TheCarrotbox.com modern jewellery blog : obsessed with rings // feed your fingers!

Yenz Lin / Carrera y Carrera

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

"Gymnastics with Cats" by Taiwan's Yenz Lin. Obviously, all other rings are now moot.

Bonus link:
For a more ferocious feline, check out this gold tiger ring by Spanish jeweller Carrera y Carrera. If you can't tell, he's biting down on a piece of smoked quartz.

Even more jewellery:

Creative Dexterity (Massachusetts) - dog silhouettes

Studio Rona (Israel) - brass cutouts

Lauren Elan (Toronto) - beads & chains

Magali Bergon / Brenda B Design

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

While I'm not the biggest fan of winter, one of the advantages of January in Vancouver is a skyline that consists of gorgeous, snow-covered mountains (when they're not obscured by rain clouds, that is). French artist Magali Bergon shows her own mountain appreciation with this magnificent Pyrenees knuckleduster.

Also available in individual portions.

Bonus link:
Here's another ode to the mountains, in reticulated silver and accented with a garnet. Ring by Brenda B Design, who — unsurprisingly — is based in Colorado.

Even more jewellery:

Pacaya Designs (Guatemala) - volcanic material

Necklush (New York) - necklace scarves

Valerie Hector (Illinois) - beadwork & metal

Rentaro Nishimura / Gwaan

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

London's Rentaro Nishimura makes eye-catching self-assembly rings that involve single sheets of acrylic.

Above, his sphere and cube rings. No glue required!

Bonus link: for more eye-catching lasercut acrylic, check out Italy's Gwaan, who made these "geometric" rings. Acrylic alphabet rings also available.

Even more jewellery:

Loree Rodkin (California) - bold & glam

Megan Adair (UK) - photo art

Steven de Jaeger (Belgium) - contemporary silver

Jeanie Andronyk / Orno Jewelry

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

A nice selection of modern metal rings from Vancouver's Jeanie Andronyk.

Bonus link: it's a little tougher to find brushed, faceted metal rings in gold rather than silver, but here's one from Montreal's Orno Jewelry (Carla Smiley). It's 18k-plated sterling.

Even more jewellery:

House of Natalia (Sweden) - modern metal

Lisa Gralnick (Wisconsin) - art & jewellery

Irene Jung (California) - vintage necklaces

PET:cell / Deco

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Growing up, UK jeweller Tonya O'Hara used to watch her dad repair the broken components of TV sets. She thinks this led to her life-long "fascination with the meticulous and methodical arranging of components" — which now manifests itself as PET:cell, her line of recycled plastic bottle jewellery. Shown above are her "Tarantula," "Quill" (both with feathers), and green "Apple" rings.

Bonus link: does your idea of "PET" lean more toward bunnies than toward polyethylene terephthalate? If so, check out Japan's Deco for lots of rabbits (and squirrels).

Even more jewellery:

Anna Built (New York) - recycled tin

Sarah Stafford (UK) - clustered circles

Seagrass Studio (Massachusetts) - handpainted necklaces

Yuki Nagao / Satoru

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Askew, atilt, aslant. In "Side Effects," Japan's Yuki Nagao throws everything just slightly off kilter, to charming effect. Check out her other collections for lots of playful pieces.

Bonus link:
Here's an artfully-skewed ring from the "Lignum" series by New York's Satoru. Also check out the "Akatsuki" series, which features diamonds that appear to change colour.

Even more jewellery:

Bent Metal (New Hampshire) - metal & silk

Liv & Fig (New York) - organic & personalized

Timothy Horn (Switzerland) - pearl art

Studio Aminimal / Glauco Cambi

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are you attracted to these rings? Do you feel pulled in? Drawn in? Maybe it's because they were inspired by magnetic field lines! Nylon and silver rings from the "Field Test" collection by Brooklyn's Studio Aminimal (John Briscella & Svetlana Blum Briscella).

Bonus link:
Speaking of magnetized, here's the "magnetic attraction" ring by Rome's Glauco Cambi. If you like kinetic rings, check out this Italian jeweller's gallery.

Even more jewellery:

Alicia Roman (Virginia) - magnet necklaces

Fail (Texas) - thin metal

Louise Mary Chesshire (UK) - leaves & flowers

Kelly Jo Limberg / Bonny Lad (Sunggee Min)

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Air, water, fire: Indiana's Kelly Jo Limberg goes elemental with these silver and plexiglas rings. Check out her portfolio for cool spinning-top rings and seashell loupes, as well.

Bonus link:
Australia's Bonny Lad (Sunggee Min) was inspired by the five elements when creating these rings in silver, copper, corian, wood and dyed PVC.

Even more jewellery:

Candy Stripe Cloud (Australia) - cute lasercuts

Reef Jewellery (UK) - marine themes

Carrier Pigeon (Minnesota) - talons & matchsticks

Schatje Design / Love Mert

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Made from old textile factory spools, these wooden slice rings by Japan's Schatje Design were created to support carbon offset initiatives. So I guess I shouldn't fly on a jet to go grab some? Dangit.

Bonus link: for more recycled wood, check out California's Love Mert. These rings were made with remnants from the artist's father's woodshop.

Even more jewellery:

Uncommonly Beautiful (UK) - recycled accessories

Kelly Allanson (California) - contemporary silver

Amber O'Harrow (Iowa) - metal & textiles

Jutiqu / Buji New York

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

These synthetic pearls trapped in clear resin (or snowballs trapped in ice?) are from Japan's Jutiqu (Tomoko Sato-Albaisa). I actually like the giant necklaces the best — wear one and pull off an updated Holly Golightly... minus the crime and gold-digging, of course.

Bonus link:
You don't have to be a gold-digger to dig gold. And if you do dig gold, you'll dig this giant, golden "Almost Paradise" ring by Buji New York (May Chen).

Even more jewellery:

Ingrid Bärndal (Sweden) - pearls & petals

Laurel Denise (Virginia) - simple & handwritten

Sophia Raja (UK) - Swarovski beads

Kirsty Fraser / Morgan Terry

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

I've reached architectural ring nirvana. As it turns out, everything's made of MDF — does that mean I've actually reached ring IKEA? Either way, I love these lasercut MDF rings by UK jeweller Kirsty Fraser.

Bonus link:
For solid wood rather than particle board, check out this chunky wooden ring (with a single silver facet) by New Zealand jeweller Morgan Terry.

Even more jewellery:

Audrey Jacks (Massachusetts) - white & wood

Becky Kelso (California) - modern classics

Linda Brothwell (UK) - art jewellery

Lauren Joffe / Argent Flame

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

[If you missed it, I posted on the weekend — please scroll down.] Let's skip the chatter and jump right back into the jewellery, shall we? I love this work by Australia's Lauren Joffe. (Note: if you don't see it on your screen, the navigation is hidden at the very bottom of her webpage.)

Bonus link:
For more shibuichi pieces with an eroded look, check out Maryland metalsmith Tony Sanchez of Argent Flame. This particular ring is decorated with Mayan glyphs.

Even more jewellery:

Amanda DelaCruz (Toronto) - copper & enamel

Keiwa Kobayashi (Japan) - steel structures

T.Cyia (California) - spikes & chains

Fruit Super Design / Anne Arden McDonald

2012-01-15T14:12:00.001-08:00

I'm back from my much-needed dose of blue skies and sun. To make up for my long break, here's a weekend posting! Seattle's Fruit Super Design makes these fun silicone rings that stretch to fit — much like the pants I'll need to wear after all that holiday eating.

Bonus link:
Speaking of fruit, New York artist and photographer Anne Arden McDonald has a line of jewellery that includes this cast silver apple seed ring (also available in gold).

