Fireweed Ring | (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
A fast-growing wildflower of the north, fireweed is often one of the first plants to colonize disturbed or barren areas, including those affected by forest fires. For this reason, some cultures view the plant as a symbol of resilience and regenerative power.
The leaf of the plant is the powerhouse, so here we designed a basic vein structure, creating negative space between the paths. We cast the ring in sterling silver, and then put a red ceramic coating into these windows.
At a quick glance, the ring looks like a simple silver band, but as your hand moves, the red accents flash at different angles.
Sterling silver w/ red ceramic accents
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Fireweed Ring FAQs
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The red accents are made by bonding a ceramic paint to the surface of the silver. We coat the entire ring in red, and remove the color from the outer and inner surfaces. Then we bake it. It’s similar to glazing and kiln-firing, except with a toaster oven and metal instead. Watch the process here: FIREWEED PROCESS VIDEO
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Flat surfaces pretty easy to clean with a polishing cloth. If you want to scrub the red surfaces, a soft toothbrush and dishsoap work best.
More on cleaning here: Cleaning Jewelry
Fireweed as a Pioneer Species
Pioneer species are characterized by certain traits that enable them to thrive in challenging conditions. These traits often include rapid growth, high reproductive capacity, adaptability to harsh environments, and the ability to disperse effectively. They are typically hardy and can tolerate harsh conditions such as barren soil, extreme temperatures, high levels of sunlight, and minimal nutrient availability.
Fireweed is a pioneer species, and its presence in ecosystems helps restore and regenerate soil health. As a member of the pea family, it has a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a useable form, one that is needed by all other plants and animals to grow.
It also prevents erosion and promotes organic matter decomposition. Fireweed can grow in harsh conditions, paving the way for the establishment of other plant species. It feeds birds and small mammals, and people in the north make a delicious tea from it.