pimpernel dozed on the lea;
But the rose was awake all night for your sake,
      Knowing your promise to me;
The lilies and roses were all awake,
      They sigh’d for the dawn and thee.
   Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls,
      Come hither, the dances are done,
In gloss of satin and glimmer of pearls,
      Queen lily and rose in one;
Shine out, little head, sunning over with curls,
      To the flowers, and be their sun.
   There has fallen a splendid tear
      From the passion-flower at the gate.
She is coming, my dove, my dear;
      She is coming, my life, my fate;
The red rose cries, “She is near, she is near;”
      And the white rose weeps, “She is late;”
The larkspur listens, “I hear, I hear;”
      And the lily whispers, “I wait.”
   She is coming, my own, my sweet;
      Were it ever so airy a tread,
My heart would hear her and beat,
      Were it earth in an earthy bed;
My dust would hear her and beat,
      Had I lain for a century dead,
Would start and tremble under her feet,
      And blossom in purple and red
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New to the gauged shop tomorrow…
one pair of 10 gauge faceted rainbow moonstone ornate plugs
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one pair of 4 gauge Stormy Night plugs with black pyrite fool’s gold
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and these:
12 gauge dangles for tunnels that feature a MATCHING PAIR of natural, genuine,
White Buffalo Turquoise
These lovelies have been oxidized, brushed and filed for serious contrast and are a comfortable weight so that they will swing in the most amusing arc, and still not weigh your ears down in the slightest…
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Recently completed is a necklace made with a turquoise I had posted in recent months…
featuring a museum quality webbed piece of natural Pilot Mountain Mine Turquoise, a cabochon of Kings Manassa Mine Turquoise, and four beautifully micro-faceted genuine emeralds…
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check the shops out tomorrow (Wednesday) for new goodies!
xx Stray Arrow

The Fire Still Burns…

Not only do I have new jewelry pieces to share before they hit the Etsy shops on Tuesday, but I also have a short story for you all, which will be at the end of this post….

I have been banging out made to order items and commissions, while at the same time making a few new pieces in time for Samhain (All Hallows Eve/Halloween). As always, silver skulls are aplenty. Now, I am currently working on expanding my “Stormy Night” Black Bird series in the Gauged by Stasia shop. These feature gem and silver plugs with 3D black crows or ravens that spread their wings from the gems. This style will also be on a ring within the next few weeks…

Story Night Part Two. 00 gauge. Larvikite gems.

New to the Jewelery shop are more bronze skull dangles, and a new series…

The new series is “The Grave Series”, based on Old Puritan gravestones in New England. Many of these graves would feature skulls flanked by angel wings at stone headers, with the phrase “Momento Mori”. This is a modern term for R.I.P.=Rest In Peace, and literally means, Remember Your Mortality. This doesn’t have to be interpreted cryptically. Momento Mori could just be a little boost to appreciate all and everything. The Puritan gravestones were all carved by hand back in the day, and each one has a unique (some goofy) expression. Each piece of this new mini series will have its own personality, hopefully you can find one that suites your own….

currently there are one pair of plugs, and this necklace in the series. Coming soon are more plugs, necklaces and rings….

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IN OTHER NEWS:

My artist friend Tory, of Tory Nova Couture,has recently made some new goodies for Halloween as well. These are just too adorable and delectable not to share! Illustrating different skeletons and monsters she has created the perfect quick costume idea: unique and humorous quality pull over masks. These cuties come in kid and adult sizes, perfect to snag you the “coolest grown up” award! These are illustrated 360 degrees…check them out in her ETSY shop : http://www.torynova.etsy.com

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Well folks, I believe its story time…

As I have posted before, “Atsenhaienton” is translated to “The Fire Still Burns” in Mohawk Iroquois. This is the name of a mini jewelry line I had started with a pair of dangles featuring genuine wampum. From these dangles sparked interest, and now one pair of plugs has been made in this style, another is in the works, and talk of a possible Atsenhaienton necklace may come into being.

Each piece of this collection highlights a little shard of a history. Whether it be your own or another’s, histories and mythologies can be how we define ways of life and being and seem to always stay with us.

From this inspiration, I have made a ring based on one of my favourite Iroquois tales (specifically Seneca Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee). Please note that although I am an enthusiast, I am not a scholar or…known for my accurate spelling. The names in this tale are phonetic, and are approximate…

Ga-oh, Spirit of the Winds, chose his aids from the terrestrial because of their knowledge of the earth; and when his reverberating call had ceased its thunderous echoes, he opened his north gate wide across the sky and called Ya-o-gah, the Bear.

