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Ravens and Thor’s Hammer combined on a Custom Engagement Ring

Sterling Silver Double Raven Custom Engagement Ring with 1 ct. Black Diamond

Sterling Silver Double Raven Engagement Ring with 1 ct. Black Diamond

Walker Goldsmiths was contacted this spring by a young man with a wonderful Custom Engagement Ring idea. His sweetheart is a lovely Nordic lady and he wanted to surprise her with a Custom Engagement Ring that would “blow her out of the water”! They had a trip to Norway planned and his idea was to present the ring to her on the trip. So we excitedly rose to the occasion and got to work! Owen kept saying “Krumi”, and I asked “What?” He said, “It’s Icelandic and means Raven in Old Norse!” He’s fun that way!

Mike is a Professional Musician in the Portland, OR, area with the heavy metal band, UADA. Lynsay, his sweetheart, is a gorgeous modern day Nordic beauty. Mike asked me, “Lynsay is fascinated by Black Diamonds and could we find a beautiful one?” So we pulled out all the stops and found a beautiful, round full cut, 1 Carat Black Diamond. He had been searching our website, www.walkergoldsmiths.com, and found the selfsizer Lovebirds Ring that he liked, but wondered if we could create something using a Black diamond and a double Raven motif. We loved the idea and we had to hurry because it was to be all done for their trip to Norway, Lynsay’s ancestral home. The Custom Double Raven Ring was to be made in Sterling Silver and the crown for the 1 ct. Diamond was to be 14kt White Gold. Diamonds were set in the eyes of the Ravens and a Thor’s Hammer carved into the wax on the wings. This was a Lost Wax process, one of a kind Custom Engagement Ring, a Northwest Coast/Celtic blend special for Lynsay.

Lynsay emailed me a lovely story of Michael’s surprise proposal, “My ancestors were from Norway and I’ve spent my life obsessed with the folklore and culture. The proposal couldn’t have been more magical…we were on a boat ride through a fjord in Norway, when the announcement came over the loudspeaker that we would be stopping beneath a waterfall… Mike and I stood next to the waterfall, and he took my hand, slipped the ring onto my finger, and said “Will you marry me?” Of course, I said yes!

Very romantic marriage proposal under a waterfall in Norway

Marriage proposal under the waterfall in Norway

I love everything about it- the Odin’s ravens (I’m constantly petting their beaks), the tiny Thor’s hammers, the black diamond, the white diamond eyes, the shading…it’s just perfect! “

Lynsay said Yes!! Custom Black Diamond Raven Engagement Ring

This Custom Engagement Ring was very much fun to make for these sweet kids. Thank you, Michael Beck for this challenge. I have Nordic blood also through my Scottish Clan Gunn so it was extra special for me.Walker Goldsmiths can’t relate well to heavy metal rock music but we can make Custom Engagement Rings that Rock!

Custom Wedding Rings that reflect your paths in life together

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Sterling Silver and Freshwater Mussel Shell Wedding Rings

Custom Freshwater Mussel Shell Wedding Rings

Walker Goldsmiths were visited by a sweet couple who wanted to have Custom Wedding Rings made that reflect their current paths in life together. Melissa and Ken are graduating with Doctorates in Conservation Biology and are “in love with each other and river mussel shell! Slogging up and down river beds doing research for classes introduced them to the beauty of these mollusks” ! Wondering if it was a possibility, they brought some collected mussel shell with them and wanted them inlaid into their Custom Wedding Rings. Owen rose to the occasion and confessed our love for River Mussel Shell and brought out his collection. It was a case of “I’ll show you mine, if you’ll show me yours”! When Owen and I were falling in love we trekked the Pack River area in North Idaho and found wonderful, beautiful lavender mussel shell that we brought back home and enjoy looking at now and then. Ken and Melissa had never seen this color in a mussel shell before as their research was basically the Mississippi River areas where the white with a slight pink is predominant.

