Nicole Ringgold workshop, day four. Apparently today is all about bugs! First up was wings, and Larkin finished those with time to spare so whipped up this twig with lichen.
Workshop Day Three Bonus
fun, processCommentWorkshop Day 3 bonus! Remember that amazing little whirligig seed pod Larkin made yesterday? Today it got a mate! I can't wait to see these all finished with their final polish.
Workshop Day Three
fun, processCommentNicole Ringgold workshop, day 3. Halfway point! Larkin's morning was shrouded in mystery while they worked on a secret project... no spoilers here!
The afternoon yielded this sweet little bezel set mushroom. Larkin cut some cabochons before the trip with designs in mind and this is one of those. And check out the tiny oak leaves on the back!
Workshop Day Two, Part Two
fun, processCommentA starflower! These are common spring wildflowers in the forest around us and Larkin has been thinking about making one for a long time!
And the photo that Larkin used as a reference:
Workshop Day Two
fun, processCommentNicole Ringgold workshop, day 2... barnacle ahoy!
And I learned that the maple seeds that I always call helicopter seeds or whirligigs are actually called samaras.
Workshop Day 1.2
fun, processCommentBy the end of the first day of the workshop, the oak leaf is finished and has become a hair pin! Tantalizing teasers in the background...
Workshop Day One
fun, musings, process, product, venues1 CommentFirst 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. ;)
Mushroom Family Portrait
musings, process, productCommentA sweet little mushroom family portrait!
Larkin formed the mushroom caps from copper and they can be kept polished bright or left to develop a natural patina over time.
The mushroom stems and veils/skirts (I learned these are called annuli!), and the frame are all shaped from argentium silver.
These little guys have so much personality! 🍄💕
Nesting Bowls?
fun, processCommentLarkin's experimenting again!
I'm *pretty* sure these aren't going to end up being dollhouse mixing bowls...
Next Market!
musings, venuesCommentLarkin'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... ;)
Nicole Ringgold Workshop
fun, musings, processLarkin has a busy month coming up! One very exciting upcoming event is a workshop with Nicole Ringgold Jewelry Designs!
Many of you know that Larkin has been entirely self- (and YouTube 🤣) taught. When they first saw Ringgold's work a couple of years ago, they were immediately struck by her nature-inspired designs (I believe Larkin referred to them as "the big kid version of the work I'm trying to do" 😆). But hoo boy, they are not alone-- Ringgold's workshops fill up fast! Last year, Emile (Larkin's dad) was seriously on top of it and signed Larkin up for a workshop the morning openings were announced and next week the time has finally come!
Larkin is super excited for the format of the workshop-- unlike most classes where everyone works on a version of the same project, after demonstrations Ringgold encourages everyone to play with the equipment and techniques in whatever way best suits their style. Larkin is super excited to get their hands on more professional jeweler's tools and will probably come home with a loooong wish list. ;)
Emile and Larkin are making a whole trip out of it, visiting some rockhounding sites on the way, so hopefully Larkin will return with a head full of new ideas and pockets full of rocks.
I'll leave you with this image of the first (very nature-inspired) piece with which Larkin had a truly hard time parting ways. It went home with a wonderful repeat customer in the first few minutes of its market debut this month.
Octopus's Garden Plume Agate
musings, process, productCommentLarkin's latest portal looks like it leads straight into the Octopus's Garden!
Larkin cut this cabochon from a plume agate stone with striking red and yellow markings and two sparkling druzy pockets. The agate agate material means the cabochon is quite translucent when back-lit.
Tube coral stretches up from the bottom left of the solid silver frame, each tip painstakingly drilled to appear hollow and accented by a column of bubbles rising to the bail. Another coral plant on the right completes the front of the frame.
... Which brings us to the back, and a new element Larkin designed that I hope to be seeing again soon! Larkin sculpted a graceful row of pneumatocysts, the buoyant bubbles that keep kelp floating at the surface of the ocean.
This piece has a very dynamic, flowing feel for something made from cold, hard silver and stone!
