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

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.

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

A Mother of a Ring...

This ring I finished recently as a present for my MIL.  This is the first time I have used Katalox, and the finish is just wonderful.  It has the texture and finish of Ebony.  Paired with the Katalox, is Mother of Pearl Shell.  Together they make a great piece.

Katalox Wood Ring with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Amber for Amber...

Recently a customer contacted me to see about having a couple of rings made with Amber as an Inlay material.  I had not worked with Amber before, but after some research I found that Amber is very soft on the MOHS scale.  Making it very nice for inlay and finishing.

I tracked down some Baltic Amber and placed an order.  The Amber I received ranged in color from a Dark Honey Red to a creamy yellow.

Originally the customer wanted a dark wood to go with it.

New Design Element...

Recently I had a customer approach me about a design element she would like.  This element simulates the look of having a stone setting in the ring.  Similar to an Engagement Ring.  On this ring I made a standard Centered Groove for Inlay, but then made one area that was rounded out to form a bulge.  After inlaying the Stone and finishing, it appears that there is a Stone setting as a focal point. 

This design could be used with contrasting colors, or could possibly be done with a small gemstone or diamond.  I will be playing with this design, to develop it.

Now on to the ring...

It is made from Honduras Rosewood with Crushed Turquoise Inlay and a Simulated Stone setting out of Crushed Turquoise.

Walnut Wood Ring with Abalone Shell Inlay

I just love how this Abalone Shell looks when paired with a Dark Color Wood.  After picking up this Walnut to go with it, I decided to do a more domed shape for the ring.  I am very pleased with the results, and love how the Abalone flashes in the light.

Father Son Project

The other night my 10 year old son was wanting to learn to do some Woodturning.  I asked him what he would like to make.  He decided that he want to make a ring.  So he dug through the pile of new wood, and choose this piece of Lacewood that had some cool grain pattern.  And for an Inlay he choose Lapis Lazuli (Like Mother - Like Son).

The only parts that I helped him with were getting the inner diameter right so that it was sure to fit him, and the final polish.

I am so very proud of him.  He did a great job on this ring, and WILL be helping me out more in the future.

So without further ado, here it is:

Teak Wood w/ Copper Inlay Wedding Ring Set

This Teak Wood Wedding Ring Set was one of the first sets I made after we moved into our new house.  My wife and I needed an updated set of Rings, and I was wanting to try out a new design idea.

We ended up with the set you see here.  It is Teak Wood with a Copper Wire Inlayed and turned flat to match the contour of the ring.