Staen / Annelise Michelson

Hellish, Horrid and Hideous were available but, somehow, we went with, "Have a Happy Hallowe'en." Okay, then. Have a happy one, and enjoy these horn and halo rings from the "From Heaven to Hell" collection by Belgium's Staen.

Bonus link:
Don some scarily sharp (yet stylish) teeth with this double "Carnivore" ring, in bronze-plated gold, by French jeweller Annelise Michelson.

Even more jewellery:

• Creepy Cute (Australia) - black beasts
• iKuria (UK) - gems & spiderwebs
• Benedicte Monaville (Belgium) - silver & textiles

Mulika Nir / Hila Kaminer

I guess cool runs in the family. "My Cool Grandpa" is just one of many wild pieces by Israeli jeweller Mulika Nir; of note are the nose ring from "Paper & Wood" and the hair neckpiece in her "Fashion" slideshow.

Bonus link: Hila Kaminer is another Israeli jeweller with a wonderfully out-there collection. Pictured is a ring from "Ossomateria," an exploration of "the inner architecture of our physical vessel."

Even more jewellery:

• Hagit Colb (Israel) - geometric silver
• Grace Hamilton (UK) - knit necklaces
• Limité (New York) - initial pendants

Stefan Alexandres / Erik Stewart

I love this juxtaposition of sleek titanium planes and jagged crags, and half expect these rings to be smoldering, like so many remnants from a Schwarzeneggerian apocalypse. Plus, there are rings for not just one finger, or two fingers, but 1¼ fingers. To see more, visit Greek jeweller Stefan Alexandres, now based in Florida.

Bonus link:
For more rings with a sleek, flat profile, check out the metal-and-gem creations of Arizona jeweller Erik Stewart.

Even more jewellery:

• NAJO (Australia) - sleek & shiny
• Elke Wolf (Germany) - statement necklaces
• Rebecca Ilett (UK) - textured silver

Ruth Laird / Satoko Nobe

It's finally happened: I'm using trigonometry in everyday life. Well, not so much "using" as "spelling," but still. Pictured above are the "trigonometry" and "tangent" rings by UK designer Ruth Laird, who's inspired by math and physics. Visit her site for the rest of the collection!

Bonus link: now, counting, I definitely do in everyday life (don't worry, there is a "4" — just not in my screenshot). To get your own solid brass number or letter ring, visit New York's Satoko Nobe.

Even more jewellery:

• The Boyscouts (Netherlands) - minimal geometry
• Jan Truman (UK) - beaded wire
• Erika Lauren (BC) - eco-friendly

N. Historiae / SuEnvy

I wonder if my fear of deep waters started with the uber-creepy illustrations in my copy of Charles Kingsley's The Water Babies, a book I (inexplicably, given its themes) owned as a child but did not read because I couldn't get past said artwork. If so, perhaps these mermaidenly rings by Toronto's N. Historiae (Flora Lam) could be a first step toward rehabilitation. Suddenly, fins and scales are much more appealing.

Bonus link: no stranger to deep waters is the stingray — although, of course, they also like to haunt shallow waters and scare the bejeezus out of me. Ring by New York's SuEnvy (Sue Jang).

Even more jewellery:

• Buoy Oh Buoy (UK) - recycled buoys
• Grundled (Denmark) - geometric wood
• Elizabeth Locke (Virginia) - gold & glass

RICO by Mizuki Shinkai / Mayu Okamatsu

Pearls before swine: bad.   Swine on pearls: good.

Check out Japan's RICO by Mizuki Shinkai for subtle but interesting work with pearls and gems.

Bonus link:
MAYU Accessories' Mayu Okamatsu is another Japanese jeweller doing interesting work with pearls (like this ring-on-a-ring).

Even more jewellery:

• Sandra Van der Wildt (Belgium) - pearls & chains
• Zita Hsu (UK) - magnetized iron
• MoiMoi (Finland) - wooden pendants

Olivia Ball / Fifth Heaven Designs

Bear can't even handle how cool this ring is.

To check out these puppet rings and more, like rings inspired by her new home of Newfoundland, visit UK jeweller Olivia Ball.

