Handmade Bronze Ring

Made from a bronze coin, I use my metallurgical wizardry skills to form a ring. I then hammer it to create a sparkly, multi-faceted, shiny finish that resembles rose gold. Wide or regualr width options available.

Ring is made to order.

My name is Michael Neaves. I'm in my 13^th year as a sergeant for the Sheriff's Office and this past year have landed in the Intelligence Department. My parents were both creative types and all my children have been as well. I long wondered if talent skipped a generation as I never pursued any creative outlets until a few years ago. I make rings from coins, but I discovered the art by accident. My ‘thing’ was to be leather crafting. The primary local maker of law enforcement duty gear closed shop a few years ago. We haven't had a local source for duty gear since. I intended to fill that void and hoped I could build something over time that would keep me occupied as I contemplated retirement in about five years.

I accidentally saw a Facebook post about coin rings. It looked interesting, so I ordered some basic tools to get started. I hammered for hours that first night. When I emerged from my shop, I was excited that I had created my first ring! I had converted a quarter from my pocket change and 3.5 hours of my time to create a ring that could sell for as much as $10!

I was elated and ran to wake up my wife and show off my creation. From that first ring, I was hooked. Since then, I've added many more tools to my arsenal. I spent months perfecting my skills and practically everyone I know got rings for Christmas that first year. I’ve done a lot of law enforcement challenge coin rings as well.

While fewer folks have reactions to silver than other metals, I do love working with brass, bronze, and copper just as much. Many coins have some lovely details that make amazing rings. And I love to see people's faces light up when I show them the completed rings. The final ring is always a thing of beauty and I think it brings me as much joy to present it as it does the customer to receive it.

I'm donating three rings to the Tarrant County Food Drive auction. One is from a half-ounce, private mint, silver coin. The second is a quarter-ounce, private mint, silver coin. Both of these are .999 pure silver. The third coin is solid bronze and depending on wide or regular choice, will be similar to the other two in size. All will have a multi-faceted, hand hammered finish.

I will create each ring personally for each auction winner. Contact me and we will get your finger sized for the correct fit. A half-ounce ring will be a wide band, but not giant. It is a size anyone can wear, just know that it is not a narrow band. A quarter-ounce ring is more of a “regular” width, although still not narrow.

Each ring will be delivered in a small bag with a polishing cloth, and a card. Please find something in the auction to bid on or just make a donation. Many need help and all of us depend on someone for something in our own lives, whether it is guidance, special expertise, or as basic as food. The joy of blessing others will come back many times over.

• Name : Michael Neaves