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



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



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.

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.

Materials - Deer Antler

Deer Antler
Antler
Color: White to Creamy White, Bone Color
Strength: Very Strong
Notes:  Deer Antler makes a great material for turning.  The strength of the Antler holds up well for pens, keychains, and rings.  The size of the Antler gives it limitations on size however.  

The thicker the Antler, the more pores it will have in the center.  This can give pens a very interesting texture, or place for Inlay.

Examples:

Deer Antler Keychain w/ Turquoise Inlay
and Chrome Hardware




Custom Order Wedding Set Ready to Ship

I Just recently completed this Matching Wedding Set. 

A couple from Washington State Contacted me to commision a set of rings out of Cherry Wood with Lapis Lazuli Inlay.  Cherry has a Great Significance to her Fiance, and the contrast with Lapis is just amazing.

Custom Order Ring Out the Door

Just getting around to posting this, since my Blog is so new. 

This ring was Custom Ordered as a Christmas Present. 

Completed and shipped by Oct 25, 2010.  The original request came after seeing my Cherry Ring with Lapis Lazuli Inlay.  The customer wanted a light color wood with Lapis Lazuli.  While looking through

Materials - Osage Orange Wood

Osage Orange
Light Wood
Color: Yellow w/ Brown Endgrain
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes:  Will turn brown when exposed to Sunlight

Examples:

Osage Orange w/ Dark Wood Inlay

Osage Orange w/ Copper Veneer and
Dark Wood Edges

Osage Orange Slimine w/ Brass Hardware

Materials - Maple Wood

Maple
Light Wood
Color: Cream
Strength: Strong and Durable
Mythical Qualities: Maple is the tree of offering, giving of one's self so that other may benefit.
Notes: Plain grain, great base for Inlay

Examples:

Maple w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Maple w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay



Materials - Cherry Wood

Cherry
Light Wood
Color: Ranges from Cream to light Red.
Strength: Strong and Durable
Mythical Qualities: Cherry teaches us the lessons of clearing the pain of the heart and relating to others in a compassionate manner.  Cherry is the tree of the heart.
Notes: Endgrain darkens quicker.

Examples:



Cherry w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay



Cherry w/ Cocobolo Inserts



Materials - Holly Wood

Holly
Light Wood
Color: Light Cream Color or white
Strength: Soft Wood, and dents easy

Examples:

Holly Wood w/ Dark Wood Inlay

Holly Wood w/ Copper Inlay