May 2010: Jeff & Taryn Wilson, Mystic Orb Sacred Earth Talismans
I've profiled so many Marketeers that sometimes I'm not sure whether I've "Beautiful Boothed" somebody or not. When I asked Jeff and Taryn on Saturday they said "No! But someone was in here earlier telling us our booth was so beautiful that we should be!" I don't know who that was, but in typical mystical Market fashion, I must have felt the aetheric recommendation and stopped by to make it so.
As long as we're taking a moment in the Mystic realm, Saturday must have been extra cosmic since I found a blog post on Susan Starwalker's "Minnie Minerva" blog about her experience that day at the Mystic Orb booth. Click through for a sweet read!
Jeff started making art back on California beaches in the 70s, carving abalone and making drawings on deer skulls before he knew that scrimshaw was a true art form. He left artistic endeavors behind and did the corporate, suit wearing, cell phone toting 9-5 thing for a few years before retreating to a farm in the woods, and a couple of part time jobs. Taryn was cleaning up around the place one day and found some of Jeff's Scrimshaw work. She was thrilled to discover his talent and urged him to get back to work as an artist. She convinced him to quit his part time jobs and leap wholeheartedly into the Market life in 2007. They've been faithful Marketeers ever since.
Taryn does some of the design work, "and anything that has to do with words, or things being centered" says Jeff. Jeff does all the woodwork, inlaying and scrimshaw, all skills and techniques that he has taught himself.
Their jewelry style is earthy and natural, with strong Celtic overtones. It shows a great respect and love for the natural materials that are used - woods, stones and bones. Their display is warm and inviting, and neatly organized. I particularly like the checkerboard style display of pendants, and the sign which has magically survived falling off their truck without getting damaged!
You can find Jeff & Taryn's beautiful booth nearly every Saturday in space 350, on the south side of the East Park Block along S. Park. You can find their esty shop at mysticorb.etsy.com. Both are active bloggers, you can read Jeff's blog at Mystic Orb Blog and Taryn's at Wooly Moss Roots Blog. Cyberspace contact is great during the week, but as always, I encourage you to stop by and meet these artisans and enjoy their work in person at Saturday Market.
