Blog > April 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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This ring by any other name would not be as sweet: silicone "Blop" ring by Germany's Alessandra Pizzini.
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Even more jewellery:
- Elva Fields (Kentucky) - heavy vintage
- Jane Dominese (UK) - etched silver
- Christiane Diehl (Germany) - recycled pleats
- Shari Pierce (North Carolina) - fashion necklaces
- Brooke Gregson (Santa Monica, CA) - astrology pendants
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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In honour of the one-week anniversary of Earth Day 2008, here's the heart-warming story of how a grass ring is made when it's made by La Bague Gazon of France. This particular model, in porcelain with platinated rim, is €100.
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Even more jewellery:
- Truike Verdeggal (Amsterdam) - historic art
- Marmalade Designs (Toronto) - cute fabric
- Brooke Benson (California) - semiprecious necklaces
- Loving Anvil (Maine) - chunky silver
- Peter Steck (Germany) - brushed gold
Monday, April 28, 2008
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In case you're wondering, no, I'm not above making a lame "three-ring circus" joke. Yuk yuk. (Nevermind that it's technically four rings...) Lions, elephants and flaming hoops by Japan's e.m. you'll find this collection in drawer #13.
Below, clear acrylic rings with embedded objects from their newest collection and black & white plastic cameos from their "tiptoe" line:
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Even more jewellery:
- Lady Grey (New York) - branches & bones
- Claudia Römer (Germany) - eraser necklaces
- Paige Russell (Kelowna, BC) - stoneware pendants
- Mathilde Colas (France) - colourful clay
- Hanna & Jacek Zdanowski (Poland) - ruffles & petals
Friday, April 25, 2008
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This is great. I need more rings that remind me to do those things I'm supposed to do but always put off, like check the air in my tires (watch out for those nails!). Maybe, if I ask nicely, Germany's Berit Rother will do a "flip the mattress" piece for me, too. Check out her site for lots of other styles, like these gnarled branches:
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Even more jewellery:
- Heather Colmar (Savannah, GA) - chains & stones
- Lola Rose (London) - chunky stone
- Janet Stein (Edmonton) - silver & cabs
- Mandy Wu (Singapore) - lockets & necklaces
- Monika Vesely (Germany) - spirals & cubes
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Changing gears from yesterday, let's revel in some minimalism. German minimalism, to be precise. Pictured above: U-rings by Daniela Schwaag of Idar-Oberstein (Germany's gemstone capital) and pearl rings by Munich's Isabella Hund.
France just called me, feeling left out, so here's a "constellation" ring by Mathilde Seguin of Paris:
Now Portugal's emailing me with pouty emoticons. Ok, Portugal, here's some minimalist work by your Ana Albuquerque of Meet Jewelry:
All right, that's it. Rest of western Europe, I'll have to get to you some other day.
![]() By the way, if you're interested in indie crafts, check out Indiefixx! Jen Wallace of Wilmington, NC runs a great, informative blog with weekly features such as an interview series. Thanks to Jen for inviting me to be this week's subject! (If you read the interview: for the record, I know someone who claims that egg thing DID happen to her, and with a free range egg, which is what I buy. Eep.) |
Even more jewellery:
- Ulla & Martin Kaufmann (Germany) - clean & bold
- Glint Jewellery (UK) - clusters on chains
- Holly Riddel (Palm Springs, CA) - inside-out
- Jordan Schlanger (New York) - white gold & diamonds
- Dot Sim (Scotland) - contemporary metal
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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Who knew nylon could be so... natural? Inspired by nature and botanical structures, England's Nora Fok creates incredible pieces of jewellery out of nylon filaments, using only her hands and basic tools. Unsurprisingly, her complicated pieces often take weeks to bloom just like nature. More below:
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Even more jewellery:
- Duette-Lunette (Germany) - sunglass necklaces
- KEP Designs (New York) - bright beads
- Danielle Sweeney (Toronto) - diamond rings
- Pepe Argo (UK) - silver & semiprecious
- Mariusz Deka (Poland) - contemporary bands
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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So, basically, Germany's Nils Schmalenbach etches photos onto metal and then attaches them to these foldy, pentagony sheets. The resulting rings are much more elegant than the preceding sentence.
Below, for some reason, a glimpse at what life would be like without Nils Schmalenbach (from his album):
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Even more jewellery:
- The Opulent Project (Portland, OR) - plastic chandeliers
- Rachelle Varney (UK) - antique style
- Stephanie Albertson (New York) - gold & gems
- Inger Blix Kvammen (Norway) - woven chokers
- Eric Burris (Maryland) - mokumegane
Monday, April 21, 2008
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Shannon Kennedy and Juan Bohorquez of Kitchener, Ontario's Cynosure Jewelry "strive to expand the realm of what is normally considered jewellery." This case of rings is a case in point: in "City Scape," the jewellery becomes inseparable from its display as the collection as a whole is labelled a "wall installation."
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Even more jewellery:
- Lena Marie Echelle (Dallas) - botanical silver
- Francesca Amfitheatrof (London) - heavy chains
- Wydinya (Philadelpia) - beads & metal
- Diane Appleby (Australia) - pearls & cabochons
- Arts & Crafts (Norway) - men's & women's
Friday, April 18, 2008
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How many rings can fit in a flat clamshell box?