Bonus link:
For more bears and plenty of other animal rings, check out Australia's Fifth Heaven Designs. They also have several pieces with ancient Egyptian motifs.

Even more jewellery:

• Deme Wolfe-Power (UK) - metal & taxidermy
• Brigid KO (Tennessee) - inner tubes
• Anelec Creations (Montreal) - silver & stone

Ami Victoria Pepper / Kate Bell

In "Abandoned," UK artist Ami Victoria Pepper explores her fascination with the "sea wrack of organic matter" that washes ashore on the Pembrokeshire coast, using silicone and wire to create rings that are "sculpted in the shapes and textures of shells that are left behind on the beach like abandoned homes."

Visit her site for many more interesting collections!

Bonus link:
For more marine life, check out the "Aquatta" series by Michigan native Kate Bell. The rings feature silver, various stones and natural coral.

Even more jewellery:

• Tania Covo (UK) - seaglass & shards
• Aoúd (Italy) - chunky chains
• Jennifer Williams (Georgia) - geological metal

Jing Jing Cao / Isharya / Zariin

UK-based Jing Jing Cao does some very cool work with lasercut acrylic and brass — but rings aren't her focus. But I really wanted her on my blog. But this photo is 66% bangles. But there is a ring there, so it still counts, and her other work is well worth a look. But just in case you need more rings, here's another post:

At Isharya, neon resin somehow makes sense right next to ornate gold, as sisters-in-law Gauri and Radhika Tandon create "statement pieces which effortlessly fuse California chic with Bollywood glamour."

Bonus link: Vidhi and Mamta Gupta are another pair of sisters (by birth, this time) with roots in India. Check out Zariin, their line of jewellery in gold and semiprecious stones.

Even more jewellery:

• Vershali Jain (India) - enamel & wire
• Jen Nicholl (Australia) - simple gems
• Jenna Tsang (UK) - contemporary metal

Sara Malm / Ana Weisz

Sweden's Sara Malm is all about playful, ironic jewellery — some of which may literally stick their tongues out at you. Check out her gallery of interesting shapes and colours!

Bonus link: speaking of playful, here's a happy little pinwheel ring (yes, it spins) from Argentina's Ana Weisz, who also incorporates lots of colour and shape in her jewellery.

Even more jewellery:

• Mary Lynn Podiluk (Saskatchewan) - tongue pieces
• Milko Boyarov (Bulgaria) - neon acrylic
• Alida Rudjord (Norway) - enamel flowers

Vladimir Markin / Nici Laskin

A little office supply chic from Russian jeweller Vladimir Markin.

Visit his site for more, including a cute collection full of underwear and this amazing ring custom-made for the 60th birthday of Russian conductor and violinist/violist Yuri Bashmet.

Bonus link: you may not know any 60-year-old maestros but, chances are, you do know a guitar player. New Mexico's Nici Laskin has lots of guitar picks and jewellery if you're searching for that next birthday gift.

Even more jewellery:

• FHH Accessories (UK) - pencils & matches
• Leah Teschendorff (Australia) - metal art
• Kevin N Anna (California) - words & animals

Margherita / Chimaski

It's ring Rashomon! In her "Distorted [Perception/Impression]" series, Lebanon's Margherita (Ghita Abi-Hanna) explores the notion that "[t]he way we view our surroundings is based on our personal perceptions and impressions that may often be distorted by our experiences, circumstances, knowledge and preconceptions."

Bonus link:
From your point of view, is this piece of hybrid jewellery a ring or an earring? It's from the "Bond" series by Japan's Chimaski, where two items are melted into one.

Even more jewellery:

• Zabe Bent Metals (California) - simple silver
• Lydia Miriam Jones (UK) - giant beads
• Stitch (Japan) - embroidered fabric

Laura Templeton / Rebecca Morrison / Miwako Okuda

I suspect my roof might currently look a little something like this ring by Brooklyn-based Laura Templeton (i.e., not quite waterproof).

While I deal with the problematic roof over my head, a nice roof over my finger is extra appealing. Above, the "Cobble" ring by UK jeweller Rebecca Morrison.

Bonus link:
I'm seeing shingles everywhere now, like in these textured rings by Miwako Okuda (also based in Brooklyn), whose jewellery "represents Zen spirits."

