Mad Scientist!

More new mad scientist toys... just look at that grin!

Larkin has been saving every little wire trimming scrap for the last few years for this very moment. ;)

Yesterday, the crucibles arrived, and after seasoning/glazing were ready for their inaugural copper melting. Here is the unused crucible (it's being saved for silver) with the amazingly colorful patina left in the one used for copper.

These little blobules (I'm pretty sure that's the technical term...) are the results of pouring melted copper into a bucket of water. Some of them turn out like perfect abstract little sculptures, and Larkin is thinking of adding a jump ring to favorites to make fun charms. The others can be re-melted and shaped into sheet metal and wire for more intentional jewelry work.

And here is Larkin in full protective gear-- welcome to the glamorous world of fine jewelry making!

Applegate Jade Scroll

Now that Larkin has shaken out yesterday's clothes, found the missing cab, and tied it in, I'm happy to present this latest wrap! Larkin cut this cabochon from applegate jade, probably our favorite local rock! The first picture is with the rough stone from which it was cut, the second picture of the back shows the cut side of the stone.

The higher "gemstone quality" applegate jade is a very dark green with black speckles, but our family unanimously prefers these kinds of pieces with more shades of green and different materials making interesting patterns in the stone. It shares two of the most fun and defining features of applegate jade; it's translucent when backlit and will attract a magnet!

The sunlit picture with dandelions shows how the stone's patterning really pops in the sun, even as it blows out the argentium silver scrollwork.

Metal Flappers

Larkin is playing with a new design! These were inspired by some amazing claywork by Royaboya's handmade jewelry that had Larkin itching to play with the new rolling mill to see if a similar design might work in metal. The one on the right is fresh out from under the torch, scorched and unpolished. The one on the left was pickled (not quite long enough, as it turns out), oxidized and polished. Dragon wings? Bat wings? What do you see?

Applegate Jade Marquise

Larkin created this piece for someone wanting rich, earthy colors in a copper wrap. The gorgeous marquise-cut cabochon is applegate jade, and includes the full range of materials that stone offers, from the sandy-looking rind to the deep green, translucent interior. It still blows us away that we can find rocks like this near our home!

Patience And Planning...

Bear with me, folks... this post involves some backstory. 😅 When I (Larkin's mum) was a teenager at Reed, I purchased this amazing hair clip at the Portland Saturday Market. It felt like a big splurge at the time, but quickly became the only thing I ever wore in my hair. The first picture is the only photo I know of where it is visible, but the hair hardware is understandably difficult to focus on since the eyes are naturally drawn to sweetly sleeping Larkin circa summer 2005. ;)

The wire was flat, not round, and super hard-- I was never able to find that vendor again (I looked!), and every other similar clip I tried was inferior. Most wires were round, and not suitably work-hardened so they would bend with use and slip in my hair. With mine, I put it in my hair with concave faces together, then twisted the stick to lock it into place.

After 20+ years of daily use, I misguidedly stowed my beloved hair clip in my pocket while my hair dried. It fell out while I was in town and I never saw it again. I truly hope it was found by someone who recognizes its value and wears it often.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't encourage Larkin's interest in jewelry making *just* in the hopes of eventually getting a replacement awesome hair piece... but who am I to stand in the way of destiny?! I was watching Larkin play with the metal roller and having to re-anneal the curved results as they were quickly work-hardened by the rolling process.

I think you see where this is going.

This piece is Larkin's first small prototype, and it has SO MUCH POTENTIAL!! The slight curve is perfect for fitting comfortably against the head, the pin twists to lock into place, and so far it is not bending loose and slipping. Would a slightly larger one that incorporated a bezel-set applegate jade cab and fit all my hair be even better? Yes. Yes, it would.

Rolling Mill!

A new toy arrived today! Larkin's latest acquisition is this rolling wire mill. It had to be fully disassembled, cleaned, oiled, reassembled, and tested before we figured out that one of the pieces was the mirror image of what it needed to be for the rollers to sit flush. Soooo... drill press to the rescue! Larkin added holes in the right position and is now happily squishing metal.

We experimented with getting leaf prints on sheet metal (they're there, but fainter than hoped) and made the world's unhappiest clump of lichen in the process. This little powerhouse can also turn round wire into square, triangular, or half-round wire, can make comfort bands for rings, and has several patterned rollers. Can't wait to see where this leads!

Workshop Tinkering

Multi-tasking in action! We briefly moved Larkin's genie set-up into the kitchen to more easily make adjustments to improve its ergonomic design. After lots of machine height shimming, wrist-rest bumper experimentation, and creative seat height adjustment, we believe we've found a set-up that minimizes shoulder/neck/back/elbow fatigue. Now all we need is to build a workbench the right height outside. And a proper-height stool (no, the footstool + folding chair is not the final set-up). Okay, and maybe a well-insulated workshop with big windows and a heater... but one improvement at a time!

In the midst of all these adjustments, Larkin turned out some new cabs... with an obviously biased color palette. The top row is two round applegate jade cabs (the larger one! *swoon*) and a blue/green chert destined to be a leaf pendant. The chert has a distinctive band through its center that is almost purple. The bottom row is an applegate jade marquise cab, a double-sided applegate jade cab with a hole for a cord drilled sideways through the tip, and a serpentine cab that Larkin plans on making into a leaf.