Lumbering over the mountains as he pushed them from his path, Ya-o-gah, the bulky bear, who had battled the boisterous winds as he came, took his place at Ga-oh’s gate and waited the mission of his call. Said Ga-oh, “Ya-o-gah, you are strong, you can freeze the waters with your cold breath; in your broad arms you can carry the wild tempests, and clasp the whole earth when I bid you destroy. I will place you in my far north, there to watch the herd of my winter winds when I loose them in the sky. You shall be the North Wind. Enter your home”. And the bear lowered his head for the leash with which Ga-oh bound him, and submissively took his place in the north sky.

In a gentler voice Ga-oh called Ne-o-ga, the Fawn, and a soft breeze as of the summer, crept over the sky; the air grew fragrant with the odor of flowers, and there were voices as of babbling brooks telling the secrets of the summer to the tune of birds, as Ne-o-ga came proudly lifting her head.

Said Ga-oh, “You walk with the summer sun,and know all its paths; you are gentle,and kind as the sunbeam, and will rule my flock of the summer winds in peace. You shall be the South Wind, Bend your head while I leash you to the sky, for you are swift, and might return from me to the earth”. And the gentle fawn followed Ga-oh to his great gate which opens the south sky.

Again, Ga-oh trumpeted a shrill blast, and all the sky seemed threatening; an ugly darkness crept into the clouds that sent them whirling in circles of confusion; a quarrelsome, shrieking voice snarled through the air, and with a sound as of great claws tearing the heavens into rifts, Da-jo-ji, the Panther, sprang to the gate.

Said Ga-oh, “You are ugly and fierce, and can fight the strong storms; you can climb the high mountains,and tear down the forests; you can carry the whirlwind on your strong back, and toss the great sea waves high in the air, and snarl at the tempests if they stray from my gate. You shall be the West Wind. Go to the west sky, where even the Sun will hurry to hide when you howl your warning to the night”. And Da-jo-ji, dragging his leash as he stealthily crept along, followed Ga-oh to the furthermost west sky.

Yet Ga-oh rested not. The earth was flat, and in each of its four corners he must have an assistant. One corner yet remained, and again Ga-oh’s strong blast shook the earth. And there arose a moan like the calling of a lost mate, the sky shivered in a cold rain, the whole earth clouded in mist, a crackling sound as of a great horns crashing through the forest trees dinned the air, and O-yan-do-ne, the Moose, stood stamping his hoofs at the gate.

Said Ga-oh, as he strung a strong leash around his neck, “Your breath blows the mist, and can lead the cold rains; your horns spread wide, and can push back the forests to widen the path for my storms as with your swift hoofs you race with my winds. You shall be the East Wind, and blow your breath to chill the young clouds as they float through the sky”. And, said Ga-oh, as he led him to the east sky, “Here you shall dwell forevermore.”

Thus, with his assistants, does Ga-oh control his storms. And although he must ever remain in his sky lodge, his will is supreme, and his faithful assistants will obey.

All text of this tale was taken verbatim from a version written and translated by Harriet Maxwell Converse (Ya-ie-wa-noh). Converse lived  and studied with Seneca in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.

This ring is simply made with sterling silver, patina, and a beautiful little round wampum featuring both its purple and white colouring. Four arrows have been stamped to represent the four wind directions. The ring band is stamped with “Atsenhaienton”…

check back to the Etsy shops Tuesday for these new items, and more…

and…coming soon…

THIS GUY:

xx Stray Arrow

“In The Golden Air”…

Well, I have returned and the Etsy shops are back in action. The final batch of “made to order” items purchased while I was away will ship out Monday at the latest. Commissions will be resumed this weekend. For now, a few of the pieces recently completed that will hit the shop Sunday evening…

Men’s Water Feather Ring– featuring a piece of high grade turquoise from the Kingman Mine with pyrite in it that I acquired in Bisbee, Arizona. This lovely has been stamped with feathers like my “Feathered Bands”. A perfect rugged piece for the gents who dig the Southwestern look.

In The Golden Air“, a necklace for the month of October. The quote is from William Cullen Bryant’s poem “October”. This necklace shall be part of the Romantics Line. It features a beautiful crazy lace agate with swirls that look like orange flowers towards the bottom. A green gem and faceted rainbow moonstone follow bronze and silver leaves up the chain. A little oak leaf has been sawed out in the back, to let the beauty of the stone come through….

