Adolescent Peregrine Falcon (?) Sighting!

We're pretty sure this is one our local peregrine falcon couple's kidlets. Always a total pleasure to see nature in industrial Pilsen!

To read more about "our" falcons, head to The Field Museum site!

Summer Days Full of Light

"This is the world's reenactment of today,

and of this moment,

     and of continuing on-with its satellite imaging of scattering birds
obscuring our faces—

and this is the world's reenactment of its percentages:
of the constant shifting of the satellites
and the constant scattering of the birds and the likelihood

that we will be seen;
and this is the reenactment of someone choosing your face"

from "Equation for Cresting" by Christopher Bolin, via Verse Daily

These summer weeks our studio fills with light and noise.


These summer weeks out studio fills with light and joy.

Even the peregrine falcons have been hooting and squeaking and swooping, like, they know. (Or perhaps, with Field Museum visitors, and three little newly-hatched babes, they've got their own sweet hubbub!)

So many wonderful people are getting married at the end of June! And we're making wood rings for everyone, or, it certainly seems that way.

Lisa and Denise came in to pick up their rings earlier this week, for a private commitment ceremony. They were freshly back from Kenya, and "accidentally" wearing coordinated shirts featuring elephants from their travels. 

It was so wonderful to spend time with these two as they tried on their rings--rosewood, moissanite, and mother of pearl--and made sure just they were just right. 

Allison consults with Lisa and Denise about the right fit.

Lisa and Denise try the rings on for size for the first time!

Denise takes a closer look. 

The happy couple!

We couldn't be happier for Lisa and Denise, and wish them a lifetime together of joy and adventure.

If you need us, we'll be sanding and wrapping, packing and shipping, sighing and stretching, and ready for more!

What Inspires Us

 It is easy to say that nature plays a huge part in what we do. But it is not just wood that keeps us excited here at Simply Wood Rings. It is every element of Nature that inspires us to create something truly beautiful!

It's 9 am and the day begins with a quick peek out the window. There are two Peregrine Falcons that have found a lovely home, with the help of the Field Museum, outside our window. Everyone here has grown quite attached to the falcons, and we have lovingly named them “Mama and Papa Hawk” even though, we now know there is quite a difference between falcons and hawks. Some mornings the falcons will be there to say hello, and some mornings they are not. But, even if we only get to see a quick shadow swoop by, they fill our day with tons of excitement and happiness.

The falcons are a constant reminder to us of how humans and nature can co-exist. This tall brick factory provides us with a great place for a wood shop, and also closely resembles a cliff face to those birds who are seeking a home here in Chicago. We try to remember this every time we are making a ring.

Check out this live stream from one of nests in the Chicago area: http://1130falcon.click2stream.com/

Special thanks to the Field Muesem for the picture and the link

http://fieldmuseum.org/explore/illinois-peregrines