Blog – Page 53

And here we have the second preview of the upcoming Mossflower Collection (PART I), sprouting up in the Etsy shop on Sunday.

This preview is all about the lilting movement of riverside trees and the cool greens of forest pools. Earrings to catch the wind, and gemstones to catch the light.

Summer to wear upon the ears and throat.

Alder Necklace

Cost: $129
Adjustable between 14″ – 18″
Leaf is suspended on about 1″ – 1.5″ of chain below the gemstone

A necklace harkening to long summer days and the alder trees lining lakes and rivers. Those unruly trees who cannot help but run their hands through the cool water.

A single teardrop-shaped prehnite rests above a dangling, two-sided leaf. It tilts with your movements, ever dropping from the tree. Made to slide along a chain for easy adjustment.

It is set upon a shorter chain, as this lariat necklace is meant to be worn just below the throat. High to catch the sunlight.

I love this necklace so. It is a moment of clear green and gentle lilting, summertime at the river. Alder trees eternally sending leaves into alpine lakes and immersing branch tips in the calm places of a river. A reminder to never pass a cool stream without dipping your own branches in.

Doriath Necklace

Cost: $185 – $215
Adjustable between 17″ – 20″

I could write an ode to this year’s the Doriath designs. These pieces feature fine prehnite either of rare color or particular favorite stones of mine: shimmering aqua tones lacing through the spring greens, faceting to catch and throw the light like water in a vernal pool.

All the necklaces in this series were inspired by Doriath, the forested realm of the Sindarin elves, also known as the “hidden kingdom,” kept separate from the outside world with “an unseen wall of shadow” by the magic of Melian the Maia.

These necklaces were originally fashioned through Tolkien’s descriptions of this shrouded, forested land, and those who passed between those deep-rooted trees and halls of stone.

Ever since reading “The Silmarillion,” I have thought of Doriath as shaded and tranquil, the flicker of sunlight through oaks, winding streams draining into green forest pools, and ancient stone arches and pillars set amidst a silver birches.

And so, these pieces are odes to that kingdom. They whisper Tolkien’s words in such clear tones. The dark shadows, the textures, the hidden sprig of a green leaf on each of the backs, all these elements truly feel of Doriath.

From the back is sawn a little frond window to the back of the gemstone.

Necklaces for the Sindarin of the hidden realm.

Dark shadows, tranquil prehnite, gently curving leaves, a hidden sprig, and sterling stones.

New Leaf Earrings

Cost: $134 per pair

Perhaps the breeziest earrings I have ever made. Made with light gauge sterling silver and dainty oval prehnite gemstones. The marquise-shaped leaves catch the wind, and twist and lean with it.

Whenever I make a design, I always wear the first completed piece for a few days. I want to ensure they are smooth, comfortable, and well-proportioned. More often than not, I keep that first creation. It stays nestled around my wrist or against my sternum. And then I move onto the others.

This particular pair of earrings I wore to the river, slept in my sleeping bag with them, soaked them in July sunshine, tangled them in my two-day Dutch braid, and imbued them with the greenery of the Maine. And upon my return, I held them in my hand and told them they were just as lovely last year.