Workshop & Process
With These Rings offers four workshop options when booking: Basic Ring Fabrication, Ring Fabrication Plus Custom Elements, Engagement Ring, and Hand Carving.
Learn more about each below.
FABRICATION workshop
Basic Rings and Rings with Custom Elements
The Workshop: Fabrication is a process where you will work directly in the metal of your choice. You will use a jewelers' torch and tools to saw, solder, and shape your bands. In your private workshop you will be the only couple in for the day. I will walk you through each step and break it down in a way so that you can't mess it up!
The Rings: This is a great technique for creating simple wedding bands from traditional and polished to a rustic, hammered finish and many options in between. It is always a good idea to make sure that your design ideas are doable before booking your workshop.
Timeline: Basic rings can be made in about 3-5 hours. For basic bands couples leave with their rings at the end of their workshop. Rings that have additional custom elements, like flush settings or engravings, will require custom work on our end beyond your session, . Generally these steps will take 4-6 weeks after your workshop.
Metal Options: At With These Rings you can fabricate your rings from yellow gold, rose gold, palladium-white gold, peach gold, or sterling silver.
Cost: The average price range to fabricate a set of 14k gold rings is $980- $1,700. Find more details on the pricing page.
Planning your designs: If you are fabricating your rings you will have to decide on the basics of your design at least three weeks before your workshop, including:
Shape: half round or flat
You will start with flat metal stock that you will form, solder, and shape into your wedding bands. Shown here in its beginning and finished state.
Many engraved designs and stone settings have a minimum width required. We will want to be sure that your design ideas and desired ring width are compatible.
Additional notes: You will have the opportunity to break for lunch during your workshop and explore the local restaurants in downtown Port Townsend. Many couples want to have their workshop documented. I am alway happy to take some photos with your phone or camera or I can recommend a local photographer if you would like professional photos.
REALLY, ANYONE CAN DO IT!
So many people think that you have to be “artsy” or good with your hands to make your own wedding rings. But I promise that’s not the case. Here are just some of the occupations of the people I have worked with over the years. Some people work in creative fields, some have crafty hobbies, some are very skilled with their hands, some have never picked up a hammer in their life, a few failed their high school ceramics class. Regardless, many of the people I work with are a little (or a lot) nervous when they arrive. Everyone comes to my studio with different backgrounds and everyone leaves having made beautiful rings! The whole process is broken down into small steps and precious metals are very forgiving. You will just have to follow one step at a time and all of those steps add up to a heirloom quality ring.
Engagement ring workshop
UPDATE: This Option is Not Currently Offered
Workshop: Engagement rings are usually done in the fabrication process, where you will work directly in the metal of your choice. You will use a jewelers' torch and tools to saw, solder, and shape the band of the ring. I will walk you through each step and break it down in a way so that you can't mess it up! The setting and stone will be added after your workshop. Often this is just one person making the ring to propose with, sometimes as a surprise. Other people choose to come make engagement rings together. Some people choose to make an engagement ring as part of a wedding ring set.
The Rings: The engagement ring workshop is for any ring that will have a prominent stone setting. (Even if you plan to wear it as your wedding ring.) We are limited in the style of settings offered so please check first to make sure your ideas are doable.
Metal Options: You can work from yellow gold, rose gold, palladium-white gold, peach gold, or sterling silver. Some people choose to have one metal for the band and a different metal for the setting.
Timeline: The setting and stone will be added after your workshop. Generally this step will take 4-6 weeks after your workshop.
Bezel setting
High vs Low Setting
Setting Options: 4 prong, 6 prong, or bezel. High or low. See video above for more info on prong options.
Stone Options: I am happy to help you outsource your diamond or gem stone. I have access to providers who specialize in ethical sourcing and lab grown options. Some people have a family stone they want to use, which I am happy to accommodate. If you don’t want a diamond I always recommend working with a harder stone that will hold up well to long term daily wear. Learn more about diamonds and diamond alternatives here.
Cost: The cost for an engagement ring will be based on the same break down as wedding bands. But the total can really vary quite a bit depending on the stone.
HAND CARVING workshop
UPDATE: This Option is Not Currently Offered
The Workshop: Carving is a two part process:
At your first session you will carve your rings from a hard wax. Then we will send them off to the refiner to be cast in metal of your choice. (See timeline below)
Next the metal will need to be filed, sanded, and polished. You have the option to come back for a second session to do the metal work or I can complete these steps.
The Rings: This process is ideal for creating more dynamic designs, from a ring with a strong texture to a more flowing, organic form. Carving is also used to shape a ring that will fit perfectly with an engagement ring.
Metal Options: With this technique you are open to more metals, included palladium, platinum and some colors of gold that are not options in our fabrication workshop.
Timeline: Carving is a two part process that will take at least three weeks at the refiner. Keep in mind that some designs require additional work beyond the final metal work steps. Stone setting, engraving, or other custom work will be finished by us after the metal work is complete, this can take an additional several weeks. Generally 4-12 weeks total, from carving session to finished rings.
Click photo for more examples of nesting rings
Planning your designs: Carving offers more flexibility so you can decided on the details of your rings, from dimensions to type of metal, as you are working.
Cost: The cost for rings made in the carving workshop will really vary depending on the design, amount of metal used, and casting fees.
Please note that there is limited availability for carving workshops.
UPDATE: Please Note This Option is Not Currently Offered
