Larkin successfully navigated a jurying process for the first time! Idle Talons will be vending at Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market first Tuesdays in Ashland at the National Guard Armory. Woot!
A Flight of Dragonflies
productCommentMarket prep and the dragonflies are swarming!
Bittersweet Goodbyes
musingsCommentIt is such a bittersweet moment as an artist (not to mention an artist's parent!) when a one-of-a-kind piece sells. So exciting! ...and then you ship it away. Goodbye, fair tree of life-- we're sure Montana will treat you well. :)And... an excuse to make another!
Swoopy blossoms
productCommentThese graceful wire swoops remind us of honeysuckle blossoms! The vines are shaped from copper wire, oxidized and polished, and embellished with glass beads.
Decisions, Decisions...
musings, processCommentHelp us with a tough decision! The dragon eyes are very striking and are big sellers at local markets, but Larkin doesn't feel they can be priced in a way that accurately reflects how many hours of time are required to make them. The beadwork on one of these eyes takes literally less than half the time that the other does. Is it obvious which? Do you strongly prefer one over the other (discounting preference for the eye itself)?
Second Cabochon
processCommentThe evolution of a cabochon! A friend gifted Larkin a beautiful chunk of raw, blue aventurine so it was time for another trip to the shop at Crater Rock Museum! Larkin cut the stone into slabs, rough cut a cabochon shape, then ground and polished to the finished state. So cool!
Spiky!
productCommentWe’re not going to lie to you; this pendant looks like something a Klingon warrior would give to their sweetie. Perfect for the strong fighter in your life, especially as zebra stone is said to boost physical endurance and increase energy! Copper wire is shaped, wrapped, oxidized and polished, with balled ends. 5.4 cm long, 3.5 cm at the widest point.
First Cabochon!
processCommentLarkin finally met the age requirement to join the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society at Crater Rock Museum and learn to use their machines! Here’s Larkin’s very first cabochon made from a stone our family found on the northern California coast. We know the matrix is quartz— any rock hounds out there who know what forms the dark streaks?
Here Comes the Sun (Do do do doo!)
processCommentThe sunstone is finally out of the rock tumbler! These gleaming sparklies are sure to inspire something lovely. After the snow melts. ;)
Anniversary Commission
productCommentA sweet custom order for an anniversary! The customer had these small, hand-made glass beads with sentimental value and wanted them hung in a simple wire wrap as matching pendants. There’s even a stealth heart featured on back! There’s still time to place that special Valentine’s order... ;)
Snow Day
funCommentTo dispel any rumors that Idle Talons works only in jewelry, check out this sibling snow collaboration! Unipig? Porcicorn?
Found Materials
productCommentOur family spotted this piece of petrified wood while hiking near Agate Lake in southern Oregon. After the stone spent a few weeks in the rock tumbler, Larkin wrapped it in this distinctive woven copper band which is hammered, oxidized and polished. 6.3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide.
Froggy Fiiiiingerrrrrs!
productCommentLarkin thought this crocodile jasper had a pond-like aquatic look so wrapped it clutched in these sweet little amphibian toes. We may or may not have danced around the house chanting “froggy fingers!” when it was finished. Coming to www.IdleTalons.com later this week, after Larkin goes through a jurying process for a local market— keep your fingers crossed!
Process Mystery
processCommentFroggy fingers? Dragon wings? Stay tuned... ;)
Notes on Copper
product, musingsCommentAnd now for a random note on copper from Larkin's Chem-nerd mum. ;)We found claims on several jewelry sites that wearing copper against the skin allows your body to absorb copper if needed AND it will only turn your skin green when a copper deficiency is no longer present. A little research has convinced us that science does not back this claim. Elemental copper can not be absorbed by the human body and no form of copper can be absorbed through the skin. Idle Talons jewelry may make you feel wonderful, but not because it’s curing a copper deficiency!
For more information on taking care of copper jewelry, and avoiding green skin, we've added a page to the website:https://www.idletalons.com/copper-care
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.
Trevor Project Fundraiser
productCommentUPDATE: The give-away is now complete. The fundraiser is open until February 14. :)
***Valentine's Day Give-Away & Fundraiser!***
Share and leave a comment on this post to enter a drawing for a free wire-wrapped heart pendant! Drawing will be held on February 1 and the heart will be shipped to the winner the same day from Oregon. International entries are welcome, but please keep in mind that you may not receive the heart in time for Valentine's Day.
Additionally, for every heart purchased between now and February 14, 2019 at www.IdleTalons.com, Larkin (Idle Talons' teen entrepreneur) will donate $5 to non-profit The Trevor Project. Valentine’s Day can be rough for those who don’t have the love and acceptance they need and deserve. For more information on The Trevor Project, please visit their website at www.thetrevorproject.org.
Milestones...
musingsCommentSpotted a stranger wearing Idle Talons jewelry while running errands in town today! 😀
Sunstone Hoard
processCommentPlotting, scheming, designing! The sunstone we gathered a few years ago is on its way to the rock tumbler...
What's in a Name?
productCommentThese gleaming wire-wrapped beauties reminded our naming committee <cough> of seedlings from the plant in Little Shop of Horrors! Copper wire is wrapped, hammered, oxidized and polished. Bead is a faceted glass drop. Each earring measures 2.3 cm long, not including the earring hook, and 1.6 cm at its widest point. These will be made to order and may vary (very!) slightly from the photo. Audrey II drops are $20 at www.IdleTalons.com
