Your Custom Text Here
A few new items will be hitting the shop throughout Sunday, made again in between filling orders. Long term custom orders are almost all complete so more pieces will be filtering in soon!
AND FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY:
In the main shop enter in coupon code: FIREWORKS, for 10% off of your order.
(not applicable to custom orders)
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Check back to the shop tomorrow for these sweet and simple new pieces!
xx Stray Arrow
A few new items will be hitting the shop this morning that I've created in between filling orders and custom pieces.
Here's a short preview...more news soon!
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xx Stray Arrow
I'd like to announce it's now the annual MAY SALE! All throughout the month of May in the main Etsy shop enjoy 10% off of your entire order by applying the coupon code: MAYBABY at checkout. The sale will end May 31st at Midnight, and does not apply to custom orders.
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A few new items made in between working on custom orders will be added to the shop tonight. Here's a quick preview:
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^Chained rings now made to order with your stone of choice.
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Now, a little highlight on rutile & tourmalinated quartz, plus some photo candy:
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I also just want to thank everyone for having patience with me while I was sick for several weeks, due to a reaction from some medication. All pending custom orders are still in the works and getting little extras! The Plugs shop will reopen shortly once I'm more caught up with orders.
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NEW STOCKIST ALERT-
Small Home Studio in Brooklyn, NY now carries Arrow Ware by The Stray Arrow!
more news soon
xx
Stray Arrow
These new pieces will be hitting the shop throughout the day and this evening!
Things have been a bit slow in the studio for various reasons. Now that the icy shores I've recently planted myself on are starting to show signs of life again, so will the shops! I'll be finishing up commissions (don't I always say that?), and creating more items for BOTH shops. YES, that means plugs too!
For now, here are new offerings:
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^Old Grounds earrings, a made to order offering of dark silver, pyrite fool's gold, and deer hide straight from my annual powwow.
^WEAVER rings, all featuring a ring band with a textile/weaved patterning.
^new Cave Stack set with Fox mine turquoise. Size 7.5.
^Bangle bracelet with copper, bronze, molten silver, and natural Kingman mine turquoise.
These old lovelies will be hitting the shop again as a made to order item:
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That's it for now folks!
xx Stray Arrow
These new items will be hitting the shop throughout the day and night
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^size 9 Royston ribbon turquoise stacker in blackened silver.
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^size 6.75 Blue Gem turquoise in gold fill and blackened silver.
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^size 7.5 iolite gemstone Arrowvane ring with band detailing.
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* Spheres and Tides ring, featuring Castle Dome and Manassa turquoise, will fit sizes 6.5-7.
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^size 8 rustic ruby in zoisite stacker.
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^size 6.5 Royston Ribbon turquoise with cut out bezel detailing and extra stacker.
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^size 7.5 Kingman blue turquoise and dark silver stacker.
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^size 7.5 CAVE STACK, featuring old stock Number 8 mine turquoise in gold fill, and dark silver.
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^necklace with Blue Boy variscite, gold fill, and dark silver. 20" chain.
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^White Buffalo Arrowvane earrings, 1.5" tall in total.
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That's it folks! Check back in the shop and be sure to use the COUPON CODE for 15% off of your orders over $25!
xxStrayArrow
Alright folks. This is going to be a fairly long post, so hold tight.
To give a brief summary, I'm sharing my experience and rock haul from the Tucson Gem Show this year. Anything marked N/A in the photo is not available for custom orders. All other stones are up for grabs and will ONLY be fully reserved once you nail a design down with me and a deposit for said design has been paid. Please be aware that unless you've sealed a piece with me, I may be showing the same stones to others.
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So. I started in New England, looking at this:
Packed up jewels from my personal collection to sport in the sun:
Took a few planes...
....and entered a region where aliens are abundant. Aliens. Yes. They are everywhere, in bizarre variations that look inviting yet are secretly hazardous...
And yes. I'm talking about these:
I swear these are the weirdest, coolest things. I got so many, "Uhm how many photos of cacti is this girl going to take???" stares. I don't even care.
