Banded calcite cabochon that Larkin cut and polished from a slab. Wrapped with swoops and curls of copper which has been oxidized and polished.
Striped Mystery Stone
musings, product, processCommentLarkin found this slab at a rock sale and loved it, but no one could tell us what the stone is! Any rockhounds out there who might be able to help us out? Larkin cut and polished the cabochon and wrapped it in copper which has been oxidized and polished.
The Cab In The Slab
process, fun, musingsCommentThis is a cab Larkin cut from a piece of Applegate jade our family found. It's placed in the section of the slab it came from. It's amazing to see how different the dry stone looks from the polished final product! The lighter green areas are quite translucent, the darker areas more opaque. Larkin is envisioning a wrap evoking a stormy sea for this one.
Gemstone Whorls
productCommentThese gemstone whorls are now available in copper or silver, with your choice of sparkling amethyst, garnet, or lapis lazuli faceted gemstones.
Silver sets are limited since Larkin has not yet taken the financial leap required to have a large stash of the precious metal on hand.
Copper Doodles!
fun, musings, process, productCommentToday's copper doodles! Sometimes these are destined for the product board, sometimes they are further refined to finished products, and sometimes they're never spoken of again.
Accolades
venuesCommentWhat? USA today has named our local farmer’s market as one of the 10 best in the U.S. So cool! Idle Talons is at Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market every first Tuesday of the month in Ashland!
Lapis Whorls
product, musingsCommentA new earring design! Gleaming wisps of copper and faceted lapis lazuli make for some magical adornments.
And Now For Something Completely Different...
funCommentWhile Idle Talons has many works in stone, wire, and beads, any materials will do in a pinch! While visiting grandparents, Larkin created this sculpture from brother hair, thread, whiffle balls, and improvised wire tools.
Product Board
musings, process, product, venuesCommentThe 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.
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.
Next Event
venuesCommentLocal folks! Come see Idle Talons and other talented local Makers this Sunday from 11am - 5pm at Scienceworks' MakerFest in Ashland!
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.
Eye Of The Beholder
fun, venuesCommentThe best spontaneous comment from a customer at yesterday's market was prompted by the dragon eyes: "Ooooh, those are freaky! It'd be fun to wear them to jail!"
They weren't planning on providing any more context, but their mortified friend explained that they work as a prison nurse.
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.
Beads Shall Dance
process, fun, musingsCommentLarkin went a little wild at the big Dancing Beads (our local bead shop) sale this weekend. Let the gleeful plotting and designing begin!
All Polished Up And Somewhere To Go
process, funCommentCabochons from today's trip to the rock shop! Larkin has been so lucky to have people offer up stones and slabs for trade or gift. The two cabs on the left with the agatized shells are made of something known as "Turritella Agate" (see https://geology.com/gemstones/turritella/ for more info), the red and black asymmetric drop is mahogany obsidian, the three mossy blue/green ones are moss agate, and the round red and black one is jasper from Larkin’s grandparents’ place in Humboldt County.
