Vining Roses Galore

We're not sure what is in the air (except snow, which admittedly may be turning thoughts wistfully to blooms of spring) but these chokers/bracelets have been going fast lately!

Larkin stocked up and made a few long chains so it's quick to turn them in to custom lengths at markets.

Speaking of markets, the first Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market Tuesday market of the season is next week! They're back at the Ashland Armory this year, and I'm sure Larkin would love to see you on the inevitably chilly first day!

Artist Of The Month

Local folks! Larkin is Artist of the Month at Dancing Beads in Medford this month! The Idle Talons display is up and a great chance to see some of Larkin's new work in person before their regular market season begins in March. Carol of Dancing Beads has lots of new amazing gifts available, and of course an amazing variety of beads!

Favorite Things Holiday Bazaar

Larkin's next market is the perfect opportunity for those of you who aren't local to get in on the action! Much of their work will be offered here next-- be sure to join the Facebook group for the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar where the fun and games happen and check the website when you're ready to shop. This is the next stop for many of Larkin’s new pieces!

Apple Blossom Clothing Pin

Zoinks, y'all. So far all of my favorite pieces of Larkin's work have involved stones and metal, but this piece of pure silversmithing has me converted!

You may recall that Larkin fabricated this apple blossom as part of the Ringgold workshop-- well, now it has been paired with an apple leaf and transformed into a gorgeous clothing pin!

This set involves so many different techniques and textures that combine to form an amazingly realistic result.

And look how perfectly shiny the back is! Zoom in if you ever have a need for my fingerprints.

This lovely will be at the RoxyAnn Winery event tomorrow!

Manic Production Mode Activate!

These holiday markets are looming (remember the RoxyAnn Winery Holiday Bazaar is this weekend!) and Larkin is hardly coming up for air and food!

This cabochon is a piece of petrified Saddle Mountain bog wood that was gifted to Larkin. They cabbed it in a unique shape that is just perfect for the top of this sweet little mushroom house. The front has a tiny door and window, and it's easy to imagine the wee field mouse or fairy that calls it home!

The back finds a couple of butterflies resting above blades of grass, and the whole thing is topped with a custom vining leaf bail. I'm going to go ahead and use a word that seldom comes up in my vocabulary: this piece is positively Darling.

And we’re introducing a new addition to the Idle Talons market booth! This wood-framed screen is kind of like a real-life version of the website gallery-- it holds 8 x 10 photos of past work. I'm sure some of you will see some familiar images. ;) We hope this will be a larger-than-life eye-catching draw to Larkin's booth full of tiny treasures.

That photo also has some unintended easter eggs! You can see some pretty cute photos of Larkin and younger brother Finn in the background, plus a reflection of Larkin in the window hunched over like a jewelry goblin.

Ho Ho Holiday Markets!

Aaaah! The holidays approacheth! 😅 Larkin has three events coming up! Local folks have two opportunities to check out the Idle Talons booth in person: at RoxyAnn Winery next weekend Nov. 19-20, and in the Talent Holiday Market at the Talent Elementary School Nov. 26-27.

Not local? Never fear! the virtual Royaboya Handmade Bazaar is back, with all the fun and games we have come to expect! The Favorite Things Holiday Bazaar runs this Nov. 25-29.

Bonus picture of pretties: Larkin redesigned the ivy hair pins slightly and I had an opportunity to photograph them with their wild brethren. ;)

Serpentine After Dark

This cab is a beautiful green serpentine (we sometimes call these stones undercooked applegate jade). Larkin created a pretty dreamy nighttime scene with hand fabricated mushrooms and ivy, topped with a shiny crescent moon.

And that mushroom at the top? It's actually the bail! The wee 3d shroom has a loop on its back for a cord to pass through. The back of the stone is secured with a lovely little hand-shaped branch.

This piece will be available at the upcoming holiday markets!

Oak Leaf Clothing Pin

The tools inspired by the Nicole Ringgold Jewelry Designs workshop have arrived and Larkin is hard at work. This hand-fabricated sterling silver clothing pin is extremely versatile-- it could add a flash of fabulous fancy to a dress shawl for an evening out, yet won't look out of place on a warm cap at the farmer's market!

The shots with the original leaf and twig are fun-- you can see how Larkin incorporated details like the surface texture of the twig, and they even matched the look of the hard core and softer surface of the original twig. Larkin used an actual leaf from the forest around us as inspiration, and plans to press it and include it with the final piece!

The twig passes through two soldered arches on the back of the leaf to hold it in place and will work on virtually any knit or crocheted garment (it may be a little loose if used on veeery thin garments).

We tried it on hats, scarves, and even as a buttonhole decoration on a coat!

Larkin is working hard on stocking up for upcoming holiday markets, so you may notice we're not adding new work to the website right now. This is one of the items Larkin will be offering at the ROXYANN WINERY HOLIDAY BAZAAR !

