I don't know how many of you use Etsy regularly, but you might have noticed a company called Paloma's Nest. I first saw them by accident while looking for wedding related goodies. The website is www.palomasnest.com and I have just taken delivery of my very own Ring Bearer Bowl ("with this ring").
My plan is to have our best man hold the bowl and pass it to the Minster so that we can pluck the others' respective ring when its time to say "I do!" When the little parcel arrived today, I was so excited. Inside wrapped in thick brown paper was a tiny box with twine and a wooden heart saying "Thank You". Inside, literally in its own nest was my treasured bowl. After our wedding, I plan to keep rings, bits and bobs in mine.
The company was founded by Caroline Colom Vasquez, an artist and designer living in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas. Paloma's Nest, is dedicated to creating Handcrafted Modern Heirlooms - pieces for the home and for the heart.
The collection includes bowls, tiles, ornaments and decorative pieces and are intended to last for generations, and are thus crafted of the finest natural materials available, including porcelain and clay, wood, paper, and cloth. The inspiration for Paloma's Nest lies in the purity of the materials used, and the idea that something so simple can be so bold.
Caroline, along with her husband José and their team of artisans, strive to create items of meaning and purpose from these natural materials, while leaving the characteristics true. By adding text to the designs, written ideas, feelings, and daydreams are given a place to rest. When names and dates are added, the designs take on special meaning for the recipient and instantly become a Modern Heirloom, cherished for years to come.
Every Paloma's Nest piece - no matter the material - is hand cut, freeform, with no pattern, and every single tiny letter is hand stamped, one by one. This gives each piece its own special variation in the size, shape and layout of the text.
Paloma's Nest is most known for the conception of the Ring Bearer Bowl™, a design that debuted to much international acclaim in 2007. This tiny ceramic dish is intended to replace the ring "pillow" in a wedding celebration, and has created a new tradition in ceremonies around the world. The Ring Bearer Bowl™, which also doubles as a holiday decoration or ring dish in the home, has created a lasting standard in the modern wedding ceremony, and a new form of a family heirloom.
Over the past few years, Paloma’s Nest has evolved from a “one-woman show” to a growing company employing several full time team members. Caroline’s husband José has also joined the family business, and together the two are focused on building a fair and supportive workplace for their employees, offering a true living wage and health benefits for all.
Paloma’s Nest also believes in sharing the opportunity they have as business owners and artisans with other entrepreneurs, and thus is proud to dedicate a portion of all monthly proceeds to Kiva, in the form of micro-finance loans to start-ups around the globe.
Caroline and Jose also participate in business mentoring and consulting to share their experiences with other small companies, both locally and internationally.
By placing priority on quality and service, both in the studio and in their interactions with clients and the public, Paloma’s Nest has created a business based on respect and longevity. It is with this intention that Paloma’s Nest looks forward to creating Modern Heirlooms for you and yours, for many years to come.
The products are made in the US so the P&P is slightly more than you would have to pay in the UK but I think the overall cost is entirely reasonable. Have you ever bought from Paloma's Nest? Please do leave a comment. Love, themrs x