Even more jewellery:

• Kirsten Manzi (UK) - architectural metal
• Ca&Lou (Italy/Switzerland) - deco style
• Luxe Design (Vancouver) - personalized charms

Robyn Golding / Andrea Garland

We've previously seen ring-wearing rings, so I guess the nose-ring-wearing nose ring was inevitable! The UK's Robyn Golding uses doll parts to explore "the idea of preciousness within [her] own childhood." Visit her site for the rest of the collection, like the baby soother (made with a mouth), earrings (made with ears) and necklace (made with — you guessed it — feet).

Bonus link:
Speaking of lips and soothers, UK beauty shop Andrea Garland has vintage-inspired cat and fox rings that open up to reveal a pot of lip balm.

Even more jewellery:

• Belethil (Tennessee) - elf ears
• Chelsey Adams (UK) - minimalist twotone
• Wild Heart Jewellery (Australia) - tribal & boho

Eleanor Simms / Wilfredo Rosado

"On the Verge of Exchange" is a collection about secrets and trust. I could go on, but that would be telling.

To learn more, visit UK artist Eleanor Simms.

Bonus link:
This ring has its own little secret: flip it open to reveal a mirror! Ring by New York brand Wilfredo Rosado.

Even more jewellery:

• Shh by Sadie (New Zealand) - chunky & layered
• Sophie Barclay (UK) - lights & quartz
• Anja Pircher (Vancouver) - lasercut acrylic

Anna Atterling / Masoon

What's the plural of "circle"? If you're Sweden's Anna Atterling, the answer isn't just "circles," it's "lace."

Bonus link:
For more lacy rings and other delicate little pieces in sterling silver, check out South Korea's Masoon.

Even more jewellery:

• La Ville (Belgium) - lacy leather
• Kirsten Mackie (UK) - lockets w/cabs
• Gritty Jewelry (Seattle) - metal silhouettes

Chloé Herrero / Alice Clarke

The "Bell Jar" is a novel (excuse the pun) take on the porcelain fragment ring. To see more, visit Spanish jeweller Chloé Herrero.

Bonus link: for another porcelain fragment ring (like the one above, it's made from a broken teacup), see the "Sunday Best" collection by UK jeweller Alice Clarke.

Even more jewellery:

• Mia Kwon (South Korea) - porcelain petals
• Shawn Ames (New York) - fine gems
• Jessie Senecal (BC) - plants in metal

Viola Yoo / Toril Bonsaksen

It's true: you can't always trust Wikipedia. Polystyrene's uses, it says, "include protective packaging, containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, and disposable cutlery." Not a single word about jewellery. Someone needs to introduce an editor to UK artist Viola Yoo.

Bonus link:
While this ring may resemble styrofoam bubbles, it's actually made of rusted copper and coral. "Kvalvika" ring by Norway's Toril Bonsaksen.

Even more jewellery:

• Luxuria (UK) - bubbles & gems
• Lingua Nigra (New York) - modern metal
• Katharina Tannous (Germany) - porcelain rope

Musibatty / Jess Kay Designs

Some fantastic graphic patterns from Mexico's Musibatty (Jennifer Musi).

Bonus link:
For more silver rings with oxidized patterns, check out California's Wishful Jewelry by Jess Kay Designs (Jessica Richards).

Even more jewellery:

• Kathryn Partington (UK) - surface patterns
• Lyndsay Rice (Oregon) - cut-out shapes
• Adèle Dejak (Kenya) - horn & brass

Maria Militsi / Moon Raven Designs

While Dominique Ansel gave us the cronut, Greek jeweller Maria Militsi gives us the ultimate accessories hybrid: shoes and rings. Mmmmm.

Visit her site for more interesting pieces, like this ring that slots ever-so-satisfyingly into a wrench.

Bonus link:
Speaking of wrenches... Victoria, BC's Moon Raven Designs offers lots of bird skulls, animals, guitars and spanners among their designs.

Even more jewellery:

• WrenchHead (Edmonton) - tools & automotive
• Rebecca Belz (New York) - chains & stones
• María Torné (Spain) - ceramic shapes

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