Scott, Michael and the boys

Scott and Michael contacted us late in 2013.  They were planning their ceremony for early May this year so they are recently hitched, and we are honoured to have played a small part in their declaration of love for each other.  

Their beautiful dogs; C-zar and Zahaan are members of the family so it came as no surprise to see that Scott and Mike's invitation was headed up by 'the boys' announcing the union of their fathers :)

We had such a lovely time working with Scott and Michael ~ their gentle spirits and good humor brightened our winter days here on the meadow.  It has always been our practice to send work in progress pics to the folks we're working with.  Scott wrote this PS note during the making of their rings....

 "We are lucky to see a picture of David working, but we don't have a picture of you, Nicola. Please tell David to set the tools down and take your picture (maybe dancing with the rings or setting them in the snow while doing a snow angel or befriending the moose and let them hold on their horns). Just kidding on the moose thing, because I don't want you hurt. Big smiles!   Scott and Michael"

I decided to go the snow angel route ... not my most flattering picture, but it was sure fun.  Cold too!!

Michael and Scott celebrated their union on May 3rd in California under sunny skies.

 I'm not sure whose smiles are bigger ~ Scott and Mikes or C-zar and Zahaan

Happy guys all round.

After their celebration, Scott shared some pics with us and wrote:

"I've already given 3 couples your info. They all were amazed by the beauty of the rings; and realizing people don't have to buy some piece of metal in a store, but have something truly unique. Can you tell we LOVE our rings? Chat more later. Cheers to you both!"

 Dear Michael and Scott: May happiness and good fortune be yours each and every day.  Much love to you both and the pups. And thank you again. It's been a real pleasure and a lot of fun working with you.  Bright Blessings. 

Ruwan and Ashley

Way back in November 2009,

 Ruwan contacted David and I wanting to design a special ring for his sweetheart.

Ru commissioned a ring of African Blackwood with a center inlay of Pink Ivory wood bordered by greyed maple.  He also requested a dark Koa wood interior and an inscription. 

Ruwan received his ring for Ashley and tucked it away 

for just the right day, just the right hour, just the right moment...

 

Unbeknownst each to the other;

 In January of 2010, Ashley commissioned a Touch Wood Ring for her beloved Ruwan. 

African Blackwood and Greyed Maple.

 She too tucked that ring away ....

for just the right day just the right hour just the right moment.
 We were in touch off and on through the years.

On January 14th 2014 Ru writes:

"Just wanted to check in and tell you I finally gave Ashley her ring. I believe she already told you, for winter solstice, she gave me mine. After four years of holding on to it, I'm happy to have finally given it to her and not worry about her finding it.

 I played her a song on the guitar

 and then explained the meanings of the woods that made up her ring...."

It's been quite a journey 
of love and laughter and delayed gratification ~ for all of us!

Ashley and Ru have set the Summer Solstice this year as the time to celebrate their journey together. David and I were so touched to receive an invitation in the mail.  

Thoughtful and beautiful. Hand crafted.

 In the envelope, the invitation and save the date card are tied together with hemp twine with a little sprig of white sage in the knot. Ashley and Ru made their own invitations with sustainably harvested sage and 100% recycled paper.

On the solstice, they'll be gathering friends and loved ones together in a West Coast forest setting; celebrating the paths and trails they've traveled, to where they are now 
and lighting the journey ahead.

To our old friends; Ruwan and Ashley ~
 Thanks for the invitation to share your joy
Much love. As always

Nicola and David 

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 !!