Even more jewellery:

Apples to Oranges (California) - leather & beads

Marukiko (Sweden) - painted sticks

Bree Richey (Massachusettes) - clean silver

Annika Ladener / Amy Allum

2012-01-01T14:48:00.001-08:00

* Please note: *
I'm on a winter break until mid-January.
Apologies for the extended absence!

It's the start of another year, another cycle! Vancouver's Annika Ladener illustrates the point with her "Under a Tree" series, a set of four rings capturing four seasons.

Bonus link:
Trees in threes! South Africa's Amy Allum created this multi-finger silver ring featuring tree (complete with roots) silhouettes.

Even more jewellery:

Dalla Nonna (New York) - personalized calendars

Lianna Sheppard (UK) - geometric acrylic

Noboru Shionoya (Japan) - statement pieces

Tabitha Ott / Ulalá / Black Balloon

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season to party! I'm signing off for the year, so Happy Holidays to you all and see you in January!

In the meantime, get your daily ring fix by checking out Ohio's Tabitha Ott, who set out to make a new ring every single day of 2011 (the one pictured above is from July 22nd).

If a party hat with polkadots isn't enough to lift your spirits, how about a fistfull of them instead? The "dots" actually represent atoms such as "joy," "brightness" and "originality" — you know, from the imaginary corner of the periodic table of elements. Polymer clay "Atomium" rings by UK-based Spanish designer Ulalá.

Bonus link:
Turn up the "festivity" dial by swapping those colourful balls for jingle bells! "Ring My Bell" by Belgian label Black Balloon (Cléo Baele & Sarah Bos).

Even more jewellery:

Feltik (Poland) - felt balls

Ribbonesia Adornments (Japan) - ribbon animals

Kyler by Joy O (California) - green & stylish

Heidemarie Herb / ilithé

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, kid. Christmas — and toys — will be here before you know it.

See?

For more miniatures and other metalwork, check out German jeweller Heidemarie Herb.

Bonus link: the gift that wraps itself! See Paris jeweller ilithé for Christmas bow rings in three different styles.

Even more jewellery:

A l'Heure de l'Apéro (Spain) - miniature figures

Eileen Gatt (UK) - clean metal

Stannard Inc. (Australia) - crystals & bronze

Ineke Heerkens / Kirstie van Noort

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Delve into the world of Dutch artist Ineke Heerkens.

Bonus link:
For more conceptual work out of the Netherlands, check out "skin jewellery" by Kirstie van Noort, currently studying at the Design Academy Eindhoven.

Even more jewellery:

Erica Duffy-Voss (Iowa) - conceptual neckpieces

Manuel Albarran (Spain) - metal couture

Most Common Most Rare (UK) - resin cuffs

bRainbow / Muzoo Designs

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Do parents still assemble toys on Christmas Day, or has this tradition been replaced by installing games and downloading apps? (I feel old.) Here's an assembly-required ring that's worth the (minimal) effort! Check out Australia's bRainbow for fun, retro-flavoured jewellery in lasercut wood and acrylic. This DIY ring features a swappable squirrel/bird top; heart ring also available.

Bonus link:
Here's another orange lasercut acrylic bird ring, this time from the Netherlands' Muzoo Design (Julian Sing), whose obsession with lasercutting extends even to cucumbers.

Even more jewellery:

Mockinghorse (UK) - lasercut acrylic

Jocelyn Vanni (California) - texturized silver

Sonya Renée (Texas) - metal & stones

Elizabeth Novak / Jeanne Flint

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Treat yourself to one of these rings — you've earned it! Well, someone's earned it, anyway, as they're made from vintage 4-H merit badges and stampings. Rings above by Rhode Island's Elizabeth Novak.

Bonus link:
Here's a ring that could be of use during certain 4-H activities. Silver "All Who Wander Are Not Lost" compass ring by Atlanta designer Jeanne Flint.

Even more jewellery:

M&B Vintage (New York) - monograms & charms

Hello Shiso (California) - for kids

Cécile Cohen (France) - beads on chains

Alice Waese / Marmod8 (Marie-Maude Brunet) / Dina Abargil

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Your day is about to get a little rough — thanks to some cool, rugged rings, like the ones above by London-based Alice Waese.

"Wooden" rings in oxidized silver by Montreal's Marmod8 (Marie-Maude Brunet).

Ring in concrete and shibuichi from the "Street" collection by Israeli jeweller Dina Abargil.

Bonus link:
I like the rough, jagged edge on this "Iceberg" ring by Indiana's Lisa Hopkins. Visit her site for lots of oxidized silver and botanical themes.

Even more jewellery:

Bad Panda (Texas) - rough diamonds

Sophie Heymans (Belgium) - gold & glass

Flora & Fawn (Seattle) - enamel circles

Gurhan / M.A.R.S

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Looking for something classic that doesn't bore? I love the mix of tradition and edge, as well as the vaguely quilted pattern, in these rings by New York-based Turkish jeweller Gurhan. They're from his 4/24K collection, in which he uses an "early Ottoman alloy" of 4K and 24K gold.

Bonus link:
Quilting adds a distinct touch to some simple metal bands by Japan's M.A.R.S., from their "1st" 2011 collection.

Even more jewellery:

The Empress Dowager's New Jewels (Australia) - fabric

Laura Mae deLeon (California) - metal & crochet

Dori Csengeri (New York) - ornate beading

Molly Avellar / Hila Binyamin / Emma MacLeod / Hamish T Dobbie / Justine Jividen

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's time again for Random Pluckings from My Bookmarks! First up is a menagerie from Massachusetts designer Molly Avellar.

Fan ring by Israel's Hila Binyamin, whose designs are Japan-inspired.

"Frame Ring" by Scotland's Emma MacLeod, based on the oil rigs there.

Another architectural piece inspired by the environs of Scotland is Hamish T Dobbie's ring based on the Newberry Tower at Glasgow School of Art, where he's a student.

A final pair of architectural rings from Pennsylvania's Justine Jividen.

Bonus link: ok, I lied — let me squeeze in just one more architectural ring with this cute roof from Australia's Melanie Rice. It's from her "Made of Sugar" collection, which was inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Even more jewellery:

Daan De Decker (Belgium) - structures & lighthouses

Alex Williamson (UK) - inset leather

Marie Helene Bornhall (Sweden) - contemporary silver

Suzanne Spisani / Janniche Torlen / Cherryblossom

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some rings with a common thread: boat spacer ring with thread sail by BC artist Suzanne Spisani and rooster and glass balloon rings with twine by Norway's Janniche Torlen.

Bonus link:
A bright trail of embedded thread updates this otherwise simple cabochon ring from Germany's Cherryblossom.

Even more jewellery:

H/L by Sonya Gallardo (California) - string & brass

Sugarlime (Vancouver) - metal cutouts

Virginia LeBailly (UK) - dichroic glass

Karolina Bik / Tashka by Beatrice (Beatrice Matiash

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Drippity doo-da, drippity day... Polish artist Karolina Bik likens her jewellery to acid jazz, stating that it's not for everyone but that she'd be gratified if it could stir "intense emotions for at least 1% of the public." Does this mean I am not the 99% after all?

Bonus link:
For rings representing 1% of a dollar, check out these penny rings from New Jersey's Tashka by Beatrice (Beatrice Matiash).

Even more jewellery:

Daniel Zelig (Israel) - white ceramic

Krista Israel (Netherlands) - glass & beads

Tine Wiggens (BC) - paper birds

Soak Republic / Tetris Gems

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

I haven't been into video games since my days spent obsessing over Bubble Bobble (damn you, Baron von Blubba!) so this Pac-Man ring is right up my alley. Besides, would a World of Warcraft ring look as cute? For this and other adorable jewellery, check out Malaysia's Soak Republic.

Bonus link:
Of the few other games I did play, my favourite has got to be the classic, Tetris (damn you, red bar!). Rings by Hawaii-based Tetris Gems.