Oh yeah. There was also the huge gem show all over the city, that was cool too.
(^natural rough Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise)
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Now, onto conquests.
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^Broken Arrow mine variscite. natural. straight from the mine owner.
^Burtis Claim Cripple Creek mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise and Royston ribbon cut turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise. natural.
^White Buffalo turquoise. natural. Straight from the mine owner.
^Blue Moon mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston ribbon cut turquoise. natural.
^ left to right: New Lander mine, Peacock mine, Carico Lake mine, Number 8 mine (!!! truly!), Damele mine.
All natural.
^the amazingly tight webbing in this one is hard to photograph.
^this one has a very high dome.
^ Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise. natural.
^Fox // Cortez mine turquoise. natural.
^old stock Number 8 mine turquoise. natural.
^Royston turquoise. natural. Along with some strays.
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That's the haul folks! I hunted and enjoyed the skies of the Southwest
Then I returned home to a series of snow storms. Fantastic.
Keep a look out as I'll be posting NEW ITEMS to preview here on the blog this coming Sunday before they hit the shops!
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SALE NEWS
From tonight until next Thursday at midnight, enjoy 15% off of your order in the Main Etsy Shop with coupon code:
SNOWVERDOSE
in honour of there being too much snow here and wanting to empty the shelves in the shop a bit for new items! Sale does not apply to custom orders, minimum purchase of $25 required to apply.
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KEEP POSTED FOR SUNDAY.
In the meantime, if you aren't in a sunny land, stay warm and bundle up!
xx Stray Arrow
Well folks, it's the first of the month. I think it's time to bring back the Rock Appreciation Days, what about you? Today VARISCITE will be highlighted. See the feature and photo examples of current and past jewelry pieces using variscite at the END of this post.
For now, I'd like to update you all. Studio access has been slightly limited in the recent past due to construction on the building. A big thank you to all who have placed orders for your immense patience during this time! The studio is now at full speed again and any work in my space has finished. Due to the slower production speed I have solely been keeping up with "made to order" items and custom items. I will finally be updating the main Etsy shop with new items next week. To stay posted on exactly when you can follow any of my social media seen at the right side bar.
In more exciting news,
I will be going to the Tucson Gem Show!
This is a big deal for me, because it is absolutely huge and spanning a month's time, and I wasn't able to go last year. I will be gone from February 9-13th. Please note that I will keep both Etsy shops open during this time, but some "made to order' items may be deactivated. All orders will ship upon my return. As I am shopping for rocks, I'm giving you all an opportunity to weigh in. What kinds of stones would you like me to use more? Have a custom piece in mind with a specific kind of stone you want me to hunt for? If you have a serious hankering, please list your desires in the comment section below. I'll be adding it to my 'treasure hunt' list. When I return all new scores will be photographed and posted here. For the most up to date Gem Show experience you can follow my Instagram: @thestrayarrow.
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GIVEAWAY NEWS
This giveaway will primarily be for Instagram. Any comments below on THIS post will also be included into the giveaway! Comment with stone opinions! Win the Feathered Band with Arrow Vane below, in your size. Winner will be chosen Feb. 14th.
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On a more serious note...
I want to bring up something that often goes unsaid by most jewelers. It goes unsaid because of backlash. Because of people getting defensive. Because you take something that is "fun" and "aesthetically pleasing" to the general public and shed light on a negative aspect of the industry. That's right. Industry. This is a trade, not a hobby. I've mentioned this before and I want to mention it again. Creative rights are constantly being infringed upon. It is not okay, and should not be supported. It is morally bankrupt. Yes, there are others out there with technical skills, no, they do not have my mind, or the mind of a peer. If you see something that you *immediately associate with my work or think is mine initially* chances are fair that my creative toes are being stepped on. If you see someone using ALL of my main themes I've been working hard to curate for years-
(turquoise.wampum.myth.literature.Native American.Nordic.)
then yes. There's no respect being shown, and my hard work is being stolen. Unfortunately there is little to be done, and speaking with people who clearly have no respect for others OR respect for themselves is most often a dead end. Again. This is a message for you to be aware. Not to dictate whom you should be buying from. When folks purchase my work along with that of my peers I get excited customers enjoy our work all around. There are wonderful, talented, respectful artists out there with some true integrity. They spend years creating work that evolves into a personal aesthetic. I will always fight for my creative rights and the rights of my peers. Please be respectful of the creative rights of other artists. Please be aware of what you're looking at and who you are supporting. Lastly, please take this message as a celebration of those who know themselves and stay true.
