Monday, July 28, 2014

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!"






Saturday, June 21, 2014

Exactly what I was looking for ...


In mid January we had an email from Wesley.  He was due to be married on the first of May and was on the search for the perfect wood ring. 
Wesley wrote " First off let me say I've ordered a couple of different wooden rings already from other companies and thus far haven't received anything close to what I ordered. After communicating with them and talking about different types of wood and colors etc., none of them have come back like what I asked for, so hopefully we can figure out something and have a ring that actually reflects what I would like to wear everyday. I have looked on your website and have to first off compliment you for your amazing rings, they all look great. What I am looking for is something simple. Just one wood in a single band, no stones or inlays or anything. Basically what I am looking for is a wood that shows lots of wood grain and possibly has a knot in it, and that has a brownish reddish tint to it."

Wesley and I worked out all the details together and sent lots of photo examples back and forth ... David created Wesley's ring in February and after Wesley had it in hand, this is what he wrote. 

"Hey guys, the ring came in, it looks great! That is exactly what I was looking for, the color, the grain, couldn't be better. You guys nailed it. Thank you so much. I appreciate it a lot. We both love it.   Wesley and Mary Susan "   


That note sure made David and I happy!!  
As Patricia; another client recently wrote, "The two of you have the best job in the world I think. Making people's dreams come true." and we couldn't agree with her more. 


Thanks so much Wesley for coming to us to help you create the ring you envisioned.  It has been our pleasure and we wish you and Mary Susan tremendous happiness in the days and years to come.