Even more jewellery:

Justin Siow (Australia) - pacman brooch

Mafia Jewellery (Ontario) - playful silver

Gemma Correll (UK) - cute pins

Nymphenburg (Patrik Muff) / Kobo-Angel

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Throughout its 260-year history, Germany's Nymphenburg has built a reputation for their porcelain — but it's their silver rings I'm focussing on today. Designed by Patrik Muff (who's already made an appearance on my blog), these Maori tiki rings are intricately-crafted and highly imposing!

Bonus link: when it comes to Polynesian carvings, there's none more famous than the giant moai on Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island). Japan's Kobo-Angel shrinks them down to ring size.

Even more jewellery:

Tawa Hunter (New Zealand) - Maori cameos

Covet (New York) - gold & leather

Rachael Sudlow (Kansas) - silver peapods

Gloss / Rowky

2011-12-02T00:01:00.001-08:00

In the market for a new pair of frames? Japan's Boston Club (and their Tokyo shop Gloss) has got you and your fingers covered with these adorable eyeglass rings (available at Bisous Bijoux).

Bonus link: for more cute little glasses rings (and loads of other styles), check out Korean fashion shop Rowky.

Even more jewellery:

Shi Studio (BC) - framed silk

Timothy Ringsmuth (California) - stone-like glass

Candy Spender (Australia) - colourful clusters

Molly Perrin / Brian Lee Dreesman

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

These are rings Carrie Mathison would be proud to wear. In her "Gleam" collection, UK jeweller Molly Perrin explores keyholes and spyholes, equipping her rings with riveted lids that "swivel to reveal a hidden compartment or a lens."

Visit her site for more work inspired by furniture components, such as these rings "based on the mechanisms used in drawer handles and to hang frames on the wall."

Bonus link:
For more furniture and lenses, check out Iowa designer Brian Lee Dreesman, who makes chairs, cabinets and jewellery like this "Memories" lens ring.

Even more jewellery:

Holly Barton (UK) - scientific lenses

Amy DiGregorio (California) - semiprecious stones

Sarah Wolfsont (Colorado) - modern metal

Marianne Høvik Hansen / Dreams of Norway

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Still staying with Norway today — and why would I want to leave, with such gorgeous pieces to admire? Marianne Høvik Hansen works wonders with polyester resin (and silver, but you'll have to visit her site for those!).

Bonus link: after all these pretty rings, I'll be having Dreams of Norway tonight! Silver and crystal jewellery by Norwegian duo Nina Einarsen and Iselin Strømsvåg.

Even more jewellery:

Sigfrid Sannes (Norway) - hearts & stamps

Tessa Edwards (UK) - leather & wow

Venetia Dale (Wisconsin) - conceptual metal

Fam Irvoll / Huset Konfekt

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's not all sunshine and lollipops.

It's also hearts, cherries, bows and a whole lot of fun over at Norway's Fam Irvoll.

Bonus link: sunshine brings out the best of translucent acrylic. Norwegian artist Siri Berrefjord of Huset Konfekt works with silver and plastic, sometimes casting old Norwegian national costume silver for their patterns.

Even more jewellery:

Julien Bergignat (France) - UV detection

We Dream in Colour (Massachusetts) - brass & verdigris

Twinkle by Wenlan (New York) - jewels & clothes

Lia Julia Burton / Ainsel / GALA Curios

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

A double dose of double roses today, starting with this rose chain ring by Scotland's Lia Julia Burton.

Above, delicate double roses by Japan's Ainsel.

Bonus link:
Every rose post has its thorn post. "Sting of Remorse" double ring in gold, brass and pewter by GALA Curios (Australia's Jasmine O'Loughlin).

Even more jewellery:

Jane West (UK) - silver roses

Virginie Mahé (France) - deco style

Heather Joy Puskarich (Pennsylvania) - glass cuffs

Jun-Roku / Larela Jewellery

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Lions and tigers and b... oh, wait. Don't worry, Dorothy — what we actually have here are the noses of a lion (top), a squirrel (bottom left) and a rabbit (bottom right) from Japan's Jun-Roku ("reindeer," the artist's favourite animal because of Christmas). She started out designing furniture until she realized, hey, furniture is big, and tried her hand at making a frog ring instead. The rest is history. Explore her site for tons more animal-shaped pieces!

Bonus link:
If you'd like a full lion, there's this silver ring from England's Larela Jewellery, who draws inspiration from animals found on historical coats of arms.

Even more jewellery:

Miel-Margarita Paredes (Oregon) - animal accessories

Vanessa Montiel (California) - gold & horn

Petra Hartman (Netherlands) - art jewellery

Thea Clark / LicketyCut

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

A colour combo normally reserved for baby boutiques gets refreshed in these striking pieces by New Jersey artist Thea Clark. The silk fabric gets its hue from the process of cyanotype, a photo-printing method.

Bonus link:
These pink and blue baby rings come naked but can be stacked with a white diaper ring! See more lasercut acrylic at Tennessee's LicketyCut.

Even more jewellery:

Laloul (Belgium) - pregnancy pendants

Lenka's (Vancouver) - metal lace

TinkPink (Japan) - diamonds & gold

Maeko / Pod People Designs

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Resin + wood. They're like the chocolate and peanut butter of the ring world — not only do they go great together, they can be smooth and chunky. Scotland's Maeko is the latest matchmaker to catch my eye with these pieces (some of which also include glass and silver).

Bonus link:
Speaking of smooth and chunky, check out this ring featuring a glorious globe of gold-coloured resin! It's one of many simple but eyecatching styles from Australia's Pod People Designs.

Even more jewellery:

Carla Edwards (UK) - colourful resin

Gemmasu (Spain) - colourful briolettes

Carillac (Netherlands) - sleek & brushed

Mairi Burrow / Eva Strepp

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

In her "Ring Romance" series, UK jeweller Mairi Burrow presents a set of pearl rings that can be "carried about and placed anywhere" so that "the owner can access her choice of ring to wear and delight in viewing the other two." Three rings are set in four layers of perspex with rose petals as a backdrop.

Bonus link:
German jeweller Eva Strepp specializes in simple, minimalist pearl jewellery. She enjoys the shape of pearls and the concept of "no corners, no edges defining a direction."

Even more jewellery:

Adler-Grier (New York) - pearls & beads

Mayuko Yamamura (Japan) - chain lace

Vera Manzoni (Portugal) - silver & topaz

Panagiotis Megalooikonomou / Stopshop / Tweet Ring

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Braille use may be declining due to technology (like electronic screen readers) but Braille jewellery endures. Above, top, is a ring by Greek designer Panagiotis Megalooikonomou, who has a cool range of sandblasted silver jewellery with an industrial bent. Also pictured are colourful Braille rings by Bangkok's Stopshop, created for the charity Foundation for Blind in Thailand.

Bonus link: speaking of technology... ever read something on Twitter that deserved to be immortalized? Get it engraved on your own Tweet Ring (a division of Dutch company Alphabeth).

Even more jewellery:

Talkatoo (Michigan) - voice recordings

Sophie Duran (Netherlands) - conceptual art

Melissa McArthur (UK) - simple stones

Gustav Reyes / The Woodlot / Contexture

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

In stark contrast to yesterday's urban/industrial rings are these raw wood pieces by Gustav Reyes. The Chicago jeweller's Ad Idem ("of one mind") series uses salvaged wood from other craftspeople.

Above, some more natural wood rings from Ontario's The Woodlot, who use fallen trees and reclaimed lumber.

Bonus link:
These "Bentwood" rings by Contexture (Vancouver duo Nathan Lee and Trevor Coghill) are made with reclaimed architectural wood veneer offcuts.