And, for the Gauged Folks…

its time to gear up for Hallows Eve!

Ruby Saucer Blood Droplet plugs…these little *garnet gemstone* guys are currently made in a 10 gauge, but can be made in any size up to 1/2″…

and of course, skulls aplenty in any gauge size…

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Now for some new gemstone and rock goodies, all up for grabs for custom orders:

RUBIES!

also, everyone’s favourite: Herkimer Diamonds

and last but grandest, a superb olive coloured natural turquoise from the Crow Springs Mine, a perfect oval size for ring, bracelet or necklace:

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Well, thats it for now folks. Thanks for all the patience while I was away. Expect frequent blog posts, NEW Halloween packaging, and plenty of new pieces to celebrate the upcoming Samhain on the way!

in the meantime, I’ll be taking a break from the sweets I’ve been surviving on the past two weeks….maybe…

xxStray Arrow

Neglect

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

Turquoise Conquest


Well, what else is new. I’ve acquired more turquoise…

Recent conquests yield 3 pairs and one large cabochon of natural turquoise. The first two pairs are perfect for the gauged folk or those desiring earrings…

NOTE: THESE ARE UP FOR GRABS!

First up, we have mini Pilot Mountain mine turquoise with water webbing. “Water webs” in turquoise is like your basic spider web pattern-which is a web between the turquoise and host rock (the higher of qualities among turquoise). The difference is a water web is a webbing pattern entirely out of turquoise! As you can guess, this means its an even higher quality than your normal webbing. This mini pair is adorable, sweet, and roughly 7mm diameter for each cab. These would work in a plain style for anything 4 gauge and smaller, or higher gauges if given some kind of border…

For our second pair, we have water webbed natural turquoise from the Kingman Mine in Arizona, Southwest. This is the *highest quality* Kingman I’ve gotten my fingers on thus far. These lovelies have a very defined web to them, and are roughly 14mm in diameter. They would work in a plain style for anything 00 gauge and smaller, or anything above 00 gauge with a border of some sort…

Our third and last pair are free form triangles-great for dangling bits/bottoms on gauges or normal sized earrings. They are Nacozari turquoise- a mine located in Mexico that is highly sought after for its extreme “blueness”. It occasionally can have black inclusions-this pair and one additional cab are all that I currently have from this mine. These lovelies have a very slight water web to them. They are roughly 20mm tall. I can see these swinging with open tunnels, moonstone, rose quartz, or more turquoise…

For our last turquoise cab…we have a gem.

This natural webbed cab is from the Pilot Mountain Mine, and is not only the highest quality I’ve had from this mine, but one of the higher quality turquoise stones I have. period. The tight webbing is incredible, these photos are *unaltered*, and the depth of the lush green teals and rusty ochre patterning is drool-worthy (and collector’s quality, too).  I’m thinking about keeping this gem for myself, unless someone

*really falls in love with it*

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In other news, just dropped off *FOUR NEW RINGS* for lady Karin at The Muse’s Window in Concord, MA. Behold…what you’re missing out on!

White Buffalo and Kings Manassa Mine rings:

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New GEMSTONES in…
goodies are just waitin’ in the pot!
new gems include: AZ turquoise, white crystal, rainbow moonstone, prehnite, garnet, amethyst, and white topaz…
Well folks, that’s it. We’re having a heat wave in New England, and anyone who knows me knows I hate heat to begin with. No A/C in the studio…it is an official sauna. Today has been a break day (in other words…restocking packaging goodies). New items will not hit the shop until the weekend after this coming one…commissions are in progress!
xx
Stray Arrow
stay cool ladies ‘n’ gents

Snooze You Lose, and Other News

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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Friday Night Preview

For *some* of the items coming this Sunday….

Kings Manassa Mine Turquoise Rings:

 

 

US SIZES from left to right: 7, 5.5, 7 to 7.25…..also soon to be made for Sunday’s update are size 8 and size 9 versions!

