Friday, November 16, 2007

New York Wedding Ring - Do It Yourself Love

I'll never forget walking into my friend's jewelry shop and asking him to make a special wedding ring for my soon to be husband. John and I had known each other since elementary school. His father was the only jeweler who designed and made the custom pieces. He was sort of famous in my little home town. Now I stood in John's shop looking at original designs and molds inherited from his father. We settled on a premade band that he would alter to match my engagement ring. The process was exhilarating. I felt involved in the creative process. I wanted Todd to have something special.

He did the same for me. He spent most of a day with a prestigious Atlanta jeweler staring at stones under a microscope. It had to be the right one in the perfect setting. He'd waited until his mid-thirties to buy an engagement ring...big step! It deserved intense contemplation. I deserved his full attention to detail.

I'm sharing these memories because this morning I discovered a way to take that exhilaration one step further. Metallurgist and jeweler, Sam Abbay at New York Wedding Ring, teaches couples how to make their own wedding and commitment rings from raw materials. The couples design and create their rings from start to finish. With Sam's guidance they hammer and love their rings into being. I can't think of anything more romantic.

In today's fast paced society we are so disconnected from everything - our loved ones by distance, our food delivered in serving sized packaging, love found on a website that tests compatibility for us, and wedding packages premade to order at the most popular resorts. We don't feel or process our lives nearly enough.

What could be more visceral than touching raw metal, heating it to it's melting point and shaping it into a gift that will be worn for a lifetime, a symbol of all you hold in your heart of this special person? Perfect or slightly blemished from inexperience, the rings essence is truly in your hands. I wish I could recapture this moment in my life. I do it again this way.

It's not cheap and it does take time and effort. There are only two locations to have this experience (New York and San Francisco) with Sam. Those are the drawbacks. The upside is the offer of cultured diamonds and gold alternatives that are just as beautiful and more durable. The ultimate upside is giving from your heart a handmade, tangible symbol of love.

I'm gushing, apparently I need a boost today...and concentrating on the expression of commitment and love is a good way to accomplish it. Browse the New York Wedding Ring website for gorgeous photos of handcrafted rings, happy couples excited to start their lives together, and cool snapshots of the entire process.

8 comments:

Vivienne said...

This is really special! Something I hope to do someday for my future husband. You got me thinking about my parents' rings. They are from Europe and have been married 49 years just last month. They each have simple, identical gold bands...the flash is on the inside. The rings are intricately engraved. My father's starts with my mom's name and reads, "my heart - now, tomorrow, always" and ends with their wedding date in their native language. I've always been struck with how personal and special those messages are and they make the plain rings priceless. Like you say in your post, it's that personalized detail that is so meaningful.

Lisa McGlaun said...

That's so nice..the engraving on your parents' rings. I'm friends with a couple who have rings tatooed on their fingers.

I think that would hurt so I'll pass on that one..:)My husband and I do have matching tatoos on our legs..:) Somehow I don't think that hurt as much as my finger would.

Best Wishes...thanks for dropping by!
Lisa

Michael J. Kannengieser said...

Hi Lisa,
I hope you are doing well. This is a wonderful way to express one's love for their future spouse. My wife and I got our wedding rings from a reputable jeweler, but it would have been nice have had the opportunity to do something special like this. However, the story behind our engagement rings is special to us, and too long tell here. Once again, I hope all is well with you. Happy Thanksgiving. -Mike.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Mike,

The stories behind buying wedding rings are so special. I'd love to hear yours. You should post about it..hint, hint.

I'm doing better. I've talked to my father a few times. He told me all about Janie's funeral. They did their best to make it light hearted inspite of the circumstances. Thanks for asking.

Peace,
Lisa

Tyler said...

My girlfriend and I are not getting married any time in the immediate future simply because wife < baby momma. But if we ever do, this will certainly help.

Michael J. Kannengieser said...

Hi Lisa,
I want to thank you for inspiring me to write the post "Kindness Has a Ring To It" which is up on my blog now. In this week of Thanksgiving, I am grateful to have met so many wonderful and talented writers such as yourself, through the experience of blogging. I wish you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Tyler,

Getting married is not essential for starting a family anymore. Best of luck to you with the baby on the way. Tyler wants us to help him name his new son..go to his blog and vote for the name you like best. Just click on his picture and it should take you to a link for the blog.

I'm crossing my fingers for Gavin..:)

Peace,
Lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Mike,

Cool! I'm going to read it right now. Thanks for the heads up.

Peace,
Lisa