Even more jewellery:

Emedemarta (Spain) - wooden triangles

Emma Palmer (UK) - tatted thread

Dana Rocks (California) - pebbles & silver

Bin Dixon-Ward / Puneet Jodhka

2011-11-17T00:01:00.001-08:00

Inspired by the laneways of Melbourne, these silver and powdercoated brass rings make me think of origami using 3D objects rather than paper! By Australia's Bin Dixon-Ward (also check out her work in plastic).

Bonus link: here's another powdercoated ring from another Australian jeweller, Puneet Jodhka. Like many of her pieces, this spacer ring doubles as a functional vessel.

Even more jewellery:

Maria Sköldin (Sweden) - powdercoated steel

Luna Cox (France) - beads & brass

Silver Sparrow Designs (Colorado) - silver & stone

Filipa Oliveira / Cocii (Claudia Lassner)

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I like the juxtaposition of solid and meshed asymmetrical hexagons in these rings from UK-based Portugese jeweller Filipa Oliveira.

Bonus link:
These hexagonal metal solitaires from Germany's Cocii (Claudia Lassner) are like a simplified version of the rings above!

Even more jewellery:

Catherine Grisez (Seattle) - metal art

Sadie Wang (Tennessee) - silver & resin

Keck (Austria) - contemporary classics

La Touf / Nova Design / Virginie Millefiori

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm not usually one for pink but this plastic flower ring from Greece's La Touf (Kostas Latoufis) makes me smile. Also shown are his pinwheel-like titanium flower ring and actual pinwheel necklace. (Hint: when you go to his site, click on the "O," wait for "showroom" to appear, then click on that.)

For more pinwheels, check out Swedish-born, Philadelphia-based Tess Norberg of Nova Design.

Bonus link: apparently, when a European jeweller moves to the states, the first order of business is to make a pinwheel! Here's another from French-born, New York-based Virginie Millefiori.

Even more jewellery:

Stephen Dove (California) - wheel pendants

Erin Lightfoot (Australia) - printed porcelain

Mikaela Lyons (UK) - eclectic art

Lisa Linhardt / Fingerfood Jewelry / True Lies

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm loving these bold yet simple knuckledusters in silver, horn and quartz from New York's Lisa Linhardt.

Here's another knuckleduster. Which also happens to be a sandwich. Yep, it's a knuckle sandwich!

All miniature food rings above by Fingerfood Jewelry. In case the poutine didn't tip you off, they're based in Montreal (while the Iced Vo Vo lets you know they're originally from Australia and the hot dog lets you know they like mustard).

Bonus link: two fingers worth of sandwich may need two fingers worth of teeth, so pick up this "Over Bite" ring from France's True Lies. Made with real human teeth, which are "more precious than gold."

Even more jewellery:

Bistro Bling (Connecticut) - miniature food

KaroArt (Ireland) - ceramic beads

Brigitte Dombrowski (Germany) - twotone metal

Sadhbh McCormack / MAL (Marisa A. Lomonaco)

2011-11-11T00:01:00.001-08:00

Let's do another Casual Friday, wherein I post a ring...

...and then I relax the rules to highlight some of the designer's other amazing jewellery. Today's artist? Ireland's Sadhbh McCormack.

Bonus link:
We now return to our regularly scheduled program. For smaller spikes, this time on rings, check out New York's MAL (Marisa A. Lomonaco).

Even more jewellery:

Naomi McIntosh (UK) - bold & modern

Ranjana Khan (New York) - ornate necklaces

Metal Embryon (Japan) - geometric patterns

Myrto Anastasopoulou / Omar Maldonado / Kiyokko Hosoda / Emerald Green Submarine / Catherine Sheedy

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Time again for Random Pluckings from My Bookmarks, starting with this "Angel" ring in rhodium-plated silver from My. A Jewellery (Myrto Anastasopoulou) of Greece.

Cute initial rings from Argentina's Omar Maldonado.

Origami and sprouts from Italy's Kiyoko Hosoda.

Resin squares from Australia's Emerald Green Submarine.

Clear loops from Quebec's Catherine Sheedy (gallery at page bottom).

Bonus link: Silver Ebony, as you may have guessed, offers pieces in silver and ebony. UK jeweller Barry Swerdlow also adds the distinctive pattern of zebra shell to make this work his own.

Even more jewellery:

Diana Dudek (Germany) - art jewellery

Delilah Devine (Australia) - wallpaper silhouettes

Susie Brand (Ohio) - silver & briolettes

Glenda López / Julia Burness

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you ever feel like you need an antidote to the multitude of cute bird and deer rings out there, Spain's Glenda López is the designer for you. Pictured above are her hyena and wild boar rings.

And here's a Disney antidote: her "Forever Mouse" ring.

Bonus link:
Some more pigs, in silver and brass, from Julia Burness. The UK jeweller likes to use fair trade and recycled metals.

Even more jewellery:

Rima Hyena (Texas) - modern relics

Anna Häggström (UK) - skulls & tassels

Choo Yilin (Singapore) - sustainable luxury

O-pose / Calyx / Miss Tinguette

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Soft, organic, almost... fleshy. That's the result when two designers aim to "create objects that grow from or around the body." Wool and silicone rings by Romania's O-pose.

Above, some more woolly "mosha" rings from Japan's Calyx.

Bonus link:
Warm up with more wool! Pictured is a simple and lovely braided ring by Miss Tinguette (Marin Déborah, a Belgian jeweller living in France).

Even more jewellery:

Tanya Aguiñiga (California) - wool lace

Emille de Blanche (Sweden) - metal necklaces

Angela Walker (Pennsylvania) - silver & beads

Christiane Oexl / Erin Inglis

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

I just realized that the colours of autumn in Vermont are the same as the colours of summer in the Caribbean.

These colours, on the other hand, are unmistakably autumnal! All rings above by Germany's Christiane Oexl.

Bonus link:
Some more Vermont foliage colours from an artist who calls that state home, Erin Inglis. The jeweller and illustrator makes her pieces by drawing on shrink plastic.

Even more jewellery:

Karen Krieger (Vermont) - leaves & frames

Studio Fludd (Italy) - faceted wood

Caroline Reynolds (UK) - metal & stones

Olive by Rahya / Acanthus Jewelry

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed, this is a blog about rings. Once in a while, though, even I have to acknowledge that it's the other jewellery that are the stars of a particular designer's collection. So let's check out these fun "dash" rings (above), then call it a casual Friday and bend the rules by also checking out the gorgeous earrings and cuffs of Olive by Rahya (Rahya Blackwell). The New Orleans native was inspired by the city's "romance, architecture and enchantment."

Bonus link: here's a westcoast interpretation of that quatrefoil shape. See Portland, Oregon's Acanthus Jewelry (Nichole McIver) for lots of pretty jewellery featuring tiny gold-filled beads.

Even more jewellery:

Adorn & Conquer (Louisiana) - New Orleans

Dorus Mhor (UK) - patterned balls

Sonya Scott (Australia) - chalk & fishlens

Avery Lucas / Mielle Harvey

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

The "Living Ring" and hand ornament are just two of many interesting pieces from Massachusetts metalsmith Avery Lucas, whose ideas come from "anxiety I feel about the corporal self."

Bonus link:
For me, anxiety is usually induced by birds, like this too-real ring from New York's Mielle Harvey. The artist's portfolio is full of nature-inspired jewellery.

Even more jewellery:

ScienceCrush (Seattle) - anatomical hearts

Cara Tonkin (UK) - bold silver

KimberlyAnn (New York) - etched metal

Birgit Marie Schmidt / Timbee Lo

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

"I flipped my horse!" Is that an expression? Well, it is now. I flipped my horse when I saw these knuckledusters from UK jeweller Birgit Marie Schmidt. The upside-down headless horses are made of brass and gold and awesomeness.

Bonus link:
Here's another headless horse ring! This horse hiney, designed to look like it's jumping into your finger, is from Hong Kong's Timbee Lo (they also have a "jumping OUT" ring).

