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Custom Leafy Design Ring with Dew Drops – Another Variation on a Theme.

This Custom Leafy Design Ring at Walker Goldsmiths is a variation on a theme of the Custom designed Diamond Dew Drop Rings we’ve been making at Walker Goldsmiths.

Wax Carving of Karen’s Leafy Ring

A dear Friend has been after me to make her a ring for years and we’re finally gettin’ to it! She’s been collecting and going through her old jewelry collection of broken and tired jewelry and ready for a transformation. Another challenge has been to choose a design to live with for years to come. She has a varied collection of diamonds from old family pieces and a handful of precious metal. At Walker Goldsmiths we can and will buy, trade or recycle any precious metal; Sterling, any color Gold or Platinum.

We’re at the wax carving stage of this Leafy Custom Ring and working out the bugs of the final design. Stay tuned for the exciting results!

Variations on a Celtic Knot – Custom Celtic Wedding Rings Revisited

Written by Janet Walker · 2 Comments

A young couple who have determined to make their relationship permanent contacted Walker Goldsmiths with old family gold in hand wanting Custom Wedding Rings. They had a vague idea of what they wanted and after a couple of brainpickin’ sessions we firmed it all up into two gorgeous two-colored gold Custom Celtic Wedding Ring designs. We called this “Variations on a Celtic Knot”.

Celtic Love Knots and Claddagh Custom Wedding Rings

Dan was the most traditional of the couple who chose Celtic Eternal love Knots surrounding a Claddagh in 14kt white Gold, a 5 pt. diamond in the center with two thin bands of red gold on either side of the center ring. Jenica had a harder time determining what she wanted to have for a wedding ring and was worried about too big of a ring; she wanted a dainty look. She was used to minimal jewelry but did have a lovely ring that she liked so we took off from there and created something similar in shape. Jenica got in the swing of designing a ring after Dan had made up his mind about the two color gold. She was happy about the 25 pt. diamond that Dan’s Mother had donated to the venture. The result was a two color white and red gold ring with the 25pt.diamond bezel set in the center of an engraved sunburst with a red gold Love Knot on either side.

Claddagh

The Claddagh is two hands holding a crowned heart representing “you are holding my heart” or “you are the queen or king of my heart”. The joining hands, heart and crown represent a perpetual bond of friendship, love and loyalty.

The Triskelion or Celtic Love Knot has been used in Celtic culture for many centuries to represent infinity and eternity. It is a knot with no end and nothing can be more infinite and eternal than love. The diamonds also represent unchanging love. The latin name for diamond is Adamantine, meaning unchangeable. We have been honored to have been a part of this process of symbolizing human emotion into metal and stone…Thank you Jenica and Dan.

Owen Walker setting Jenica’s 25pt diamond

The Octopus Story told in a hand carved sterling silver bracelet by Owen Walker

Written by Owen Walker · 2 Comments

This is a classic Haida story illustrated in a Hand Carved Sterling Silver Octopus Bracelet by Owen Walker that carries a message about how we humans are meant to interact with our fellow creatures here on the Earth. In Chinook Jargon it would start “Hiyu lally ankutie” Which in English means something like “Once upon a time”. There was a beautiful woman from the Raven side of the village who took a canoe and went to dig roots. She was gone for such a long time that her people went to look for her and found only her empty canoe floating between some islands across from the village.

Hand carved Sterling Silver profile Octopus bracelet D42

The Village shaman or spirit doctor had seen this woman while doing his magic, and told the Raven people that she was alive and living in the Octopus village under the sea, which news eased their sorrow somewhat. While playing on the beach some children found a baby octopus swimming along the ebb tide, looking for a place to hide himself. Unknown to the children this octopus was their cousin who had come to visit the night before when he had transformed himself into his human form to visit his grandparents, but they did not recognize him and therefore paid no attention to him. The children playing on the beach began poking the octopus with long sticks, forgetting what they had been taught about harming living things, they tried to flip him up onto the beach. He finally escaped back into the water and swam home to the octopus village. His mother was the missing Raven woman.