ROCK APPRECIATION DAY
[DISCLAIMER: I am not a lapidary (stone) artist, gemologist, mine owner, or any other kind of authority on gems, stones, or minerals. I am simply an enthusiast who likes to share the information I’ve gathered in my goal to attain the perfect rocks for my jewelry pieces].
VARISCITE.
Variscite is an aluminum phosphate mineral, ranking about a 3.5-4.5 on the MOH's hardness scale. It is often confused with turquoise, although more often than not much greener. It is another popular southwestern stone for jewelry use. The most popular can be found in Lucin and Fairfield, Utah, and Esmeralda and Lander counties in Nevada. It also hails from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Poland and Germany. Many kinds of variscite, especially from the USA, can have host rock webbing in them again making it easy to confuse with turquoise.
Below are pieces I've made with different varieties of variscite:
(^from Australia)
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That's it folks!
Have a good weekend~
xx The Stray Arrow
No. This isn't a post about rocks.
There will be one down the line, but not today!
I've been spending some time going over old photos, admittedly clearing space on my computer. I thought I would share some old and new that may not have made it to item listings, social media posts, or just been swept under the carpet of time...
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I hope everyone has had a lovely Holiday Season, whichever you choose to celebrate!
For future notice on a packaging change:
I used to send all bangle bracelets and bracelets in general in plain sweet little muslin bags. They'll now be going out a bit more spruced up, as such:
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That's it folks!
NEW ITEMS will be hitting the shop throughout tomorrow, including two Chained in Turquoise rings, and two unique stacking ring types.
xx The Stray Arrow
Things are now settled, it's time to share the new place and new jewels!
Here is a tiny peak at my new place, and some detail shots of the new studio...
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^Russian music boxes that each play a different theme from "Fiddler on The Roof", antique mirror with Stray Arrow Featherblade necklace, and my favourite designated CAVE LADY plaque. The music boxes represent an old memory from one of my grandmothers. The plaque was made for me by the dear Tory of ToryNova, featuring me in true Cave fashion on the left, and her in true T-REX fashion on the right.
^ My favourite old TURQUOISE TREASURE CHEST. I scored this favoured piece at an antique & flea market. The Marines illustrated fold out piece was acquired along the St. Martin Canal, Paris.
^ Three different Arrow Vane sizes. Painting of Muninn with oils, cold wax, and fire ashes.
^ My gargoyle Askewheteau ("He who keeps watch"). Dangling from him is one of the first finished necklaces I made 4-5 years ago. The necklace was an "East meets West" theme featuring a Southwestern Thunderbird and the three clans from the Kanienkehaka (turtle, wolf, bear). Dangling stones are white buffalo turquoise and Crow Springs mine turquoise.
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The Bookcase
with some snippets of my vast collection...
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JEWELRY DOCKING STATION
---where jewels await new homes---
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THE STUDIO...
I'm now in a shared studio space with other artists. These are just a couple of close ups. To see peaks of my space throughout its evolution you can follow me on Instagram: @thestrayarrow
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NEW JEWELS
---these new pieces will be added to BOTH shops by the end of the night---
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That's it folks! Thanks for keeping up and supporting my work. As always, there's more to come!
xx The Stray Arrow
CURRENT SALES:
10% off with code: BLACKCYBER, ends tonight at midnight
20% off orders over $50 with code: TODAYONLY, ends at midnight
25% off orders over $100 with code: KEEPINGUP, ends at midnight!
LAST CHANCE.
New items next week.
WHEW!
It has been quite awhile since my last posting!