Even more jewellery:

Catherine M. Zadeh (New York) - bits & bridles

So Plastic (Italy) - plastic straws

V2 (Belgium) - wrapped leather

Lady Peculiar / Gaia is Love

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

You may have thought yesterday's rings were peculiar but I've saved the real peculiar for today: South Africa's Lady Peculiar! Peculiarly, their rings are more adorable than strange.

Bonus link:
For more adorable, scalloped silver, like this "Antonella" ring, see Mexico's Gaia is Love (Michell Galindo). I especially love her tiny elephants.

Even more jewellery:

Moving Metal (New York) - super cute

Hyun Ju Lee (Rhode Island) - modern metal

Sally Cassandra (Australia) - stamped ceramic

Zaorick / Charcoal Designs

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Hallowe'en!

See that ring she's wearing? There's more where that came from.

When I say more, I mean pages upon pages upon pages more. Japan's Zaorick offers oodles of ghoulish treats for you to peruse. If you don't read Japanese, just click where you'd normally find the "next page" link at the bottom of any blog page. And keep clicking and clicking.

Bonus link:
California's Charcoal Designs has these "Frank 'N' Stein" monster rings in handcast resin to complete your Hallowe'en.

Even more jewellery:

Vampire Wear (Ontario) - blood & fangs

La Ninja (Sweden) - vintage style

Sonya Nagels (Netherlands) - simple & modern

Vanessa Arthur / Pennie Jagiello

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love this gorgeous transformation of reclaimed building materials, like laminate and plywood, by New Zealand's Vanessa Arthur. She has a funny streak, too, as one of them (pictured above, bottom) is ironically named "lifetime guarantee."

Bonus link: another jeweller working with discarded materials is Australia's Pennie Jagiello, whose signature material is electrical cabling.

Even more jewellery:

Suzie Byatt (UK) - architectural fragments

Jennifer Nielsen (Maine) - rocks & silver

Zula Jewelry (Vancouver) - metal & wool

Lucy Jenkins / Lisa Watson

2011-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

London metalsmith Lucy Jenkins uses recycled materials like fuses, zippers and watch straps in these bird and book rings. But if you want to get at the, um, meat of her work, you'll have to check out her taxidermy jewellery.

Bonus link: if you're squeamish like me, here's a NON-taxidermied bunny from UK jeweller Lisa Watson. Much of her work incorporates anodised aluminium (that's "anodized aluminum" if you don't speak British).

Even more jewellery:

Kate Halfpenny (UK) - birds & bees

Ferran Iglesias (Spain) - gold wire

Lucy Hearn (Australia) - colourful earrings

mzuu / Yunhee Kim

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

At first, this jeweller was going to be part of Monday's skull ring post. Then it was going to be part of Tuesday's diamond ring post. With such a wide selection of rings, it could be part of any post, so let me avoid putting it off any longer and dedicate today's post to Korea's mzuu. The rings above (including smoking skulls!) are from their "Rollips" collection.

Bonus link:
For another Korean jeweller, check out metalsmith Yunhee Kim. I love her "blossom" ring and how you can stack different styles to make your own statement.

Even more jewellery:

Jaehyung Cho (Korea) - metal art

Lucy Peacock (UK) - colourful & geometric

Sollis (Australia) - macramé knots

Katie Lees / tmh.

2011-10-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Scotland's Katie Lees has some great metalwork inspired by the "heavy industrial aesthetic of the shipbuilding history that has moulded the city of Glasgow."

Above, her structural rings with clusters of diamond-like outlines.

Bonus link:
For a much more subtle diamond — so much so that it's protruding inward rather than outward — check out this "diamond inside" ring from Japan's tmh.

Even more jewellery:

Rosalba Balsamo (Italy) - metal diamonds

Lotta Losten (Sweden) - wire cages

Francine Haywood (Australia) - silver & copper

Kaye Blegvad / Catarina Silva / Fabi Malavazi

2011-10-24T00:01:00.001-07:00

With Hallowe'en just a week away, I've got skulls on (not to mention encasing) the brain. First up are these brass and silver rings from New York's Kaye Blegvad. Like little skull families!

And here's an entire skull clan, from Portugal's Catarina Silva

A skull with a flourish from Brazil's Fabi Malavazi.

Bonus link:
If you're looking for something in a skullier colour, New Zealand's Nick Von K has rings in carved mother-of-pearl. (I also like his funny babushka skull charm.)

Even more jewellery:

Mantis 7 (California) - handcarved skulls

Indigo Fawn (Australia) - lasercut acrylic

Sonja Neven (Alberta) - metal & gems

Claire McArdle / Lunasa Designs

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Australia's Claire McArdle is killing me with the greatness of her jewellery. I particularly love these "Wind Wheel" and "Metropolis" pieces that look like they were plucked from a rural landscape.

Above, her finger- and nail-tunnels. I am slain.

Bonus link:
Here's another ring that could've been plucked (in two senses of the word) from a rural landscape. It's the "COCKtail" ring from Utah's Lunasa Designs (Rebekah Timlin Meddles).

Even more jewellery:

California Rustic (North Carolina) - recycled flatware

Trois Petits Points (France) - minimal enamel

Porzellaner (Germany) - porcelain pendants

Mel Miller / Beccy Boo

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Awwwwwwwwwww yeeeeeeeeahhhh.

Australia's Mel Miller has re-awakened my long-ago obsession with bouncy balls, using the Funnest Toy on Earth as "stones" in her rings (some of which even glow in the dark). She also carves those balls into tubes for use as beads — visit her site to see!

Bonus link:
UK shop Beccy Boo has lots of fun rings topped with vintage toy pieces, including a Connect Four disc, Lego brick and this vintage bouncy ball.

Even more jewellery:

Liliana Lé (Portugal) - balls & elastics

Hirotaka (Japan) - natural inspirations

Phillip Chisholm (Toronto) - metal & pearls

Martina Bocka / Mederu Jewelry

2011-10-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

I like the word "loop" because it resembles a needle looping thread. (Kind of like how "bed" looks like a bed. Is there a term for such words?)

All lovely loops above from German jeweller Martina Bocka.

Bonus link:
For something simple and elegant, check out this looped "je t'aime" ring in gold from Japan's Mederu Jewelry, whose shop is full of classic pieces.

Even more jewellery:

Mango & Magnolia (Germany) - plastic loops

David Webdale (UK) - sleek & bone-like

Andrea Bonelli (California) - modern classics

Lena & Fredrik / Autumn Brown

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two incompatible rings (unless you like burning thread) from two compatible designers, Lena & Fredrik (Lena Åberg & Fredrik Lundberg). In addition to creating jewellery and objects, the duo teach classes in silversmithing — but you'll have to go to Sweden if you want to take part!

Bonus link:
Maybe fire and thread are compatible. This porcelain "Firecracker" ring has an enamel design that looks like it's been stitched with thread. Ring by Georgia's Autumn Brown.

Even more jewellery:

Lorena Marañón (Colorado) - thread & brass

Fleet (Vancouver) - braided leather

Loula Design (Germany) - changeable bangles

Nayad Bal / Antje Bleck

2011-10-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

Turkey's Nayad Bal knows that two heads are better (and cuter) than one.

Bonus link:
For many more double-headed rings, visit Germany's Antje Bleck and check out her "Pulpi" collection. She shares her website with fellow jeweller Antje Roeben.

Even more jewellery:

Double Happiness (California) - fashion jewellery

Megan Perkins (Australia) - modern enamel

Elinor de Spoelberch (Belgium) - metal & textiles

Rachael Colley / Muriel & Lily (Mary Larkin)

2011-10-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Beef, flour, egg whites — and gold-plated silver? That's the recipe for this "Beefin' Up" ring.

