Some pieces begin with a sketch. This one began with my dad.
I made the Carmel ring for him, to show him how proud I am of him on his journey with his illness. I wanted to give him something he could keep close, something that stays on his hand on the ordinary days, not only the hard ones.
Carmel is made in 925 sterling silver. Its surface is textured and organic, uneven in the way natural things are uneven, with soft ridges that catch the light differently as the hand moves. Along the band runs a fine dotted line, small points one after another, like steps on a path. Nothing about it is perfectly smooth, and that was the point. I didn't want a ring that looks finished and polished. I wanted one that looks like it has been somewhere.
Making it was quiet work. I kept turning it in my fingers, adding texture and taking some away again, thinking about him the whole time. Some days the work went slowly, and I let it. It felt right that this ring would not be rushed.
For me, jewelry has always been a way to say things that are hard to say out loud. With this ring I didn't need many words. Pride, love, being next to him. It is all there in the silver, in every small dent and dot.
I shared a little of this story on Instagram, and you can see it there: See the story on Instagram.
The ring has its own page too, with more photos from the studio: the Carmel ring.
Thank you for reading. If a piece like this speaks to you, for someone of your own, you are always welcome to write to me or come to the studio on Sheinkin.