I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of woods over the years, but there is one particular wood that always stands out to me - lignum vitae. Lignum vitae, which translates to "wood of life" in Latin, is a dense and oily wood that is native to the Caribbean and northern South America. It has a rich history, having been used for centuries for a wide range of applications, from clocks to bearings to musical instruments. When it comes to making jewelry, I find that lignum vitae is an excellent choice for a few reasons. First and...
Horizontal Burl Wood & Copper Necklace At Sticks & Stones, I have the pleasure of working with some of nature's most extraordinary creations. Among these, wood burls stand out as truly remarkable. These rare and stunning formations are not just a species of wood, but rather a unique growth pattern that occurs in various tree species, captivating artisans and collectors alike with their beauty and complexity. What is Wood Burl? Wood burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It's often the result of a tree undergoing some form of stress, such as...
As an artist who specializes in creating handmade wooden jewelry, I have always been drawn to natural materials like elk antler. These materials add unique textures, patterns, and colors to my pieces that simply can't be replicated with man-made materials. One of my favorite materials to work with is elk antler. Elk antler is the fastest-growing mammal tissue and the only tissue that regenerates completely every year. Each year, elk grow new antlers, which are covered in a soft, velvety skin. Once the antlers have hardened, the elk will rub the velvet off on trees, leaving the antlers bare. Elk...
Are you looking for one-of-a-kind jewelry that stands out among others but still retains an air of elegance and sophistication? Pieces made from abalone shells are what you're looking for, combining a vivid color palette with a gorgeous sheen. What’s more, abalone shells are a natural material, ethically sourced from sustainable farms. In other words, you can wear exquisite jewelry while remaining environmentally conscious! What Is Abalone? Bill Gracey | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Abalones are marine snails that usually inhabit colder coastal waters of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the West Coast of North America, and Japan. These mollusks cling...
People often ask me, “Benjamin, how do I figure out what my ring size is? I’d love to order one of your amazing, sustainable rings, but I’m afraid it might be the wrong size when it arrives.” And I completely understand the feeling. After all, there’s nothing worse than buying a ring for yourself (or your loved one) only for it to barely fit or slide right off. Obviously, the best thing you can do is to visit a jewelry store and have the shopkeeper measure your finger. But there are ring manufacturers that don’t have brick-and-mortar stores, or simply...
Season 5 of Yellowstone premiers November 13th on Paramount. As such, I thought it would be timely to address the influence of Native American and cowboy cultures on style and current fashion trends and how Sticks & Stones jewelry fits in. Academy Award-winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther, 2018) was chosen as the show's costume designer for Season 1. Carter set out to deliver western wear/ranch wear "with a modern twist." Viewers see drool worthy custom jackets and hats. Carter even reproduced a discontinued style of Ralph Lauren jeans for John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. High-end designer pieces are...