For all the times I've talked about rings that look good enough to eat, here are some rings made of food good enough to wear. The red rings above (bottom) feature double-sided tape and raspberry jelly! Also shown above (top) are "U-R-N" rings with Whitby jet dust, flour and dried blood. For more fantastic work, check out UK artist Rachael Colley.

Bonus link:
We can't have all that beef and carbs without some veggies, so here are some avocado skin rings by Muriel & Lily (British jeweller Mary Larkin).

Even more jewellery:

Cow Jewelry (Florida) - farm charms

Sugar Bean (Arizona) - modern classics

Ceeb Wassermann (Australia) - Japan-inspired

SmilingSilverSmith / Stephanie Simon

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Smiling silver from the SmilingSilverSmith.

Visit the California jeweller for fun rings with a touch of geekery.

Bonus link:
Here's another smiley ring (and a frown to even things out) from Trinidad native Stephanie Simon, now based in the UK.

Even more jewellery:

Daisy Smiles (Texas) - stamped silver

Alana Douvros (California) - quartz & chain

A5 (Sweden) - experimental art

Maija Puoskari / Alegra Jewelry (Vicki Pellegrini)

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Bat your eyelashes by waving a finger with these eyelash rings from Finnish designer Maija Puoskari.

Bonus link:
If you're more about the eyeball than the eyelash (or maybe just the iris), there's this "Shirley" ring from Oklahoma metalsmith Alegra Jewelry (Vicki Pellegrini).

Even more jewellery:

Kleio Jewelry (Ontario) - human & horse hair

Suzan Rezac (Illinois) - metal inlay

Benny Pri-Zan (Israel) - gold & gems

Claire Baloge / Chelsea Miller Designs

2011-10-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love these silver and clay rings by French artist Claire Baloge but she has some really crappy pieces on her website. No, I mean really crappy — as in actual camel dung! Not to mention hair, organic copper and lots, lots more.

Bonus link:
For more clay, check out the ceramic shard jewellery of South Carolina's Chelsea Miller Designs, who literally digs for pieces from the late 1600s to the early 1900s.

Even more jewellery:

SKT Ceramics (New York) - animal pendants

Ashley Gilreath (Illnois) - nostalgic art

Vally Kontidis (Greece) - contemporary metal

yyogurt (Anna Yingnan Yu) / Aida Pekin

2011-10-10T00:01:00.002-07:00

There's yogurt unflavoured...

...and then there's yogurt with a bit of colour. I'm not talking in metaphors, I'm talking about yyogurt and yyogurt unflavored, the two sides of Chinese designer Anna Yingnan Yu (formerly Yu Yu Design).

Above, her "plug and socket" ring.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Bonus link: prefer to start your mornings with caffeine rather than dairy? Here's the acrylic two-piece "Turkish Puzzle Coffee Ring" from Turkish designer Aida Pekin (available at the MoMA store).

Even more jewellery:

Chicken and the Egg (New York) - ropes of beads

Julia Zimmerman (Germany) - birds & butterflies

Martina Fabian (UK) - silver & gems

Daniel Dicaprio / Silje Bergsvik

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Daniel Dicaprio shows us his orifices. Pictured above are rings in wood, metal and ivory from the Virginia artist's "Orifice" series.

Bonus link:
Here's another wooden ring from Norway's Silje Bergsvik, who is "inspired by the world of the famous Don Quijote, a world where the limit between reality and fantasy is blurred."

Even more jewellery:

Corrie Williamson (UK) - bold wood

Margarita Meitani (Greece) - etched & beaded

Vanessa Amalia (New York) - silver charms

Lexiebec (Alexis Rebeca Turner) / Simone Overberg

2011-10-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's weird to think there was a time when the Jaws theme didn't exist. How did people convey sharkiness pre-1975? Well, conveying sharkiness in 2011 is Georgia's Lexiebec (Alexis Rebeca Turner), with these silver shark jaw rings.

Bonus link: for jewellery inspired by a friendlier sea creature, see Germany's Simone Overberg and her "Octopus Garden" collection. And then try to come up with a theme that would convey octopusiness.

Even more jewellery:

Oceanides (Australia) - modern marine

Verena Sieber-Fuchs (Switzerland) - clustered neckpieces

JuJutree (Japan) - beads & gold

Angelica Komis / Silvina Rio

2011-10-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Going too long without a dose of acrylic makes me go all twitchy. Here to ease my nerves is Greek jeweller Angelica Komis, who's inspired by industrial structures and strives toward "accuracy, precision and neat lines."

Bonus link:
For more acrylic with an industrial bent, visit Argentina's Silvina Rio. Pictured is a ring from her "Mirame Bien" collection.

Even more jewellery:

Jennifer Loiselle (UK) - acrylic & grosgrain

Bark Decor (Massachusetts) - crystals & chains

Mo Christianshavn (Denmark) - modern classics

Alice Bo-Wen Chang / Ring Door Stopper

2011-10-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

For her "Luminous Windows" collection, Edinburgh-based Taiwanese artist Alice Bo-Wen Chang was inspired by the latticework and window casing in Chinese architecture (a subject area she's likely quite familiar with, having earned a graduate degree in architecture from Princeton). Don't miss her stunning "Bodyspace/bodyscape" collection!

Bonus link: lest your doors feel left out, here's a fun door-stopper shaped like a diamond ring! Its shape lets you hang it from the doorknob when you want the floor clear. Available at San Francisco shop MishaSF.

Even more jewellery:

Architectonics (UK) - Mancunian architecture

La Caprichosa (Texas) - brass beads

A Wilderness for You & Me (Australia) - frames & fauna

Suse Scholem / Laura Volpi

2011-10-03T00:01:00.001-07:00

Holy cannoli, it's October! Suse Scholem gets us in the mood with this pumpkin stem ring, as well as two pieces with touches of season-appropriate orange (nevermind that she's based in Australia, where it's now springtime!).

Bonus link: speaking of orange, this bronze ring from Laura Volpi's "Aria" collection resembles the texture of an orange peel. The Italian jeweller has lots of sculptural, texturized pieces in her gallery.

Even more jewellery:

Tangerine Jewelry (Arizona) - modern classics

Kim Zitzow (New York) - metal amulets

Strelitziasunsun (Switzerland) - bows & gloves

Marthe Le Basque / Metta Metalworks (Kathy Cherry)

2011-09-30T00:01:00.001-07:00

Let's wrap up the week (and month) with French artist Marthe Le Basque. The first ring above hints at her main focus: doll hands.

Bonus link:
For another hand, check out this "Alchemy" ring by New York's Metta Metalworks (Kathy Cherry), featuring a vintage oxidized brass button set in silver.

Even more jewellery:

Kirsten Thomas (Ireland) - legged eggs

K/LLER Collection (New York) - brass & quills

Nest Pretty Things (Vermont) - carved flowers

Robyn Lees-Pinson / Puppensturm (Amely Deiss)

2011-09-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is a ring.

You just have to look at it the right way.

Make that, "look into it the right way." It's a kaleidoscope ring!

Both rings above by UK jeweller Robyn Lees-Pinson; you can read more about her on her other blog here.

Bonus link:
Kaleidoscopes are made of mirrors, just like this ring by Puppensturm, where Germany's Amely Deiss turns tiny toys and knick-knacks into playful jewellery.

Even more jewellery:

Geraldine Fenn (South Africa) - toys & metal

Emma McCallum (UK) - modern silver

Ken Bova (North Carolina) - mixed media

Sophie Bille Brahe / Eyes of Common / Meg Staats

2011-09-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Step right up to these wonderfully-crafted stair rings by Denmark's Sophie Bille Brahe.

Above, more stairs (or should I say st▲irs) from New Zealand's Eyes of Common.

Bonus link: more stairs in this copper "house" ring by Pennsylvania's Meg Staats, whose work is "inspired by ancient Chinese pottery and its natural/organic forms contrasted with the industrial look of man-made elements."