Lavender Pack River Mussel Shell with Beaver Chewed Stick

They were smitten by the Lavender Mother of Pearl Mussel Shell and said, “please, can we use that instead of the white that we brought?” Owen said, “No problem, we would love to use it.” These Lavender Mussel Shells from the Pack River were a very lucrative trade item for the Pend de’ O’Reille Indians in pre-history and later, because of their unique color. They were fashioned into earrings and ornaments for dance regalia and worn and traded all over the great plains and plateau of North America. There is some controversy about how the Pend de’ O’Reille Indians got their name which means “Hangs from Ears” from the French Fur Traders. Were they named after the lake which is sort of a shape of an ear or was it because they were all wearing Mussel Shell Earrings? It’s a poor trader who doesn’t wear his own goods!

Kalispel Girl with Pack River Mussel Shell Earrings – Edward Curtis photo

Melissa and Ken described there dream rings with words like; earthy, watery, texture on the sides, not too high, tapering for comfort, and well balanced. So away I went carving the waxes, which Owen lost wax cast in Sterling Silver, and set the mussel shell into the rings. This was a lot of fun and Melissa emailed Walker Goldsmiths saying, “These are beautiful! We love them, thanks a ton!” Thanks a ton to you kids also for the opportunity to do this fun job for you. We love these Custom Wedding Rings and Freshwater Mussel Shell.

Choose the Right Custom CTR Ring

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Sterling Silver Custon designed CTR Ring

Custom CTR Ring

Beth came to see us some time ago and wanted something special; a Custom CTR Ring, for her sweet daughter, Madison. It’s a “can do!” for Walker Goldsmiths.

Madison is a musically talented girl who loves horses and takes after her Grandmother with her musical abilities. She’s now growing into a beautiful young woman, active in her LDS Church. One of the motto’s for young people taught by the church is CTR, Choose The Right, used as a physical reminder to do just that.

“Choose the right” is a saying or motto among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that is taught to children and used by members of the church. A ring with the letters “CTR” on it is often worn by members of the LDS Church as a reminder of the “Choose the Right” motto, and as a symbol of their religious affiliation. The motto traditionally is inside of a shield and is a patented design, but we can transform the design how anyone wants and still use the letters CTR on a custom ring. Madison’s mother wanted her to have a “Special Custom CTR Ring” and she knew we could provide a Custom CTR Ring.

We decided that a horseshoe surrounding the emblem, CTR, with musical notes on each side of the emblem would be just right. I carved the wax and they both approved it via email and then Owen lost wax cast it in Sterling Silver using the original wax carving to make a one of a kind Custom CTR Ring.

Madison’s Custom CTR and Musical Notes Sterling Ring

The Custom Ring really turned out nice, substantial, attractive, yet simple and to the point, reflecting the direction that this beautiful young woman wants in her life. Thank you, Beth, for the opportunity to let Walker Goldsmiths make this signature Custom CTR Ring for Madison. She’s definitely on the right track!!

Cowgirls love their “Bling” Custom Engagement Rings

Written by Janet Walker · 14 Comments

A few months ago Taylor came out to see us at Walker Goldsmiths with the desire to get a Custom Engagement Ring for his sweetheart, Ashley. I teased him, “So you’re finally going to grow up? And he said, “Yep, Ashley’s the one”.

White Gold Horseshoe Nail Engagement Ring

Ashley’s White Gold and Diamonds Horseshoe Nail Engagement Ring

We’ve known Taylor for quite a few years now and had met Ashley at his folk’s house for dinner. The first time I met Ashley they had just returned from a horse buying adventure in eastern Washington and when she walked in with her spurs jingling I knew I was going to like this girl! So when Taylor showed up at our Walker Goldsmiths Studio with horseshoe nails I wasn’t a bit surprised. He wanted something special and particular to her personality and their relationship. They had been talking about what she might like and had some ideas.

Taylor brought me horseshoe nails

I loved the idea of the horseshoe nail shape and Taylor and Ashley wanted it in white gold. Taylor is a good money manager and hard worker and the thought of a huge expense for a diamond ring was daunting to him, not something he was comfortable with since he was taking on a new adventure as “the family man”. Ashley has a darling 8 yr. old son, Adlai. Plus they have ranching as their goal. This is where Momma Nancy comes into the story. Nancy is my good friend, a wise momma, and knows that we can do some magic for her son. Nancy talked to Taylor and counseled him about the value of giving his beloved what she wants and deserves; to be mindful of who she is and what he wants to celebrate.

