SPO Créations / ILDVED

Pop quiz. SPO Créations:


   a) stands for "sculptures, parures, objets"

   b) is the work of French jeweller Patricia Lemaire

   c) features lovely botanical metalwork

   d) all of the above

I think you know the answer.

Bonus link:
For more metalwork, including actual botanicals (Norwegian reindeer moss, to be exact), see Texas jeweller ILDVED (Karen Ilvedson).

Even more jewellery:

• Satoshi Mizushiro (Japan) - natural & sculptural


• Liz Willis (UK) - silk loops


• Fibre Manipulator (Vancouver) - fabric & silver

Joanna Hill / Celina Rupp

Inspired by man-made landscapes, Edinburgh artist Joanna Hill uses laser-etched acrylic sheet to "describe old architecture reflected in modern structures." Lots of lovely pieces in her portfolio, including enamel work!

Bonus link: another Scottish jeweller inspired by architecture is Celina Rupp, whose "Italian Chapel" collection is based on an Orkney church built by Italian prisoners of war during WWII.

Even more jewellery:

• Marmol Radziner (California) - architectural bronze


• Sarah Kettley (UK) - mixed media


• Massivesilver (New York) - chunky silver

Francesca Smith / Richbon

If you need a vase for your gerbera daisy, this probably costs a lot less than a Volkswagen Beetle.

Hair ring and "Hand Vase," above, both by London's Francesca Smith.

Bonus link:
If you're more into roses than daisies, grab yourself one of these pretty bouquet rings from Japan's Richbon.

Even more jewellery:

• Red Daisy Studio (Nebraska) - stamped metal


• Sophie Lewis-Smith (UK) - super lockets


• Ghita Ring (Denmark) - metal & gems

POTUS31 (Herbert Hoover) / Healy Designs

There's only one way this awesome steampunk rocket kit could be improved.

And there we go. New York's Herbert Hoover, aka POTUS31, creates miniature sculptures, silver snackfoods, rocket rings and more.

Bonus link: here's another rocket ring from California's Healy Designs (couple Deborah & Kevin). The two are known for their kaleidoscope jewellery; the midsection of the rocket is, in fact, a scope!

Even more jewellery:

• Rockets into Roses (Israel) - recycled weapons


• Sachiyo Higaki (Japan) - art jewellery


• Alicia Van Fleteren (California) - semiprecious stones

Dha-Mee Hahn / Blanche & Lola

A lock of hair, a switch, a retractable pen — twiddlers, rejoice! California's Dha-Mee Hahn takes care of all your fidgety needs.

She also has something to refresh you after all that fidgeting: plastic fruit rings from her "Artificial Preciousness" series.

Bonus link: more buttons and refreshments for you! Vintage (non-pushable) button and miniature tea rings from UK shop Blanche & Lola.

Even more jewellery:

• Button & Co. (Ireland) - buttons & pearls


• Votan Tokyo (Japan) - hearts & bows


• Antonio Ben Chimol (Spain) - leather & metal

Zoe McMurdo / Infmetry

In her "How to Touch a Sky Roof" series, Australia's Zoe McMurdo explores "the idea of looking up." In her words: "Each work is a honeycomb cage-like structure, with delicate paper stitched to each hexagonal frame representing the leafy canvas of a forest roof. When held up to the light, it provides a glorious ambiance only visible to the wearer, pinpricked stars on an isolate of paper."

Above, a ring from her "Do You Believe in the Tooth Fairy?" series, in which she used different materials to symbolize different stages of life. See more work on her blog.

Bonus link:
Even if you don't believe in the Tooth Fairy, perhaps you believe in werewolves. Silver "wolf fang" ring available from Hong Kong's Infmetry.

Even more jewellery:

• Braced-lets (New York) - orthodontic braces


• Drown (Australia) - steel & crystals


• Wear Art Now (California) - ancient artifacts

Lis2 (Anetę Lis-Marcinkiewicz and Adrianę Lisowską) / Bonnie Bling & Obscure Couture

Two's the magic number for Poland's Lis², where a pair of Lises (Anetę Lis-Marcinkiewicz and Adrianę Lisowską) has made double-top rings featuring real amber paired with fake amber. Check out their "true & false" rings on their site or see Anetę's and Adrianę's individual portfolios.

