Four years ago I commissioned my Phoenix ring from James Binnion, the most amazing metal smith I know. He uses an ancient art based on Japanese sword making that creates a natural wood grain pattern in the metal. It is called mokume gane, or wood grain metal.
Years ago I found him when I was working with titanium in the eyewear industry. I fell in love with titanium and wanted a ring. But at that time he couldn't make his designs out of titanium because it is an extremely difficult metal to work with. So I waited.
In the meantime, I showed Max his amazing work and max commissioned a sphere out of several metals to put in the grasp of a special dragon he was making for a client.
Jim ordered a dragon after seeing Max' and his day's wonderful art and put a metal ball in the talons as well.
I kept in touch with Jim and finally one day on his site I found some rings that could be made of titanium and zirconium. So I ordered one.
It turned out that he and his partner mis-labeled the ring I chose because they could not make that design out of titanium. But since they had already promised, and I had paid, they went through great effort to develop the technology, and finally my Phoenix (born out of the ashes if the flames of divorce) was born. For the very first time.
After getting married to Hiroko, I had to switch my beloved Phoenix to my right hand because I can't wear a ring on my middle finger with my wedding ring, as they constantly rub. However my knuckles and fingers on the right hand are bigger, being right handed, so it didn't fit.
I asked Jim if he could resize it for me, and he said that it might be difficult but he would try. So I sent it back to him in May before going on our world trip. The plan was to have him send it back to me while I was in Canada.
It didn't turn out that way because Jim and his dog decided to break some bones in Jim's hand which severely limited his work.
Finally he was able to get back to it, however when he started to anneal (soften) the metal, the ring was damaged! Jim was very apologetic but I wasn't worried at all. In fact, I felt it was a great opportunity for him as a learning experience and it gave him some additional knowledge regarding working with this titanium/zirconium alloy that he and his partner created four years ago specifically for my ring.
It also was a great indicator of my personal desire to step into my fears, to constantly challenge new things, and to continually remake myself, throwing out the old beliefs that no longer suit me, and stepping into new beliefs that make sense for my life and my NOW philosophy. It's hard to do, change beliefs that worked for so many years. It's frightening, in fact. But when they no longer benefit us, and actually keep us from expressing our ever growing and expanding potential, it is something that MUST be done.
And so, Jim remade the ring for me, and it looks and feels even better than the very first Phoenix.
The first Phoenix was consumed in the flames, and as happens with all of those majestic birds, was reborn in its own ashes.
Thus the name of my beloved: Phoenix Reborn.
Take a look at James Binnion's work and visit his website. The materials he uses, the art he creates is, in a word, stunning. Owning something from James is an investment that you and those around you will treasure forever.
I love you!
Merry Christmas
Cam
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