Ashley’s Horseshoe Nail Engagement Ring

So Taylor comes out to see us again and tells me, “Cowgirls love their Bling! Let’s go for it.” We were mindful of their newlywed expenses, and getting them the best bang for their buck. Owen loves this challenge and went searching for the biggest, the best and the most reasonable priced diamonds while I carved and designed a horseshoe nail ring. What fun! We lost wax cast the ring and set the stones and “Wow” did we like it.

White Gold Horseshoe Nail Wedding set with diamonds

Ashley loved it and wanted a white gold form fitted band to snug around the edge for a Wedding Ring. Sometimes her practical Cowgirl life wouldn’t accommodate the total “Bling” so a band would be good for those times. Taylor liked the idea of Sterling ropes on a white gold band to go along with their theme for his Wedding Ring. The Sterling Silver will oxidize over time and show up nice against the textured White Gold.

White Gold and Sterling Rope Wedding Ring

And “Bling” it is! It totally fits this Beautiful Cowgirl and her handsome Cowboy. Thanks, Taylor and Ashley, for letting Walker Goldsmiths be a part of this wild adventure. We love making Custom Wedding Rings, especially the ones with such incredible personality and challenge. Love you kids!

Raven Steals the Sun Amber Trade Bead Necklace is always a favorite

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AmberTrade Bead Necklace Raven Steals the Sun

Raven Steals the Sun, AmberTrade Bead Necklace 473

I love making Bead Trade Necklaces and this one, Raven Steals the Sun, Amber Trade Bead Necklace, TB473, is right up there on Walker Goldsmiths favorites list. This 20 inch necklace is ALL Amber except for a few inches of small glass beads and the black lip shell button clasp and of course, our lost wax cast Potlatch Collection Sterling Raven wearing his Dancing Blanket. The wily Raven lost wax cast Sterling Pendant, 1 inch x 1/2 inch, by Walker Goldsmiths is depicted with a Chilkat Dance Robe on and he is stylin’! He’s ready to dance the magical dance. He’s full of supernatural power as only Raven can be. The wooing, the tricks, the teasing, the fun are all his specialties. He was the Bringer of Light to the Indians of Alaska. Is this a path for you? Do you enjoy organizing your reality and are you a bit of a prankster wanting a good laugh? If so, then Raven is just right for you.

The Amber in this Raven Steals the Sun, Amber Trade Bead Necklace is all Baltic Amber and typically full of many variations in color. I love to mix the chips, chunks, and different size round beads together for an eye treat. Amber is light weight, warm, comfortable and easy to care for.

What is Baltic Amber? Wikipedia says, “Amber is any natural resin which oozed its way out of a tree and eventually fossilized at any time from recent times back to 300 million years ago. It has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty ever since stone age times and much valued from Antiquity to the present as a gemstone.” Amber is generally yellow or yellow brown and translucent, and it is pretty when polished. In its fresh form, resin has been known to collect insects or leaves in its sticky clutches, preserving them in visually perfect splendor for thousands of years. I have a wonderful big hunk of Amber that my dad bought for me from a street vendor when he was on a trip to Poland and I was pleased to find with a magnifying glass that it has a mosquito inside of it!

3 x 2 inch Big Hunk of Amber from Poland

3 x 2 inch Big Hunk of Baltic Amber bought at a street market in Poland by my Dad

Why do I call Amber a Trade Bead? Archeologists have found that Amber has been used since the stone age, from about 13,000 years ago. Beginning long before the Roman Empire controlled all the known Amber trading routes through the Mediterranean. These routes became known as “The Amber Road”, which crossed Europe from Prussia to the Adriatic. Baltic amber was involved in this long distant trade throughout Europe and Asia perhaps beginning about 13,000 BC. I’m crazy about these stories and research of trade routes and trade goods.

There’s also the observed evidence that Amber relieves pain. It has a substance in it called succinic acid. “Succinic acid is a natural pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and a central nervous system calmer. It is so effective on babies and small children because it simultaneously eases their pain while also having a strong soothing effect on their nervous system – all with zero side effects!”. My grandchildren all have them. This also may have been one of the reasons for its desirability and value. Maybe you’ve seen these on some teething babies.

