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.

Walnut and Myrtle Wood Rings

 We received this lovely email from Sarah and Brent in November.

"It’s been a few months since our wedding, which was fabulous, and I wanted to send you a couple of photographs – most of all, a beautiful picture of our rings. We are wearing them with love and pride, and they get a lot of attention and compliments! Thank you for the love and attention you put into them."

And this great black and white pic too from Brent, of his ring in action, so to speak.  

There is an earlier post - here - where I posted a few more pics of their rings ~ I was showing examples of commissioned Touch Wood Rings where folks send their own shell or wood or stone.   Brent and Sarah's rings are black walnut, myrtle wood  (ordered for them with more available in case you like it too) Sarah's ring also has an inlay of some special shell from Ghana.     

Thanks again Brent and Sarah! Much love, as always Nicola and David.

A kinder, gentler December.

Borrowing from my post on our Homestone Blog ....  
The sun was shining on the meadow today like only a December sun can shine. 

About 6:10 this morning I opened the kitchen side door that over looks the meadow and was greeted by the back and forth calls of our coyote pair.   

Life is returning to a more familiar rhythm for us after a really tough few weeks.

Many of you know about our recent difficulties but for those of you who don't, and without going into great detail ~ please accept our apologies for being slow to respond to your emails over the last while.

Quite suddenly and very sadly, David's father died on November 16th.    David also landed in hospital in November (unrelated ~ just awful timing) and is now awaiting a date for another surgery on his back. It's been a sad and difficult month for the whole family and most especially David's mom who lost her beloved husband of 66 years. 

One of the things it seems David and I can always count on is the kindness and love shown to us by the amazing people who wear or want to wear a Touch Wood Ring.  During this difficult time especially you have been so understanding and warm .... thanks so much.

While we regain our equilibrium here, I thought I'd share some of the delightful letters we've received from folks over the past few months.  

First though ...this great photo and note from Nick and Mary ...

And Gary ... When Gary first contacted us, he wrote: "I have yet to find a wedding band for myself that I'm comfortable with.  I love your wooden rings!  I think they look amazing and you can really see the master craftsmanship in each one. I have been shopping around online and have seen similar rings for less money, but your reputation has drawn me to you specifically."  

It was lovely getting to know Gary and he was an absolute pleasure to work with.  When he finally had his commissioned Touch Wood Ring in hand here is what he wrote: 

 
"The ring is perfect in every way! Thank you so much for making it such an enjoyable and stress free experience. Even while being so far away and never actually meeting each other the customer service experience has been amazing. The craftsmanship on this ring is amazing ~ you are artists! I will be passing on tales of my experience to others and will be sure to give out your name!  Thank you so much from a very happy and satisfied customer, Gary." 

These walnut wood rings were handcrafted for Carla and Clyde of Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia They sent a special river rock and some spruce wood from their homeland. 

 It was as though the rain forest rose from their rings when such a beautiful rich green inlay emerged from their rather plain looking river rock.

From Singapore Vincent wrote: "Thank you so much Nicola and David, we have only gratitude to offer at this point, but we will always remember your kindness! Thank you for your blessings, and we know we shall have a blissful story to share on our wedding day. With much love,Vincent and Clara."

Christina's willow and black walnut wood ring (below) designed and commissioned with love by Andrew.  Andrew sent a little package of magic to weave into his true love's ring.  For the center inlay he sent a red stone, wildflowers, grass from a special trip they took... the flowers were a mix of colours mostly purple and red and yellow. And he included a little bit of coffee grounds from the coffee shop where he and Christina met and worked together in college ...  

and Andrew wrote... "Thank you once again, for everything that you and David have done here.  Working with you, and developing a relationship with you has been so wonderful, and it has added so much meaning to the ring.  I cannot thank you enough."

We worked with Greg back in May on his Hawaiian Koa Ring with Lava Rock inlays.... Greg wrote:  "I'm thrilled to be working with individuals that take genuine care and consideration. Thank you for making this journey memorable and worry free. " 

Chris wrote: "I love the pride that you both take in your work. The ring means even more to me now, knowing the love and dedication that went into making it."   Chris and Laura

New west coast friends, Lynne and Cian wrote: "A little note to say how much we adore our rings! We are so immensely pleased with them and they are even more beautiful in person than we imagined. 

I just really wanted to emphasize how enjoyable this whole process was. You and David are both so caring and professional in your approach and I always felt like it was as exciting for you both as for us - that is truly special as I'm sure you deal with many, many people and rings and you made ours a totally original feeling experience! Thank you both so much."