August 2010

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A plethora of piquing pairings from Korean artist Minhee Seo. Visit her site to see the full "Love Story" series, in which she creates complementary wedding rings that become one shape when they "hold hands."

Bonus link:
Similar in concept (and colour) are these USB engagement rings from Dutch artist Julie Van Hees. Also check out her DVD-lens pendants!

Even more jewellery:

Con_Fusione (Italy) - USB jewellery
Jacquie Aiche (California) - modern gold
Jasleen Kaur (UK) - royal images
Hiroku (Japan) - roses & crosses
Beth Cyr (Georgia) - contemporary metal

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Dandelions are a great symbol for the end of summer — a burst of warm, bright yellow which then fades and blows away into the autumn wind. Nope, the truth in this ring cannot be denied: September is right around the corner. Ring by Ireland's Sabrina Meyns.

Above, another ring vaguely reminiscent of dandelion seeds, from Sweden's Åsa Halldin.

Bonus link:
For those not willing to let go of summer just yet, there's this fun watermelon ring made from polymer clay by Indiana's Silastones (Ponsawan Sila).

Even more jewellery:

Karin Worden (California) - botanical metal
Jodie Hook (UK) - silver loops
Gonzalo Cutrina (Spain) - bold & graphic
Clotilde Barcat (France) - watch parts
Etienne Perret (Maine) - diamonds & pearls

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Friday, August 27, 2010

In Japanese, "Ara!" means, loosely, "Oh my!" And that's exactly what I was thinking as I perused the portfolio of Taiwanese jeweller Ara Kuo, who offers a little something surprising in every piece.

Bonus link: I love that clear bird but it's definitely a "special occasion" ring. For everyday wear, try a clear acrylic marble perched on your finger instead. This "figure 8" ring is by UK jeweller Caroline Smith.

Even more jewellery:

Tóth Zoltán (Hungary) - birds on bone
Tamara Clark (Surrey, BC) - contemporary silver
Rosario Camarasa (Argentina) - vintage collages
Anna de Ville (UK) - flora & fauna
Mateo Bijoux (New York) - modern metal

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Gilded.

I covet these strong, simple, porcelain double-rings by Brooklyn's Alma Handmade (Andrea Miranda Salas).

Bonus link: if you like simple, modern porcelain, you may want to check out Germany's Weissglut Design (Stefan Kiefer & Jessica Zwack). Their focus is largely on vessels but they also have some rings and pendants.

Even more jewellery:

Julia Israel (Germany) - porcelain & lace
Minoux (Oregon) - bright enamel
Emma Snowdon (UK) - contemporary metal
Sophia Forero (Illinois) - semiprecious beads
Emilio Sotelo (California) - simple silver

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A green gem for a greener planet: "Bubbly Emerald" ring in silver and recycled champagne bottle by Rhode Island's Alice Jee Chung.

As for the non-glass portion of a champagne bottle, Argentina's Francine Oeyen has this cork piece with a cute house detail in silver. See more of her jewellery at her latest project, Be My Walking Gallery.

Bonus link: if beer is your preferred bubbly, Connecticut's Frances Morgan Oliver has this take on the bottlecap ring. (The flattened cap may appear to wrap around on its own but it's held in place by wire in the back.)

Even more jewellery:

Claudia Chaves (Portugal) - cork jewellery
Arrondissement Aq1 (Germany) - leather & chains
Caja Jewelry (New York) - nameplate necklaces
Iain Henderson (UK) - lines on metal
Steven Brownlee (Florida) - inlaid wood

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

In case yesterday wasn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, Germany's Tanja Hartmann has some delightful meringue rings in a whole feast of flavours (and licorice rings, too — she does, after all, live next door to the Dutch).

Bonus link:
Still a bit shy of a sugar coma? Then have a cupcake (or, to use the much awesomer British term, "fairy cake"). Ring in rubber and silver by Turkish jeweller Ayşe Kozaci.