Given all the incredible history, wonderful adventure and beauty of Amber it’s fun to know that I can enjoy it and make beautiful jewelry out of it today like my “Raven Steals the Sun”, Amber Trade Bead Necklace – TB473. Matching Earrings on request. Walker Goldsmiths will sell this TB473 design necklace, of course, no two pieces of Amber are exactly alike, for $435.00.

Here’s another bunch of Amber information; http://activeartist.net/on-the-trade-routes-part-2-with-amber/ Another page of Amber necklace photos and a fun story; http://activeartist.net/raven-revealed-trade-bead-necklace/

Custom Engagement Ring for a Fisherman’s Sweetheart

Written by Janet Walker · 4 Comments

Rubys and melee diamonds in Custom Engagement Ring

Custom Engagement Ring made including mothers recycled gold, Rubys and melee diamonds.

One of Walker Goldsmiths customers from a while back came to see us about a Custom Engagement Ring for his Sweetheart. Nate had bought a bracelet for his sweetheart from Owen Walker a year ago, so this young man was no stranger to us. He had been trying to get out to see us, but his current employment as an Engineer on a Fish Buyer boat had been keeping him extremely busy. There’s always a huge amount of work to be done on the boats before heading north for the fishing season. The Buyer boat that Nate is the Engineer for is owned by a good friend of ours, Mark Mackiewics, in fact, our son also worked for him in his younger years and had wonderful experiences working for “Mac” on his previous boat, the DANCER on the Alaska coast. The Buyer boat that Nate is on now is Mac’s newest boat, the STEELHEAD.

The Salmon Industry on the Pacific NW Coast, in this case Alaska, is time sensitive with the schools of fish coming in to the spawning rivers and then the catch season has legal time issues for fishing. It’s all a quirky balance of luck, expertise and preparation. The fishermen catch nets full of Salmon (hopefully!) on the sea and the Buyer boats come to them to get the fish and transport them to the cannery and market buyers so the fishermen can continue to fish when the season is on. It’s about saving them valuable time because the season is so limited. The folks in this industry are often gone from their families for the whole season living on the boats.

Nate was trying not to be nervous as he told us about his Sweetheart, Lindsie, and his time issues. The Buyer boat had to be ready and out of the harbor here in Bellingham, WA and on the way up to Alaska by a certain date to get there on time for the “opening” and he wanted to be engaged to Lindsie with a Custom Engagement Ring on her finger before he left the harbor! He’d be gone to Alaska a big part of the fishing season with Lindsie working here in Whatcom Co. while he was gone. I loved it! So very cute and romantic. I teased him, “Oh, I see. You don’t want Lindsie snatched up by some other guy while you’re gone!”, and he said, “yah”.

And of course, we wanted to help out all we could. Lindsie’s mother had passed away leaving a ring to her daughter, but Lindsie wanted a unique ring of her own that incorporated the gold and some of the stones from that ring. Her work with Watershed Restoration for the Nooksack Tribe involves slipping in and out of rubber gloves and she needed a ring that allowed this to be easy; no high set stones in crowns, no snaggy design and yes to a heavier balanced bottom shank. This we were able to do. The whole process went so lovely and smoothly that I felt like “Mom” was over my shoulder helping us along. I carved a wax that Nate approved, Owen lost wax cast it in the Recycled 14kt. yellow gold from the original ring then we set the center stone in a tube crown, 2 Marquis Rubys and melee diamonds. The result is a beautiful Custom Engagement Ring by Walker Goldsmiths and “Mom”.

Thanks, kids, we love this job!!

Recycled gold, diamonds and Rubys in a Custom Engagement Ring

Custom Engagement Ring for Fisherman’s Sweetheart

All stones set smoothly in low set crowns for ease of everyday work on this custom engagement ring.

Low set stones and tube crown make for a smooth profile on custom engagement ring

Custom Wedding Band Surfer Ring – Replacement

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Brandon’s replacement Custom Surfer Wedding Ring

Brandon got a hold of Walker Goldsmiths singing the blues, “I lost my previous wedding ring two weeks ago while swimming in the Pacific Ocean – I still can’t believe it. My ring was engraved with ocean waves- symbolizing the Oregon Coast where I met my wife.”