The Octopus people were very upset at how their baby had been treated by the people and decided they must have revenge or payment. The Spirit doctor had a vision of what was to happen and warned the Raven people what the Octopus people were planning, so the Raven people were able to seal their house and be ready for an attack. The Octopus people came at night and tried to cover Brown Bear House and suffocate the Raven People within, but they were not able to seal the whole house and by morning they gave up and went back to the sea. To commemorate these events and to make peace with the Octopus people the Raven chief called a great potlatch and invited the Octopus people, where they honored the Raven woman and her son the Octopus prince. Thus peace was established, the naughty children were punished and the balance of the world was restored. This is a Pacific Northwest Coast Haida story.

One Octopus(D42) is shown in profile, which means you only see one side of her face. I do another Octopus design(D82) that shows her face straight on so you see both eyes, I designed that bracelet on the request of some Tlingit folks from Juneau, I’m not sure if it is their family crest or they just wanted a face-on Octopus. Since I have known this story for many years I like to think that the profile Octopus (D42) is the young prince and the face on Octopus (D82) is the Raven woman transformed into her Octopus form.

Hand carved Sterling Silver face on Octopus bracelet D82

East meets West in “Our Story” Custom Wedding Rings

Written by Janet Walker · 1 Comment

Cherry Blossoms and Salmon ring with 5pt Diamond

Here’s the finished product of “Our Story” Custom Wedding Rings, Cherry Blossoms and Salmon, made by Walker Goldsmiths. If you’ve followed our posts about this Custom Ring you know that this couple is wanting rings that celebrate both of their cultures. She is Japanese and he is born and raised Canadian, so the Cherry Blossoms are for her and the Salmon is for him. By the way, he is a Chef in Whistler, BC, Canada, so the Salmon is really appropriate for him.

We’re hoping these sweet Cherry Blossoms and the Salmon not only herald in their new relationship but give new life to their commitment to each other. Thank you Stefan and Taeko for allowing us to be a part of this exciting commitment! By the way, we love these rings!!

These rings have been cast in Sterling Silver with 14kt Pink Gold Cherry blossoms, 7mm wide and comfort fit, with a 5pt. diamond in her ring. Designed and carved by Janet, cast and set by Owen in our Walker Goldsmiths Studio.

View of the Salmon and Cherry Blossoms on Sterling and Rose Gold Rings

“Our Story” Custom Wedding Bands – Cherry Blossoms and Salmon

Written by Janet Walker · Leave a Comment

Salmon & Cherry Blossom Ring Wax carved by Janet Walker

At Walker Goldsmiths we’re having a fun time designing and creating “Our Story” Custom Wedding Bands for couples that want something different and special to their particular relationship. This one, Cherry Blossoms and Salmon is really fun! While talking to my Northwest Indian neighbors about the season, getting news of what’s happening on “the harvest front”, noticing the Fishermen putting their Gillnet boats in the water and the Crab fishermen coming in with big totes of crab, we talked of events that herald harvests. We live on the Lummi Reservation near the Ferry dock to Lummi Island right close to the fishing adventure. We have wild Pin Cherries that grow all along the Nooksack River mouth and Beach plums that all come into bloom at the same time and the profusion of blossoms is terrific and beautiful.

My good friend, Melonie, reminded me of an event; the Cherry blossoms bursting into bloom is the herald of the first run of Silver Salmon in our area! Of course! The Salmon is the life giving fish to the people of the Northwest. When I designed this ring I thought of the relationship this couple has together. “Native art and culture is part of growing up in British Columbia, Canada, so I feel a connection to home through it. My girl friend is Japanese and I was born and raised in BC where we live now, I would like something that involves cherry blossoms which bloom in April (her birth month) and Salmon which for me represent a connection to home.”

These rings will be cast in Sterling Silver with 14kt Pink Gold Cherry blossoms, 7mm wide and comfort fit. Designed by Janet Walker and made in our Walker Goldsmiths Studio.

