Tabitha Ott / Ulalá / Black Balloon

'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

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

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

Do parents still assemble toys on Christmas Day, or has this tradition been replaced by installing games and downloading apps?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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If this page is missing posts from the first few days of this month, it's because I've reached my Blogger page limit! To read all posts, see the full monthly archives at TheCarrotbox.com