There’s no love like yours. So why would your wedding rings look like anyone else’s?
By making your own wedding bands or engagement ring, you’re designing and creating custom, handmade pieces of art you and your partner will cherish forever. Join me at the Ringed jewelry studio in Portland, Oregon or digitally from anywhere in the contiguous United States for a one-of-a-kind workshop where you’ll learn to make your own wedding rings.
Whether you want to surprise the love of your life with a custom engagement ring during your proposal, or want to spend a fun, intimate day with your partner crafting handmade wedding rings you’ll place on each others hands as you say “I do,” Ringed offers two distinct experiences to make rings that complement your union:
Experiences
How to Make a Ring
THE PROCESS
There are two ways to make a wedding/commitment band or engagement ring: metal fabrication, or wax carving. We can use either method (which is determined based on the design style you like) during your fun and educational workshop.
1.
Your Unique Design
Hammers, torches, and hand saws might seem like the most intimidating parts of the process, but most of my couples say the ring design is their biggest worry. But fear not! As a fine jewelry maker and 20+-year metalsmith, I’ll be by your side the entire time, helping you discover your ring preferences and facilitating the design process. This is why I require all workshops to be booked at least eight weeks in advance — we want to allow plenty of time for design.
2.
The Workshop: Metal Fabrication or Wax Carving
Ringed students get to choose their adventure between a fabrication or wax carving workshop.
During a metal fabrication workshop, you’ll learn the basics of metalsmithing, including how to cut, sand, form, solder, texture, and complete your desired finish within a private, one-day workshop at my Portland, Oregon studio.
During a private, one-day wax carving workshop, which can be done in Portland or virtually, you’ll learn how to cut, file, and carve a block of wax into your ring design. I’ll make a mold from your wax model and use it to cast your ring from your preferred metal alloy. Once ring(s) are cast you get to decided whether you would like to come back to the Ringed studio for a 3-hour finishing workshop, or you would like Allison to file, sand, and complete the rings to your desired finish.
3.
Ring Delivery
How quickly you receive your rings depends on your jewelry design and the method you used. Most metal fabrication students can leave the workshop with their rings in hand! If you purchase engraving or stone setting, however, your rings will take an additional four weeks to complete. Wax carving projects can take even longer, as the rings need to be cast and then polished before any engraving or stone setting. At minimum, wax carved rings take six weeks to complete after the workshop.
“Working with Allison to create our wedding bands was by far one of the most memorable experiences my fiancé and I have had together! Despite not knowing anything about metalsmithing, we both felt comfortable and confident throughout the entire workshop. Allison is not only an amazing teacher, she is a total boss who’s built her business around the celebration of all love — love for all people, the environment and ethical jewelry. Her passion and knowledge of her craft is so inspiring, and she went above and beyond to make sure we created rings that we would love. Our finished rings turned out better than we could've ever imagined, and they hold so much more meaning.”
— Monica
Meet Your Instructor
Welcome to my studio! I’m Allison Ullmer, a jeweler and metalsmith of 20 years and a college-level metalsmith instructor for more than 10. You’re in for an exciting day with me as we develop a rad ring design together, craft heirloom jewelry in honor of your wedding, and share a few laughs along the way.
Is This What You’re Wondering?
How much does it cost to make a ring?
So it costs $5,700 - $6,400 to get two weddings rings? Yes. Every project may potentially have additional fees such as a finishing fee, outside ring engraving, gem stones or additional stone setting fees, additional material costs, shipping costs, and a refundable deposit for the wax carving toolkit (only for virtual wax carving classes).
Most couples do not end up spending more than $5,700 for a pair of rings made in a fabrication workshop or $7,000 for a pair of rings made in a wax carving workshop.
What is the difference between a fabrication and wax carving workshop?
Metal fabrication is the process of heating and hammering small strips of metal into a ring. Wax carving is just as it sounds: you file a block of wax, carving it into a ring design. From there, the wax model is used to make a mold, and the mold is cast using a melted metal alloy of your choosing.
While we can complete fabrication or wax carving in my Portland studio, please note that all virtual workshops must use the wax carving method.
When it comes to deciding which workshop best suits your needs, first we need to discuss ring design. What type of metal, width, texture and style are you looking for?
If you want a simple, half-domed or flat band without much texture, or a cut out, hammered or planished texture, then fabrication is the best choice. If you want an organic or detailed texture, asymmetrical shapes, a more undulating surface, or a nesting ring - a band that will fit flush to your engagement ring, then wax carving is ideal.
Still unsure which is right for you? Please email me at allison@ringedpdx.com and we can discuss together.
How many rings can I make in a workshop?
When you click on each workshop you’ll see an option to choose between a class for two people making two rings total, or one person making one ring total. Some couples ask if they can make a third ring. My answer, absolutely! We will just need to add an extra workshop day.
Where is the Ringed studio?
My newly-renovated studio is located in the backyard of my Northeast Portland, Oregon home.
Can anyone make a ring? What if I don’t have any experience?
Fuck yes — anyone and everyone can learn how to make their own wedding ring! Ringed is designed for first-timers and those without metalsmithing experience, making the experience as accessible as possible. I’ve taught jewelry making at the high school and college level for more than 10 years, so trust me when I say that you and your partner can absolutely do this. Still feeling unsure? Here is a step by step look at how it’s done.
How long does a workshop take? What is the day like?
Make your own wedding ring workshops by Ringed take 4 – 6 hours. You’ll arrive at my studio at 10 a.m., and we’ll take a one-hour lunch break from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Our work should be done around 3 - 4:30 p.m. If you’d like to better understand the day from the client’s perspective, consider reading this blog by a Ringed customer and local Portland wedding planner, Beth Kramer.
What if I don’t know my ring size?
Not a problem! You can visit any jewelry store around to get fitted properly. Just to make sure, we will size you when you visit my studio too. Or, if you’re doing a virtual workshop, check out this ring sizing guide.
What kind of metals do you make the rings out of?
You get to choose what kind of metal you make your wedding ring out of (yellow gold and white gold are the two most common). I have recycled 14K or 18K gold in Yellow, Rose, Peach, or Palladium White and Palladium. Platinum is available only with Wax Carving Workshops. Regardless of what you choose, you should know that I’m dedicated to only using 100% recycled metal, ethically-sourced stones, and local Portland professionals. Read more about my sourcing policies here and environmental ethics here.
How do I schedule my workshop?
First, let me say that I am stoked you’ll be joining me for a workshop! The first step is to purchase your workshop ticket. Once purchased, you’ll answer a questionnaire for dates that work best for you. Workshops take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays and must be scheduled at least eight weeks in advance so we have time to chat about design and I can source the materials. If you’re looking for a specific date that is outside of my normal parameters, (maybe you’re hoping to do the workshop during a vacation in Portland, for example), please email me at allison@ringedpdx.com.
Forge Your Bond
It’s time to choose your adventure! Whether you join me in the studio to make your ring or we meet virtually, I’m thrilled to help you tell your love story.