Even more jewellery:

Step by Step (UK) - red & rhodium

Sandra Enterline (California) - perforated metal

Tasi Designs (Oregon) - oxidized silver

Natalie McWilliam / Sigi Jewelry Design

2011-09-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Beds, bears and blonde pigtails — yes, you're looking at Goldilocks rings! Australia's Natalie McWilliam makes fantastic fairytale jewellery out of anodized aluminum; visit her site for more.

Bonus link:
For more bears, as well as any other animal you can think of (even chinchillas!), check out California's Sigi Jewelry Design.

Even more jewellery:

Psyzoo (Russia) - cute critters

Natsuko Sakurai (Japan) - bright & pretty

Michelle Sandler (Florida) - contemporary silver

Birgit Pletzinger / Sophia Maris Readling

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lovely enamel rings, through and through — literally — by Germany's Birgit Pletzinger.

Bonus link:
For a totally different style of enamel ring, check out these loud, unruly pieces from Sophia Maris Readling, currently doing graduate studies at RISD.

Even more jewellery:

Angeliki Giakoumi (Greece) - enamel & silver

Eglė Tamošiūnaitė (Lithuania) - modern metal

Jennifer Lau (New York) - contemporary metal

Bifei Cao / Edward Chiu

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Somebody stop me before I post his entire portfolio! Get ready to be awed by New Jersey-based Chinese artist Bifei Cao, whose metalwork is so amazing that I couldn't help but slip in a couple of non-ring photos, as well. Each thumbnail links to a collection of photos so be sure to click each one!

Bonus link: another Chinese jeweller with ties to the American northeast is Hong Kong's Edward Chiu, who studied at Parsons in New York and is known for his black and white jade jewellery.

Even more jewellery:

Shanghai Tang (China) - enamel & jade

Natalie Luder (Switzerland) - conceptual art

Empress Bijoux (New York) - silver & briolettes

Mr. Lentz (Evan Lentz) / Maria Tucker

2011-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Wear Nature," commands Colorado's Mr. Lentz, and who am I to disobey? Multidisciplinary artist Evan Lentz embeds his wooden rings with preserved moss, so they're safe for black thumbs, too.

Bonus link:
If you can't trust yourself to maintain even dried moss, Texas jeweller Maria Tucker has this "grass" ring made of silver. No mowing or watering required.

Even more jewellery:

Hannah Eccles (UK) - botanical silver

Dull Diamond (Minnesota) - quirky & colourful

Jill Alberts (Illinois) - metal & gems

Haute off the Bench (Tara Locklear) / Nathan Penney

2011-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

From recycled skateboards...

... to concrete and metal, North Carolina's Haute off the Bench (Tara Locklear) turns urban materials into urban gems.

Bonus link:
For more urban metal, check out Ohio's Nathan Penney for pieces like this graffiti-style four-finger ring in gold-plated brass.

Even more jewellery:

Bottlehood (California) - recycled bottles

Maya London (UK) - leather & studs

George Tsekourloukis (Greece) - silver & stone

Kay Eppi Nölke / Aline Vandeplas

2011-09-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

Maintaining a jewellery blog, you quickly learn that when a jeweller says his or her website is "coming soon," it's probably not. I currently have over 1,800 sites in my "coming soon" file (many sitting unchanged since 2007, when I started keeping track) and over 600 in the "was coming soon but now dead" file. So it's always a pleasant shock when I check on one of these sites and it actually has been updated — like today, when I happily strike Germany's Kay Eppi Nölke from my "coming soon" list.

Bonus link: for more bandage rings (kiddie style, this time), check out Belgium's Aline Vandeplas.

Even more jewellery:

J.molinari (California) - syringes & pills

Ruth Koelewyn (Pennsylvania) - wax & rubber bands

Patrícia Frota (Brazil) - contemporary metal

Twinklebird (Christine de Boer) / Windy Chou

2011-09-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

These are so adorable I could just stab somebody. With a marshmallow, of course. For a whole lotta cute, visit the cutely-named Twinklebird (Dutch metalsmith Christine de Boer).

Bonus link:
For more adorable animal rings, check out Windy Chou of France, who has pieces like this little donkey in the style of vintage illustrated children's books.

Even more jewellery:

Meg J. Roberts (Virginia) - drawn animals

Club Manhattan (Netherlands) - brass & silver

Marina Babic (Toronto) - contemporary metal

Ananda Ungphakorn / Analuz (Anne Luz Castellanos)

2011-09-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Closing out the week with some nice white organic pieces from Thai artist Ananda Ungphakorn. Be sure to click "read the rest of this entry" on each project to view all images.

Bonus link: for similar botanical rings with white shanks, check out Argentina's Analuz (Anne Luz Castellanos), who mainly works with silver and enamel.

Even more jewellery:

Kirsty Ward (UK) - botanical silver

Shu Lin Wu (Taiwan) - mokume porcelain

Elsa Sarantidou (Greece) - contemporary metal

Strozz! (Strozzi Abecel P. Rosende) / Cathy Newell Price

2011-09-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I think she's really, um, cut out for making jewellery, don't you? Awesome stainless steel rings by Strozz! (Strozzi Abecel P. Rosende) of the Philippines.

Bonus link:
For a smaller cutout ring, UK jeweller Cathy Newell Price has these silver and enamel "secret" rings featuring sweet little cutout flowers.

Even more jewellery:

Alexandra Twin (UK) - botanical cutouts

Monica Branstrom (California) - sea glass & silver

Aviya Hoffman (Israel) - gold & gems

Geraldine Nishi / Andrew Goss

2011-09-14T00:01:00.001-07:00

While these rings may resemble meringues, marshmallows and creampuffs, they may cause even more weight gain than those desserts — because they're made of concrete! Check out the silver and concrete works of Geraldine Nishi, a Canadian in Italy.

Bonus link: this ring is by another Canadian making concrete jewellery, Ontario's Andrew Goss. (Perhaps the best-known Canadian concrete jeweller is Karen Konzuk, whom I mentioned in 2005.)

Even more jewellery:

Raine Design (Minnesota) - concrete pendants

Abigail Heuss (North Carolina) - metal art

Ana Moreira (Portugal) - beads & textiles

Pip Jolley / Carole Tanenbaum

2011-09-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Does this shape look familiar?

Maybe now?

Yes, they're hair curler rings! UK artist Pip Jolley honours the women of the 1940s with her "Joanne" collection.

Bonus link:
Get a genuine '40s look — sans curlers — with this lovely ring from the shop of noted vintage collector Carole Tanenbaum (a resident of Toronto).

Even more jewellery:

Desouza Jewelry (New York) - human hair

deMaglie (Italy) - crosses & arabesques

Taneru / mncRo (Japan) - romantic flowers

Natsuko Toyofuku / Amina Agueznay

2011-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do some Mondays make you wish you could just crawl away from work and back into a cocoon? Italy's Natsuko Toyofuku can help out with this cocoon-like "holes" ring and other hole-y pieces.

Bonus link:
Here's another cocoon ring by Amina Agueznay, formerly an architect working in New York but now creating jewellery in Morocco.

Even more jewellery:

Rinaldo Alvarez (Spain) - cocoon-like

Zoe Robertson (UK) - magnets & fibres

La Pisette (California) - wire-wrapped gems

Mars / Maggie Angus

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Pink bears and green squirrels? What is this, Mars? Well, actually, yes. Resin "Dessin" rings by Japan's Mars.

Bonus link: so, which are you less likely to encounter in the wild (on planet Earth): a green squirrel or a mirrored squirrel? Cute squirrel ring in mirrored acrylic from the UK's Maggie Angus.

