Materials - Aluminum

Aluminum
Inlay
Color: Silver
Strength: Hard
Notes: Aluminum is very nice to work with.  It can give a range of looks from satin brushed look, to a highly reflective polished look.

Examples:



Katalox Ring w/ Aluminum Inlay



More Green to go along with Spring...

With all of the flowers popping up and everything turning green, I just couldn't help using this Jade to make another set of rings.  It also helps that Jade is one of my wife's favorite stones.  I decided to pair it with one of my favorite woods, Bethlehem Olive Wood (BOW).

BOW is a wood that is harvested from Olive Trees growing in Bethlehem Israel.  No trees are harmed when harvesting this material.  All the wood that is harvested are from un-productive branches or prunings to make the main tree more productive.

All my items made from BOW will come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

 Details:

Bethlehem Olive Wood

Centered Crushed Jade Inlay

Standard Width (6mm)

Size US 8

Materials - Hematite

Hematite
Inlay
Color: Black
Strength: Medium Hardness
Notes: Hematite is a metal is stone form.  It will take on a high polish.

Examples:



Lacewood Ring w/ Hematite Inlay



Materials - Jade

Jade
Inlay
Color: Light Green to Dark Green
Strength: Medium Hardness
Notes: Jade is wonderful to work with, and has an amazing range of Greens.
Examples:



Teak Ring w/ Jade Inlay



Going Green...

Or at least for the Inlay on this ring. 

Recently I had a custom order for a Teak Wooden Ring with Crushed Jade.  I have always loved the look of Jade, but have never had any to use.   I found that Jade can be an expensive material to purchase in rough quanities.

While looking for some Jade to use for this ring, I ran across a store in Columbia Mo called The Bead Gallery.  They are located on Walnut Street in the District.  The Bead Gallery specializes in high quality beads and findings.  The quality and selection is amazing.  And when they say the bead is a certain precious stone, you are getting that stone and not a cheaper stone that has been dyed to look like something else. 

Jade is a very nice stone to work with.  It shapes and polishes nicely.  And the color range of greens makes for some great contrast.  I am looking forward to using this Jade with many other woods.

Now for the ring details:

Teak Wood Ring with Crushed Jade Inlay

Size US 13.5

Standard Width

Spalted Persimmon Wedding Set

Just finished and photographed a new Custom Order Wedding Set.  I made this set by layering Spalted Persimmon between layers of Walnut.  The Spalting gives the Persimmon some very wild black streaks running through the grain. 

Spalted Persimmon with Walnut Edges

I love the look of this wood.  However it is very limited supply.  This Persimmon was taken from a tree removed at my Mom's house. 

Wine Cork Inlay...

As most of your know, I love to find new materials to use for Inlay.  The other day while looking through my supplies, I found some Bottle Stopper Cork.  My mind instantly started working up a way to use it for inlay.

I choose a piece of Claro Walnut Burl.  The dark color of the Walnut contrast well with this base color of the Cork.  After finishing, the Cork, has a stronger surface so that it does not scratch as easy.  It does make the ring very light.

After finishing this ring I thought how it would make a great gift for Wine Lovers.   I know that many wine connoisseurs collect the corks from their favorite wines.  If provided with one of these corks, I could turn it into a custom ring with great meaning for the wearer.

Claro Walnut with Wine Cork Inlay



If you have any ideas that you would like to see me turn into an Inlay, please let me know.

Materials - Cork

Cork
Inlay
Color: Light Tan
Strength: Soft
Notes: Cork is very soft, but finishes nicely.  It works nicely as an inlay material, and gives very random paterns with great interest.  This would make a great gift for Wine Lovers.  If you provide me with a cork from your favorite wine, you can keep it close to you at all times.

Examples:



Claro Walnut Ring w/ Cork Inlay



Now Offering Bulk Orders...

I was digging through some pictures of my turnings, and came across a few large orders that I have completed, in the past. Finding these pictures gave me the idea of offering Bulk Orders for pens and keychains.

If you will allow me to use the wood that I have on hand, and order a minimum qty, then I can offer you a deeply discounted price. This is a great way to offer a unique handcrafted gift, for your office, church, client or other event. My Pens and Key Chains can be customized with your name or logo for an extra fee.

All pieces will be made from Random Hardwoods, and may vary in shape, color, or style. At the current prices I have set, you can choose between 24k Gold or Chrome Plated Slimline Pens or Key Chains.  If you would prefer all Light or Dark woods, I may be able to accomodate the request.

As with all my other custom order items, I would be willing to quote you a discounted bulk order pricing, for a particular wood or style.  Please let me know what you are looking for.

Links to order:

Slimline Pen Bulk Order

Key Chain Bulk Order

Techie Humor even for the non-Techs...

Though I work with wood my day job is in the IT field.  This is a great video for all those Techie's out there, and will even appeal to the non techies.