I'm pleased to say after months of hunting and some set backs, I have finally found a studio space near my new apartment. I'm excited as it will be my first time sharing space in an artist building with painters, printmakers, and a sculptor! While I'm getting ready for this next venture in my life, setting up my studio and plastering the walls with hanging tools and Cave items, another hurdle is gaining speed....Holiday Madness. To start off this Holiday season, I'll be holding a SALE in the main Etsy shop this weekend. From MIDNIGHT Thursday to MIDNIGHT Monday enjoy 10% off all items (excluding custom orders). Use the coupon code below to claim your discount at checkout. To be clear about shopping with The Stray Arrow, I have updated my SHOP POLICIES which I encourage everyone to read over thoroughly.
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A couple new items will make it to the shop this weekend in my Cave line theme, including the mini goodies below. A new extra long Arrow Vane Shield ring will be available, plus this little Royston turquoise Arrow Vane. More new pieces are in the works in tandem with custom orders. Keep a look out as they'll be posted to my Instagram or Facebook page before hitting the shop.
To keep up with the studio space you can follow @thedooryardcollective on Instagram or Facebook- DooryardCollective. The Dooryard is the new home to The Stray Arrow Studio. If you're around Portland, ME come check us out! The Dooryard will be participating in First Friday Dec. 6, located at 108 High Street. Stop by for some drinks, food, jewelry, and all that other cool art stuff.
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Have a good weekend everyone- whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, or just staying in to avoid shopping madness. I'll be in my new amazing space decorating and banging out orders with some cookies and coffee.
>>>>A Special Offer<<<<
For those following my blog here, I want to thank you for your support. For this weekend I'll be doing a 25% off sale when you spend $100+ in my shop for those larger items. Enter in the coupon code: KEEPINGUP at checkout.
xx The Stray Arrow
While I've been busy in the studio there's been a slightly diminished online presence. I'm still banging away on jewelry as ever. Custom orders have been churning out steadily and my silly slow move has been coming along. Soon the new place will be fully set up with a new organizing system for jewels and stones. I'm excited to share photos upon completion! In the meantime, please don't forget that the October SALE ends next Friday! See the shop for details about the sale.
Now! For some spur of the moment fun...
For a one time, one use coupon code for 20% off in the main Etsy shop...
FIND THE FOUR LEAF CLOVER!
*indicate the four leaf in the photo and email or message it back to me either on Etsy or at: stasia@thestrayarrowjewelry.com
First person to properly locate it will win, and I'll message them the coupon code.
GOOD LUCK!
xx The Stray Arrow
Firstly, a brief photo viewing of the pieces that'll be listed today, Sunday. Then some photos of the outdoor ventures in this lovely New England Autumn weather. Lastly, some very important news concerning the month of October for my shop and all jewels.
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I've been swooning over this delightful weather lately. I've been opening all the windows and the door to the studio to let through the nice crisp breeze. I love hearing the leaves rattle and fall....
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NEWS:
I am excited to say I am moving my home and studio from the woods to a city. This is going to be a hectic and semi slow process, so in the coming month a few things will change in the shops:
***THE ETSY SHOPS WILL REMAIN OPEN***
There may be a few 2-4 day spans when they're on "Vacation", but on the whole they'll be open. Many of the "made to order" items will be deactivated. Mostly "ready to ship" pieces will be available. If you're looking for something you were hankering for and no longer see it listed, convo me either on Etsy or email me here: Stasia@thestrayarrowjewelry.com. I may have studio time available to whip it up. If something is listed, it means I CAN make it. Production time will extend on all orders to 2-3 weeks.
*FOR CUSTOM ORDERS*
If I have started conversing with you about a commission, don't worry. I still have a studio to work in and we can create something lovely for you in a timely manner. I will NOT be taking custom orders during the month of October UNLESS it is a very desired and needed gift for someone (I've got a soft spot). If you do have an idea for a custom order you're serious about, contact me to plan for it come November/December.
Everything should be settled by November in PLENTY of time to handle the Holiday season which I am very excited for this year. If you have any questions about any of this feel free to contact me! I will update moving status on my Facebook and Instagram (@thestrayarrow).