Janet Walker Carving Salmon & Cherry Blossom Ring

My Garden was Blessed – Eagle Ring

Written by Janet Walker · Leave a Comment

Walker Goldsmiths Cast Eagle Ring 303 front view

This design # 303 Eagle Ring from Walker Goldsmiths is a substantial carving; 16mm wide, 7mm high, and very 3-D, tapering to a 7mm squared shank. Hollowed underside and squared shank create a well-balanced, comfortable ring.

Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by Eagles. Of course they are our national bird, but they were pretty rare when I was little because of the use of DDT. Now that chemical has been restricted and we’re seeing so many more birds surviving, especially Eagles. Where I live I can see a half dozen or more Eagle nests within a 5 mile area and the skies and beaches scattered with Eagles most all of the year. We’re talking Bald Eagles here, but occasionally we see the Golden Eagle too. It is very awesome to be so close to them and watch their mating, nesting and rearing their young.

I was out weeding my garden early this spring when I came upon a bit of Eagle down clinging to a flower! I was struck with the beauty of this bit of fluff and felt very blessed. The Eagles are flying over and around all the time, cavorting in the air, and I pictured this bit of fluff coming down especially for me. Among the American Indians in S E Alaska, Canada and my Salish area of Washington Eagle down is the symbol of peace and is used to sanctify the beginnings of a ceremony. Was it sanctifying my garden? Was it blessing my efforts to grow food and beautiful flowers? I’ve noticed that all the names of Eagle seem to reflect the magnificence of Eagle; Soaring Eagle, Brave Eagle, Dancing Eagle. Of course, my favorite is Wise Grandmother Eagle!

Photo of Walker Goldsmiths Cast Sterling Eagle Ring

Walker Goldsmiths Lost Wax Cast Sterling Eagle Ring #303

This time it’s a Custom Dew Drop Wedding Ring Set

Written by Janet Walker · 2 Comments

Photo of 14kt Yellow Gold Dew Drop Wedding Ring Set

14kt Dew Drop Wedding Ring Set

Walker Goldsmiths first custom Dew Drop Wedding Ring was seen by a couple who fell in love with the design and wondered if their collection of melee diamonds might stretch to fit in a similar leafy patterned ring. We counted up their diamonds, talked about sizes and widths, the color and karat of gold desired and then went ahead designing and carving the wax for both rings. Amanda and Kellin both came to us with melee diamonds and gold and silver from family jewelry that they wanted to use in their rings. One of the fun parts for us is to hear the history of the jewelry that they were either reusing or trading to us for the work. The melee diamonds were to be taken out of some gold service pins given by an uncle since deceased, who worked and retired from the old Douglas Aircraft Company, so his love for his niece lives on. There were Gold rings from parents and other family members gifted to put into their rings and some Sterling Silver pieces that we purchased. These rings were definitely a family affair filled with love, history and best wishes for this young couple on a wonderful new adventure. We are proud to have been a part of it. Walker Goldsmiths love to recycle family jewelry! Thank you, Amanda and Kellin!

The Epitome of a Wild Spirit in a Sterling Silver Wolf Ring

Written by Janet Walker · Leave a Comment

Photo of 5 Sterling Silver Wolf rings made by Walker Goldsmiths

My Wolf Pack Sterling Silver rings made by Walker Goldsmiths

May I introduce you to my little “Wolf Pack”? We’ve had quite a few requests for Wolf Rings at Walker Goldsmiths lately and I think they look very elegant together as a “Pack”! I like dogs generally, so to carve a Wolf was a fun adventure for me. Wolves are the largest members of the dog family. I’ve never personally had a wolf as a pet but there are those that do and they have Wolf as their personal totem. There are so many tales, stories, facts and fables throughout history of the Wolf and these legendary stories come from all over the world.