It's A Match!
musings, process, productCommentOne of Larkin's market customers brought in one of their favorite earrings that had lost its mate wondering if Larkin might be able to make a new match. The job was a bit tricky since the original wire had thinned and changed shape over time as it was worn. Here is the finished pair, with Larkin's replacement on the right!
More Hair Pins!
fun, musings, process, productCommentLarkin is adding to their hair pin designs, with visions of similar designs as tie pins, hair clips, and cloak/shawl pins coming soon!
These are both designed in the bobby pin style, with the framing wire bent and shaped into waves for greater staying power.
Solid silver hair pins can be used alone for a small amount of hair (they will hold slightly more than a bobby pin and less than most barrettes) or added as decoration to a hair tie.
Silver Ivy Hair Pin
fun, process, product, musingsCommentAfter losing a battle with kelp (silver kelp... more on that soon!), Larkin needed to switch gears for a bit and designed this super sweet, solid silver hair pin!
Larkin hand-shaped the ivy leaves from sheet metal and attached them to a beefy 12 gauge wire. They bent and shaped the wire into waves like a bobby pin for greater staying power, and balled the end for comfort.
This pin can be used alone for a small amount of hair (it will hold slightly more than a bobby pin and less than most barrettes) or added as decoration to a hair tie.
Here, Larkin's dad gamely demonstrates that, while this hair decoration is very versatile, it is not suitable for *all* hair types. 🤣
The hair pin measures 5.0 cm long and 2.4 cm at its widest point.
First Tuesday
fun, venuesCommentThere's still time! Larkin will be at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market in Ashland until 1:30!
Serpentine Pond At Night
musings, process, productCommentLarkin's latest piece is more of a figurative portal than a literal doorway, but it certainly transports you to the summertime banks of a pond under starry skies!
Larkin cut this cabochon from a piece of serpentine found by our family here in southern Oregon-- we thought it might be some of the gemmier applegate jade, but it turned out to be what we've been calling slightly "undercooked." Regardless, it's a beautiful, deep green stone with shiny flecks of magnetite.
Larkin framed the front with intricate, hand-shaped silver cattails, while the back includes a dragonfly resting for a moment on a twig. The mood of the piece is neatly complemented by a silver moon on the handmade bail.
While the cattails and leaves are not dangerously sharp, this piece *is* spiky and delicate! Care should be taken not to snag those lovely long leaves during wear.
The Dragon's Hoard
fun, venuesCommentA 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.
Petrified Wood Portal
fun, musings, process, productCommentLarkin cut this cabochon from a piece of petrified wood found by our family near our home in southern Oregon. They left the front raw to highlight all the glorious woody texture while polishing the sides and back smooth and shiny. The rough front naturally left some gaps in the frame, which allowed Larkin space to add extra mushrooms and creeping ivy vines. A natural druzy seam is just barely visible making its way from the bottom ivy leaf on the left to the top mushroom cap on the right.
Larkin equipped this magical portal with a tiny handle and a matching bail of hammered sheet metal adorned with a tiny ivy sprig.
And... can we talk about that back for just a second? (Who am I kidding, I'm gonna! 😅) This kind of sculptural technique is brand new to Larkin as well as this piece!
The following photo of the back shows the twig Larkin used for inspiration, resulting in a fantastically realistic solid silver twig that neatly complements the roughness of the front of the stone.
This piece has such fantastically fine detail, it's hard to remember just how small it is! Larkin's grandparents always remark on the dainty size of Larkin's work when they see it in person after seeing it in photos, enlarged on their computer and phone screens. That quarter is about as wide as this piece! The frame and all sculptural elements are hand-fashioned from solid argentium silver that has been oxidized to highlight its dimensionality and polished.
Spoilers, Sweetie
fun, processCommentSpoiler alert! You know how I said Larkin is working on a series of magic doorways? They left the front of this one with all the glorious, raw, rough texture of petrified wood (there are even some druzy seams in there!) and added a sweet little bar handle. The frame should be ready for this lovely soon...