Rhino Wire Doodle

Larkin had a request for silver rhinoceros statement earrings, and this copper prototype turned out pretty sweet! The metal pictured is still scorched from torch work, so the final product will be much more uniformly shiny. Any other rhino fans here? This makes me wonder if other animals would translate to wire as well...

Underwater Wire Doodle

Today's wire doodle, inspired by the watery feel of Larkin's latest wrap! This is about the size of a quarter, constructed from copper wire and copper solder. A magical little porthole!

Underwater Chert

Fresh out of the polisher, here is Larkin's latest piece! This is another cab Larkin cut from a blue-green chert we found in Humboldt, CA. The top line of silver across the face follows a sparkling vein of quartz. The whole piece has a very flowy, watery feel-- Larkin played with making some bubbles on the back and liked the effect so much there may be some stand-alone bubble earrings in the works! Wrapped in argentium silver and polished bright.

Vining Rose Choker and Bracelet

Larkin is ready to offer these vining rose chains in both bracelet and choker lengths! The prototype was made in copper and, unfortunately, turned our hapless wear tester <ahem, I mean dear friend> green in mere hours. So these are solid argentium silver in two styles: one with bright roses and dark, oxidized vines and one with dark, oxidized roses and bright silver vines.

Larkin's Uncle Felix thought the chokers were beautiful, but might live up to their name... so we did a little safety testing, too. Luckily, the links will come apart if pulled with enough force before injuring the wearer. That said, we don't recommend the chokers for children.

Rose Choker

These hand-shaped roses really seem to have set Larkin's gears turning recently! This choker prototype is currently in the wear-testing phase. Each iteration of the rose and leaf pattern is made individually and then joined, so it could easily be adapted into a chain-style bracelet as well. Larkin completed the design with a custom clasp. These roses are bright copper with oxidized copper leaves, but it would be very striking with various combinations of silver elements as well!

Back To Work!

<Whew!> Larkin and the Idle Talon minions needed a bit of a break after last weekend's extremely fun and successful bazaar! Larkin came up with these sweet little heart charms as raffle prizes-- pretty perfect for a certain upcoming holiday! ;) Each heart is constructed from a single wire, with a dot of solder at the join for reinforcement.

Mermaid Tail On Coral

A mermaid tail seems especially appropriate for this wrap on a purchased fossilized coral cabochon! Larkin's copper wrap is perfectly evocative of ocean waves and finned friends-- a lovely blend of whimsical and elegant. This piece will make its debut on Friday at the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar-- hope to see you there!

Bezel Set Jasper

This is Larkin's second foray into bezel setting, this time in copper. Larkin cut the cheerfully asymmetric tear drop cabochon from a fabulously patterned purchased jasper slab. Larkin's style really comes through in the wirework holding it in place on back. This piece will be available at the upcoming Royaboya Handmade Bazaar-- if you haven't joined the group yet, what are you waiting for? ;) Lots of fun will be had, all while supporting small, mom- and youth-owned businesses!

Happy Inauguration Day!

Hi everyone, this is Larkin. I don't do as much beading as I used to, but in honor of the inauguration and anticipation of less hostility towards LGBTQ+ folks from the incoming administration I thought I would post these. I never found any techniques online for making a beaded flag that I was happy with, so it was particularly satisfying to work out this pattern (using an expanding and decreasing brick stitch) to make pride flags.

Ring Play

Here's the product of yesterday's metal play! Larkin fashioned a copper ring band and embellished it with a handcrafted silver rose and decorative "rivets," plus copper leaves. Larkin wanted to oxidize the copper dark while leaving the silver bright, and the slightly mixed results ended up with a really interesting worn look! The style is a striking mix of tough and delicate, steam punk and fairy-land, fetish and... well, maybe I should stop while I'm ahead. 😅

"Studio" Space

Larkin's room is looking more and more like a jewelry studio all the time, full of glorious, creative chaos! Larkin was hoping to get more rock work done today, but came in with frozen fingers. So a pivot to silver smithing play... with copper. Is that a thing? Does anyone talk about copper smithing? This kind of metal work is a pretty new trick and I'm excited to see what comes of it!

Red Jasper Sun

Oh, man, I just can't get enough of this red jasper we found near Larkin's grandparent's house in Humboldt County, California. We think the black is a magnesium or iron-based deposit, and it polishes up beautifully. The picture of the back of the wrap shows the end of the stone from which it was cut.

The cab's red and black brecciated surface is perfect for this beaming sun wrap. Wrapped in oxidized and gleaming copper, this red jasper sun is gorgeously celestial!

Royaboya Handmade Bazaar

Larkin has participated twice in the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar on-line market now, and it is hands-down the most fun, best run small business on-line market we've participated in (as a vendor and as shoppers!). Lots of games and prizes, you get to know the real people behind the small businesses you're supporting, there's an amazing young musician performing one evening, and more!

Larkin was thrilled to be invited back so please, if you haven't already, join the group and get in on the fun! Larkin is planning some Idle Talons goodies that will be available only at the Bazaar, including new products and live videos. Hope to see you there! :)