Ring a Ding Ding!

Here is a sampler of rings I have displayed in town at "Clarie's Mercantile."  This shows the variety of rings that can be made.  If you're in town, stop by and check them out! I also have a similar selection at "Some Things" in town.  "Some Things" is also carrying a limited amount of Christmas rings made of Sterling Silver and 14k Gold-fill wire with gorgeous vintage glass buttons!

Claires-Mercantile 

Some-Things 

Ring #2 I wear

This is the ring I wore today.  It came from the dish of buttons that I inherited from my husbands grandmother after she passed away.  When I looked in the jar, I had a hard time choosing which of the beautiful trinkets to fashion into a ring--so many great possibilities!  When I saw the cheery orange color of this one and the fun flower type shape, I just knew it was the one!

I don't wear much orange, but being in Oregon State Beaver and Dallas Dragon country, the color orange comes naturally with the territory.  Also, since the orange is somewhat transparent, I can get away with wearing it with my bright salmon GAP capri's (which are quite exciting in themself)!
Stay tuned for next week when I share about another one of the rings I wear!

A New Post: Ring 1. Grandma's Button Jar Ring

Since I have moved my 'jewelry business' over to a website, I am going to try and use this blog as....a blog!  Big shocker, I know.  My goal is to write once a week.  I am going to start by sharing about the handmade rings I wear.  Each ring is unique and tells its own story.

This story is about the ring I wear the most--the ring that got this whole jewelry business idea started.

I had seen oversized sterling silver rings in stores last season and really wanted to get one.  They reminded me of something my mom would have worn on the 1970's. They were similar to these:

I loved the details in the patterns and was on the hunt.  I internet shopped and window shopped for WEEKS, looking for just the right one. I learned about 'filigre' and 'marquee,' expanded my searching and kept looking.  I had saved up birthday money so I knew I could get one once I found "it."  My searching lead me from real stores, to Amazon and then to Etsy.  Esty opened up a whole new world of sterling silver rings for me.  There were so many beautiful handmade rings.  As I looked more, I got to thinking, "I could make that..maybe." 

I did more research into what kind of supplies I would need, watched a few tutorials and then I placed my order.  The money I would have spent on a ring went to buy: a ball peen hammer, rawhide mallet, sterling silver wire and a ring mandrel.  Until I did my research I hadn't even heard of most of those items.

I was hooked.  I wanted to try it all!

When my husband's grandmother passed away, I was able to keep a handful of buttons that she had collected over the years.  They sat, collecting dust, in a small dish on a shelf.  When I saw "Button Rings" on etsy, I knew I had found something I wanted to try.  I dug through the glass dish and found "it."  After a few failed tries on cheap-o craft wire, I was confident I could try with the sterling wire.  I came up with this ring.

It's perfect for me and I just love it!  Oversized with details AND it has meaning.  People ask me if it's a 'poison ring' because it looks like it can be opened, but it's not.  I tell them it's a button that belonged to my husband's grandma.  Even better.

Stay tuned for the story of my next ring.

Ring for my Sis-in-law

At Christmastime, I took a box of buttons from my grandmother and her mother to my family gathering.  I made rings for my mom, grandma, sister-in-law, step-sister, niece and daughter.  They each got to pick out buttons that caught their eye and I fashioned them to fit!  What a special memory.  If you have a special button, I would love to make it into a ring for you.  Check out, "Grandma's Button Jar Ring" post for more information.

This is the ring I created with my sister-in-law, using three buttons and gold-tone wire.

grandma's button jar heirloom ring

These antique rings from my grandma's button jar are examples of custom rings I could make for you.  Do you have special buttons from your grandma's button jar?  If you mail me your treasured trinket, I can custom make it into a special heirloom ring.  Non-tarnish wire or Sterling Silver wire (recommended) is available.  Wonderful as gifts for loved ones in your family. (these rings not for sale, they belonged to my grandma)
NOTE: Some vintage glass buttons are very delicate.  Though I do my very best to treat your button with care, the glass shaft may break in the process of wrapping. This rarely happens, but has happened to me in the past, due to the fragile nature of the button.  I am not to be held responsible for this 'casualty.'  Thank you for understanding.

Heirloom Ring Wire

non-tarnish gold $10.00 USD non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD non-tarnish brass $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $16.00 USD