Even more jewellery:

Anna Lou of London (UK) - bright & fun
Frau Dietel (Germany) - organic metal
Carla M. Fox (Oregon) - etched & contemporary
LoveLuha (Netherlands) - leather & charms
Clodagh Molloy (Ireland) - simple silver

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Monday, August 23, 2010

These sweet rings came out in 2004 — but sugar doesn't go bad (especially not in ring form) so they're A-OK by me. Sugar wedding rings by German artist Pia Pasalk of Content and Container.

Bonus link:
Good thing salt doesn't spoil, either! An experiment — from 2005 — in salt, silver, lead and steel by British metalsmith and lecturer David Clarke.

Even more jewellery:

Pipertree (New York) - crystals & leather
Carolina Gimeno (Spain) - organic & modern
Carla Wax (Toronto) - chains & clusters
Samantha Maund (UK) - etched silver
Deanna Gracie (New Zealand) - contemporary metal

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Sometimes, when nature speaks, it shouts — and my fingers are all ears. Rings above from the "Nature Speaks" collection by Portland, Oregon's Andy Lifschutz.

Bonus link:
Here's some more chunky, quartzy goodness from Spain's Rosa Mart�nez Arcos, the jeweller behind Roux Bijoux. She also has a collection of silver animal rings.

Even more jewellery:

Anairi (Spain) - metal & crystals
Silvia Beccaria (Italy) - bold neckpieces
Vanessa Dimoff (New York) - bark & shells
Laura Jackson (Philadelphia) - chains & briolettes
Katerina Damilos (UK) - contemporary silver

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

In that little overlap in the Venn diagram of thread-knitters and metal-knitters sits Norway's Helene Josefsen, with these gorgeous little objects. (The second photo above is actually of a brooch, but I included it for a clearer picture of the contrast between the two materials.)

Bonus link:
Here's a silver ring with some overlapping circles — though not in that typical Venn arrangement — from another Norwegian jeweller, Elisabeth Hoff.

Even more jewellery:

Eric Peloquin (Rhode Island) - lasercut circles
Emma Ware (UK) - bold & recycled
Hanna Ejdertun Nylander (Sweden) - colourful crochet
Erin Kilty (Australia) - simple silver
Tess Klein (Whistler, BC) - knit metal

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Do rubber feathers come from rubber chickens? No, they come from Ian Henderson. The Boston artist wraps ribbons of rubber over an aluminum frame to create these light, plumed pieces.

Bonus link:
For more colourful aluminum, check out John Clayborn. The designer, who splits his time between Puerto Rico and Chicago, makes these bright, loopy rings from anodized aluminum.

Even more jewellery:

Bav Shah (UK) - black rubber
Peggy Eng (Missouri) - carved aluminum
Alex Féthière (New York) - anodized & texturized
Jocelyn Kolb (Pennsylvania) - red resin
Jane Eppstein (New Zealand) - contemporary silver

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I love it when jewellers give an organic quality to ceramic, and I have a double dose of that today. First: some small porcelain pods by Maria Hees, a Dutch designer who makes bags as well as jewellery.

More porcelain pods in pastel by England's MaaP Studio (Polish- born Monika Skrzypkowska).

Bonus link:
Here's a ceramic ring decorated with pod-less peas. Toronto artist Cathy Gee also makes tiles, bowls and vases in addition to her line of nature-inspired jewellery.

Even more jewellery:

Gemma Clarke (UK) - pods & pearls
mischer'traxler (Austria) - ceramic & science
Shannon Hazell (Toronto) - silver & brass
Richard Messina (New York) - clean & contemporary
James Cleland (California) - Japanese motifs

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Monday, August 16, 2010

So much of Hollywood these days is plastic, I wonder how far we are from celebrities just going whole-hog and setting their entire faces in resin. I mean, everything looks great when preserved in a clear encasing! Encasing in point: these rings by British designer Peter Spilsbury, who works with natural specimens like plants and feathers. Be sure to check out his blog to see some great comic-art jewellery in resin, as well.

