Humpback Whale Wedding Rings are Story Rings

 

photo of Humpback Whale rings

Humpback Whale Weddings Rings

These Humpback Whale Wedding Rings are Barbara and John’s Story Rings.  They depict the gorgeous Humpback Whale shooting to the ocean surface then splashing back down into the water.  The island mountain views are there with palm trees and waves rippling on the sea.  14 kt yellow gold was the metal of choice.  John and Barb had some old gold that they wanted to Recycle and we were eager to make this possible for them.  I’ve got to say how much fun I had meeting these folks, carving and lost wax casting these rings, and hearing their stories of their winters on Maui where they have friends and beautiful experiences. Barbara told us, “We love our rings! We go to Maui and stay in Kihei. I volunteer with the NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary. I am a docent at the visitor center, aquarium and on a whale watch boat. Best volunteer job ever. Five or six days a week I paddle with the Kihei Canoe Club from Sugar Beach at sunrise. By the beginning of January two or three whale moms usually give birth in the area where we paddle. It’s fairly shallow there so they are less likely to have trouble with sharks or amorous male whales approaching from below. We are often close to each other. Pretty special.”

November through May is when thousands of North Pacific Humpback whales grace Hawaiian waters during their annual winter migration. At a whopping 25 to 40 tons, Pacific Humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world and make a huge splash when they breach and splash back down. A very exciting thing to see!  North Pacific Humpback whales travel over 3,500 miles from Alaska to Hawaii every year to mate and give birth, breaching and nursing their young in South Maui coastal areas.  One reason this was so much fun for us is that Owen sees these same whales at the other end of their journey when they are feeding in the rich cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Many of the mothers are still nursing their babies and we see the same exuberant behaviors, breaching, pectoral fin slapping, and feeding activity.

Barb and John experience this wondrous life adventure that has been a big part of their fun together.  Thanks, Barb and John, for giving Walker Goldsmiths the opportunity to make these 14 kt yellow gold Humpback Whale Wedding Rings for you and vicariously experience the fun you have together with the Humpbacks.

Janet carving the Humpback Whale ring out of wax.

Janet carving the Humpback Whale Ring out of wax

 

 

 

 

Trade Beads with Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw with Trade Beads

Scrimshaw with Trade Beads

Trade Beads with Scrimshaw by Walker Goldsmiths is dear to my Scrimshaw loving heart.  Many years ago when we were first starting in this jewelry business I would create Scrimshaw pieces on Ivory that Owen would set in silver or gold. The best material to scrim on is fossil mastodon or fossil walrus tusk ivory and these are legal.  I still have a very few pieces leftover from those days.  When I came upon this Scrimshaw bracelet signed by Willie Topkok I researched him determined to use it somehow in a trade bead necklace and found that he is a wonderful artist in many Inupiaq traditional techniques.  What is Scrimshaw?  It really is one of the most important truly American folk arts.  It originated with whalers in the 1600’s using their spare time and whale teeth and bones to etch upon with sharp tools, then blackening the surface so the etching shows up well.  It started out with primarily a nautical focus, but was used to portray and decorate anything made of Ivory or bone.

Willie Topkok is an established Inupiaq artist, who scrimshaws beautifully. He has a unique style that really appeals to me. When I found a bracelet that had segments showing scenes from Inupiaq life I just had to share and use the scenes scrimshawed on Fossil Walrus Tusk Ivory with Fossil Walrus Bone and Trade Beads: Blue Russians, Venetian and Czech Cobalts.  This one featured here is a beautifully done Scrimshaw scene of a Sea Lion on an ice flow.

The 2 large Cobalt beads are Bohemian faceted beads from the early 1800’s.  The beautiful Blue Russians just had to be incorporated in this necklace for historical reasons.  The Russians used these cobalt hand faceted beads as payment to the natives on the Alaska coast for Sea Otter pelts in the 1600’s.  The natives used them on their attire and further traded them to other people for goods.  They were and still are in high demand.  Of course, using Fossil Walrus Bone and Ivory was a must along with the beautiful colors of ancient Ice Age Mastodon Ivory beads.  Czech Cobalts are gorgeous and always used well to space and protect the other beads.

Fossil Walrus Ivory Scrimshaw by Willie Topkok, Fossilized Walrus Bone, Trade Beads: Mastodon Ivory beads, Blue Russians, Venetian and Czech Cobalts.

Trade Beads with Scrimshaw

Trade Beads with Scrimshaw

Crazy ’bout them Reds Trade Bead Necklace

Crazy 'bout them Reds - Trade Beads

Crazy ’bout them Reds – Trade Beads

 

Crazy ’bout them Reds – Trade Bead Necklace by Janet Walker at Walker Goldsmiths is a show stopper.  I’ve been making this stunner for a couple of years now and it never fails to please.  Something about those Reds, alright!  Guaranteed to cheer up anyone, especially welcome on a cloudy day, and a great addition to a work-a-day wardrobe.