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I hope you're all enjoying the season!
Another blog update will occur Tuesday, Oct. 1 with further (happy) news! Stay tuned folks-
xx Stray Arrow
Hey folks!
I've been traveling out of state. Rock Appreciation Day will be up tomorrow night with....
VARISCITE.
xx Stray Arrow.
New stones scored yesterday at a gem show!
At the bottom of the post find new goodies by a friend and fellow artist, perfect to pair with crispy Fall weather...
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STONES ARE:
Shattuckite (very high grade), Native silver in Cobaltite (very high grade), rainbow moonstone, porcelain jasper, merlinite dendritic opal, pyrite in clear quartz, kyanite (two gems), green tourmaline, watermelon tourmaline slice, carey plume agate, agua nueva agate with druzy pockets! (collector quality), light pink agua nueva agate.
Any of these can be used for custom orders. The darker native silver piece in the bottom left of the first photo is being held for a piece I'm using in a Winter collection...
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Miss Tory of ToryNova has officially released printed leggings of deliciously soft and stretchy lycra featuring more of her own illustrations. These are great and stylish for staying warm in Fall. I've already got the Sea Voyage babies to pair with my new heeled ankle boots!
These couple of new rings will be hitting the shop today, ranging from size 6-7.
Check back to the blog late this afternoon or tomorrow to see the AMAZING new haul of gemstones and stones I got at the rock show yesterday!
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That's it folks! Check back soon. The stones posted later can be reserved for custom orders
xx Stray Arrow
I've spent a little time lately outside of the studio, doing inventory of the pieces I already have made up. A ton of jewels have been sitting quietly and patiently in the corner, waiting to be photographed and listed. I'll be posting some of these throughout today (Sunday) and tomorrow. I've also reshot some oldies but goodies. Oldies will be posted first, followed by newer pieces. If you've been keeping up with my Instagram (@thestrayarrow), you may have seen some of these already!
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NEW JEWELS
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(ghost echo)
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Check back to the shop for these new pieces soon!
xx Stray Arrow
This post may be a bit longer, as I feel text has been slightly dwindling from this blog. Firstly, new items! These will be hitting the shop later tonight and tomorrow.
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Stone rings in natural old stock Royston and Manassa mine turquoise, and a luscious pink rhodochrosite.
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Other newer pieces include mini "Sweet Sayings" rings. These sterling bands feature delightful short quotes by yours truly. Each ring features a different quote, but they can be made to your size upon inquiry. Currently made are: "We are the brazen bold", and "A darling day for rain" (for the English). These sterling bands are patina darkened and then polished to a steel like finish, with the darkened quotes hidden on the inside of the ring band. On the outside is my jeweler's mark. These also make great knuckle rings.
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A wampum necklace with mini wampum beads, old stock cut of green Manassa mine turquoise, wild horse magnesite Crossed Arrows dangles, and silver & rose gold stackers will be joining them.
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It's also been pretty evident that I've been somewhat neglectful of the Stretched Ears Jewelry shop. The Arrow Vanes, signature Stray Arrow wear, will soon be available in multiple gauge sizes in the shop. I'll also be making more plugs featuring rare turquoise (Blue Moon mine), and other designs quite soon.
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Now for my favourite new addition. Awhile ago I made a necklace for myself that, along with The Stray Arrow necklace, has become a signature daily piece. Out of bronze and silver sheet metal I made a 5 string banjo. Completed with a wrap around quote on the body, and sawed out arrow in the back. I'll be offering these in the shop as of tonight as a *CUSTOM* piece. The quotes and backing design can be customized. Four string banjos are also available. They'll put a little folk mountain life in you. No templates, all hand forged.
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That's it for new items for the next few days. I've also been working on some custom orders that'll be shown here and the usual outlets (Tumblr, Instagram @thestrayarrow, Facebook), once finished.
