Cabochons from today's trip to the rock shop! Larkin has been so lucky to have people offer up stones and slabs for trade or gift. The two cabs on the left with the agatized shells are made of something known as "Turritella Agate" (see https://geology.com/gemstones/turritella/ for more info), the red and black asymmetric drop is mahogany obsidian, the three mossy blue/green ones are moss agate, and the round red and black one is jasper from Larkin’s grandparents’ place in Humboldt County.
fun
Owl Be Darned (Well, Beaded)
fun, musings, process, productCommentI (Larkin's mum/Idle Talons' minion-in-chief) was sitting watching Larkin make these sweet little owl charms and learned the story of how the pattern was developed. Apparently, when Larkin was 9 or 10, there was a popular Minecraft server that hosted 5 minute speed-build challenges. At some point the challenge was to create an owl, and Larkin won the round. The build translated well into beads and a pattern was born!
Silver Mermaid Tail On Seraphinite
product, process, funCommentThe first Idle Talons silver piece is done! Larkin wrapped a purchased seraphinite cab in a gleaming argentium silver mermaid tail. Seraphinite is said to infuse the wearer with wholeness and well-being, nurturing and love. Meanwhile, it's fun finding new and exciting photography backgrounds away from our home turf.
Smoked Out
fun, process, musingsCommentLarkin came home the night that smoke from the latest wildfire rolled into our home valley, so we immediately got in the car and headed for the clean air of the coast. Larkin has started work on the very first silver Idle Talons wrap, with a gorgeous studio view courtesy of the grandparents (that’s cool, glorious fog, not wildfire smoke).
On The Road
product, process, funCommentOne more week until Larkin gets home! Even while traveling Larkin’s tools are never far from hand— I can’t wait to see this wrap in person and polished up. The cab is cut from an opalized piece of petrified wood our family found. Bonus picture of Larkin on a ferry, mostly for hair appreciation.
That's A Wrap!
product, funComment
On The Road...
fun, process, productCommentLarkin’s mum is test-driving a new earring style while the family is on vacation! :)
A Little Help From Your Friends
fun, musings, processCommentLarkin’s productivity has been a little low. We’re opening an investigation into probable cause.
Or should we say, pawsable claws…
Comic Con Is A Wrap!
venues, funComment<Whew!> It was a long, very successful weekend at Comic Con for Idle Talons-- having a booth staffed by Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind didn't hurt! Larkin plans to buckle down to replenishing stock and will be making and wrapping some new cabochons in the coming weeks.
A Dragon Is Born!
fun, productCommentLarkin can’t help but name dragons as they are created. This guy has a ton of personality and was named Godric, after the founder of the Gryffindor house, due to his red and gold coloring.
Nature's Easter Hunt
fun, process, musingsCommentA beautiful day in southern Oregon— found some great pieces of petrified wood, agate and jasper, just laying on the ground waiting to be discovered!
Dragon Magic In The Making
fun, musings, process, productCommentWhen you bring your mum a dragon you stopped working on a while ago and she spends 2 minutes cooing and tickling its belly and demands you finish it NOW.
Oh, For The Love Of Rocks!
fun, processCommentOn the way to the coast, we stopped at a spot where we hoped to find some Applegate jade. The river was about 200 feet below the road, much of which was a *very* steep bank. The first picture really doesn't do justice to the distance or steepness of the bank. These two found a giant hunk of rock that looked like it was largely Applegate jade and flung/shoved/hurled/dragged it all the way up to the car with minimal bloodshed. Back in civilization, it turns out it weighs about 50 pounds! It cleans up beautifully (the humans looked better after a good scrub, too)... we can't wait to see slabs (of the stone, not the humans)!
Lapidary Punster
funCommentOur family has been on-again-off-again members at a local rock climbing gym, so the phrase "rock gym" rolls off the tongue very easily. After Jenny (Larkin’s mum) had called the rock shop the rock gym approximately 1,539 times, she thought she could save it at the last minute: "Larkin is at the rock gym... you know, where rocks go to get in shape."
Not Exactly Wildcrafting...
fun, processCommentSpringtime foraging for the perfect drops at Dancing Beads!
What's In A Name?
funCommentA beautiful sunny day at the park and these talons spent a few hours living up to their name.
Rock Hounding!
fun, processCommentTook a brief break from market prep yesterday to join in on a field trip with the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society. Found lots of agate and petrified wood and can’t wait to see how it polishes up! (Foreground of second picture has a colander just out of the rock tumbler.)
Snow Day
funCommentTo dispel any rumors that Idle Talons works only in jewelry, check out this sibling snow collaboration! Unipig? Porcicorn?
Cultural Cliche Confluence
fun, processCommentLarkin hits the geeky trifecta: making dragon eyes while playing Dungeons & Dragons and wearing a hack lab t-shirt. Special appearance by younger brother doing a hybrid dragon/Popeye impression.
Idle Talons Has The Best Help
process, funComment
Pippin is “helping” his favorite bed with that tricky wire wrapping.
