The stories behind the inspiration of the piece are often adventures in which I can live vicariously, or tales of love and romance where I'm hands-down on board, or personal mementos of strength and virtue.
Elaine, who found me in a breath of graceful openness, beautiful and charismatic and easy to be-friend, found herself in need of a piece that connected her to her inner strength and power of visualization. She had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and commissioned me to create a ring to remind her of her own healing capabilities.
Elaine and I spent several weeks looking for the perfect stone that would inspire the course of healing she intends for herself. She was looking for a pale pink stone, suitably sized for her finger, that would represent the mixing of bright red and angry blood cells that are being softened and diluted with happy and healthy white cells. After some searching, we found a beautiful rhodochrosite that fit the bill perfectly.
Once we found the stone, I got to work on the design options. Knowing also that Elaine was looking for a band or shank that has some visual interest, I knew that I also had to give the band some great thought, and so after several days I came up with three different design options from which to choose.
Both Elaine and her husband loved option 3 (which I also loved!) which, to me, represented the DNA and also the ladder upon which she will climb as she learns to deal with and stay strong against her disease. The ring was ready to be made in sterling silver.
The Process
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| The first stages of the ring (and others, too!). |
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| Bezel is ready to be soldered to a back plate, band is complete and ready for forming. |
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| Bezel complete, band formed and ready to be put together. |
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| Ring is oxidized and ready for finishing. |
It is always and honor and a joy to help someone manifest their ideas into physical form. This ring was so much fun, from beginning to end, and I'm so grateful to have opportunities like this. Elaine, I wish you much healing and pleasure from this ring--that it finds you in your moments of needing strength. Your story is now part of mine, and I am in your journey with you.
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