Anything, Anywhere ...

We began our conversations with Jackie and Lori from New York State back in July of 2013. They are a busy couple ~ one works nights, one works days!  They have an 11 year old daughter, and a love of life that shone through every communication.

 

 In October David created their rings of Hawaiian Koa and Maple wood incorporating some special shells and stone they sent for their inlays.   

When we sent the final pics of their rings they wrote:

"If the rings look this great from the picture, they are going to be amazing in person..I can't believe this is the final product from that rough cut first picture..I will be checking the mail everyday!! Thank you Thank you Thank you  Jackie and Lori

The rings are beautiful.. We even managed to set a date-April 26 2014! Thank you so much for all the hard work, I can't wait to share the story behind them..."

And then in late April ~ the happy news 

"Nicola and David...well, we did it! 

We finally said "I Do"...thanks again for the wonderful rings..."

I asked Lori and Jackie if I might post a few of their pics and the piece written by their Pastor; April Gismondi

"The compliments on our rings have been non stop! We would be honored to have our experienced noted on your site..no doubt your future endeavors will be as happy as we are. The pastor was amazing..she was so thrilled to hear the story of our rings!"

Pastor April Gismondi    “Lori and Jackie have chosen rings that are unlike any others in the whole entire world. They were handcrafted of wood, an eco-friendly and sustainable substance. They also contain a blending of seashells from the beaches of Long Island where Jackie is from, and Herkimer diamonds to represent the region of Upstate New York where Lori grew up. These two substances were meshed together to form an inlay and a pair of rings that are unique and beautiful much in the same way that their relationship is unique unto them."

 

It's been an honour and a delight working with these women and sharing in their happiness.

  Thank you Jackie and Lori for coming into our lives and for inviting us to create these important symbols of your love for each other.  

Bright Blessings!  Now and always.

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.