And So the Odyssey of My Seals Ends (picture heavy)

[kia]

It began several years ago (not long after joining my first pen forum in 2007), I began my quest to have a set of seals commemorating a specific point in my life with specific and personal meaning. I was inspired by seeing others' seals - including Titivillus' (thank you), who had quite a nice collection of various seals at the time. I also wanted a seal to remember my mother by, and a signet ring with my assumed arms.

I completed the set of six desk seals, including my arms, a little while back. All that remained was my desire for a seal to remember my mom by, and a signet ring also with my arms. These pieces would be passed to my brother and his daughter after I'm gone (many years hence, I hope).

I dipped into the remnants of my meager 401k for this. For the seal, I commissioned a separate piece of artwork from an artist friend of mine. I posted about it when I received it a couple of months ago, it was beautifully done as a painting instead of just a regular pen and ink drawing. Using a photo of this artwork taken by the artist himself, I made the request for a desk seal from Dexter Rings and Engraving (http://www.familysealrings.com), the only company I have used in this adventure for commemorative pieces, and the only one I would recommend to anyone else looking for a most special, hand engraved piece, not the average class ring, signet ring, or laser engraved market seal. At the same time, I also requested a titanium seal ring with my arms. I hope that my brother will take this ring later.

These are the last pieces I will commission. There won't be any more in the foreseeable future.

Both pieces arrived today. I sat down with my camera and a red velvet backdrop, and opened my seals, completing my journey. I marveled at the engraving detail on both pieces. The ring surface is only 16 x 14 mm, and the desk seal is a 25 mm diameter coin. It was difficult to photograph them with my little Canon Powershot point and shoot, but I think I got most the detail in there.

Although these two pieces are the most special to me, the desk seal is the one that made me cry.

I'm done, now.


The Dexter artwork proofs and the original painting for the desk seal

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Q2dVDvs/0/L/Rodgers_coat_of_arms-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Q2dVDvs/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-W5Hr8cL/0/L/Rodgers-NITA-revised-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-W5Hr8cL/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-b6hKkkg/0/L/Nita-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-b6hKkkg/A)


My ring and desk seal (Dexter provides a wax impression using the ring and/or seal with their pieces)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-d7q6nJT/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2001-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-d7q6nJT/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-XrqXQJh/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2002-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-XrqXQJh/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-7xzvrRr/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2003-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-7xzvrRr/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-hVLmVW5/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2004-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-hVLmVW5/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-m3XmCPm/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2005-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-m3XmCPm/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-N6Qt5c3/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2006-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-N6Qt5c3/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Zn7hSzH/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2007-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Zn7hSzH/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vf6H38C/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2008-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vf6H38C/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vJWwVqh/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2009-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vJWwVqh/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-JrKbnDk/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2010-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-JrKbnDk/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-VthwQjD/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2011-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-VthwQjD/A)

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-6TCprqg/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2012-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-6TCprqg/A)


And, my mother's favorite poem, which is where the idea for the seal came from

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

- James Henry Leigh Hunt


My other seals over the years (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals)

[reprieve]

They are gorgeous seals, congratulations! The desk seal, especially, has just amazing detail and the artwork behind it is very moving. Thank you for sharing this.

[Nomdeplume]

Fantastic!
Thanks for sharing!

[Jon Szanto]

The peace of these gifts to yourself, and others, has just calmed me down from a previously agitated state. Blessings on you for a warm heart and great imagination.

And thank you for the generosity in sharing these with us.

[earthdawn]

WOW.. I mean like W-O-W !!!

The story behind them and meaning to you is moving and the depth and almost 3 dimensional look from those seals is amazing.

I just sat here staring at the photo of the actual seal they sent you and am amazed at how much detail and the aspect of its depth.

Thank you for sharing it with us...

[Jeph]

I agree. Those are just stunning.

[Apprenti]

Kimy,
You know what you said to me yesterday? Well ditto, the same today :)
Joe

[kia]

Thank you, Joe. :)


A post script to my post, Dexter Rings and Engraving just featured my seal on their website (http://www.familysealrings.com/blogs/desk-seal-nita.html).

[cwent2]

I echo the words of my FP Geek Brethren, beautiful, and a lasting tribute to your Mom's memory.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing a most personal project.

Cw

[Crazyorange]

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. The seals are outstanding. Enjoy. :)

[kia]

I picked up the framed painting today. It didn't photograph very well, but it really is lovely in person. The mat is actually a rich brown linen with a hint of copper (archival of course), and the frame itself is dark brown with hints of red, with museum UV glass.

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-nsqddfx/0/L/Kohlepp%20Nita%20Framed-L.jpg (http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-nsqddfx/A)

[cwent2]

Wow seems so weak, but I can't put my admiration to words - again, thank you for sharing. Very beautiful!

Carl