Yes, I’m back on the bench. Happy to be back, too. Got a lot of projects wait-listed from motorcycle club rings to wedding bands to full custom jobs to the good old fashioned custom skull rings.
A couple of things will be changing in 2015. I’m going to pace myself a bit better, not rush multiple jobs or take on more clients at one time than I should. I got into this business to focus on individual clients and when I’m knocking out 20 or 25 rings at a time, that just isn’t happening. So don’t be disheartened if you contact me to place an order and I ask you to hang tight for a few weeks. I’ll get to you. I just think your project deserves my full attention. If you doubt my intentions, know that I was invited to create rings for the Sons of Anarchy season finale event and I declined because I wanted to deal with individuals like you guys. Yes, I’m Jerry Maguire.
Speaking of individual clients, this post is largely for Dylan who has asked me to make a custom Tiki ring with a gemstone. I’m feeling the amber.
I picked up these stones on Lamma Island a while ago, but I only have a few left. I still have one of the bright yellow ones from the far left and the four transparent stones on the right. This isn’t cheap amber. Not that resin, assembled shit you get in the states all the time.
This is Lamma. I get off the ferry here after about a 45 minute ride from Hong Kong island. It’s a tiny little fishing island and I hike right over the mountain to Yung Shue Wan to visit the Lamma Island Amber Shop.
Cool right? This shop is tiny and set into a dark corner of this tiny little road called “Main street.” I’ll usually swing by this great joint called Lamma Grill for a whiskey and the closest thing to a great American cheeseburger you’re gonna find and then find this shop which is practically GLOWING like a gemstone.
The place is run by Udo and his wife. That’s Udo below selling amber in Tibet in ’92.
I freakin’ love this place. I spend a lot of time looking through their stock and their finished jewelry. I’ve made a few skull rings with their amber set into the eyes. Just a great place. I wish I could just import from these guys regularly, but the demand for amber just hasn’t quite caught-on in the US yet. So what I usually end up doing is swinging by to pick up gifts for family and friends.
So yeah, if you’re ever in HK, catch the ferry at pier 4 to Lamma and visit them.
So Dylan – let me know what wer’e gonna do. Drop me a line. And I’ll catch the rest of you cats in the next week. Stay tuned.
Skullworks 