These Antique Trade Beads all date to pre-1850’s.  The little red Czechs are newer but the main beauties are steeped in history.  The two Pressed Venetian Monochromes are ancient red glass beads made with the earliest technique for shaping glass beads; a pretty direct technique of pressing hot glass in a metal mold that requires a pin pressed down in the center to create the hole.  The beads are knocked out of the mold then tumbled and shaken to break off any spurs.  You can see the edges are rough and that indicates early mold techniques.  Sometimes the beads are tumbled with high heat to “polish” them and that takes off some of the roughness, but the edges do indicate their age.

Lots of opaque Red Padres in this necklace too.  The colors of red, white and sky blue were the most desirable of the glass Padre beads offered by Traders to the SW American Natives.  I can understand that because of their solid beauty.  They are all individually made by winding hot glass around a wire.  This technique really gives them all a one-of-a-kind appearance if you look closely.  I really like Padres because of the technique which makes them seem to have a soul.  The makers of festival clothing and jewelry knew that these Padres would bring elegance to their creations.

The name of those striped red and white glass beads is Dutch Gooseberries, really!  They’re originally made in Amsterdam from the 1400’s on in colors of pale greenish yellow, reds and blues all with the white added stripes.  If you’ve ever seen a real Gooseberry they do have a series of stripes all around them, are pretty translucent in the pale colors, but as they ripen from whitish green to red to blue you may see the resemblance.  I know it’s a stretch!

The largest Cranberry colored glass beads are called just that, Cranberries.  They’re interesting because not only are they very old, dating back to the 1500’s, but they were made when red glass was colored with Gold Chloride by the Venetians.  It turned out to be so expensive to do it that way that they started coating other colors like green or white glass with a thin coat of red to keep the cost down and be more saleable.  The faceted red glass beads are Venetian made also.

The birth of the Hudson’s Bay White Hearts come in here.  These are the red glass beads with the white interiors that were in such demand by the North American Natives and the African tribes.  These beads were made in so many sizes; from teeny seed size to very large, from cranberry color to bright red.  There’s also some beautiful Red Coral beads in this necklace and a couple of ancient Venetian Red Pressed Glass beads.

Crazy ‘Bout Them Reds, Trade Bead Necklace by Janet Walker.  $250  Earrings to match available also.

TB540 Crazy 'bout them Reds

TB540 Crazy ’bout them Reds

 

 

Two Paths Custom 14kt White Gold Ring

Two Paths 14kt White Gold Ring

Two Paths 14kt White Gold Ring

 

Donna saw the Two Paths Ring here on our website and got in contact with us at Walker Goldsmiths to make one similar for her.  She had been looking at it for sometime and finally decided to just do it for herself.  Always a good decision for us girls!

We talked about what metal to make it out of; what is most wearable, if there are any allergy concerns, what color is most suitable to her, as she wanted to wear it all the time.  14kt White Gold was the metal of choice and we went ahead carving the wax then to casting and finishing.  The Two Paths ring turned out beautiful.

Curious what this ring, the idea of Two Paths, meant to Donna, I asked and she told me; “I chose this ring as a representation of my life.  Two paths… one being life prior to falling ill and the other learning to live within my limits now.  I’ve always been strong willed and try to stay positive regardless what curve-ball life tends to throw at me.  I came across this ring on one of my “tough days” and it just spoke to me with its durability (strength) & symbolism (faith in my journey) that I knew it was for me.”

This is a beautiful story that I needed to hear!  Walker Goldsmiths is especially grateful for the opportunity to be a part of providing Donna with this symbol of her determination and strong spirit.  It was very personally touching to me.  Thank you, Donna, for this lovely Two Paths Ring project.

 

Custom Surfer Story Ring with a Doberman

Custom Surf Ring with Doberman Pup

Custom Surf Ring with Doberman Pup

This Custom Surfer Ring with a Doberman by Walker Goldsmiths is a personalized variation of our Surfer Rings.  We are having a lot of fun designing Surfer Rings and meeting people who love the sea and being on and around it.  That’s basically us!  Owen and I don’t surf but many of our kids do and we understand the emotional appeal and pull of the sea.  Living on the Pacific NW Coast we have spent many a year on fishing boats and enjoying water sports whether it’s salt or fresh water.  It’s always been a whole family experience and we know that puppy dogs are part of families.