A Note-
I've been noticing people imitating my work. While this is a touchy subject that seems taboo to talk about, this is getting unavoidable. Artisan one of a kind jewelry design is a difficult art to protect when compared to other art fields. Copies will happen. "One offs" are tolerated and occasionally flattering if the artist is *given credit* as being behind the inspiration. This is unfortunately not the case. I have been seeing people not only imitate my very specific signature materials (not that one can ever claim to own such a thing), but my writing descriptions, photography style, work title style and themes, and my overall aesthetic entirely. A continual 'paraphrasing', if you will. Most people have the grace to come up with their own designs, for those that don't they bring down the work of others. I want to reiterate and remind everyone that if there is space to stamp my half inch "STRAY ARROW" logo onto an original piece, and it is not there, it is not made by me. This means that it is not backed by my quality guarantee, nor my 6 years of turquoise study experience. Just because a piece of turquoise is claimed from a mine does not equal good quality. I am an artist with eccentric interests, and my jewelry work is an extension of that. I try to be respectful of everyone's creative and intellectual property, and truly wish the same in return.
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In other news, I've been in the process of taking some jewelry group shots of pieces for things like packaging, cards, and promos (hint hint *soon*). Below are some of those shots, as well as some really great folks wearing my jewels. Click on their photos for their respective work links and check them out!
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^lady Arlie, of Urban Revisions in 14k yellow gold and dark silver faceted sapphire gem ring. Paired with her new white glass jewels!
^the extremely talented Rachel (photographer), in Royston turquoise and dark silver necklace.
^Dominique of Couture Vulture wearing Stray Arrow No-see-'ems, and mini crystal rings by Concrete Polish.
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Cave Ladies, Shooting in The Dark,
still a favourite.
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That's all folks! I leave you with an illustration from one of my favourites, the Pink Fairy Book~
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xx The Stray Arrow
Below are some of the jewels that will be going into the shop on Wednesday and Thursday...
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be sure to enter in the discount code if you make a purchase in the shop from now until Monday the 8th at Midnight!
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ROCK APPRECIATION DAY:
For this month, I could only chose one stone. I'll be highlighting Castle Dome Mine Turquoise, as its become a staple for my Mini Cave Lady Rings! I thought about doing black pyrite for a second stone, but don't have enough jewelry pieces to use as examples. I'll have to plot and cook up something big for August!
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Castle Dome turquoise is quite rare as it is a closed mine. Depicting bright light blues as it's signature, it is located near Globe, Arizona. Castle Dome is also referred to as Pinto Valley Mine turquoise, and it is similar to it's close neighbor the Sleeping Beauty Mine. Natural material of this is hard to get as most of the rough from when the mine was closed was stabilized and/or used for beads. It started, like many other turquoise mines, as a copper mine. Because of the mining methods used initially (aka blasting. yikes), many of the veins and structures of the turquoise later uncovered were extremely fractured. There wasn't much solid rough available for lapidary artists to cut.
Personally, I'm not particular to 'plain blues' in turquoise. This mine in particular, (and its similarly hued cousin the Blue Moon mine) has grown on me. There are very subtle hues in a lot of the Castle Dome mine turquoise that you don't find in your standard robin's egg blue or Sleeping Beauty mine turquoise. It has light "watermark" patterns, that aren't webbed or water webs. I adore pairing it with darkened silver, as it gives it contrast to highlight the stone. It also makes for a macabre pairing, and always reminds me of the bottom of pools.
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I'll be using more of this turquoise in fresh designs soon. What's pictured is all I have left!
xx Stray Arrow
This post may be a little late, but here is a tish of my experience of the Renegade Craft Fair last weekend in Brooklyn, NY.
I chose to exhibit sharing a booth, essentially splitting the 10'x10' tent space. This way I could test the market without going all out, as I'd never been to Renegade before. The day before I made the 4 hour drive, and was lucky to be able to stay with my friend in New Jersey for the weekend so I wouldn't rack up any hotel costs. Everything had already been organized, labeled, and packed. It was all set for us to rise early and make the drive to Williamsburg for set up. We woke up late, as is our norm. We were still able to get there with plenty of time to find close street parking (!), and unpack the car.