packo’wolves

Wolves are legendary because of their beautiful singing howl, which they use to communicate. A lone wolf howls to attract the attention of his pack, while communal howls may send territorial messages from one pack to another. Though they almost never attack humans, wolves are considered one of the animal world’s most fearsome natural hunters. They are friendly, social and highly intelligent. Wolves live and hunt in packs of around six to ten animals. They are known to roam large distances, perhaps 12 miles (20 kilometers) in a single day. Wolf packs are established according to a strict hierarchy, with a dominant male at the top and his mate not far behind. Usually this Alpha male and female are the only animals of the pack to breed. The sense of family is strong with wolves. All of a pack’s adults help to care for young pups by bringing them food and watching them while others hunt. Owen and I had a fun conversation this morning about his memories of wolves in Alaska that he tells in his Wolf Bracelet blog.

My little Wolf Rings are actually very large rings. These are Sterling Silver, very 3 dimensional carvings, and well balanced for comfortable wearing. They are 14mm wide and 9mm high at the top, tapering down to a 5mm shank bottom. We can make them from a size 7 at $175 and $195 at size 14 and up. Just shoot Walker Goldsmiths a message and we’ll make you one if you’re feeling like the true spirit of the free wilderness!

Lovebirds Wedding Rings at Walker Goldsmiths

Written by Janet Walker · 4 Comments

Walker-Goldsmiths-Cast-Sterling-Lovebirds-Band-Ring-#308-Fullfrontview

Walker Goldsmiths Lost Wax Cast Sterling Lovebirds Band #308, full front view

Sterling Silver Lovebirds Wedding Bands

It seems that this year we’ve made more Sterling Silver Wedding Bands at Walker Goldsmiths than ever before. Folks still want to get married even when they’re “challenged” for cash. Our Lovebirds Wedding Bands can provide what they’re looking for; Sterling Silver, heavy duty, durable, attractive, romantic and reasonably priced.

The original design was carved in wax by Janet Walker then cast in Sterling and molded by Owen Walker. The Lovebirds Band Ring is somewhat hollowed on the underside, 7mm wide all around with plenty of room on the backside to accommodate sizing.

In Alaska the Tlingit and Haida people have two clans, Eagle and Raven. Eagles traditionally marry Ravens and Ravens marry Eagles. This ingenious and healthy tradition is a good insurance of a strong bloodline to carry on the family. An item of value with both a Raven and Eagle design may be given as a love token to someone of the opposite clan, therefore it is called a Lovebirds token. Our Lovebirds Band Ring fits right in this category! Raven is represented on one side and Eagle on the opposite side of the Sterling Band. Available in Sizes 6 to 14 for $175 and any size over 14 is $195.

We also cast this Lovebirds Ring in 14kt Yellow or White Gold upon request. Email us for prices on these custom rings. We had a customer for the gold rings who had been to Alaska and British Columbia in his youth and became fascinated with NW Coast Art. He began collecting prints and carvings and when a new romance came into his life he needed a NW Coast design ring to celebrate this new love. He chose to have Walker Goldsmiths cast the Lovebirds in 14kt White Gold and we’re honored that he did!

Here is more about the Lovebirds Story.

Walker Goldsmiths’ Custom “Our Story Ring” …Done

Written by Janet Walker · Leave a Comment

14kt White Gold Our Story Wedding Ring

Walker Goldsmiths has had so much fun designing and creating this Custom 14kt White Gold Wedding Ring. Janet designed and carved the wax that tells the story of the life this special couple has lived and will continue to create. Their “Story” is carved all around the Wedding Ring. Then Owen lost-wax cast the ring into 14kt White Gold and set a beautiful cabochon Sunstone into the center of the ring. The 4 mm cabochon Sunstone is set to represent the setting sun. This ring is 8mm wide, 2mm thick and comfort fit inside the band. The mountains, the surf, the dunes and the sunset all depicted on this surfer ring is their life. And the most fun story of all is that they’re eloping to Las Vegas!!! They flew in from England and Walker Goldsmiths mailed the ring to the hotel. So, in this case what happens in Vegas lasts forever and travels the world having fun!