 

DRAGON AND CROW MESSENGER BRACELET: to be finished in an oxidized/bright fashion! Featuring a nice piece of Crow Springs Mine Turquoise…see the other side on Sunday 😉

 

Now as most if not all know, being an artist is all about growth. The more you do, the better ya get. So I’m going to be taking old pieces I made a while back (pendants) and reworking them to be better than ever! Here are the goodies now, see them hung up all over again Sunday:

 

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New goodies for the gauged folk:

currently made are prehnite gemstone 2 gauge sterling plugs and 6 gauge faceted rainbow moonstone with silver bullet drop plugs (oxidized). More to come!…Including a super special pair of the new “Stormy Night” styles with 3D silver crows! Additionally more dangles for tunnels. Check ’em out in the gauged shop Sunday (GaugedbyStasia.Etsy.com)

 

Well, that’s it for now! Here are some recently (y’know. today being the recent) finished commissions: 

1/2″ baltic amber and carnelian gemstone silver plugs:

The carnelians are to be added to the shop as a “MADE TO ORDER” item in gauges 0-1/2″.

 

Last but certainly never least, a picture of a necklace I made for a friend’s birthday. This lovely features a hefty piece of genuine wampum, with silver arrow and tear drop tags, and an iolite gemstone silver clasp in my signature style!

 

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Freyja and I bid you adieu 🙂  have a wonderful weekend all, check the shops Sunday during your afternoon tea time! 

 

 

 

 

Coming Soon…

Coming to the Etsy shop tomorrow afternoon:

 

“CROW & BUFFALO”

This bracelet I made when I first started out silversmithing and never finished it. Now it is completely done and ready for a wrist to dote on! Made from scratch of sterling silver and molten recycled silver it features silver crows and a huge piece of quality natural White Buffalo Turquoise

Glories of Couture Shtuff from ToryNovaCouture and New Turquoise!

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.

“And life, in rare and beautiful forms, is sporting amid those bowers of stones…”

Tourist migration weekend has passed, and my birthday has gone. Thankfully during time off the past few days, I’ve been able to whip up some new wonders for the Etsy shops. Also! For all you gauged folk out there desiring more rare turquoise ear bling, I’ve recently tracked down some BEAUTIFUL turquoise from the King’s Manassa Mine. I’ll be photographing these and posting them for your choosing by this coming weekend!

I was able to sneak off to the beach last week, before the weekend rush. It was beautiful having it almost to myself…the ripples and patterns in the sands were like webs, ensnaring all visitors to lengthen their stay…

and from all that is the ocean and summer, I stumbled upon a poem that seemed familiar although I know I’ve never read it. I feel in love with it immediately….:

~*The Coral Grove-by James Gate Percival*~

“Deep in the wave is a coral grove,

Where the purple mullet, and gold-fish rove,

Where the sea-flower spread its leaves of blue,

That never are wet with falling dew,

But in bright and changeful beauty shine,

Far down in the green and glassy brine.

That floor is of sand, like the mountain drift,

And the pearl shells spangle the flinty snow;

From coral rocks the sea plants lift

Their boughs, where the tides and billows flow;

The water is calm and still below,

For the winds and waves are absent there.

And the sands are bright as the stars that glow

In the motionless fields of upper air:

There with its waving blade of green,

The sea-flag streams through the silent water,

And the crimson leaf of the dulse is seen

To bulch, like a banner bathed in slaughter:

There with a light and easy motion,

The fan-coral sweeps through the clear deep sea;

And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean

Are bending like corn on the upland lea:

And life, in rare and beautiful forms,

Is sporting amid those bowers of stone,

And is safe, when the wrathful spirit of storms,

Has made the top of the waves his own:

And when the ship from his fury flies,

Where the myriad voices of ocean roar,

When the wind-god frowns in the murky skies,

And demons are waiting the wreck on shore;

The far below in the peaceful sea,

The purple mullet, and gold-fish rove,

Where the waters murmur tranquilly,

Through the bending twigs of the coral grove.”

From this, came this ring, soon to be in the Etsy shop!:

Also new is the FLIGHT NIGHT ring…made of oxidized sterling and petrified palm wood…soon to be in the Etsy shop…

New to the shop already are one of a kind bronze lariat necklaces and raw stones necklaces…double click to enlarge…

Goodies for the Gauged by Stasia shop include sterling domed flowers with 14k gold fill molten inside dots, come in all gauge sizes…

Chained gauges in all sizes and styles….

 

and! Beautiful rutilated quartz plugs, currently in size 0 gauge but I have more rutiliated quartz for any custom sizes…

last but not least….coming by next weekend…the Crow&Buffalo bracelet, with sterling, and genuine White Buffalo turquoise…this piece is in progress!

xoxoStasi.