VOW Deep
DEEP DIVE
GRACE GOW WAX CARVING WEDDING RING MAKING WORKSHOPS
You should be the one to actually make your rings. During your workshop Cat will break down the process into a series of basic steps and ensure that you leave with professional quality rings.
The Workshop: Carving is a two part process:
Our session together is the first part. We will carve your rings from a hard wax. The second part happens after you leave; our studio prepares you wax for casting, casts it and finishes it. Please see the timeline below. Lastly, your metal ring will be filed, sanded, and polished in our Vashon Island Studio.
Your Wedding Rings: This process is ideal for creating more organic, modern or simple design. A strong texture is achieved easily and an organic form is beautifully achieved in wax.
Carving is also used to shape a ring that will fit perfectly with an existing engagement ring.
Metal Options: With this technique you are open to all castable metals, including 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 in production being cast. 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 GRACE GOW Studios on Vashon Island. Once the metal work is complete, stone setting may begin and adds 2-4 weeks. Your final metal wedding bands are in your hands 4-10 weeks after the initial private ring carving session.
INVESTMENT
The cost of your set will be based on your ring design and metal choices. Typically couples spend between $980-$1,700 on a set of 14k gold bands. Some stones can bring up the total cost. It is important to me that my clients are able to make informed decisions during the designing process, so please let me know if you have any questions at all.
HOW IT BREAKS DOWN
Workshop Fee + Cost of Metal + Additional Elements = Total Price for Your Bands
Each person is unique. The vision for your ring, the shape of your fingers and your personal style will guide your design. It’s beneficial to try on bands in person. See what you like on your own hand and we’ll try to emulate that in your custom design.
A ROUGH IDEA • WIDTHS AND SCALE
- 1.5mm Band Width: This is very delicate. Smallest recommended.
- 2mm Band Width: A narrow thin band to sit perfectly against your engagement ring.
- 3mm Band Width : This is a classic band width, fits nicely next to an engagement ring, but is also weighty enough to be worn on its own.
- 4mm Band Width: A Medium choice for people who want a slimmer band or do not wear an engagement ring.
- 5mm Band Width: A uni-sex width. Fits a man’s hand and many women opt for this wider band too.
- 6mm Band Width: Bold, stunning, and solid.
Basic rings can be made in about 2 hours
Personal instruction = 1 couple per workshop.
The average price range to fabricate a set of 14k gold rings is $1080- $2,200.
We work with 100% recycled metals sourced from an USA based, eco-conscious refinery.
Our GRACE GOW Showroom and Jewelry Studio is not a jewelry store; it’s a creative, luxurious and relaxed environment. You can expect to work in a private, casual atmosphere at a jeweler's bench with tools that are lightly covered in wax dust.
Workshops are scheduled for one couple at a time.
The whole process is broken down into small steps. You will just have to follow one step at a time. All of those steps add up to a fished, heirloom quality, wedding ring.
Cat gives you a really amazing experience. You get to craft your own wedding ring while Cat creates a chill and inviting atmosphere. My fiancé and I had an amazing time and it will always be a wonderful memory. We can't wait to get our rings!
This truly exceeding all the expectations. It was so fun to leave with a new experience and memory as well as rings! I left with a newfound sympathy for others who do not create their wedding bands this way. Cat is great and made this such a fun and accessible experience.
Cat hosts a great experience and lets you go at your own pace and really guide the experience to your liking! Anyone looking to do something personal and intimate in Seattle should check this out!
This was easily the best experience I found on Airbnb!
Great experience. You will make something beautiful if you have no artistic talent. Kat is encouraging, helpful and constantly offers different ways of doing things so you can creat beautiful jewelry
Cat was very welcoming and knowledgeable. My fiancé and I made each others wedding bands, he was very nervous and she made him feel comfortable and confident. We had a such a great experience! We are already making plans to come back for anniversary bands.
Wonderful experience! A must do! Felt that she made me (a true beginner) able to do advanced ring design!
Very awesome experience! We made our own rings and had lots of fun!
So fun!! I can't even begin to express how amazing Cat was! I love her work, and she taught me so much! Just an amazing artist and human! Can't wait to see my ring!
What a unique activity to do with friends! We all loved Cat's approach to the ring carving workshop and she was truly welcoming. She was quick to assist with all of our visions and really helped each of come up something unique. Cat is a very talented designer and jeweler and it was very cool to learn from her.
Cat is wonderful. Warm and welcoming. She has it all set up and guides you thru the process which was completely foreign to me. But once we got going all worries disappeared. We talked, we sanded, we used fire it was an experience I have never had and exceeded my expectations. Can’t wait to get my finished ring. Added bonus - the tour of the artists space and history is amazing. Cat showed me around and explained how it came to be. Really an amazing gem in Seattle. This won’t be my last experience or ring from Cat. Highly Recommend.
Amazing experience! Cat immediately made us feel welcome and at ease. We felt completely free to make our ring look exactly how we wanted without any expectation of any artistic skill on our part.
Cat is lovely. Real expert and great storyteller. Passion is clearly there and love all her current jewelry. Highly recommend this workshop but would come prepared with (1) inspiration photos and set gemstones or existing jewelry and (2) would push for your own comfort on more design / carving.