Ann's Heirloom Ring

       I have said since the beginning of my chosen career path that I am in the family business, whether by winter when I have the privilege to guide families and their friends into Yellowstone for a once in a life time memory that     

will be talked about for years to come.  

      What a privilege, what an honor to be part of such an amazing memory.  Perhaps my name will be forgotten, and perhaps the idea there was a guide will be long passed away, but the memory of sitting in front of that elk will never go away.  

       So to is the honor of building a piece of jewelry or engraving a moment on to a rifle.  What an honor to be a 

part of the creation of an heirloom that will be passed along to family with its own folk-lore attached.  Ann asked me to build this ring for her, using the ivory of her very first elk harvested when she was a young lady, and using a bear claw from a bear with a story of troublesome ways.  I suggested there would be enough room to add some scroll engraving to the side, she agreed that would look beautiful, but wondered if I would be able to engraver her brand, which was her father's brand.  I of course said yes and expressed a proud smile with the thought of being able to engrave such an honorable symbol attached with many years of memory.   I asked Ann to tell a little about her story.

Ann: "WOW It's BEAUTIFUL It brings tears to my eyes. Thank you so much Turtle. The Bear claw, is from the first bear, I ever saw get killed, by my Dad, in his underwear, (top only it was still dark outside kinda) after it got into our 'kitchen', we had set up while building our cabin in 1963. The Elk Ivory, is from my very first Elk kill from 250 yards, first time shooting My dad's, 25/35 lever action. and The Brand was my Dads and is now mine, The Heart, Lazy H Bar. Thanks so much Turtle.

       Thank you Ann!  Thank you for letting me be a part of an heirloom piece that will continue through-out the ages.  I am honored.