I told him there would be no problem as “Story Rings” and “Surfer Rings” are such fun to make for folks. So this would be a Custom Wedding Band Replacement. Things happen to jewelry in this life and we’re here to help fix the problem. We definitely knew that his previous ring was too big and we could fix that right up. I emailed him right back, “So sorry to hear about your ring loss 🙁 I hate losing jewelry!!! ) I’ve always said that “jewelry is an emotional issue” and it’s so true. So let’s make a new ring for you that embodies lovely “stories” of you and your sweetheart. We’d love to do this!”

He got to thinking and emailed me with, “I would also like to incorporate a Chinook salmon – I really like the Native American “Salish” style salmon seen in your pendant #401 – the Chinook symbolizes one of our first dates when I took my wife salmon fishing and it’s also one of my hobbies. I would also like to incorporate a mountain –symbolizing where I proposed to my wife on Saddle Mountain (Oregon Coast Range). These are the three “must have” elements I would like to have in the ring. But, if there is room for additional elements, fire could be added to the design. The summer I met my wife we were both firefighters for the U.S. Forest Service, helping to protect the Pacific Northwest from wildfires. Another feature that would represent our lives is Douglas-fir – the state tree of Oregon. The tree represents our home state and our passion for the outdoors. It also represents my profession as a forester. Does this design sound feasible?”

I picked myself up off the floor and had a good laugh thinking about fitting ALL THAT STORY on an 8mm wide ring! Then told him, “OK, Size 10. 8mm wide, Sterling Silver. Motifs; Saddle Back Mt., Salish Salmon, Douglas Fir Tree, Surf Waves, Fire.” And got to work! I drew up a couple of designs and Brandon made some choices and suggestions. We came to a design that we both liked and I started carving it in wax. I sent him photos along the way and when he gave the final OK Owen Walker lost wax cast it in Tarnish Resistant Sterling Silver. I oxidized it specifically to enhance the scenes and it looks great.

It really was a lot of fun for us at Walker Goldsmiths. This Surfer Story Ring turned out wonderful and Brandon’s wife is happy again now that her sweetie has his Custom Surfer Wedding Ring. Thanks for the opportunity, Brandon. Surfs Up!

Custom Mountains on Fire Story Ring

Saddle Mt. on Story Wedding Ring

A Custom Infinity Pendant from Recycled Family Jewelry

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Recycled family jewelry in Infinity white gold pendant with diamonds

Custom White Gold Infinity Pendant with Marquis Diamonds

When Shanon and Matt came to visit family Shanon brought her wedding rings that Matt had given her. Since Walker Goldsmiths is part of her family (!) we enjoyed their visit and got to talking about jewelry, of course. Shanon wanted to recycle her rings into another design. See our post about “Shanon’s Custom Art Deco Wedding Ring”. After designing her NEW ring, there were those 3 lonely diamonds leftover from the Re-do. No fun having extra diamonds sitting around in a drawer, let’s design a pendant! We studied that and talked about it and a design came up that she liked. Her decision was to have a pendant made using those diamonds and any leftover gold from the ring re-do.

After working together and designing a sweet pendant that is sort of an infinity/teardrop I went to work carving a wax. The process would be lost wax casting in 14kt white gold with the 3 leftover Marquise diamonds set in white gold crowns and attached delicately inside the design. Owen Walker worked his magic engraving on the pendant a texture pattern that simulates melee diamonds all around the infinity design. Walker Goldsmiths have used this technique before on other custom jewelry creations and it’s very nice. It adds a bit more flash without the added expense of melee diamonds and setting them. We think it is a successful option, especially since the melee diamond trend is so fashionable these days.

Thanks again, Shanon and Matt, for the fun making this Custom Infinity Pendant from Recycled Family Jewelry!