Bonus link:
Here's another ring embedded with some natural plantlife. Ring by Swiss jeweller Sophie Bütikofer, who also works with other natural materials such as horn and wool.

Even more jewellery:

Victoria Varga (Maine) - bright resin
Natural Abstract (New York) - contemporary silver
Vicky Forrester (UK) - organic metal
Jan Logan (Australia) - modern classics
Sandra Van Der Wildt (Belgium) - tusks & pearls

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Friday, August 13, 2010

Taiwan's Anny Ching Chin Hsieh takes us from ugly ducklings...

... to adorable bunnies ...

... to clean, modern metal (like this "autumn leaves" ring).

Bonus link:
Like the "autumn leaves" ring above, this "sharp leaf" ring features clean lines, a crisp crease and a simple shape. Gold ring with rubies by Ireland's Helena Malone.

Even more jewellery:

Georgia Varidakis (New York) - rabbits & hearts
Andreé Anne Vien (Montreal) - simple & modern
Kate & Kate (Poland) - glam chains
R/M Studio (Missouri) - black & gold
Carly Vercoe (UK) - silver leaves

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

In the immortal words of philosopher Olivia Newton-John, let's get physical. Stephanie Robinson's kinetic rings are inspired by "simple mechanisms such as hinges and pistons" and aim for "a linear design in motion." To quote the New Hampshire-based jeweller even further:

"This series concentrates on the wearer creating movement in the pieces. The wearer's ring finger fits in the silver ring, and the little finger fits the gold ring. When the little finger moves up and down, a playful and surprising movement is created!"

Bonus link:
Nora Dougherty also makes rotating, kinetic rings, inspired by the wind and waves of her environment (the California coast). Pictured is her "balance" ring in sterling silver.

Even more jewellery:

Jackie Taylor (Idaho) - kinetic circles
Karin Johansson (Sweden) - modern metal
Zelia Horsley (UK) - draping chains
Norma Rinaudo (Argentina) - silver mesh
MO Jewellery (New Zealand) - stackable rings

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

In the brutal heat, these "frozen" glass rings are a soothing, cooling sight for the eyes — as are the white enamel bands. Rings by Japan's Atmosphere (formerly known as Brutal Works).

Here's a case of a ring that was too cold. Dissatisfied with the coldness of her sculptural metal ring, Belgium's Shana Teugels dipped it in latex then sprayed it in white paint. You can view the piece on her blog; her own site is currently under construction.

Bonus link:
If you'd rather relish the heat than beat it, this white coral ring will have you dreaming of sandy beaches and clear, warm waters. Ring by England's Anna Bagnall.

Even more jewellery:

Dezso (New York) - beach style
Nevin Arig (Belgium) - sea-inspired
Eric Silva (California) - silver & stones
Karina Gill (UK) - fanned metal
Ann Visser Cox (New Zealand) - mother-of-pearl

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"Self portrait" ring by Jaclyn E. Podlaski, a Connecticut artist who may or not be made of enamelled silver.

Here's another long ring: "Chimney" by Polish-born artist Klara Pokrzywko, who now splits her time between Montreal and Los Angeles.

Bonus link:
In the warmer months, you might want a tube ring that offers a bit more ventilation — like this silver crochet piece by Israeli product designer Yael Falk of Baribua Design.

Even more jewellery:

Muntedkowhai (Australia) - crochet & knots
Dona Look & Ken Loeber (Wisconsin) - metal clusters
Daniella Draper (UK) - simple charms
Ulrika Swärd (Sweden) - brooches & tags
Nancy Troske (New Jersey) - enamel & silver

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Monday, August 9, 2010

All those people who misspell "angle" as "angel" must have Susan Ewing on their minds, because her angled "Arquitectonica" rings are pure heaven. (That made more sense in my head.)

She even has sharp points in her "Ring for Making Bubbles." The Ohio metalsmith has many interesting pieces, so don't let my cheesy write-up deter you from a visit!

Bonus link:
Here's a nice little piece featuring some simpler, softer angles. Ring by Indiana metalsmith Elizabeth Beeson of Quite Clever Jewelry.

