Larkin is making progress on a custom wrap (holy two stones, Batman!) and taking some breaks to restock these dainty, sparkling russian leaf earrings. Only $12 dollars/pair and ready for shipment! If you're wondering if other colors are available, I should clearly give you a tour of Larkin's epic bead stash! ;)
product
Channel Set Cuff Bracelet
process, musings, productCommentLarkin has been wanting to try channel setting and made this cuff bracelet out of copper and amethyst. It's a nice prototype and Larkin is thinking of making a few in silver, and maybe some rings in a similar style. What do you think-- is it a design worth playing with? Are there stones you'd like to see? :)
Biggs Jasper Tree of Life
product, processCommentThis piece was made from the very first cabochon that Larkin cut and polished! The story goes that the instructor at the rock shop gave the students common oval rough cut stones to learn on (very practical), but Larkin's first piece broke off its dop stick so they replaced it with a pretty gorgeous rough cut teardrop piece of black banded jasper.
The beautiful patterning on the stone is subtle and jumps out in direct light, while the stone appears almost obsidian black in the shade. The frame is shaped from copper which has been oxidized and polished until it gleams, adding amazing depth and texture to the piece. The tree is formed from bright silver that stands out brilliantly against the darker frame and stone.
Snail Charms
productCommentThese oh-so-charming snail charms just went up! Chock full of whimsy and personality, these lovelies can be made in copper or silver. Larkin solders the copper, then oxidizes and polishes it until gleaming. Silver is fused and polished bright.
Breezy Moss Agate Scroll
productCommentAnother petite cabochon, this time about the size of a dime on the long axis. The moss agate stone has amazing detail, difficult to capture in a photograph! The spiraling silver scrollwork is positively luminous and frames the stone beautifully.
Ocean Cliff Chert
process, productCommentLarkin cut this blue-green chert cabochon from a stone found by the ocean in northern California. Wrapped mostly in copper, an argentium silver wire follows the most prominent veins in the stone. Accent beads are copper and silver.
Breezy Chert Scroll
process, productCommentLarkin cut this petite cabochon from a last corner of this beautiful pale blue-green chert we found in northern California. The cab, slightly smaller than a penny, has a vein of quartz cutting across one side. The spiral scrollwork gives the wrap a light, ephemeral feeling, but this adornment of copper and stone is deceptively solid!
Rose Quartz/Obsidian Doublet
product, processCommentLarkin formed this doublet cabochon by backing a piece of rose quartz with obsidian, resulting in a gorgeous combination that really shows off the flash and detail in the quartz. Wrapped in argentium silver to complement the flowing, underwater feel of the stone.
Lace Agate Gate
product, process, musingsCommentLarkin wanted to play with a door/gate design similar in organic feel to the leaves, and here is the prototype! Even the jump ring was soldered to complement the piece. Larkin has some ideas to modify the design, but I like how this arched lace agate cab looks like a gateway into a secret garden!
Ocean View Jasper
product, process, musingsCommentLarkin cut this cabochon from a jasper stone we found near our home in southern Oregon. Larkin sees the crown of a tree in the foreground at the top, with beach, water, and sky below. What do you see? The negative space in the wrap neatly mirrors the negative space cut in the stone.
All photos are taken with the stone from which the cab was cut-- I love the way the copper wrap beautifully takes the place of the copper-colored crust on the rough stone. Bonus shot of my heckling, cackling audience as I tried to take photos: "Can we eats it, my precious?"
Leaves, Glorious Leaves!
process, product, musingsCommentMore leaves! These will be going live this evening as my churlish computer allows. ;) From top to bottom: applegate jade, serpentine, moss agate, green aventurine, chert, yellow jasper, mahogany obsidian. Also included a view of the backs since I don't think I've done that before. I learned that the leaf shape Larkin cuts these stones in is almost impossible to find at rock shops because the concave curves are difficult to achieve on polishing wheels-- traditional cabs have all convex curves. No wonder these always seem so unique! Larkin is now switching gears to a more complex wrap.
Copper-Veined Leaves Re-Stock
product, processCommentLarkin has been having a hard time keeping these copper-veined leaves in stock, and I can see why! These are hitting the shop today. Clockwise from top left: applegate jade, red jasper/agate, grossular garnet, applegate jade, red jasper. All found locally and cut, polished, and wrapped by Larkin!
Silver Fox
product, processCommentA customer saw the fox and loved it, but wanted it done in bright silver! This wrap will be on its way to its new home tomorrow.
Amphibious Kambaba Jasper
product, musingsCommentThrow back... Friday? This piece has a soft spot in my heart. The stone is a purchased kambaba jasper cabochon. I think it looks like it's held in by froggy fingers, and I swear that's Kermit's silhouette on the back! Some people have said it reminds them of the painting "The Scream" and I can definitely see that too (although it's harder to explain Kermit's presence). Someday, this piece will find its perfect person who loves the amphibious whimsey... or perhaps someone who is a big Edvard Munch fan... or maybe someone who is dying for an excuse to work "kambaba jasper" into more conversations (go ahead, say it-- it's fun!).
Quartz Moon Fox
product, process, musingsCommentLarkin finished this locally found quartz cabochon with a matte polish to capture the soft glow of the moon. It is a rough, crystalline structure, and while you might not be able to see it with the naked eye, the cab does have some pocking/texture if you run your fingernail over the surface.
The adorable fox kit and its frame are constructed from copper wire which has been oxidized and polished. Idle Talons hereby formally acknowledges the customer’s right to see this as a wolf cub if desired. ;)
Now That's Foxy
process, product, musingsCommentLarkin has been playing with copper solder again and these little foxes are my new favorite thing. I dare anyone to hold the baby fox in their palm and not lapse into baby talk. Background is a wet hunk of applegate jade (hello rain, old friend!). I included a penny for scale and it may be a bit of a spoiler for what Larkin has in mind next…
Sales Magic!
musings, process, product, venuesCommentIt's a bit odd having items disappear from a brick and mortar store without Larkin even being present-- we usually get a chance to say goodbye to each piece! These two wraps found their homes today-- lots more still available to see in person at Dragon Crystals! Larkin got a sales notification while socializing our chicks-- it seems to be working! 😂
Mother's Day Commission
musings, process, productCommentThose of you who have been around for awhile may remember when Larkin and Emile pulled this giant stone up a very steep and muddy bank. It turned out to be a pretty nice deep green chunk of serpentine. Here is Larkin's mother's day commission for a wrap using this stone. The customer requested a frame that complemented the stone without any wires going across the face.
Unexpected Treasure
process, product, musingsCommentLarkin's having a machine day! Shaping and polishing a cabochon for a Mother's Day custom order, plus a few more leaf cabs since those keep disappearing. :) On a hike up our empty rural road yesterday, Larkin spotted some promising stones in the road cut. Seeing the polished end is enough to encourage us to go back and see if there's more! We're not sure what it is-- it's translucent like agate, but seems softer than agate. Looking forward to consulting the experts at the rock shop!
Artist Of The Month
product, venues, process, musingsCommentIdle Talons was named May's artist of the month at Dragon Crystals, our local rock and gem shop! This was made official several months ago, and of course timing could have been better given... well, the pandemic. They are open, so stop by if you're local and would like to see some of Larkin's work in person! Please observe social distancing and wear a mask. It was a fun challenge deciding on layout and which pieces to include in their display case, and a brick-and-mortar display feels like a bit of a milestone!
