Creating One of a Kind Wedding Rings For You

In this video, I talk about what happens when someone comes in to talk about a custom wedding or engagement ring.

I will talk with you and help you determine the perfect rings that symbolize your relationship and fit into your budget. The process is fun and creates memories you will never forget!

Whether you come to me with the exact idea in mind or have no idea what you want, together we will create rings you and your loved one will cherish forever, and you will love the experience. I also have a selection of rings that I have designed for you to chose from.

Helping to create your high quality, beautiful wedding and engagement rings is truly an honor for me and I look forward to our time together.

Thanks for watching!

Jim

2016, a promising new year! Greetings!

As I am preparing for another year of making jewelry, there are a few thoughts I would like to share with you. First of all, my gratefulness for all of you who have chosen me to make the expressions of your love and caring. It is joyful and meaningful work for me. And you have made that possible.

As you probably know, I depend on your referrals for new business. It is by far the best way to meet new people. But it is not quite enough. Advertising is a dark hole of expense and often mistrusted catch phrases. Anybody can claim anything. So I am asking for your help especially in the wild and whacky world of the internet.

A young woman, Amy Lauria, is coordinating my web and social media presence. (A world where good old Jim is completely lost!) Amy has suggested a few ways in which you can help me get the word out.  First of all, if you haven't "Liked" my Facebook page or aren't following me on Twitter, please do so. You can see some of the latest jewelry and rings I have made for people.  With some of the social media platforms I am on, you can also leave me a review if you have been happy with the work I've done. Those are Yelp, Google Business, and Facebook. I would be delighted if you would take a moment and leave a review so that more people can find me on the internet.  

Thank you and may this be a peaceful and enriching year for all of us!

Jim

Holiday Boutique

Since I missed Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small business Saturday (oops) let’s have an open house for all who may wish to give a gift of handmade jewelry.

SALE, SALE, SALE 
Beautiful Driftwood jewelry 20% off.

Sterling silver, gold, and silver and gold pins, pendants and rings made from small wonderful pieces of driftwood from the north shore of Lake Superior.

Prices from $45 to $550 (less 20%). Other gold and silver pieces available as well. And, as always, custom designs.

When: 
Thur. Dec. 10: 4:00 to 8:00
Fri. Dec. 11: noon to 8:00
Sat. Dec. 12: 10 to 4:00

Where:

227 E Chestnut St Suite #5 

Stillwater, MN 55082
(651)439.6606

Also showing her works is Mary Jo Van Dell who is a wonderful painter of Northern MN landscapes.

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks and cash.

Please come and enjoy a little wine, cider, cookies and really good local art!

KLBB Radio Show

In case you weren't able to tune in to the show on KLBB AM 1220 a few weeks back, here is the link! I was asked to be on the show called "Insure Your Success" presented by Thomas Fierst Insurance Agency. We chatted about business and how important focus is in our work and in our lives. 

Get to know me and my business a little better through the interview. I hope you enjoy.

A Butterfly Affair

My granddaughter with a
Monarch Butterfly

Monarch butterflies are one of the great joys of our summer. In addition to their beauty, the story of their life cycles and incredible journeys is amazing and inspirational.

Five years ago I met with a couple about wedding rings. They were older, somewhat unconventional and wanted their rings to express how they felt about their new lives together. They went home to think about it. It took a while! I was delighted to hear from them this spring.

A monarch caterpillar had attached its chrysalis to the eves of their house. They actually saw it emerge.

They were struck by the unique turquoise color and golden markings of the chrysalis as well as the wonderful metaphor of the new life emerging as this glorious creature. “Ah ha! Let’s call Jim.” They asked if this symbol could be used as a design for their custom made rings.

I found two elongated oval turquoise stones. The ring is made of 14K yellow gold with a line of pure gold beads representing the pattern of gold dots on the chrysalis.

Beautiful, meaningful, and certainly unique!

Artist Open House

My friend Mary Jo Van Dell, who is an exceptionally talented painter, had an art show at the end of April. There were several other artists involved, wine and cheese, and good conversation.

I featured my "Driftwood" jewelry collection, as well as some ready made pieces. Here are a few pictures from the event you might enjoy.

Flyer for the Art Opener

Jim showing off the "Driftwood" Collection

Jim showing a customer part of the goldsmith process

Beautiful Fabric Art from Sue Hedin

A few pieces of Mary Jo's. The pottery is by Joe Samuelson

A view from the busy hallway

Mary Jo's studio. This is where the magic happens!

Please remember that in addition to the custom designed jewelry, I also have unique and beautiful pieces available if you are looking for something for yourself or someone special in your life! 

A Family Affair

We live in a world where most things we buy are mass produced, put on a shelf and sold to us. Once it was common to go to a craftsperson and have something made especially for us – the way we wanted it to be. This is exactly what I offer.

Christmas card

The oak leaf rings

This past Christmas I received a picture from a couple I made wedding rings for five years ago. They had found me on the internet. We exchanged e-mails and then met at my studio. They wanted their rings to have an oak leaf pattern. I did some sketches with their input and made the rings. I have not seen them since.

It is a truly wonderful picture and I am so pleased they wanted to share this event in their marriage with me. It made my day. 

Driftwood rings

Last week I received an email from former customers announcing another new arrival:

"Hey Jim, it's Mark and Anna!

You designed our rings over seven years ago when my husband came to you with his idea and you created a beautiful engagement/wedding ring out of cast driftwood twigs. We hope you are well! We would love to see you, and if possible perhaps get our rings cleaned, this Saturday - as we plan to be in Stillwater. Also, we have a little girl, Lenora who is almost 4 months old and we would love to introduce you to her!

Mark, Anna, and their baby

Let us know if this might be a possibility. Ideally we could stop by mid morning.
Cheers, Anna and Mark"

I guess my point is that the rings symbolizing a marriage are more meaningful when you know the person who makes them and when they are made especially for you. In a way, we become part of each other’s lives, part of an extended family.

Please check out my “customer letters” page on my web site and feel free to contact me for more information. And I would appreciate your sharing this blog with anyone you feel may be interested.