Here's a second duo of designers with rings that come in pairs. Bonnie Bling and Obscure Couture collaborated on these knuckledusters that come in two-word/two-ring phrases such as "hard core," "man up" and, pictured above, "och aye." As you may have guessed, they're from Scotland.

Bonus link: though going by the moniker Acorn & Archer, and offering this two-finger "Gemini" ring, this shop is just one person: Tennessee's Carolyn Sellers.

Even more jewellery:

• Two Sisters (Arizona) - metal & briolettes


• This & That (Japan) - vintage parts


• Jamie Spinello (Texas) - copper & brass

Búfalo Rosa / Formabina

Quirky. Jumbly. Knotty. Either Snow White actually knew ten dwarfs or I'm describing these colourful rings by Spain's Búfalo Rosa (Mónica Mandarina).

Bonus link:
For more knots, visit Switzerland's Formabina (Bettina Geistlich), who combines traditional craft and modern technology to create sleek pieces in metal.

Even more jewellery:

• Knots & Stones (New York) - tagua nut


• Atelier Gilet (Italy) - porcelain brooches


• Harry Lunt (UK) - skulls & cantabs

E-vasiva / Rie Hosokai

I have a fear of popping balloons. If I were trapped inside one, even with needle in hand, I'd be imprisoned until the thing deflated on its own because I simply cannot bring myself to pop the damn things. Luckily, these balloons come pre-deflated, and pleated, and cut into pieces, becoming the "fabric" of choice for Italy's E-vasiva (note: the second piece pictured above is a bracelet).

Bonus link:
Though she doesn't make rings, I'd be absolutely remiss if I brought up balloons without mentioning Japanese artist Rie Hosokai. Her work is must-see!

Even more jewellery:

• Pannikin (Australia) - colourful shapes


• Lauren Cummings (Connecticut) - silver & concrete


• Keep Her Tights On (UK) - animal necklaces

Liana Sălăgean / Christine Bukkehave / Me Me (Michelle Scicluna) / Elisabeth Sann / Poly Nikolopoulou

I just checked my watch and it's time again for Random Pluckings from My Bookmarks, starting with a burst of red from Romania's Liana Sălăgean.

Painted wood "stratus" ring by Denmark's Christine Bukkehave.

Ring from the "Dhana" collection by London's Me Me (Michelle Scicluna).

The world needs more elephants! This one by New York's Elisabeth Sann.

Ending things just as we started, with an accent of red, from Greek jeweller Poly Nikolopoulou (who, by the way, does have an elephant in her lovely collection).

Bonus link:
One final hit of red, in the form of this felt rose ring from Adris Boltja (Adrienn Halák). The Hungarian artist works with textiles to make jewellery and embroidered goods.

Even more jewellery:

• Alison Redman (UK) - contemporary silver


• Zorya (Czech Republic) - crystals on rope


• Ruby Roxanne Designs (California) - leather cuffs

Shannnam / Shawish

These aren't the first miniatures I've had on my blog but they very well may be my favourite. Hong Kong duo Shannnam (Riyo Chan & Howard Kwong) delight with their "Fragmented Chronicles" series.

Bonus link: if you'd rather go big than go miniature, Switzerland's Shawish has the ultimate ring for you — it's made entirely of diamond! They claim the 150-carat piece is a world's first.

Even more jewellery:

• DolCeramica (Italy) - tiny teas


• Irene Wood (Seattle) - bold beads


• Charles Garnier (France) - wavy metal

Lusasul (Carmen Zambrano) / Morgan Patricia Designs

Make a splash with this "waves" ring...

...or any of the other shiny pieces from Lusasul (Mexico's Carmen Zambrano).

