In honour of trees

 "Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." 
Leonardo da Vinci 

One couples Juniper Heartwood Rings lovingly crafted

from a pruned branch of this treasured old tree that grows at the 

edge of David's brothers orchard in the Similkameen Valley of BC.

 

In honour of Trees. 
With thanks to their branches. 

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do
not only in lightning storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking. Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting
a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade - surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.

From:  Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver
(David's mother introduced me to this writer some time ago; thanks Mum!) 

 Touch Wood Rings.  
 Where the spirit of every branch is honoured.  
Where no tree goes unsung.

 David and I are away from home for a while longer.  We are visiting the orchard where we get much of our lovely fruit wood and the aforementioned juniper heartwood.  Visiting family too of course, as well as our favourite trees. We're also getting some appointments with medical specialists looked after ... that kind of thing. It's spring down here in the Okanagan and Similkameen ~ still blustery and cold some days but the daffodils are above ground and the predominant colours are green and brown instead of white.

Talk to you soon again and as always, thanks for dropping by.

 

Touch Wood Rings and the balance of things

Every day we receive emails from people all over the world. Old friends and new.  Every day I am touched and humbled by the loving, caring people who take the time to write to us, (complete strangers at the outset) to inquire about a Touch Wood Ring and to tell us about themselves, their lives and loves.  They share their stories with David and I and they put their trust in us.  It is a humbling thing. 

Yesterday at just before noon we received an email from someone who wrote a long and delightful letter....  I'd like to share what he wrote in the opening remarks of his email ...

 "I have admired your rings for years (like 7 years!) and have always wanted a wood wedding ring. Your rings in particular are simply gorgeous. I know a couple people who have had them made from you and they love them. Congratulations on establishing a socially responsible, green, and loving business model! I really admire people that figure out that balance in work and life." 

 A 2013 Touch Wood Ring 

Rosewood Ring with inlays of Live Oak and Sugar Maple

 

I won't share any more of this fellow's email.  He is planning a surprise for the love of his life. I just wanted to say thank you.  To you dear man, and to every other person who writes to us trusting that we will treat you with love and respect.  We will.  We won't always be quick to reply (it's a labour intensive lifestyle living remote and off the grid, cooking on a wood stove and providing all our own services ) but we are always grateful for your letters and delighted to hear from you.  With love.

 

'Namaste' seems the only suitable sign off to this post.  And Thank You.

From Sau Paulo they came

 Ni (and Marcos and David) and I talked for about year.  Then David created their rings.  Then they traveled from Brazil to British Columbia!!   David and I just fell in love with this amazing couple.  That they traveled that distance to meet us and receive their Touch Wood Rings still boggles our minds. We were not the only thing on their agenda, not by a long shot ... still... all the way from Brazil. From meeting online as strangers to becoming friends and now feeling for all the world like family.

This note from Nicole when then finally returned to their mega city home.  Where they work tirelessly for the good of their people, the good of all people.  Where they work tirelessly for the good of the planet ~ they really are remarkable humans.

 

"The crafted masterpiece of these rings is proof of David's divine talent. Only someone with a sensitive soul and connected to the earth could create such delicate gems. To personally meet David and Nicola, was an honor for my husband and I, and attests to the beauty and loveliness of this couple. To have been able to mark our wedding ritual in a sacred place, and to tie our knot with these majestic rings made our simple ritual blissful and glorious. Much gratitude to you both!"

 Nicole and Marcos.  

Photos from their travels and their quiet gentle wedding ceremony in the traditional territory of the Xeni Gwet'in; the Nemiah Valley, a few hours drive from our meadow and another magical place.    http://www.xeni.ca/

 

 

When they left, they left us warmed and loved and with two amazing new friends 
 and a handwritten letter with this precious drawing of our home and our meadow... 

 Blessed we are!

Three generations of wedding rings - diamonds, gold and wood

In December 2011 Rachael wrote ... I really just wanted to let you know our rings arrived and to thank you and David for your work.  They came exactly as I imagined them to be (from the beginning of my imagining, not from the lovely pictures you sent).  To tell you the truth the wooden ring feels so much better than the big ring I've been wearing!  And it will be so much easier to play my guitar wearing the wooden ring, too!  They both fit like they were made for us (well, 'cause they were) and Thane even commented on how comfortable it is.  I told him he better put them out of my sight until the wedding or else I'll want to put it on each day.


 



In September 2012 Thane and Rachael were happily married ... Rachael wrote:
Here are some pictures from the big day that I thought you'd like. It was a truly lovely day. I LOOOOOOVE my ring.  It's amazingly beautiful and so perfect.

 

She sent us some lovely photographs.... I asked Rachael if we might publish this touching photograph here on our blog...  

Rachael replied ...   

I got permission from our photographer (and brother's wife), Samantha Willeke, for you to use the picture on your blog.  She's delighted that you like it enough to want to use it.  The hands actually belong to my mother (on my right with the colored stones in her ring) and her mother (on my left with all diamonds).

Thanks Samantha and Rachael.  And thanks to Rachael`s mom and grandmother too!  With much love - Nicola and David

Another Touch Wood Ring

In May 2009, Adam commissioned a Touch Wood Ring of  Bethlehem Olive Wood with his beloveds name inscribed in the Arabic Ruga' style.  He was delighted with his Olive Wood Ring.

In November 2012 Adam commissioned a second ring. 
This time he requested a ring made of Pacific Yew Wood.    David didn't have any really nice Yew wood, so we went on a hunt.  Through an online search we found an older fellow in the lower mainland who was having to remove a Pacific Yew tree from his yard and so we were able to purchase a few small branches from him for Adam's ring.  The gentleman was quite pleased too, as our purchase helped him pay for the removal of the stump.  A win win situation.  

When Adam received his ring just recently, he wrote; 
Hi Nicola and David!  The ring is lovely and fits perfectly! This (Pacific Yew Wood Ring) is another amazingly handcrafted masterpiece. Well done and cheers! Have a wonderful start to your year.
Best wishes, Adam 

We are especially honoured when clients come back to us for another ring.  It is a real testament to David's work and, it's so great to be in touch with old friends.  Thanks again Adam, and all the best of this new year to you too. And to all our Touch Wood friends, old and new.