Dylan Hopper and Madeline Gimbel create their own ring set at With These Rings.
Photo courtesy of MJ Photography
A finished ring.
Photo courtesy of MJ Photography
Leslie Kelly
For some, wedding rings are just gold ribbons and don’t need to be personalized. But for others, they want bands that “belong to them” – something that nobody else has.
This is where “With These Rings” comes in.
With These Rings is a local Port Townsend business where couples looking to get married can schedule a two-on-one workshop with jewelry artist Stephanie Selle who will help them create their own wedding rings – unlike anyone else.
Selle opened her store in 2012 and has been in her current location at 211 Taylor Street for the past five years.
In most cases, couples let each other ring and become “rich in love and memories,” Selle said.
“This is something that will be with you for many years – hopefully for the rest of your life.”
The process starts with finding ideas of what you want your rings to look like. Simple bands can make just as much sense as others that have more flair. If you are looking for inspiration online on the website to see what other couples have created, this is an option. Take into account the width you want, the shape – semicircular or flat – and the type of metal.
Then couples arrange a workshop with Selle. During the workshop, Selle will help the couple make the rings from the metal of their choice. All metals are recycled and include yellow gold, rose and peach, palladium white gold and palladium silver.
Many couples make their rings within four hours or less and take their rings home with them at the end of the session.
Some rings require custom-made products that Selle makes itself, e.g. B. adding family stones or engraving. The rings will then be delivered a few weeks later.
The cost of the rings depends on the design and metal choices, Selle said. The workshop costs $ 620 and the rings can range from $ 980 to $ 1,700. Adding stones can also add to the cost.
Selle suggests that couples schedule their workshop three to four months in advance of the time they want the rings ready.
Selle began her jewelry career with an apprenticeship at a jewelry store in her hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
“I always knew I was going to be an artist,” she said. “When I was 17 or 18, I took my first jewelry class and fell in love with him.”
She said she molested a local jeweler until he allowed her to teach, and then she did her Bachelor of Arts in metal from the Philadelphia University of the Arts. After college, she moved to Seattle and started her own jewelry line. In 2010 she became a jewelry teacher at North Seattle College.
“I fell in love with teaching,” said Sells. “And then I found a way to combine teaching and creating.”
When Selle was married, she knew that her rings should be handmade and meaningful.
“My partner suggested we make each other’s rings,” she said. “It became a special experience and memory that after our wedding I thought about giving others the opportunity.”
She has worked with couples from all continents. Her first customers came from the Antarctic. Their shop is one of the few places where couples can make their own rings.
Juri and Roarke Jennings from Port Townsend worked with Selle to make their wedding rings in February 2017.
“My husband and I loved the idea of wearing a ring that we made for each other,” said Yuri. “It matters more when you make it yourself and experience the process.”
Juri found out about Sell’s “amazing work” through Weddings Across the Sound, a Jefferson County wedding sales group that she was a part of as wedding coordinator for Fort Worden.
“We’re also big believers in green businesses and Stephanie’s business model and responsible personality. The fact that she uses 100 percent recycled metal was also a determining factor.”
It took Juri and Roarke about two to three hours to make their rings.
“It was full of cutting, bending, heating, dipping, and hammering,” she said. “And after we had made the rings, Stephanie did her magic and put the stones that were dear to us into the rings.”
The couple were married in April 2017. He works at the Food Co-op and she now has her own business, Peddler PT, a bike-powered grocery delivery service. Yuri said she would recommend everyone make their own wedding rings.
“And work with Stephanie – 120 percent,” she said.
While Selle has remained open to business, the pandemic has affected her work.
“It was different with COVID because people don’t travel a lot,” she said. “In the past, I was like a travel agent. When couples make a workshop appointment, I work with them where to stay and what else to do here in Port Townsend and on the Olympic Peninsula. I love helping them explore this beautiful, romantic area. “
More recently, couples from the Seattle area have been their business.
“I got to know more locals and made new friends,” she said. “We’ve been here for six years but I didn’t really come out to meet people before that.”
Once the pandemic has subsided, she will consider running small group jewelry workshops.
It is very important for Selle to be part of the ring-making experience with so many couples.
“It’s an intimate process,” she said. “To be able to share in their love and joy is so rewarding. There are so many great love stories to be part of. “
Her business motto is, “You can’t buy love, but you can make it.” For more information, visit www.withtheseringshandmade.com or call Selle at 206-724-8673.