I devised a way for us to carry everything all in one haul. Instead of a dolly, which would have been awkward for the car, I packed a large oversized folding grocery cart...thingy. I then also packed a fully loaded plastic storage cart (sans wheels) that fit perfectly into the bigger cart once unfolded. The cart, one large plastic container with handles, a roller case for delicate jewels and display case, plus one big bag for survival (food, water, etc.), was all we needed. Oh, plus my huge awesome-tastic banner.
To brighten things up, my friend and I ended up wearing the same bright cadmium red. I wore my "pirate wench" dress.
We also some some strange things on the walk to the park that made me think, "Ah. Back in Brooklyn".
We were extremely lucky on a few counts. Our booth mates were from Brooklyn and renting a tent for us to share. They had it set up the day before (!), so my friend and I didn't have to think that much that early in the morning. Not that we aren't morning...ish...people. I work at night, so I was on a backwards schedule. The other lucky bit what that our booth mates were just genuinely nice all around. They were great people and easy going throughout the entire weekend.
I think the luckiest part of the entire experience is that neither of us got heat stroke or died. It was very, very hot. Very. Plus humid. It took a tole on everyone. I used one of my postcards as a fan, Tory, my amazingly fantastic helper friend, was on cold drink duty. It was absolutely brutal, especially for an autumn/winter lover like myself.
There was plenty of time and then some for set up. I chose a crisp white table cloth, and plain organic woodlands vibe. I paired store bought display cases with my hand built and painted vertical displays. I painted everything to match in two main colours- washed out beachy white/mauve/gray, and dark wood. As my jewelry pieces as a whole cover many different themes and tastes while still be easily identifiable as "Stray Arrow Wear", I wanted to keep the table clean looking while still being cluttered with jewels. The second day the bark discs I drilled holes in to keep rings tied down was traded for a long darker piece of drift wood for ring display. Here are a couple shots, click on any photos in the post for links:
(Tory examining display)
Silver post earrings with silver and deer hide dangles featuring black pyrite. Behind them is a case containing my two most expensive items: the Three Needles bangle with old stock rare turquoise from 3 mines in the Southwest, plus diamond slice in 14k. It shared the case with my grand Spider ring featuring two pieces of natural old stock genuine Bisbee Blue Lavender Pit turquoise (!!!), and a quote from Mary Howitt's poem, 'The Spider and the Fly'.
A couple photos of my booth mate's goodies, natural soy wax candles. Kirsten, of Oille Natural, had the great idea of covering the candles so we wouldn't get sick smelling them in the heat for days, along with smelling each scent separately. Each signature scent was covered by a glass globe you lifted up and smelled inside of, instead of lowering your head to the candle. It looked extremely classy, and left me with a burning desire for cake.
Some photos of other fun things at the Craft Fair...
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I was also happy to meet a lot of new grand folks at the fair. Along with the booth mates from Oille Natural, there were some really talented jewelers there- each doing unique lines. I traded with a few folks, and loved the sense of comradery. Megan Massacre, of Wooster Street Social Club tattoo, stopped by. She was on FIRE with Phoenix flamed hair, and her nails amazingly matched her friend's neon hair. They were both really great and enthusiastic, and Megan left with a mini Castle Dome mine turquoise knuckle stacker in darkened silver. She so sweetly took a picture of it with a couple other of her ring scores after the fair, as well. Look familiar? She's been in two TLC tv shows - NY Ink, and America's Worst Tattoos.
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Another really great aspect of Renegade that came as a complete surprise? The food was DELICIOUS. Now, if you know me personally, you know I'm a complete food snob and picky eater. I was spoiled by a mother who should have been a chef, and I can cook fairly well. This stuff, was good. The first day we had duck confit dumplings and roasted cauliflower wantons with sauce (pictured). The second day we had grilled cheeses, delicious ice cream (dark chocolate, ginger, and strawberry), and falafel with salad. This was broken up by a constant stream of iced coffees, water, and raspberry tea.
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My friend Tory rocks my jewelry. It fits perfectly with her little tiny romantic self. She's got some bite and edge in her too, so with every new grand piece, she likes to see it in person. After trying this bold beauty on, she knew it was hers!
