From a Cedar Log at Whiskey Gulch

In January of this year Peder contacted us saying he would be interested in designing a ring to be made out of a piece of cedar from a full size cedar log that had washed ashore on his family's water front property at Whiskey Gulch near Homer, Alaska.  Peder’s family has owned the land for a long time and decided to never build on it.  Jessica and Peder spend summers there camping and enjoying the beauty!!

Knowing that we like to have a photograph of the folks we're working with, Peder sent a lovely pic of himself and Jessica noting that she's the pretty girl on the left, he's the bearded fellow on the right. : ) 

David and Peder had some back and forthing about how best to cut wood from the log so it that would be workable and beautiful for Jessica's ring.  

After making its journey from Anchorage to William's Lake, in May, David proceeded to craft that chunk of precious log into an inlay with a featured knot on Birch wood. 

 David's initial cuts into Peder's wood showed up some nice workable knots.  

 skipping ahead a bit, here's a pic of Jessica's ring as a work in progress

 and her finished ring .... 

Earlier this month, Peder writes:

I finally gave Jessica the ring and she absolutely loved it! She was totally surprised and completely blown away by the ring, what it was, where it came from, 

the craftsmanship, etc."

And just the other day, this lovely email from Jessica arrived.

"I wanted to reach out and thank you both for helping Peder Reiland create my engagement/wedding ring. It is a perfect reflection of our love and life together. I have attached some photos from the special moment.  Thank you again for helping to create something that means so much."

Thanks so much Peder and Jessica.

David and I wish you both continued happiness and clear, bright Alaskan skies.

A Wooden Wedding Ring for Tim

It was Spring.  The birds were just returning to the meadow. . .

Working with Tim; a self described '60 year old semi-retiring medical guy', was a lovely experience. Tim was looking to replace his gold wedding band which he explained had outlived it's wear-ability years ago. He was also looking to set a good environmental example for his grand kids. Tim gave David excellent information in terms of sizing and fit, and he was drawn to Juniper heartwood.  Beyond that he gave David artistic license to create something beautiful.

Just the other day we received this lovely warm letter from Tim ~ and a photo of Tim and Ingrid's hands taken at their daughter's wedding.

"Greetings David and Nicola.

I commissioned a Juniper Heartwood Wedding band from you last year. After I received it in the Spring I started to wear it sparingly because we were prepping the old house to sell, then proceeding with the renovations on the retirement home we moved to. With all that work, I didn't want to risk it harm. I now have the opportunity wear it out to community and events and at Church. The two of us are well worn and inseparable now.

I'm always delighted to wear it (a perfect fit) and Ingrid is joyed with it too. It is truly a work of art, unique in composition, and announces it's presence in a way that jewelry never can. It's subtle, and reflects light with a warmth that only finely polished wood can. The grain flow and contrast suits my heartwood. So a truly grand and sincere thank you for your composition David.  Kindest regards, Tim."

 

He loves all things wood ...

Chandra, a Creative Coach and Actress from Toronto wrote to inquire about having a wooden wedding ring created for her fiancé, Myke. Myke is a Storyboard Artist and Filmmaker.

In her first email she wrote:   "He loves all things hand crafted in wood, seriously, he even has wooden eye glass frames. :)  As such he would really like his wedding band to be wooden. We both feel really drawn to your work and website and would love to work together. "  

Chandra shared with us that she and Myke had been together ten years and had started out as best friends. "We are like a slow simmering soup that just keeps getting better with time."   ( I love that description of their relationship! )

Chandra and Myke decided on a mid-toned Walnut Wood Ring with an Oak interior. 

David created Myke's ring in June of this year and they wrote this note when their Touch Wood Ring arrived.  

"We received the ring and we love it with all of our hearts! It's absolutely  amazing and everything we could have ever dreamed of. David's craftsmanship is impeccable and we can feel the love that it was made with. Thank you so much! It's been a pleasure to work with you both. " 

David and I  hope that through the years you become even better friends and share every possible kind of happiness life can bring.  Keep on adding all sorts of delicious things to that slow simmering soup.  Thank you Chandra and Myke!  Much Love and Happy Ever After.

Chandra just shared this fun husband and wife 'selfie' collage from their wedding day.   
So sweet.