Even more jewellery:

Nuki Sigora (Israel) - geometric metal
Anna Talbot (Norway) - fairytale scenes
Gundula Mogerman (Victoria, BC) - silver & colour
Amanda Brighton (UK) - agate & gems
Casey Sharpe (Virginia) - nature-inspired

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Friday, August 6, 2010

Time yet again for Random Pluckings from my Bookmarks, otherwise known as "here are a bunch of rings I like but which I haven't had time to write anything about, excuse the preposition at the end."

Above: perspex ring by Germany's Francesca Stadelmayr.

"Starlight Baby" resin rings by Canadian artist Hikaru Kiyonaga.

"Eye of Horse" by UK designer Clovis Wilson-Copp.

Familiar objects reimagined by Germany's Silke Rehermann.

"Gold Ring" money stamp by UK artist Nicholas O'Donnell-Hoare.

Bonus link:
Too bad that "money" (above) is about as useful as this abacus would be at adding it all up! Beaded abacus ring by Austrian artist Susanne Kompast.

Even more jewellery:

Ugne Blažyte (Lithuania) - art jewellery
Leila Arzaghi (UK) - nostalgic fibers
Susan Kasson Sloan (New Jersey) - epoxy resin
Catherine Marissa (Michigan) - small & stamped
Antonia Blyth (California) - silver circles

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

We're a little gridlocked today.
Ring from the "grid" collection by California's Rebecca Deans.

"Collated" ring by Scotland's Lisa J. Murphy.

Another grid from another Scottish jeweller: Sarah Spalding.

Bonus link:
Here's a long grid ring in silver with sapphire by Russian jeweller German Kabirski. This piece is one of many available in the G. Kabirski shop.

Even more jewellery:

Kim Jones (Maryland) - thick lines
Jo McAllister (UK) - boxes & twine
Jessica Kahle (Pennsylvania) - gold & mica
Nodeform (Los Angeles) - silver & cabs
Joachim Bartz (Germany) - contemporary metal

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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The perfect accompaniment for yesterday's collar and tie: this awesome "Funny Face" is brought to us by Yvonne Hung of San Francisco's The Harbinger Co. She has other styles of spectacles available but only this one comes with the nose and dapper mustache.

Bonus link:
Isette of Illinois has more spectacles and mustaches for your dress-up needs. Her shop is full of pieces in lasercut acrylic and wood.

Even more jewellery:

Evelyn Markasky (California) - photos & faces
Torropipi - Lena Franolic (Croatia) - sculptural wire
Charlotte Berry (UK) - buttons & silver
Monica Djatmiko (Netherlands) - body jewellery
Louise Fischer Cozzi (New York) - polymer clay

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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I've heard of "ring around the collar" but this is a little different. This formal finger attire in copper, brass and cotton is an ode to "people who see what they want and go get it." By Alberta artist Jennifer Akkermans.

Meanwhile, in the other half of Canada, Toronto's Tweek (Cassandra Ellen) reclaims men's ties and turns them into big, bold rings.

Bonus link:
If you're more into girly bows than manly ties, Japan's Putih Manis has you covered with their dainty filigree ribbon rings. They also have delicate knots if filigree is too frou-frou.

Even more jewellery:

Prix-Prix (California) - neckties & beads
Coco Kato (UK) - ribbons & pearls
Jandy Pannell (Australia) - glass & metal
Raija Rastas (Finland) - textile brooches
Lydia Lukidis (Montreal) - silver & stones

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Monday, August 2, 2010

A little minimalism for your Monday, courtesy of Korean artist Soo Yeon Kim. Her "Pain" series is made from silver, brass and acrylic color.

Another simple design, with a little twist — literally. By Japan's Cherry Brown (Keiko Ishikawa).

Bonus link:
Lenka Trubačová of the Czech Republic has a similarly twisted piece, but with a thicker treatment of the metal. This is her "Trichoptera" engagement ring.