I'm having way too much fun making wooden rings ( Green Lantern, Wooden Rings). The whole thing started as just a creative exercise, and now it seems that a lot of people like them, so I asked myself " What makes a better gift than something that someone likes?"

Well, I'll tell you... it's something that someone likes, that's also personalized just for that person. In this case it's my girlfriend, but with a little ermaginimanation (say it out loud, it's fun!) this could be the perfect gift for anyone.

Enjoy!

Because this one is shiny the picture doesn't really do it justice, or I should say because I'm apparently not good enough at photography to be able to take pictures of shiny things without there being weird shadows the pictures don't do it justice.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Cheap wood carving set
Dremel tool with Workstation and flex extension
Multiple sizes of grinding and sanding bits
Sandpaper - coarse and fine
Sanding block

Materials:

Wood (I buy wood bits by the pound from American Science and Surplus)
Something small and personal to whomever you're making the ring for
Wood stain (I used Golden Pecan)
Clear casting resin and activator
Wood filler (I actually didn't need it this time, but just in case)
Polyurethane
Brushes (unless you use spay polyurethane)

Step 2: Start Carving

I won't go into quite as much detail here, but check out my Green Lantern Ring Instructable if you want more.

First I drill out the center and grind to fit with a Dremel.
Next I use the Dremel to make the basic shape.
Then I sand and sand until i have the shape I want, and flatten the top to I have a surface for my custom jewel.

I used a couple of pictures from the Green Lantern Ring, but the only difference on this one is that the face is square instead of round.

Step 3: Jewel Setting

I used a drill with a 1/2" bit to make a circle in the middle of the square face. I didn't drill all the way through, just deep enough to set my small personal item in.
Then a smoothed out the bowl shape I just made with the Dremel and some sandpaper.

Step 4: Extra Designs

To pretty up the band a bit a decided to cut a pattern all the way through.

I used a small drill bit and my Dremel workstation to drill a pattern of circles. I used a small grinding bit to turn the three holes in the center into a heart shape.

Once again I hand sanded to get everything nice and smooth after drilling.

Step 5: Making the "jewel"

My girlfriend really likes plants, everything from flowers to weeds, and trees to seaweed. I decided to use a tiny dried flower bud inside my custom made "jewel".

I used a small drop of glue to keep the dried bud in the center of the bowl shape.
I mixed a small amount of casting resin and carefully poured it into the bowl completely covering the bud.

The resin I use is supposed to set quickly, but it was still a little tacky after the recommended time so I just let it sit overnight.

Once it was set I used a small blade to clean up the edges and make sure it stayed round.

Step 6: Finishing

I stained the whole thing and let it sit overnight again.
Next I gave it a light sanding, being careful not to scratch the resin.
Gave the whole thing a coat of polyurethane, lightly sanded again, and gave it another coat.

This gives the whole ring a nice shine to it and the stain makes it look much more "golden" than it seems in the picture.

Step 7: Done! Give It to Someone!

My girlfriend was around while I was making this, so it wasn't a surprise when I gave it to her. She still really liked it. We both decided that the hearts are just a tad cheesy, but that it's alright because she likes cute cheesy stuff. and besides, what's not to like about someone making you jewelry that is not only handmade, but handmade and personalized just for you?