Bonus link:
California's Morgan Patricia Designs has plenty of waves herself, in a collection full of organic, ocean-themed metalwork (including crabs and seafoam).

Even more jewellery:

• Little Waves (Australia) - kids' jewellery


• UNUNO Design (Belgium) - colourful plastic


• Tribe Nouveau (Texas) - crystal pendants

Regal Rose / Rafida Bijoux

London's Regal Rose has got me seeing stars — big, bold, shiny stars. Visit them for a cool collection of rocker chic pieces!

Bonus link: Italy's Rafida Bijoux has got me seeing stars of a different kind with these six-pointed sheriff's star rings! Also available as a cuff (but not handcuffs).

Even more jewellery:

• Star Jewelry (Japan) - birthstones & filigree


• Nicole Gates (New York) - semiprecious clusters


• Silver Beyond Ordinary (California) - skulls & anchors

Andy Pop / Little Love Prints

These rings bring new meaning to the phrase "a pop of colour." Poland's Andy Pop (Maria Kuboszek and Tomasza Woźniaka) let you actually pop out the pop and let you change the colour whenever you want! And unlike other rings, the colour doesn't come from resin, acrylic or enamel. What is it? Think back to your pre-school days... nope, not crayon. It's Plasticine!

Bonus link: let's move from modelling clay to precious metal clay (aka PMC) with this ring by Little Love Prints of Cyprus. They also have fingerprint jewellery if you're looking for a personalized gift.

Even more jewellery:

• Snug (Germany) - cute wood


• Amber Carroll (California) - texturized pmc


• Marnie Burton (BC) - patinas & enamel

Rebecca Hannon / Lucie van der Elst

Ever since seeing her colourful laminate pieces, I've been stalking Rebecca Hannon's site hoping for some rings. Well, the wait is over. Above, the Halifax artist's rings in plastic and fimo. Below, her silver bird rings. Tons more to see on her site — I especially love the architectural brooches!

Bonus link:
For more fimo, check out Paris artist Lucie van der Elst, who paints and draws but who also makes rings out of the colourful clay.

Even more jewellery:

• Moonlight for Violet (Toronto) - clay & brass


• ASMÉ (France) - scalloped bars


• JBalducci (California) - modern & vintage

Jinggoy Buensucesoart / Sharon Massey

In his buffed aluminum jewellery, Singapore-based Filipino artist Jinggoy Buensucesoart turns erosion into design. Be sure to check out his gorgeous sculptures, as well!

Bonus link:
For more deliberate erosion, check out Pennsylvania metalsmith Sharon Massey, who incorporates rust into her jewellery (which also features cotton, iron, gold and more).

Even more jewellery:

• Veto (Switzerland) - aluminum & steel


• Dominique Lucas (UK) - lions & owls


• Kate Cusack (New York) - zipper jewellery

Mabel Hasell / Sunsan

While some may see these as precious stones erupting from underneath, I see the stones in a more passive role, with the wearer scratching away at the surface to reveal the hidden gems. Of course, that could be my years of experience talking (experience in peeling foil away from chocolate, that is). For a modern take on stone settings, visit UK jeweller Mabel Hasell.

Bonus link:
For jewellery that actually has erupted, check out Sunsan. Their work features lava rock from their home, the volcanic island of Santorini, Greece.

Even more jewellery:

• Maja Lava (Netherlands) - simple metal


• Kolton. J (Virginia) - chain clusters


• 2 Bandits (New York) - southwestern style

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

Alex Laurie / Elena Martinelli

More playful diamonds today! I absolutely love these spinning illusion rings from the UK's Alex Laurie. In one ring, two separate images combine to "draw" a diamond when spun together; in another, the spinning motion makes the diamond seem to grow in size (like a flip book). Visit her site for more!

Bonus link:
For more kinetic rings, like the one pictured here, check out Italy's Elena Martinelli. Her work features a mixture of metals and patinas.

Even more jewellery:

• Core Jewels (Japan) - black diamonds


• Ulli Kaiser (UK) - modern beading


• Marisa Haskell (California) - boho necklaces