Even more jewellery:

Manymals (California) - suspended animals

Culietta (UK) - body chains

Hanna Vanneste (Belgium) - silver & wood

DLC Brooklyn / Ofra Shelef / Nicole Uurbanus

2011-09-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

These rings bring a new meaning to the term "clasped hands." Proving that clasps aren't just for necklaces are New York's DLC Brooklyn (aka Dirty Librarian Chains, by Susan Domelsmith) with her ring of clasps taken from vintage jewellery (top) and London-based Israeli jeweller Ofra Shelef, whose silver clasp ring (bottom) is one of many clasp pieces in her collection.

Bonus link:
Looks like this non-clasped pair of hands is in the midst of one of those awkward missed high-fives :) Cute "children" ring by Brazil's Nicole Uurbanus.

Even more jewellery:

Gudrun Wörn (Germany) - chains & clasps

Sarah Nasby (Toronto) - findings jewellery

Jessica Beyer (Ohio) - simple copper

Rose Warner / IP Jewelry Design (Izabella Petrut)

2011-09-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

In math class, did you ever complain that you'd never need to know that stuff in the "real world"? Lucky for us, it looks like UK jeweller Rose Warner sensed those geometry lessons would come in handy and took excellent notes.

Bonus link: someone else who paid attention in geometry is Romania's IP Jewelry Design (Izabella Petrut), who's all about circles, squares and triangles. Her site is still under construction but you can browse her blog.

Even more jewellery:

Okiiko (Lithuania) - lasercut shapes

Intellectural Property (LA/TX) - coins & medals

Amy Madge (UK) - balls & links

Tatiana Tischenko / Salt + Stone

2011-09-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's back-to-school time for many! I used to love shopping for new school supplies — but since I don't need to anymore, I'll satisfy my craving with this supply of stationery rings from Venezuela's Tatiana Tischenko.

Bonus link: already thinking ahead to graduation? New York's Salt + Stone suggests these owl rings would make a great graduation gift, as owls symbolize wisdom. Available in their shop here.

Even more jewellery:

Kikki K. (Australia) - silver scissors

Peppercotton (New York) - tubes of crystal

Popp & Skou (Denmark) - wooden circles

Chen Fuchs / Handmade by Trudy

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

As Labour Day marks the end of ice cream season, here are some rings that look as though they're melting like a vanilla cone under the sun. Fine silver jewellery by Israel's Chen Fuchs.

Bonus link:
This silver ring is from the "Melt Me" collection by UK jeweller Handmade by Trudy. Each piece is unique since the melting process is unpredictable.

Even more jewellery:

Molten Jewellery by Aleanna Mason (UK) - silver & glass

Creeping Vine Designs (New Mexico) - sprouting tubes

Hsiu-Hsuan Huang (Netherlands) - organic & natural

Sofia Schaffstein / Michelle Robyn Stewart

2011-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

I had to be predictable and have "F" stand for Floral Friday because how could I pass up these seriously gorgeous hydrangea rings by Germany's Sofia Schaffstein? I'm coveting hard.

Have a more-than-satisfying Saturday and a sensational Sunday!

Bonus link:
If you love hydrangeas like I do, definitely check out the work of South Africa's Michelle Robyn Stewart, whose focus is on these pretty petals.

Even more jewellery:

Lisa Salisbury (UK) - flowers & pebbles

Julia Oehler (Germany) - roses & lilies

Silver Seasons (Connecticut) - berries & peas

Sarah Grew / Madeleine Chalfant Yates

2011-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's Thread Thursday, thanks to UK textile designer Sarah Grew and her spool rings with fabric and thread!

Bonus link:
Continuing on the thread thread, here's a silver and resin ring with inlaid thread by Australia's Madeleine Chalfant Yates (you can choose your own colour).

Even more jewellery:

Earstrings (Colorado) - threader earrings

Jasmin Giles (UK) - dramatic rope

Louise Koo (Montreal) - simple silver

Reka Lorincz / Eleanor Bolton

2011-08-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

For White Wednesday, check out this awesome balloon ring by Hungary's Reka Lorincz. Visit her site for the balloon bracelet and a whole lot more (including biodegradable jewellery)!

Bonus link: I guess it could also be Woof Woof Wednesday. This white ceramic dog knuckleduster is by British art jeweller Eleanor Bolton. Lots of cool stuff in her portfolio!

Even more jewellery:

White Lotus Design (Toronto) - beads on wire

Dawn Russell (Vermont) - ebony & ivory

Ann Finley (Georgia) - cats & dogs

Maude Lapierre / Jorge Gil

2011-08-30T00:01:00.001-07:00

Still feeling alliterative, so today is Titanium Tuesday. These pipe-like statement pieces in silver and anodized titanium are by Montreal's Maude Lapierre.

Bonus link:
These swooping rings are from the "Arches" series by Cuba's Jorge Gil, a jeweller who works mainly in titanium.

Even more jewellery:

Marc Lange (Netherlands) - titanium & zirconium

Elena Canter (Spain) - coils & plaits

Moon Singer Designs (California) - silver & stones

Seb Brown / Daniele Geargeoura

2011-08-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

I'm in an alliterative mood so let today be Modern Metal Monday, featuring Australia's Seb Brown (the site says "under construction" but the nav will lead you to the jewels). I love these shapes; they look like they have a modern mother and a pre-historic father.

Bonus link: for more modern metal, check out London metalsmith Daniele Geargeoura. These rings are from her "Seg\ment" collection, in which she deconstructs the sphere.

Even more jewellery:

Alibi (New York) - modern metal

Persephonie Studios (Toronto) - texturized silver

Aliquo (Ireland) - beads & charms

Miam / MiniBites

2011-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Remember when I said on Wednesday, "ask what you can snack on"? Well, Xi Lu of Paris-based Miam has the answer with some of the best miniature-food jewellery I've seen out there so far! From popcorn to Pocky, she has it all.

Bonus link: find more tiny snacks at Malaysia's MiniBites (Esther Wong). As you may know, the ice cream sandwich is widely regarded as one of history's greatest inventions.

Even more jewellery:

Shock-oh-Schmuck (Germany) - chocolate bonbons

Kazushi Hara (Japan) - amazing bodypieces

Elizabeth Baird (Texas) - brass & stone

Miranda Chambers / Mei Rojo

2011-08-25T00:01:00.002-07:00

What's the minimum number of birds required for a flock? Does two count? Three? From the let's-say-flock of three to the rather large scale, these rings are a fresh take on the classic bird motif. Rings by UK metalsmith Miranda Chambers.

Bonus link: how about no birds, just feathers? Check out this pretty piece from Spain's Mei Rojo, who likes to mix metal with bits of bright colour.

Even more jewellery:

Livia Lazzari (Italy) - feathers & skulls

Suzannah Wainhouse (New York) - organic brass

Elodie Darwish (Australia) - silver & beads

Bless / Jane Gallagher

2011-08-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ask not what this ring can do for you.

Ask what you can snack on and then put said snacks into this ring. Silver serving ring from Germany's Bless.

Bonus link:
Love snacking but worried about portion control? Then there's this single-bowl ring, a commissioned piece from UK silversmith Jane Gallagher (aka Jane Hostler).

Even more jewellery:

Broken Plate Pendant Co. (Maryland) - China chips

Nik Audenaert (Belgium) - simple silver

Nitsa Rona (Israel) - modern classics

Kayleigh Biggs / Dorothy Cheng

2011-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Modern but not modern — that's the description that popped into my head when I saw these silver and textile pieces from UK jeweller Kayleigh Biggs. Not surprisingly, she states that her specialty is "jewellery with an evident historical influence."

Bonus link:
Also inspired by history (and literature) is Seattle's Dorothy Cheng, who has a series of rings based on ancient shields.

Even more jewellery:

Manifesto (Japan) - antique style

Elizabeth Knight (New York) - bones & claws

Nicola Crawford (UK) - silver leaves