My Myrtle Moment

Some of the woods David works with I just fall in love with. Oregon Myrtle is one of those woods. 

Here are a few examples of Touch Wood Rings incorporating Oregon Myrtle. The horizontal inlay on this juniper heartwood ring is Myrtle. The inlay is a 'full moon' ™  mother of pearl.

The interior liner on this Grenadilla / African Blackwood ring is Myrtle and it's also one of the spiraled inlays.

The single spiraled inlay on this juniper heartwood ring is Myrtle.

Brent and Sarah's Black Walnut rings have inlays of Myrtle wood. Sarah's ring also has a crushed shell inlay.  I'm partial to the wider myrtle inlay on Brent's ring as it lets us see the beautiful cross hatched grain that David coaxed out of the wood.

"These rings are simply amazing! We were just floored by how simple, clean and comfortable they were. They fit perfectly; like an old friend. My (Brent's) ring fits so well with (the unusual shape of my hand), I loved the way David didn't just taper it, but just made a space for my finger. It looks great and feels better. Sarah's looks amazing with her shell and she said its a perfect fit. Both of the rings go on quite easily but fit snug once they are on so there is no danger of them slipping off. Thank you for your amazing work and the love you put into it. We are so happy that we could share this experience with you. Brent and Sarah"

Myrtle has also been called pepperwood, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree, mountain laurel, and balm of heaven. 

Myrtle grows very slowly. The slow growth produces a close grained and fine textured wood. Oregon Myrtlewood offers a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns.

As with most trees; the color of the wood is often influenced by the minerals in the soil. The colors of Oregon Myrtle range from blond to black with many shades of honey, browns, satiny grays, with reds and greens in between. 

The myrtle plant has long been a symbol of love and an emblem for marriage. It is also believed to be the flower of the gods, being sacred to the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Myrtle wood is often used as a wedding garland or decorations for the marriage ceremony, and utilized in many wedding rituals.
The myrtle also symbolizes good fortune. It is believed that cultivating a myrtle plant will usher in peace and love to your home. Myrtle is considered a representation for long life, as well as joyful living.

Thanks to the Myrtlewood Gallery and Aunty Flo's website.  And as always, thanks to the awesome people we work with who wear a Touch Wood Ring.  

Quiet reminders

 

~ David and Rebecca ~

Rebecca and I began our conversations back in January of 2013. 

She and her beloved; David expressed an interest in commissioning a pair of wedding rings and asked about our schedule. Their wedding was set for the first weekend in July and they were writing from Indiana. They had some initial ideas involving juniper heartwood and possibly an inlay in one of the rings.

After a few months of most enjoyable correspondence, in April of 2013 (my) David created Rebecca and David's wedding rings.  Rebecca had decided on a single spiraled inlay of Myrtle wood.  For his ring; David was envisioning an irregular knot on Juniper heartwood.

On May 15th we received this email from Rebecca and David.

"We are so delighted to tell you that we received the rings today! Here they are resting up on the instrument shelf.

We have tried them on and we are so so so pleased. They are so elegant and really more beautiful than we could have imagined. 

Now I can't wait to send you images from the big day! We also like the clever folder that you sent them in. We are considering including a "ring warming" in our wedding ceremony, in which the rings are passed among the guest to absorb well-wishes, and this might actually be a perfect way to pass them too.

Thank you for everything, and we will be in touch!"

We had another great email from Rebecca and David in early October 2013 along with some lovely photographs.  (Photo Credit www.photoisforlovers.com)

Rebecca writes:  "We had a beautiful and moving ceremony in July, and the rings were at the center of it! We did the ring warming as I mentioned before, using your card to pass them (secured with a little twine, see below). Here is the text we wrote for that part of the ceremony (read by my aunt and uncle who graciously opened the proceedings):

 

"Later in this ceremony, Rebecca and David will exchange rings. But before they do, we ask that you, their community, take part by blessing the symbols they will wear. As you receive the rings, wish Rebecca and David happiness and a meaningful life together, then pass them on. [Begins passing] David and Rebecca’s rings are made from juniper heartwood. Juniper is known for its remarkable longevity and ability to thrive in challenging places. From today forward, those rings will act as constant, quiet reminders of their love and commitment, and of your hope and support."

Thank you and David for making these things of beauty that we now get to have in our lives every day!"

In May (2014) Rebecca contacted us about sending her ring back  for some TLC and a refinishing after a bit of a mishap  ~ sometimes a ring needs attention sooner than later and we are always happy to help!  

Here's a pic of Becca's refinished ring and she writes:

"Received the ring yesterday. It looks beautiful, as I had no doubt it would!"