Shanon’s Custom Art Deco Wedding Ring

Written by Janet Walker · 2 Comments

Custom Art Deco style Wedding Ring with Diamonds

14 kt White Gold Art Deco Wedding Ring

I had been thinking and exploring Art Deco Jewelry designs here at Walker Goldsmiths when Shanon came to visit. She conveniently gave me an opportunity to explore a possibility when she said she wanted to recycle her present wedding ring set. I was excited, even though I had a lot of other work on my bench, as this was something different and a nice treat for my brain.

She had a large, gorgeous Solitaire ring, over a carat diamond, and another band with 7 Marquis diamonds and she wanted to use 4 of them with the 1 carat in a single ring. As we worked together searching and designing, some of the pictures and ideas for rings that appealed to her were hinting at the Art Deco style. (See me doing a happy dance here!) Shanon was very cooperative and gave me freedom to create.

Art Deco emphasizes geometric forms with the design elements often arranged in symmetrical patterns. I often think of architecture when I think Art Deco since there are some incredibly beautiful buildings around the world with Deco designing inside and out. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to see them I’ve been drawn to the flowing symmetry and control. Stunning beauty comes to mind. Shanon is my son in law’s sister, wife of Matthew, mom of Ashley and Cameron, a Realtor in her professional life in Apex, N.C. and also a stunning beauty. So what better fit?

We started with the drawing process, then on to wax carving and placement of crowns for the stones. Shanon approved the wax I had carved and we were off to lost wax casting. Walker Goldsmiths always insists that ANY large stone, especially diamonds, will be set in Platinum crowns for safety and durability. We felt that the marquis’ would do fine in white gold crowns.

Custom Wedding Ring Wax to be Cast in 14k

Owen cast the Custom Art Deco Wedding Ring in 14k white gold and then stone setting was next to be accomplished. The ring turned out beautiful and now Shanon has a ring to be happy with and Matthew can love seeing his gorgeous gift on his wife’s finger. Thanks guys! Too fun!!

Art Deco Ring before crown and stone setting

A Year on the North West Coast March

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Swan in flight

March brings us here at Walker Goldsmiths the first really spring days with temperatures in the upper 50’s in between rain storms. We often have a bit of flooding on the rivers but overall the weather is improving. The clam and mussel harvest continues without urgency as there is plenty. Clams were often strung on bits of cedar bark twine or small cedar twigs (withes) cleaned of stomach contents then dried and smoked. These made a good trail food or extra chewy treat and sometimes traded to people living further away from the salt water. The stomach contents of the clams that were dried was not wasted but was used as a base for soup for chowder.
Near the end of the month usually on a clear and calm day an amazing thing happens. The water is alive with silver flashes especially in the shallows where the eel grass grows. The herring have arrived to spawn! Herring roe is considered a delicacy. There were several ways to collect herring roe. The one you choose will depend on the local resources and your taste. Small cedar or hemlock branches could be twined into a dense mat and anchored in the shallows for the herring to spawn on. Their eggs are sticky and fasten themselves onto whatever is handy. Another way was to go to the big kelp beds and harvest kelp to put in the shallows for the herring to spawn on. My favorite way to eat herring roe is on kelp with Swiss cheese! Herring were also harvested with herring rakes and nets; they were eaten fresh, smoked and rendered for oil.

The classic Salish house had a shed roof while the gabled roof was in use further north

The other exciting thing that starts in March is the waterfowl migration back to the North. Since I have lived here I have devised the “Trumpeter Swan Calendar”. It is very simple. When the swans arrive from the Arctic it is winter, also known as the cold wet season. When they go back home it is then summer, known as the warm wet season. That way you don’t have to muck about with spring and fall, calendars or astronomy. Leave it up to the swans. Waterfowl were collected at night with nets and torches. Fine nets were hung between tall poles and fires would attract the migrating ducks and geese into the nets. I find it fascinating that ducks and geese would be attracted by fire at night, but it was a well-established method of water fowling. Two men could go out at night in a canoe with a large torch and a duck spear that had five points. The ducks were attracted by the light and the other man could spear them. Ducks, geese and swans were also taken with bow and arrow and were a welcome change from dried salmon and clams. They were not preserved but were eaten fresh.

This is an illustration from an old book Lummi Indian How Stories by Ethel Fyles Beck Illustrated by Elizabeth Sykes Michaels