Wood Artisan Wedding Fair Collection

My Cherry Wood with Birdseye Maple Wedding set was recently featured in a new Artfire Collection.  Thank you perhapsturquoise

wood Artisan Wedd...

  Curated By: perhapsturquo...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

April's Blessings

I have finally gotten my wife to agree to start selling some of our designs.  She has been making Crocheted Animals, Blankets, and Dog Toys, for years.  She also enjoys making Beaded Necklaces and Jewelry.  Most of these have gone to friends and family as presents.  Now she has decided to offer her blessings to the rest of the world.

Please take a look at her site, and let us know what you think.  I am still working on getting pictures and descriptions up, so check back often for new items.  You can also follow her on facebook for more information.

As a teaser, here is one of the Animals she made for our son a few years ago.  His name is Nestor Lochland.

http://aprilsblessings.artfire.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aprils-Blessings/137479573629

Something Blue...Artfire Collection

Just wanted to send out a thank you to ASpecialDayDesigns, for including my Cherry Wood Wedding Set with Lapis Lazuli Inlay, in a new Collection.  The Collection is called "Something Blue...Artfire Wedding"

Going along with this collection is an upcoming event for all those who are getting married, or just thinking about your dream wedding.  If this describes you, or someone you know then please checkout the Artisan Wedding Fair on Artfire! Jan 17th thru Jan 31st.  There are over 60 shops that are ready and waiting to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Before the big event in January, you can checkout the Artisan Wedding Fair Blog for Invaluable information to help you through your big day.  Please be sure to Follow the blog so that you can recieve the most up-to-date information for the Wedding Fair.

Something Blue......

  Curated By: ASpecialDayDe...

ArtFire.com

Unique Gifts

Merry Christmas to all...

Had a great Christmas with Family...  At this time of year we like to remember the reason for the season.  That Jesus Christ was born into this world.  However we must also remember the reason that He came, to die for our sins.

Mystery Wood Heading to Fiji...

Recently I was contacted by a couple wanting a Wedding Set.  They were planning on eloping to Fiji over Christmas.  They were wanting to go as non-traditional as possible, so they decided on a set of wooden rings.

After some discussion they agreed on a design that they liked.  I happened to have a couple pieces of mystery wood that I thought would contrast well, and come close to the design sent.

I started with a Dark Wood Base, and used a Lighter Contrasting Veneer. The grain was set running across the ring, instead of around the ring.  It makes it appear that there are many small pieces of wood placed around the ring.

Please feel free to comment below, and let me know what you think.

Padauk Ring and Necklace Set

One of my friends recently requested a matching set to include a Necklace and Ring. These were to be made out of Padauk Wood with Lapis Lazuli Inlay.

The color of the Padauk is just amazing, and it gives the Lapis a darker tint, that pops very well.  The pictures do not do this set justice.

Padauk Wood Ring with Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Padauk Wood Pendant with Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Time for a Collection...

One of my clocks was recently featured in a new Artfire.com Collection, curated by bluejane.  Please take a look at the other great artists featured in this Collection.

Fine Craft And Wo...

Curated By: bluejane

ArtFire.com

Unique Gifts

Turn back Time....

Today I am reaching back to some earlier turnings that I have done.  Several years ago, I decided to try and make a clock for my wife, while she was out of town.  I had receieved a piece of Walnut Root, that had some beautiful grain pattern.  As a contrasting wood for the number markers, I decided on Bethlehem Olive Wood (BOW).   BOW has an amazing Grain Pattern as well.  It also has a great significance since it is harvested from Olive trees just outside of Jerusalem.



Walnut Root Clock w/ Bethlehem Olive Wood Inlay



The clock I made at that time is approximatly 12" in diameter, and 1" thick.  This clock spurred my imagination, and I have since made other clocks.  They do take more time to make than my rings, but I hope to start working on more designs to build up a stock to sell.

More Examples after the break...

Artisan Wedding Fair: Planning A Wedding?

Artisan Wedding Fair: Planning A Wedding?:
"We can help!
The Artisans of Artfire are planning a two week + Wedding Fair....with everything from centerpieces to garters to comfortable clothing for your big day!
The Dates of the Fair are Jan 17th thru Jan 31st.
We are going to be spending the next few weeks getting our shops ready to give you lots of choices for your Wedding Day. "

For more information, and some great wedding tips, please checkout our Fair Blog at artisianweddingfair.blogspot.com

Materials - Katalox

Katalox Wood
Dark Wood
Color: Purple/Black color with a creamy/golden sapwood
Strength: Strong
Notes: Katalox, or Mexican Royal Ebony, is a dense Central American hardwood. It is listed in several USDA publications as a suitable substitute for African Gabon Ebony in stringed instruments. The dark purple/black color accents well with the creamy/golden sapwood to create contrast that can be well utilized for a unique look in your projects.

Examples:

Katalox Wood w/ Mother of Pearl Inlay