This planetary cab is another that Larkin cut from an Applegate jade stone found by our family. This is a prototype for a design Larkin wants to do in silver, but the gleaming copper rings are pretty spectacular in their own right! Certain sci-fi buffs among us were amused to discover that it measures precisely 42 mm long.
process
Dynamic Design Duo
process, product, musingsCommentVoluntary isolation means lots of time for sketching and plotting... with a little help from Pippin. ;) Today's design features clean lines and sparkling beads which combine to form quite a striking piece!
Moonstone Scroll With Aquamarine
product, processCommentThis is the first moonstone and aquamarine scroll Larkin has made that was not commissioned... that means it's first come, first served! ;) The wider drop on this piece has a luminous blue/rainbow flash and is complemented beautifully by gleaming argentium silver.
New Cabs!
process, musingsCommentFirst things first: in case you were wondering if Larkin's work outfit could get any more glamorous, check it out with the addition of a sun hat! Larkin spent a day outside before this most recent storm hit getting some work done on the genie. All the unlabeled cabs are local Applegate jade/serpentine and destined to become leaf wraps. Finn, Larkin's younger brother, helpfully dubbed the grossular garnet cab "Shrek snot." Thanks, Finn.
Aventurine Leaf
musings, process, productCommentThis may be my favorite of all Larkin’s designs to date. Deceptively simple with a distinctive organic elegance, it showcases the quality of the cabochon and lets the unique properties of the stone really shine through.
Serpentine Moonscape
musings, process, productCommentLarkin's latest tree is done! The large background cab is cut from a swirly, deep green Applegate jade/serpentine stone found locally by our family. Larkin cut the moon from another stone we found comprised of agate and common opal. The swing is hand-formed and fused, made of argentium silver. There is something very evocative about the scene this piece presents!
A Tree Grows Slowly
product, processCommentLarkin has a billion (okay, maybe slightly fewer) projects going at once and my pleas for JUST ONE to be completed seem to be falling on deaf ears. So here’s a view of Larkin’s office for today, complete with majestic guardian and parasol, and a photo of the tree-in-progress. I am still awed when Larkin gives that snarl of wires its final fancy form!
Tree Seeds
process, productCommentAnother tree in the making…
Custom Moonstone Scroll
process, productCommentThe second silver moonstone and aquamarine scroll commission is done! Larkin is planning on making one more of these soon since it would be nice to have one actually make it to market. ;) The combination of argentium silver and moonstone is positively luminous!
A Day In The Life
musings, processCommentEarly spring weather, a grape arbor, a cat, and the latest commission piece... sometimes the life of a teen entrepreneur looks pretty sweet.
Market Booth Facelift
product, process, venuesCommentMore work on new displays and signs! Have we mentioned our great fondness for public domain images? The sea star dish for the mermaids was a fortuitous thrift store find.
Display Progress
product, process, venuesCommentWe've been playing with dressing up displays for the upcoming market season and have been really pleased with some of the public domain images we've found for making new signage! Big shout out to fellow vendor Ruby of Valhalla Organics for letting us borrow her laminator to make them extra sturdy!
Frogs, Skunks, and Lizards... Oh My!
product, processCommentWe’re also updating displays for the first market of the season next week... more on that in the coming days!
See You Later, Alligator
fun, process, productCommentMonkeys, alligators, and a fancy new haircut (finally) happening today!
Mermaids!
product, processCommentDisclaimer: no actual mermaids were harmed in the taking of this picture. That said, this snarl is what 16 Ariels look like waiting for their ends to be woven in and trimmed. Market preparation is getting serious!
Attention To Detail
musings, process, productCommentDid you know Larkin makes almost all Idle Talons jump rings by hand? This ensures that the metals match and the rings are high quality. Most of Larkin’s jump rings are oval rather than round which keeps the joint away from the chain or cord— making it less likely for a necklace to fall apart entirely if it snags during daily wear. Larkin has been singing the praises of this new jewelry saw (broke the first blade last night!) that makes it easy to cut many rings at one time with a nice flat joint.
Morado Opal Roses
musings, process, productCommentLarkin had someone requesting a rose piece with a purple stone and found a gorgeous slab of Mexican morado (purple) opal. The day is too sunny for a great picture, but this cab is so lovely— it looks like a galactic view out a spaceship portal!
Neither Plane Nor Simple
musings, processCommentHow much wrap wire should you cut? Why, I’m so glad you asked! 😂 Life as an artist with nerdy parents... where wrap wire of length l and diameter d is wrapped around larger wire of length L and diameter D.
Brazilian Topaz Scroll
process, productCommentA customer brought Larkin this faceted Brazilian topaz to set for his wife. He saw the scroll prototype Larkin was working on and was sold! This topaz is wrapped in argentium silver with sterling beads.
Return of the Peacocks
product, processCommentThese peacocks were a custom order from someone who saw them in the Idle Talons gallery and had to have them! Larkin had discontinued these beauties because they take so much intricate work it was difficult to price them accordingly.
