Recent college graduates Dylan and Haylee from Concord, North Carolina were looking at the Folk School’s jewelry classes with an adventurous project in mind: making their own wedding bands. The two were gearing up for a summer wedding, and a celebration of their love didn’t feel complete without a creative, handcrafted component.

Dylan and Haylee had never cast jewelry before, so they were drawn to the Folk School’s non-competitive, nurturing environment. They reached out to their instructor Meredith Middleton beforehand to explain their project and see what was possible. Meredith greatly supported their idea and brought some extra materials to make their dream a reality. Learning basic techniques and skills during the day and working on their rings late into the evening, Dylan and Haylee finished their unique pieces before class wrapped up on Sunday afternoon.

Meredith said it was a joy and honor to help the couple with their bands. “The rings they produced are beautiful and a one-of-a-kind set symbolizing their commitment and love.”

We always say it’s amazing what folks can do in a weekend, and the story of these rings truly takes the cake. Whether you want to learn a new smithing technique or produce jewelry that will last you a lifetime, the Folk School’s wide variety of enriching classes can help. Scholarships like the one Dylan and Haylee received are made possible thanks to our generous donors, many of whom endow perpetual scholarships to encourage the imparting of craft traditions, oftentimes in memory of a loved one. We’re immensely grateful to these donors and are excited to see what students make happen with these benevolent gifts.