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."

Over in the meadow . . .

 

 Listen.  There's a ringing in the woods

 Rings of wood with inlaid shell 

Rings of heartwood, walnut, maple...

 

 Spruce and Pine and Fir gone golden in the setting sun

Touch Wood Rings 

November days

The Oak Tree and their Wooden Rings

I received an email from a woman yesterday, an initial inquiry.  Toward the end of her email she wrote "I think what ya'll do is wonderful.  I bet you are both blessed with gratitude from your customers."  She couldn't be more right.  We are tremendously blessed with gratitude.  And we are so very grateful.  Thank you. 
 
We're grateful to Kitt and Joseph. . .
Joseph designed and commissioned an engagement ring for the light of his life this past summer.  He was so great to work with, and now we have the pleasure of talking with Kitt too as she and Joseph design their wedding bands. 

Of her Touch Wood Engagement ring Kitt wrote; "Dear Nicola and David, I've never seen a piece of jewelry so perfect, delicate, rich and gorgeous. The warmth of the oak is breathtaking, and the turquoise inlay truly sparkles- especially in the sun. 

It's absolutely me, you and Joseph captured my style/spirit precisely. The inscription was such a sweet surprise. Everyday I'm stunned by how beautiful my ring is. It feels wonderful to wear, so light I barely even notice it's there. Thank you again and again! David truly has a wonderful gift and we're so grateful to share it. To have such a gorgeous, earth friendly ring means the world to me.   We can't recommend David's work enough"

Kitt and Joseph's engagement photos 
by Tami Mellisa Photography

Kitt was saying that she and Joseph recently visited their ceremony site and  the huge oak tree that stands there. Their visit was fortuitously right after some windy weather and before the ground maintenance folks had cleaned up.  

The old oak tree offered up 3 perfect branches from which to craft their wedding bands.  

So romantic and symbolic ... that a sliver of a branch of the majestic oak tree that will be witness to the proceedings will be woven into the rings that Kitt and Joseph  exchange at their wedding ceremony this coming May.  I can almost hear the sounds of rustling leaves and song birds in conversation . . .