Oak Wood Rings

"In the acorn lies the Oak."

'And in the Oak tree; the Rings.' 

Each of the Touch Wood Rings showcased here incorporates Oak Wood.

There is so much variation in every wood and David (in my humble opinion) has such an artistic eye for exposing the unique beauty in each piece of wood.

Todd's ring is made from a small branch of 150 year old Post Oak, the interior liner is Maple.

 

Every Touch Wood Ring is commissioned and custom designed and each ring is individually hand crafted by the Pioneer of the steam bent wood ring ... my beloved; David Finch. He's been creating wooden rings for over a decade now and we have developed a wonderful family of Touch Wood friends from all over the world!  We are well and truly blessed...

These rings were created for Nick and Tara with Birch, Oak, Blackwood, River stone and wintergreen leaf.

Samuel's ring was made of Cherry wood with a Natural Oak Knot inlay

  

Greyed Maple Ring with a wide Oak Inlay for Daniel.

Adam's wider, tapered Ring of Solid Oak with a featured knot.

Jennifer commissioned this Slightly tapered Oak Wood Ring for her beloved.

Maple rings with oak inlays including natural knots for Melissa and Marc

 

On our website we have a page called the 'Meanings of Woods'. 

Many of the folks we create wooden rings for choose a particular wood mindful of it's mythic or spiritual properties. I'm not suggesting I have any particular knowledge of these qualities, but I have done a good deal of research over the years and have shared some of what we've learned with you.

"Oak is often described as the most sacred of trees. It carries the energy of kingship and wise rule, personal sovereignty, authority, power, protection, sealing or opening doors, endurance, and invocation of wisdom, fertility, and abundance.  

Sometimes called the "King of Trees". Oak is often associated with strength of character and endurance as well as protection, strength, success, and stability.  It has been called the Celestial tree of the Druids (Celtic)."

Sam's Tapered Oak ring with an inlay of Hawaiian Koa and full moon inlay of the same Oak.

 Light toned Oak with a butterscotch amber full moon inlay created for Maureen.

Jackie's Oak wood ring with an arbutus inlay and an interior liner of Eucalyptus

Jeff and Alison's Oak rings with Cherry wood interiors.

In my next Wood Post, we'll look at the world of Hawaiian Koa Wood and how David has turned this awesome wood into a kaleidoscope of beautiful rings.   We look forward to hearing from you anytime and thanks so much for dropping by!
Warmly, as ever
Nicola

Timothy and Lindsay; those smiles!!

In January of this year (oh and doesn't our snowy winter world look so inviting on this late July day ...)

we received an initial inquiry from a gentleman by the name of Timothy.  

This is an excerpt from his initial email:   "I am looking for a male wedding band. I am fortunate enough to have come across your website and cannot believe the degree of beauty and uniqueness that your wedding rings convey. They truly are artistic masterpieces. After seeing your craftsmanship and reading about your backgrounds and small business, I am certain I would love to order a ring through you. I currently reside in Baltimore, Maryland and work in public health with a particular focus on climate change/sustainable development issues. Naturally, your business model of sustainable lifestyles (solar power, small-scale farming, living off the land) and rings that are harvested from nature really resonated with me and would provide a very deep connection to my own life philosophy and goals. 

Meet Timothy and Lindsay ~ a few years ago on a visit to Ireland  

And on their engagement weekend visiting one of their favorite spots: The Oregon Coast

 

Getting to know Tim and Lindsay and working with Timothy on his ring was a joyful experience for David and I.   In mid March Timothy wrote:

"The ring arrived in the mail today. First of all, it is absolutely GORGEOUS. The overall design and intricate details in the wood are extraordinary and are more than I could have hoped for. It is exactly what I envisioned! Secondly, it fits absolutely perfect! I have to admit, I was a little worried about the sizing, but it could not fit any better.

Thank you so much again for your time, effort and courtesies throughout this process. You two have been an absolute joy to work with, and it is amazing to me that there are still people in this world who operate their business practice under the assumption of trust. I think that alone speaks volumes to the type of people you are, and my only wish was that there were more people in this world like you. Lindsey and I will certainly keep in touch, and I hope you do the same as well. We wish you nothing but the best in the future, and hope life brings you many joys. Thank you again and I will be in touch."

Then another wonderful email came to us in June.

"I just wanted to write you to say hello and share some feedback regarding the beautiful ring that you and David made for me. Lindsey and I had our marriage celebration the past two weekends in Baltimore and Milwaukee and it was the first time we have seen many of our family and friends in quite a while. Everyone that saw my ring were blown away at how beautiful and unique the ring was; they had no idea that such an idea for a wedding band even existed. After telling the story of how they are individually hand-crafted only added to peoples’ amazement. They raved about the artistic quality and thought it was such a neat story. I too continue to gaze at it with the same amount of excitement and astonishment every time I put it on. Anyways, I just thought I would pass along the extremely positive feedback that I have received the past couple weeks regarding the work that you and David both do."

 Our new friends with the beautiful smiles; Happily Married 

"Timothy, when people like you and Lindsay come into our lives and share yourselves with us, it enriches our lives tremendously!  David really enjoyed making your ring and felt a strong connection to you through the making.  It`s been an absolute joy talking with you  from your very first email Timothy.  We wish you and Lindsay good health and happiness and decades of dreams coming true!" 

Quiet reminders

 

~ David and Rebecca ~

Rebecca and I began our conversations back in January of 2013. 

She and her beloved; David expressed an interest in commissioning a pair of wedding rings and asked about our schedule. Their wedding was set for the first weekend in July and they were writing from Indiana. They had some initial ideas involving juniper heartwood and possibly an inlay in one of the rings.

After a few months of most enjoyable correspondence, in April of 2013 (my) David created Rebecca and David's wedding rings.  Rebecca had decided on a single spiraled inlay of Myrtle wood.  For his ring; David was envisioning an irregular knot on Juniper heartwood.

On May 15th we received this email from Rebecca and David.

"We are so delighted to tell you that we received the rings today! Here they are resting up on the instrument shelf.

We have tried them on and we are so so so pleased. They are so elegant and really more beautiful than we could have imagined. 

Now I can't wait to send you images from the big day! We also like the clever folder that you sent them in. We are considering including a "ring warming" in our wedding ceremony, in which the rings are passed among the guest to absorb well-wishes, and this might actually be a perfect way to pass them too.

Thank you for everything, and we will be in touch!"

We had another great email from Rebecca and David in early October 2013 along with some lovely photographs.  (Photo Credit www.photoisforlovers.com)

Rebecca writes:  "We had a beautiful and moving ceremony in July, and the rings were at the center of it! We did the ring warming as I mentioned before, using your card to pass them (secured with a little twine, see below). Here is the text we wrote for that part of the ceremony (read by my aunt and uncle who graciously opened the proceedings):

 

"Later in this ceremony, Rebecca and David will exchange rings. But before they do, we ask that you, their community, take part by blessing the symbols they will wear. As you receive the rings, wish Rebecca and David happiness and a meaningful life together, then pass them on. [Begins passing] David and Rebecca’s rings are made from juniper heartwood. Juniper is known for its remarkable longevity and ability to thrive in challenging places. From today forward, those rings will act as constant, quiet reminders of their love and commitment, and of your hope and support."

Thank you and David for making these things of beauty that we now get to have in our lives every day!"

In May (2014) Rebecca contacted us about sending her ring back  for some TLC and a refinishing after a bit of a mishap  ~ sometimes a ring needs attention sooner than later and we are always happy to help!  

Here's a pic of Becca's refinished ring and she writes:

"Received the ring yesterday. It looks beautiful, as I had no doubt it would!"