Holiday Market

Larkin's first market of the holiday season happens to be at RoxyAnn Winery, the site of their very first market ever!

Check out this picture from the summer of 2018, when Larkin was 13... they were so excited (and obviously a little nervous). And wow... back then most of their work was beaded. They have come so far!

If you're local come check it out-- admission is free and sipping wine and enjoying snacks while holiday shopping sounds like a pretty nice way to get it done. ;)

Workshop Day One

First day of the Nicole Ringgold workshop! This is what's currently on Larkin's bench:

Also, a reminder that this workshop means that Larkin will not be at tomorrow's Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market, but will be there next week-- probably with some brand new treasures in tow. ;)

Next Market!

Larkin's next event! If you're in the north end of the valley, Larkin doesn't get out that way too often so this is a good chance to check out the Idle Talons booth in person! The event benefits an organization that supports local kids in the foster system.

They got the name a bit wrong in the graphic, but we are enjoying imagining what kind of idol might sport talons... ;)

First Tuesday

There's still time! Larkin will be at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market in Ashland until 1:30!

The Dragon's Hoard

A new addition to the Idle Talons market booth! The idea was adapted (with their enthusiastic endorsement) from The Woodland Wandolier's fairy barter chest— if you're in the market for spell-binding wands and all manner of plant-based magic, definitely check them out!)

Something in, something out, no need to ask permission! Larkin is hoping this will be a fun customer ice breaker and will help entertain kids while their parents shop.

First Tuesday

It's first Tuesday! Some see Larkin and all the other vendors at Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market today in Ashland until 1:30! (They're the one under all that hair... 🤣)

First Tuesday!

Tomorrow is first Tuesday! Larkin will be at the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market in Ashland at their NEW LOCATION! While the armory is being remodeled the market will be held at 1554 Webster St., at the northwest corner of Ashland Street and Walker Avenue. https://ashland.news/rogue-valley-growers-market-moves-to-new-location/

Also, Larkin now has mushroom studs as singles, doubles, and clusters of three! While trying to figure out what to call a group of mushrooms, I found this internet gem from The Mushroom Journal: "Mushrooms that are in a close group but not close enough to be called a cluster are said to be in a troop. Mushrooms in a group that is a bit more scattered and irregular (loose discipline!) are said to be gregarious." Check out these gregarious lovelies!

First Tuesday And A Ring Display

Tomorrow is first Tuesday! If you're local, come say hi to Larkin at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market at the Ashland Armory from 9am -1:30pm. All the ring designing left Larkin in need of a ring display! Most of their displays feature natural elements from our hillside, and Larkin wanted these to fit in. A couple of hours, a little help from their dad, a chainsaw, super glue and some black felt resulted in this. A suitable addition to the Idle Talons booth :)

Rosy Garden Gate

Larkin managed to clean up yesterday's... well, learning experience 😅... and finish up this piece! This stone is an opalized petrified wood found by our family in southern Oregon. Larkin loved the way the surface retained the wood texture and grain so they left it rough and polished the sides and back to expose the creamy common opal interior.

The vining wild roses are modeled after the roses that grow in our woods and are hand-shaped from copper with silver centers. The copper mushrooms and roses are untreated and can be kept polished bright or left to develop a natural patina over time.

The silver knob is inserted through a hole drilled in the cab and fastened securely on the back so no adhesives were needed. The silver frame and window on the back completes the look of a magical portal!

If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out this and all the other goodies at https://www.royaboyahandmadebazaar.com/ !

Catastrophe!

Aaaaagh! Larkin had this frame at the final stage before tying the stone in when this happened. A polishing wheel got tangled in wire and wonked it all up! All the silver had already been hardened into final positions, so it will all have to be re-annealed and shaped. After initial tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth, Larkin thinks they can get it fixed and posted over at the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar soon.

Thankfully, no fingers were harmed in this learning experience.

Royaboya Spring Soiree

Shopping has officially begun at the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar! Shopping is all happening off of Facebook this time around, so it's super easy. Just visit https://www.royaboyahandmadebazaar.com/

Here's a reminder of a few things Larkin has exclusively available there... and there are lots of amazing products from other small, handmade businesses, too! I found a pretty amazing ceramic mug with tentacles that I couldn't pass up ;)

Wild Rose Stud Earrings

We have a lot of wild roses on our forest floor, and Larkin has paid them wonderful homage with these stud earrings!

The petals of these blooms are hand-cut from sheet copper then shaped, rounded and textured to petal-goodness perfection. The center and post are formed from argentium silver then soldered into place.

Each bloom is about 8 mm in diameter. The copper is untreated and can be kept polished bright or left to develop a natural patina over time.

What's that you say? These would make a lovely addition to a pendant design? Stay tuned, friends... stay tuned. ;)

These and many other new designs will be making their debut this week at the Royaboya Handmade Bazaar!