The Idle Talons product board is ever-evolving. This is where Larkin puts new designs, experiments that will probably never be repeated because they were so time-consuming (but fun and educational!), and long-time customer favorites. This is how it shaped up for today's event at Scienceworks. You're missing out if you haven't checked out the booth in person.
product
More Rocks, Please!
fun, musings, process, productCommentAnother day at the rock shop, another handful of gorgeous cabochons to play with! Also made an exploratory cut into a big piece of Applegate jade that has us pretty excited! The jade is pictured held by Idle Talons' beta minion, Larkin's dad. From left to right, the cabs are banded calcite, strawberry calcite, lapis lazuli, and lace agate.
Songbird on Mahogany Obsidian
product, processCommentThis sweet little bird is shaped around a cabochon Larkin cut from a slab of mahogany obsidian. That almost-mirror polish makes photography hard, but it's oh so shiny! Larkin has visions of getting a bonsai and making more of these to perch in the branches. :) Wrapped in copper which has been oxidized and polished.
Seeing Stars
product, processComment
Charoite In Silver
product, musingsCommentThis is a purchased charoite cabochon that Larkin wrapped in argentium silver. Charoite is a beautiful stone found only near the Chara River in Russia, said to be very soothing and bring physical healing to its wearer. Better yet, it is said to invite magic into one's life-- this wrap definitely has a whimsical, magical feel!
Next Market!
venues, product, funCommentThe next Idle Talons market is this Friday-- the final Talent Artisans & Growers Market of the season! Come see what Larkin and the other vendors have been up to, partake in some food truck goodness, and enjoy the live music 5:30-dusk by the skate park.
Jasper Sunburst
product, processCommentThe usual Idle Talons photographer <cough> is out of town but we couldn't wait to post pictures of this one. The stone is a brecciated red jasper that our family stumbled across as driveway gravel (!) in Northern California. Larkin shaped the cabochon and wrapped it in copper. The faceted garnet beads complement the stone beautifully and the result is a striking burst of summer energy!
Here Comes The Sun
product, processCommentThe design phase of a new wrap. This is when it gets exciting and we ask Larkin every few minutes if it’s done yet.
You Can't Always Get What You Want...
product, processCommentLarkin went off to design 3-dimensional wire earrings and came back with this charming (but decidedly 2-dimensional) butterfly pendant. Teens these days. ;)
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!
Tiger's Eye Marquise
product, processCommentLarkin cut and polished this marquise from a purchased slab of Tiger's Eye. This stone presented a new challenge because the angles of the cuts are so important to show off the stone's distinctive golden brown flash. It's hard to get a good photograph since direct light and high polish don't exactly mix, but this cab definitely captures the sun with a warm glow!
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.
Opalized Petrified Wood
process, productCommentWhen our family found this unassuming piece of petrified wood near our home in southern Oregon, we had no idea we would find such striking opal and black markings inside! Larkin cut and polished the cab, then wrapped it in copper wire which has been oxidized and polished. This truly one-of-a-kind pendant will make its debut tonight at Talent Artisans and Growers Market from 5:30 until dusk!
Silver Futures
process, product, musingsCommentThere will be a pile of silver wire waiting when Larkin arrives home! Are there particular stones/wrap styles you think would be especially striking in silver?
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.
More Dragon Eyes Are Here!
product, musingsCommentThe Idle Talons tech support team has been not-entirely-idle while Larkin is traveling. ;) The dragon eyes sell so briskly at local markets we've been a bit lazy about listing them all. Recognizing this isn't fair to our far-flung audience we've put them all together in one listing and included every one that is currently ready to ship. There is so much variety it's hard to choose a favorite!
That's A Wrap!
product, funComment
Rough Opal Commission
productCommentA customer brought Larkin these raw opals for commissioned wraps. They're much smaller than the cabs Larkin usually works with so some slightly different styles were called for. They catch the light beautifully!
Spiral Drops
productCommentThese elegant drop earrings are shaped from copper wire which has been hammered, wrapped, oxidized and polished. Short earrings measure about 4.2 cm from base of hook to bottom of drop and long earrings measure about 5.4 cm from base of hook to bottom of drop. Be thankful you weren't the one who told Larkin they remind you of bowling pins!
Chert Marquise
product, processCommentThis wrap is around a cabochon cut from a chert stone our family found near Larkin's grandparents' home on the northern California coast. The striking veining was formed when fractures in the matrix healed with agate. Wrapped in copper wire which has been oxidized and polished.
