Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Love Notes and Wooden Rings



I thought I would share a threesome of loving notes written to us recently by three couples who each designed and commissioned Touch Wood Rings as their wedding rings. We are, as ever, grateful and humbled.  It is, as always; our pleasure.  Thanks you guys!!

Our Touch Wood Rings!  We are absolutely in love with them!  They turned out even better than we imagined.   You have been so wonderful and have made this process so fun and enjoyable ...a big thank you to you and David! 




We are speechless.  I had seen some remarkable rings on your website but nothing really prepared me to see something that Matthew and I brainstormed together with little bits of taped-up-paper, (I kid you not, we made little paper rings and drew on the inlays with pens at different widths and options) ...to what we see now!  These rings are absolutely stunning, I cannot congratulate you and David enough for an excellent job!  

Touch Wood Rings
 
We couldn't be happier!  They are so breathtakingly gorgeous and we LOVE the hidden knots inside the rings.  Thank you so much for creating such a unique symbol for us to share with one another as we take the next step in our lives.  

I stumbled upon your website more than a couple of years ago and shared it with Adam with the hopes that one day he and I would get engaged and have the opportunity to be one of your satisfied customers with rings of our own. I am so happy that I can say that we are definitely satisfied with the craftsmanship, quality and ease of working with you.

Thank you so much! 

Quality and Craftsmanship


Sunday, March 24, 2013

In honour of trees

 "Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." 
Leonardo da Vinci 


One couples Juniper Heartwood Rings lovingly crafted
from a pruned branch of this treasured old tree that grows at the 
edge of David's brothers orchard in the Similkameen Valley of BC.

 
In honour of Trees. 
With thanks to their branches. 

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do
not only in lightning storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking. Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting

a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade - surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.
From:  Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver
(David's mother introduced me to this writer some time ago; thanks Mum!) 


 Touch Wood Rings.  
 Where the spirit of every branch is honoured.  
Where no tree goes unsung.

 David and I are away from home for a while longer.  We are visiting the orchard where we get much of our lovely fruit wood and the aforementioned juniper heartwood.  Visiting family too of course, as well as our favourite trees. We're also getting some appointments with medical specialists looked after ... that kind of thing. It's spring down here in the Okanagan and Similkameen ~ still blustery and cold some days but the daffodils are above ground and the predominant colours are green and brown instead of white.
Talk to you soon again and as always, thanks for dropping by.
 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Touch Wood Rings and the balance of things



Every day we receive emails from people all over the world. Old friends and new Every day I am touched and humbled by the loving, caring people who take the time to write to us, (complete strangers at the outset) to inquire about a Touch Wood Ring and to tell us about themselves, their lives and loves.  They share their stories with David and I and they put their trust in us.  It is a humbling thing. 

Yesterday at just before noon we received an email from someone who wrote a long and delightful letter....  I'd like to share what he wrote in the opening remarks of his email ...

 "I have admired your rings for years (like 7 years!) and have always wanted a wood wedding ring. Your rings in particular are simply gorgeous. I know a couple people who have had them made from you and they love them. Congratulations on establishing a socially responsible, green, and loving business model! I really admire people that figure out that balance in work and life." 

Rosewood Ring with inlays of Live Oak and Sugar Maple
 A 2013 Touch Wood Ring 
Rosewood Ring with inlays of Live Oak and Sugar Maple
 
I won't share any more of this fellow's email.  He is planning a surprise for the love of his life. I just wanted to say thank you.  To you dear man, and to every other person who writes to us trusting that we will treat you with love and respect.  We will.  We won't always be quick to reply (it's a labour intensive lifestyle living remote and off the grid, cooking on a wood stove and providing all our own services ) but we are always grateful for your letters and delighted to hear from you.  With love.

 

'Namaste' seems the only suitable sign off to this post.  And Thank You.