This June, ith celebrated its 7th anniversary. When I started a small atelier in the backstreets of Kichijoji in 2014, my wish was to remain a part of the lives of those for whom I crafted rings.
It may sound daunting, but engagement and wedding rings are items that accompany a couple over many years and aren't made frequently during a lifetime.
I felt it irresponsible as a craftsman to end my role with delivery, and I aspired to establish a relationship akin to a trusted family jeweller, someone who can be consulted with ease.
Recently, I had a delightful reunion.
A customer, for whom I crafted rings about four years ago, approached me for a baby ring.
I first met the couple in 2017, before their families' formal meeting. They desired custom rings, embodying their personal touches, rather than selecting from ready-made brands.
They had individual preferences but wanted their wedding rings to be of the same design. I recall their willingness to consider each other's tastes during fittings.
The design they settled on was a custom-made engagement ring featuring a flower motif in the stone setting, inspired by the character 'flower' in the lady's name. The wedding rings were a modified, wider version of our "Lento" design in a twisted form.
Even after delivery, the couple regularly visited the atelier for maintenance. This time, they wished to craft a baby ring.
I introduced our "Bambino" line of anniversary jewellery, but they preferred a ring matching theirs for their forthcoming child. We decided on a size 1 version of the "Lento" design.
The baby ring design was imbued with care, featuring the parents' birthstones, pink tourmaline and diamond, alongside the child's. At the time of consultation, it was uncertain whether the child's birthstone would be for May or June, so we finalised the design post-birth.
Born on May 31st, the baby ring was adorned with an emerald, creating a colourful and charming piece. For now, the mother will wear it as a pendant, to be given to the child when they are older. May they grow strong and healthy!
The continuation of our relationship from the couple's marriage preparations, to their wedding and now family expansion, is incredibly encouraging for me. This connection, starting from a single encounter, goes beyond a mere transaction. It's a joy to feel like I'm watching over a family's history.
Just as our customers' lives evolve, so do ith and I.
Now in its 7th year, ith welcomes customers at 11 ateliers and online, especially focusing last year on making the atelier experience safe during the pandemic.
Having been involved in craftsmanship as an artisan until now, and actually experiencing the process of creating rings as a couple, I've realized that it's quite different from purchasing an item on my own. This has allowed me to discover the joy of creating rings from a different perspective..
When things change, I often find myself torn between wanting to maintain the status quo and the excitement of embracing new values and learning. However, both ith and I look forward to growing and evolving with enthusiasm.
Ayu Takahashi, ith
