Serpent & the Swan / Jesika Jack / Bill Skinner

Happy Lunar New Year! It's the year of the horse.

But you could make it the year of the pig, if you wanted.

Or maybe the hare-devouring fox (my zodiac system doesn't believe in sugar-coating). All rings above by Australia's Serpent & the Swan.

Bonus link:

Zodiac constellation ring by Australia's Jesika Jack.

Also admiring:

Rose gold "galloping horse" bracelet by UK jeweller Bill Skinner.

Sugai World / Rabbit Gear

When presented with rings like this...

...the logical response is this.

And if you're really invested, you get the stamp.

For bow-shaped rings, ring-shaped elastics, and other cute items, check out Japan's Sugai World (Yu Sugai).

Also admiring:

"Ugly" faces from the Netherlands' Rabbit Gear (Ine Mulder).

Jillian Palone / Carrabassett Valley

Being a west coaster, I can't imagine living far from the ocean, but its unfathomable depth still freaks me out. Texas-based Jillian Palone, however, brings out the friendlier side of the sea with her colourful works inspired by marine life — more Spongebob than Open Water.

Also admiring:

"Fish in the Currents" necklace by Maine's Carrabassett Valley (Elizabeth Stefany).

Lara Whittaker / Kevin Varney / Sylwia Całus

These green rocks were inspired by the Rock — the one in the San Francisco Bay. When Scottish jeweller Lara Whittaker visited Alcatraz in 2012, she met former prisoner Robert Luke, who told her of the life-changing epiphany he had when he smelled "fresh cut grass blowing over from the bay." This inspired her to create a collection based on prison life — visit her site to view the rest of the work!

Bonus link:

Guillotine ring by Tennessee sculptor Kevin Varney.

Also admiring:

Moss-in-resin pendant by Polish jeweller Sylwia Całus.

Archi-Ninja / Shelter and Prospect

If you learned anything from the Three Little Pigs, you're gonna go straight for the concrete. Australian architect Linda Bennett, aka Archi-Ninja, offers house rings in concrete, brick and wood. If you do opt for concrete, you can even build your own — learn more here.

Also admiring:

House pendants, in various architectural styles, from Seattle's Shelter and Prospect.

Eunhyuk Choi / Nicola Wilson

UK-based Eunhyuk Choi presents sleek, simple and striking works in silver and stainless steel.

Also admiring:

Minimalist bangles from Australia's Nicola Wilson.

Amy Peace-Buzzard / Wentao Ning

London's Amy Peace-Buzzard has a cool name and rings to match. Her "Deteriorate" series explores "beauty in decay." (The presentation, meanwhile, evokes a winter thaw.)

Also admiring:

UK jeweller Wentao Ning, whose work is inspired by broken walls.

Kelly Nye / Yianna Karvela / Nadja Maher

If you'd rather have a cake than a chip on your shoulder, Kelly Nye is your woman. You could also have donuts around your neck or cupcakes on your head or, if you want to be all conventional, flowers on your hand. Visit the Ohio artist for more!

Bonus link:

For more flower rings, check out Greek jeweller Yianna Karvela's pansies.

Also admiring:

Pansy stud earrings from Australia's Nadja Maher.

Niki Grandics / Kendra Pariseaut

It's not just her "Ghosts" collection — her entire gallery is phantasmagorical. Check out California's Niki Grandics for gorgeous work in metal and glass.

Also admiring:

"Body Lines" neckpieces by Rhode Island's Kendra Pariseaut.

Margaux Clavel / Monique Daniels

What happens when you take some whacks at wax? Margaux Clavel poured this wax block...

...whence came these "Steady as a Rock" rings. Check out the UK jeweller for a wide range of modern pieces.

Also admiring:

"Polyhedra" swing earrings by the UK's Monique Daniels.

Polly Horwich / Claire Macfarlane / Jill Hermans

I'd gladly spend my days behind bars, as long as they were made by England's Polly Horwich. I'm crazy for these colourful cages!

Bonus link:

Cagey, geodesic "Death Star" ring by the UK's Claire Macfarlane.

Also admiring:

Explosions of shibuichi colour from Australia's Jill Hermans.

Aimée Sutanto / Jacqueline Lung / Alexandra Speer / Jera Lodge

"Double Expansion" cube ring by Australia's Aimée Sutanto.

Two cube rings by California's Jacqueline Lung.

Three cube rings by South Carolina's Alexandra Speer.

Also admiring:

Steel cube chains by Pennsylvania's Jera Lodge.

Christiana Byrne / Christoph Zellweger / Minnette Michael

With my apologies to all vegans, here's a lard ring by Iowa's Christiana Byrne. But your day really won't be complete until you see her McDonald's cheeseburgers necklace. I'm lovin' it.

Bonus link:

UK-based artist Christoph Zellweger explores body modification, including lard removal.

Also admiring:

Toast earrings by Australia's Minnette Michael.

Jessie Jordan / Jessica Armstrong / Dagmar Korecki

Here's some "ice" transformed into warm, cozy felt (many of you out east probably wish you could do the same to the weather).

All rings above, including this bear trap engagement ring, by jeweller Jessie Jordan of Athens (the American one, not the European one), Georgia (the American one, not the European one).

Bonus link:

"Unwanted engagement" ring by Pennsylvania's Jessica Armstrong.

Also admiring:

Dahlia earrings by UK-based Dagmar Korecki.

Jennie Gill / Joanne MacFadyen / Ou

UK jeweller Jennie Gill teases us with just a few images for now but, so far, I like what I see: organic metal with the occasional touch of green.

Joanne MacFadyen is another UK jeweller adding touches of green to her organic pieces (enamel gives the look of verdigris on silver).

Also admiring:

Pretty, organic enamel from Taiwan's Ou.

Emily Culver / Kathie Murphy

These rings are, somehow, simultaneously etheral and carnal. Pennsylvania artist Emily Culver uses silicone and photopolymers to create works inspired by the wonderful world of biology — visit her site for more.

Also admiring:

Translucent resin jewellery by the UK's Kathie Murphy.

Louise Perrone / Wolf & Moon

These "semaphore" rings weren't just inspired by the signal flags — they were made from them. Also hidden within the rings are magnets which allow them to be arranged in different configurations. For more, check out Vancouver-based British jeweller Louise Perrone.

Also admiring:

Bold, fabulous geometric gems from the UK's Wolf & Moon (Hannah Davis).

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