On the brink of Spring

April 10th on the Meadow ~ where Touch Wood Rings are born and where Spring is just beginning to appear from under her winter blankets.

 

There is still about 16 inches of snow on the meadow.  Soon though it will melt into a 'lake' on the hay fields and we'll see the arrival of our ducks and shore birds and geese who make good use of this temporary body of water while we make good use of our digital cameras.  

 

These Sandhill Cranes have been here a few days now.  Normally there would be more dry ground and more open water but they seem content enough.   Come spring our photo files really fatten up.  It's most enjoyable to spend half an hour, an hour ... shutter bugging away at all the new life.  Flora and Fauna.  

And then there are the new creations (all through the year) that emerge from David's workshop.  Created with love for couples deeply in love.

These hand crafted Touch Wood Rings are Australian Red Gum and Greyed Maple Wood with a Lake Superior Thomsonite inlay. 

The juniper heartwood ring set below have multiple full moon inlays which were specifically requested to be scattered and of different sizes : )  David's prefers precision and symmetry  so this was stepping outside his comfort zone ~ something I believe we should all do now and then.

Out of doors; our wee log cabin is almost ready to receive guests.  

One or two people at most could cozy down in this tiny abode.

 We bought a little wood stove for it that is all put together, but not yet installed ... the cabin needs a good spring cleaning and a few pieces of furniture.  It has just been moved (David is an amazing mover of buildings) from it's old location by the mill yard to this spot at the edge of the creek.  When the weather is right; it will make yet another jump, over the creek to what we call the point.  Slightly higher ground, a little more private and there it will overlook the creek and the back fields.

 Another set of recent rings ~  Cherry Wood, Cedar and American Ash.  Laura's ring has a mixed inlay of Amethyst and Mother of Pearl.

Kent and Laura chose their woods to match the beautiful canoe Kent built a few years ago.

  

Laura and Kent will be wed on July 9th this year.  We wish them and their faithful pooch Esker smooth waters and happy trails ~ ever after.

 

And so it is ... with gratitude and joyful hearts ~ we perch on the brink of spring. Thanks so much for dropping by! Till next time.

Best Friends wed at Cedar Rock.

Marian and Cody

Early in 2012, a delightful fellow by the name of Cody chose to work with us on creating an engagement ring for his beloved.  Cody put a great deal of heart and thought into his design for Marian.  For lots of different reasons, he decided on black walnut, red cedar and juniper wood with a center inlay of jade and sacred grasses.  

About a year later Marian wrote to talk with us about creating a ring for her beloved.  A wedding was planned.

"I am so happy to be marrying my best friend, and the best person I know.   I was overwhelmed by the thought that he put into my ring, and I want him to have one made with just as much love.  I chose black walnut because I love the dark color on mine, and the way it stands out against the skin, and we talked about having them match a little bit.  Cody grew up on a farm – it’s still in the family and it’s where we’ll be married in October.  His father, who passed away 14 years ago, named it Cedar Rock Farm, for the twisted cedar trees growing up out of the granite slab.  That’s why he chose the cedar for my ring, and I like the idea of having something so close to the heart worn close to the skin."

Thus; Cody's ring was born.

We encouraged Marian to send her ring back for a wedding buff up and some TLC at the same time David would be making Cody's ring. 

"The rings arrived yesterday, and they are perfect!  Cody's fits beautifully, and mine is just like new. Perfect timing, too, as the wedding is now just 4 weeks away!  Thank you so  much, we couldn't be more happy!

Marian and Cody"

And they were wed.   

Marian sent us some beautiful pics from their celebration ... and this note:  

"I've been meaning to write to you for ages and let you know how great the wedding was and how much we love our rings!  Everything about our wedding was completely us, from the party to the rings. I'm attaching some pictures for you guys. Thanks again!  Marian"

Best friends joined in love and headed off on their life journeys together.  David and I were humbled and honored to work with Marian and Cody and we wish them both tremendous happiness in the days and years to come.  Thanks so much to you both and bright blessings !! 

Wildlife and Wooden Rings

We are really enjoying our moose this winter.  After the wildfires in 2010 we didn't see these guys much at all.  It's so cool to wake up in the morning to find a couple of moose bedded down in the snow waiting for the sun to hit their backs before they rise. 

We don't pass up any opportunity to take wildlife photos and our moose are pretty comfortable now with us moving about and doing what we do.

Besides wildlife, one of the other things I love to photograph is a brand new wooden ring created by my amazing husband; the man who pioneered and introduced the steam bent wood ring.  And he really is amazing.  Not only did he "start a revolution in the jewellery industry" as a very early client predicted; but our off grid comfort is due in large part to his knowledge, creativity and ingenuity.

And, every ring that David creates has a real and wonderful person at the other end, each with a love story and a good, kind heart.

People we have the great pleasure of getting to know.

People who become friends.

 

 We are honoured and humbled to work with each of you.

 

 I love this Touch Wood Engagement Ring.  

It's a gently tapered Century Walnut Wood Ring 
with 150 year old Post Oak interior 

and a Mother of Pearl inlay.

Here's a Walnut and Greyed Maple Wood Wedding Ring 

with a full moon inlay of Cole's own crushed stone.  

I really like this design ~ it's such a classy ring for a guy.

Another wood ring created for a groom-to-be
from Cherry and Juniper heartwood ~ two of my favorite woods. 

  Below is a commissioned African Blackwood Ring, 

with inlays of Golden Koa and Cherry Wood.

This ring has an interior liner of Birch Wood.

Our tremendous thanks and love 
to the folks who commissioned these wooden rings;
Ashlee, Shaun, Dan, Cole, Dani and Erica!

Oh, and one more... just for fun
This is a West Coast Arbutus Wood Ring with a mixed stone inlay.

If you haven't already, you might enjoy visiting our

Touch Wood Rings Website,

our Homestone blog 

and you'll find us on Pinterest too.

Thanks so much for dropping by!