Tory is also an amazing illustrator. As a by-product of her constant need to create, she'll soon be releasing a line of leggings to her shop! I'm getting me a pair in trade for the ring that called to her!
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Other trades that happened: The badass Angela behind Concrete Polish Jewels traded me two of her Spike Crystal themed rings for a great pair of 1/2" chrysocolla gemstone silver plugs. Linda the darling behind Fleatherfox snagged herself a black pyrite Mini Cave Lady ring for a Bow and Arrow knuckle ring. Arlie, the complete sweetie behind Urban Revisions, traded this huge glass statement necklace for a mini dark silver and 14k gold sapphire stacker ring...
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At the very end of the Craft Fair, I also traded with our booth mates. For some sweet rose gold fill stackers and rose gold fill stacker with balled open silver circle, I got two delicious candles. The first scent is Saint Croix, a newly released scent with elements like coconut. It smells like summer at the beach. The second is something I would want for everything....perfume, deodorant, soap, life essence...yes everything. It's called McGregor, and it is bourbon, brown sugar, and cedar wood. Can there be a better pairing? I think not. I've been burning it at my jewelry storage/packaging station, its a light scent but still present. The candle kept the room smelling divine even hours after I blew it out.
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Best part of the entire trip? Dough, a scrumptious doughnut shop in Brooklyn, was a food vendor. I took home two blood orange, and two hibiscus. Three actually made it home with me, and none survived the night.
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SOME TIPS FOR ANY JEWELERS OR FOLKS WANTING TO DO LARGE FAIRS:
If in summer, DO wear open toed shoes if possible. I made the mistake of wearing ballet flats, and because it was so hot my feet were bruised and sore because of it. They still are.
Do also bring a lot of water, more than you think you'd need.
There's no such thing as enough change and singles in your money box, but having credit card acceptance is a big plus too (Square and Paypal both have handy mobile phone reader/swiper/attachment thingys).
Find shade. It makes you happier. No matter how hot it is, when people are in bright sunlight they get...squinty. It makes you harder to read as a person. That being said, wearing sunglasses can also be seen as putting a shield between yourself and the potential customer. Unless you stayed up late the previous night, for any...variety of reasons, it may be best to leave them in your bag.
Bring tissues. This is a BIGGIE. If at a fair or show that is outdoors, and there are portable toilets...chances are there won't be TP in there waiting for you. That being said, hand wipes are an essential as well.
Food: find something you don't need to actually touch. In other words, something you can eat with a utensil. When handling food and then going right back to touching your products, its just a no-no in general.
Make sure you have SOME kind of identifying signage. If you don't, it will make you look unprofessional, and your fans will never find you!
Take a stroll around. A lot of vendors cling to their booths like clinging to the rail of a ship being tossed around by an angry sea storm. You absolutely NEED a buddy with you. Show them a little trust, get up and go meet your peers. People are doing amazing things and they've taken the time and effort to make displays and share it with the public. Go visit with folks, and ALWAYS hand out your card. The best marketing can be just exchanging business cards.
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That's all for Renegade. You'll have to excuse a lot of the photography as it was done in a heat induced delirium with a phone camera.
In other news....
Starting Monday, for one week in the Main Etsy Shop, I'll be having a
HOT SUMMER SALE.
20% OFF ALL ITEMS WITH COUPON CODE: HOTSUMMAH
PLEASE do not forget to entire in the code, I will not be making refunds if you forget. This doesn't apply to custom orders. Sale STARTS Monday at 12pm, and runs through until Monday the 8th at midnight.
Why the sale? I have no a/c in the studio, and it's melt-worthy outside. I'd much rather be packing you up lovely discounted jewels at my air conditioned packaging station indoors. Help me not melt, buy something at a discount. Spread the word, I rarely have sales and if so, they're at 10%. This is a BIG. DEAL.
(I really loathe hot weather, if you hadn't picked up on that)
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CHECK BACK TO THIS BLOG TUESDAY FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF NEW ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK.
That is all.
^Tory in front of crochet bombed bus.