Danielle got in contact with us asking for a Surfer Story Ring with palm trees and crashing roller waves and their Dobie puppy dog featured on it. No problem! She specified, “I am looking to have the Dobie cropped and docked (pointy ears and short tail).”  This was to be an anniversary surprise for her husband so she had to be sneaky and send us pictures of their pup so I could get a good idea of his shape to carve on the ring.  I carved it out and sent pictures to Danielle as we went along so she could approve before we went to casting.  Owen lost wax cast it and finished it to perfection.  The fact that it was cast in Sterling Silver allowed us to oxidize it so the 3-D carving is obvious and perfect for this very personal ring.  The appeal of Story rings is the ability to portray a personal view that you want to remember or celebrate.

It’s fun for Walker Goldsmiths to be involved in surprises like this, a real perk of the job!  Thank you, Danielle, for letting us do this Custom Surfer Story Ring with a Doberman for your Sweetheart.

Danielle's Dobie

Danielle’s Dobie

Custom Pounamu Wedding Ring

David's Pounamu

David’s Pounamu

When Leslie got in contact with us at Walker Goldsmiths to create a Custom Pounamu Wedding Ring for her fiance’ we were excited to create something different than we usually get to make. Leslie told us, “I knew from the beginning that I wanted a very special ring for David to match what an amazing person he is. David had met the Walkers while serving a mission in Washington State, so having them make his wedding band would be meaningful to him because it would be made with love.”

David is part Maori from New Zealand and the Pounamu was the symbol that Leslie wanted for David as he had given one to her. A Pounamu is a spiral wave “Koru” symbol said to have derived from the unfurling fern frond seen on New Zealand’s silver ferns. The spiral Koru depicts new beginnings, new life, growth and harmony, also the promise of a meaningful relationship. Korus and spirals are found in the art of many cultures around the world and each of these cultures understands their significance and meaning differently. Leslie and David come from two different cultures and Leslie said, “It was very fitting because in each other we had found someone who brought new life to our souls.”

Leslie said she wanted to incorporate his Maori heritage and wanting something unique and special said, “I decided on the twist, representing the bonding of two lives together for eternity, and a journey of life, love, and friendship. It also signified the joining of two cultures or tribes, and of connection with the spiritual world… I knew that it was what I wanted for David; where he came from and who he is. It represented his pounamu- a symbol of being bound forever- and was especially significant because we were being sealed in the House of the Lord for eternity. We decided on a gold triangle inlay in the ring because it represents the marriage covenant that David and I made; a covenant between three people- David, myself, and God, then as we grow closer to God we would grow closer together as husband and wife.”

This is a wonderful Story Ring with so much meaning!  I carved the wax, checking with Leslie all along the way. We wanted to get it exactly right.  Owen lost wax cast it in 14kt white gold and inlaid the 14kt yellow gold triangle in the ring. Leslie was very smart and sent us a bunch of old jewelry to recycle to go towards the cost; important as they start out together on this new adventure.

Thank you, Leslie and David Campbell, for letting Walker Goldsmiths have a part in creating this special Custom Pounamu Wedding Ring. The meaning, history, story, future and the design are all exceptionally beautiful!

Pounamu, Pikorua infinity symbol

Pounamu, infinity symbol

Rainy Day Blues Trade Beads

Rainy Day Blues Trade Beads

Rainy Day Blues Trade Beads

Rainy Day Blues Trade Bead Necklace and Earring Set by Walker Goldsmiths is always  fun to wear.  These shades of blue Trade Beads are bright and sparkly. They are always attractive, kind of Bohemian yet historical and semi formal.  Their history is fascinating.  The center focus bead is an 1800’s Bavarian Cobalt hand faceted by Bavarian Cottage families.  More than 200 yrs ago or earlier a family of glass workers made or bought the rough glass tubes beads, cut them into beads then hand ground the facets and polished the individual beads for resale to traders.

The glass technicians lay face down on a bench and pressed the beads onto a stone grinding wheel, with water running over the stone to keep the dust down they rotated the beads individually to create the facets on the beads. These early glass faceted beads would have been used in the African Trade and North American Fur Trade market, and can still be found today for sale by Bead Traders.  The bright Cobalt Czechs are spacers to protect the antique beads.

The sky blue Padres have a different and unique history too.  Padre beads are wound, opaque, light blue glass beads originally from Venice.  Also reproduced in China and so many other places because their production technique is relatively simple.  The Fur Trapper site gives wonderful info for further study.      “Through Spanish and Russian traders, Padre beads spread rapidly into the Southwest and Northwest.  In 1778, English explorer Captain James Cook made several references to the effect it was difficult to obtain supplies and furs from the Pacific Coast Indians without this particular blue bead.  Padre beads were made in a variety of colors but blue and white were the most sought after by the Northwest Indians”.  The name “Padres” come from the use by Jesuit priests who rewarded natives for memorizing prayers and scriptures with these beads as payment.

Rainy Day Blues Trade Bead Necklace and Earring Set by Walker Goldsmiths.               

Priced at $ 275, free S&H in the US.

