For the past 14 years, Mark Strelau has been creating dental crowns and veneers in a dental laboratory. Now, he is taking the techniques he has perfected in that same lab and using them to turn silver into inspiration.

"The coolest thing about the dental lab is that I've learned how to make really cool stuff," Strelau said in a promotional video on YouTube.

Strelau, owner of Personal Dental Services in Vista, Calif., applies the same waxing and casting processes he uses in his lab to his other endeavor – making sterling silver jewelry that carries inspirational, motivational or comforting messages.

, which is the element abbreviation for silver (Ag), Strelau designs sterling silver rings that he describes as bold and edgy, but also are symbolic for those who wear them.
	
	“The ‘Together Till’ the End’ ring symbolizes being close with friends, family, or anyone meaningful in my life,” Strelau said.  
	
	“It is a reminder to keep your eyes on the prize, to not lose focus in any aspect in life, and to accomplish what you’ve set out to do,” Strelau said.  
	
	Another design is the ‘Butterfly,’ which is meant to symbolize the life lead by a free spirit.

According to Strelau, another one of his designs, ‘On Track,’ has a simple look that resembles a tire, but possesses a much deeper meaning.
	
	Since he was 13-years-old, Strelau wanted to create a business that would have a positive impact on the lives of others. Improving peoples’ smiles through his work in the dental industry has helped him reach that goal, but he hopes to take it even further with his jewelry business.
	
	“My aspiration has always been to create a business in which I can inspire people to make a better life for themselves, their family, friends, and all the people around them,” Stelau said. “It’s just how I’m wired.”
	
	His desire to create inspirational jewelry was ignited in 2011 when his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He, and his family, took their first vacation together. They were on the beach in Indonesia when Strelau’s father purchased four identical necklaces with the Ohm symbol.
	
	The necklace reminds him of an important time in his life, and prompted his desire to create jewelry that would inspire and comfort others in a similar way.  
	
	The rings range in price from $120 to $165. Check out the rings and learn more about this dental lab operator's journey 

dlpmagazine.com-2012-12-01

Dental lab owner, operator creates 'edgy' rings using techniques from the lab