I’m frantically trying to catch up on things I’ve been wanting to blog about, my Precious Metal Clay Certification course through Rio Grande’s Rio Rewards program at the end of October being one of them. But that’s for another post. I also had my daughter’s wedding on November 5 to prepare for, and even though it was a very small event, I had the decorations, the flowers, and the cake to do. I was also honored to make the rings.
Not only did I want to create something special for my daughter and her fiance, I also needed the practice for the upcoming PMC certification course! Does that sound too mercenary? Probably. I guess I’m just one of those people who tries to get multiple benefits from a single endeavor. 
It’s difficult to see in these photos, but I created a leather texture on the silver bands by rolling out some polymer clay on the cover of a leather Bible, thus making a texture plate that I could use not just for these rings, but for future projects as well. (There goes that multiple benefits tendency again.) I also wanted to be sure not to damage the Bible cover by rolling out the silver clay directly on it.
In the second picture you can see something else: the shape of a heart when the two rings are stacked. For over a week I stewed about the design. I tend to do “girly” well, which is why no matter how many times I’m asked at shows if I have jewelry for men, I have to reluctantly admit that I don’t. My brain just doesn’t seem to grasp the lines and styles that most men seem to like. So even these rings would be a bit feminine for some, but I figured that since my daughter’s fiance (now husband) likes nature elements, maybe he wouldn’t mind a few leaves and vines, right? I was so relieved he liked them. In fact, my daughter said she thought he liked them even better than she did! It is so rewarding to know they’re happy with what I created for their life together.
A good family friend, Jason Kerby of Natures Witness photography, took the wedding photos, and his wife Melissa (my best friend since grade school) helped with the editing, and it was her idea to make this one black and white. I love the effect. This photo has to be one of my favorite photos from the wedding.
Oh, and that cake? Let’s just say I won’t be giving up art and jewelry for baking and decorating cakes. I had a huge disaster, which I had to fix the morning of the wedding, yet Jason photographed the cake in such a way that all my booboos were hidden from view. Thanks Jason!
Stunning!
Thanks, Julie! The stones are Swarovski cubic zirconias. I bought some of the best CZs I could, and they fire well with the silver clay. I actually love CZs, and Jenna and Christian were happy, so that’s all that counts.
I loved this blog Kel and not just because you gave us credit…it is very touching and I loved the pictures you took of the rings on the bible. I’m glad I took the chance on changing the pictre of their hands to black and white and that it became one of your favorites. I was honored to be part of that day…it blessed me so much!
Melissa, it blessed us too! I love these generational friendships.
When it comes to picking out wedding rings, there are only two people that matter – you and your intended. No one else in the world can possibly say what will fit personal tastes and what will still hold special meaning 50 years down the road.