Czech_Glass_Cottage_Industry_1845

Czech Glass Cottage Industry 1845

 

 

 

Grandmother’s Diamond Solitaire Saved by Recycling

Leigh Ann's Solitaire

Leigh Ann’s Solitaire

Grandmother’s Diamond Solitaire Ring was the result of Walker Goldsmiths working with Leigh Ann who wanted to recreate a family heirloom.  Leigh Ann sent us her grandmother’s 14kt white gold filigree ring to see if we could fix it and replace the diamond.  Sadly we had to tell her that it was so far beyond repair that it was impossible to do as she was hoping.

We did have a suggestion that could possibly work; take the gold of the antique ring, carve a wax of a ring she would like and cast grandma’s gold into the new custom ring.  Recycling was the answer.  Leigh Ann like this idea.  We talked a bit and she found a ring on our website that appealed to her, so I went ahead carving a wax and Owen shopped for a .50 ct diamond to put into the ring.

After lost wax casting the ring in 14kt white gold, Owen handcarved filigree-like patterns on the gold.  He then provided a 6 prong Platinum crown for the .50 ct. diamond.  Platinum crowns just don’t wear out and they almost never have to be retipped.  They are at least a 100 times more durable than white gold. The end result was perfect.  Now Leigh Ann had a family heirloom with memories, yet a new, strong, Grandmother’s Diamond Solitaire Ring to last for decades and to continue to be an heirloom.

Thank you for hunting Walker Goldsmiths down, Leigh Ann.  It was a pleasure making this for you!

Trade Beads …Salish Sea with White Caps

Trade Beads ...Salish Sea with White Caps

Trade Beads …Salish Sea with White Caps

 

Trade Beads …Salish Sea with White Caps, Necklace and Earrings set was a joy to make here at Walker Goldsmiths.  Creating this trade bead necklace design had me remembering my childhood chasing around in little speedboats on the Salish Sea.

I grew up on the Tulalip Reservation in Port Susan north of Everett, WA, in the pacific northwest US, and we kids spent a lot of time on the water.  We also spent a lot of our summer time doing chores and odd jobs just to buy gas for our little motors so we could zip around with our friends coming and going to the best clam beds, collecting crabs from the crab traps we set, and fishing for anything that would bite our bait.  Snooping around all the ins and outs of the bay, hanging out around and under the docks and keeping an eye out for any lost flotsam and jetsam that comes and goes with the tides every day was always interesting.  With all this preoccupation with our destinations we had to always keep an eye out for the changes in the tides and especially what the winds and the water were up to.  Little ripples could change to mighty waves in the blink of an eye and a little “chop” could turn into “white caps” just as fast.  Some choppy sea could be very much fun to run our little boats with, but we had to be watchful.

These beautiful antique Russian Blue, individually hand faceted Trade Beads, circa 1700’s and possibly earlier, represent the Salish Sea.  I always put Czech Cobalt glass beads on with the Russians to protect them and facilitate a lovely grace and flow of the necklace.  The Venetian Chevron “Stripers” reminded me of the “white caps” rolling and bouncing along the tops of the waves. The little German pressed glass spacers and the faceted Copper beads I just had to put in to represent the sunshine glinting off the waves on a beautiful sunny July day. Ah, Summertime!

Trade Beads ...Salish Sea with White Caps Earrings

Trade Beads …Salish Sea with White Caps Earrings

Trade Beads …Salish Sea with White Caps, Necklace and Earrings set by Walker Goldsmiths is priced at $275.  S&H free in the USA.

A Mariner’s Ring for a Diver

Armando in "Full Gear"

Armando in Full Gear

 

Angie came to Walker Goldsmiths wanting to repair her Wedding Ring, but most importantly she wanted to surprise her fisherman husband with a remarkable compass design Mariner’s Ring as an Anniversary Gift.  We really love these kids so it was exceptional fun to do this.  It was all to be a surprise, kind of!  Armando had seen a previous post of a compass ring for a mariner and commented to his wife that he really liked it.  She had a marquise diamond in a ring that she wanted to recycle into a ring for her husband, so we were happy to help her out.

I carved the wax then Owen lost wax cast it in Sterling Silver and set the marquise diamond with the spike ends pointing north and south.  It turned out great.  Angie was able to surprise him and we were all excited!

Armando is a professional crab fisherman who also dives for geoducs (pronounced gooey ducks, don’t ask me why!) and sea urchins off the Northwest Coast and around the San Juan Islands here in Puget Sound, Washington state.  It’s called the Salish Sea these days because the native Salish tribes live and fish all around these shores.  Armando is a Lummi fisherman and a wonderful friend to our family.

Thank you, Angie, for letting Walker Goldsmiths be a part of the surprise Mariner’s Ring for a Diver.

Armando's Mariner Ring

Armando’s Mariner Ring