Six and counting. The black rubber "practical ring set" which comes with assembly instructions and is also available in white silicone is just one of many designs from Germany's UBO (by Ursula Bonderer).
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Even more jewellery:
- Louise Kragh (Denmark) - simple porcelain
- Gabriela Artigas (Los Angeles) - bold necklaces
- Yasmin Kuhn (Providence, RI) - chunky lucite
- Roné Prinz (California) - sculptural silver
- Katharine Vella (Australia) - doublesided pendants
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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Some more insect-inspired rings, this time from Portland, Oregon's Catherine Chandler. Her "wing," "antennae" and "larvae" rings are based on the Bathurst Copper butterfly, an endangered species native to a small area in New South Wales, Australia (where she studied for four years).
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Even more jewellery:
- Hilde Janich (Germany) - colourful parchment
- Line&Jo (Denmark) - black & modern
- Queen Doll / Samantha House (NYC) - cluster necklaces
- Marie Chavez (Cedar Grove, NJ) - beads & charms
- Rubi Rocket (Australia) - lasercut acrylic
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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We go from frogs to frog food insects, that is. The drama in these pieces is no accident: London-based, Irish-born Jonathan William Anderson studied at the Actor's Studio (where he discovered a love for stage costumes), is influenced by the "sinister" in literature and has a lifelong fascination with Elizabeth I. In these striking rings, "a normally eerie insect is embalmed and becomes a natural jewel," resulting in jewellery filled with "grandeur and heaviness."
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Even more jewellery:
- By Kyo (Netherlands) - circles & chokers
- Barefoot Czarina (Washington, DC) - brass & briolettes
- Marie.Laure.T (France) - mothers & babies
- Limbo (Austin, TX) - stone hoops
- Schrems (Germany) - fine gold
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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If you think these frogs are interesting, wait 'til you see the pigs! Visit the wonderful glass menagerie of Sweden's Moa Andersson.
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Even more jewellery:
- Laura Anne Marsden (UK) - plastic lace
- Kristi Zevenbergen (Mill Creek, WA) - found objects
- Dima (Egypt) - gold & briolettes
- Crystal Maze (Netherlands) - bands & mazes
- Gold Digger (Sweden) - pavé and plating
Monday, April 14, 2008
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As promised on Friday, here's another Czech jeweller who tingles my synapses. Above and below, rings from Prague's Anna Steinerová.
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Even more jewellery:
- Esther K (Philadelphia) - brass necklaces
- Roxana Warat (Argentina) - bold & modern
- Laurence Oppermann (France) - hammered metal
- Jen Smith (Massachusetts) - photo jewellery
- Janis Provisor (New York) - semiprecious necklaces
Friday, April 11, 2008
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I like to pace myself when it comes to posting my favourite jewellers but, sometimes, I can't stop myself from sneaking in an extra one or two especially when they can be linked in some way, such as the two designers I have in mind now, who are both from the Czech Republic. Today, though, let's go one at a time. First off is Markéta Richterová, who creates bold pieces in carbon, acrylic, crystal and silver (and even ice). Pictured up top is a ring from her "organic" collection (below it, because I couldn't resist, is a pair of earrings). Tune in next week for designer number two!
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Even more jewellery:
- Finger Magic (Hayward, CA) - silver origami
- Chocolate and Steel (Los Angeles) - sterling charms
- Katherine Wardropper (UK) - dramatic neckpieces
- Alfredo Grosso (Brazil) - brushed gold
- Xiraffa (Spain) - giraffe hair
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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Hardware, made pretty, by Japan's Chave.
Below, more chain rings: silver handcuffs by Dinh Van of France and gold chains by Iwona Ludyga of New York.
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Even more jewellery:
- Jessica Hicks (Nantucket, MA) - modern & perforated
- Rheanna Lingham (UK) - feathers & stars
- Carré (Denmark) - gold & gems
- Andrea Lucille Designs (Brooklyn) - silver & pearls
- Rebecca Bourke (Denver) - lariats & necklaces
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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I'm guessing Mirla Fernandes never coloured within the lines as a kid. This ring all two to three feet of it is from the Brazilian artist's "Longing for the Body" series, a collection of latex pieces meant to be "completed by the user."
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Even more jewellery:
- Annie Costello Brown (Los Angeles) - leather necklaces
- Manifest Design (Montreal) - wire & beads
- Miata Jones (New York) - freshwater pearls
- Satellite Paris (France) - ornate & romantic
- Deborrah Daher (St. Louis) - contemporary gold
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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As much as I'm still drooling over yesterday's colours, white isn't so bad, itself. Top: dental plaster rings by Finland's Mia Maljojoki; bottom: carved alabaster by Mexican jeweller Graciela Fuentes of Tirana (based in New York).
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Even more jewellery:
- Amie King (St. Louis) - found & vintage
- Cezary Łutowicz (Poland) - striped flint
- Melinda Maria (Santa Monica, CA) - hammered gold
- Kathleen Frisson (Belgium) - organic silver
- Azendi (UK) - shiny silver
Monday, April 7, 2008
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I love these faceted chunks of bright resin so much, I just don't have the words. I may have to resort to interpretive dance. These latest faves of mine are by Vibe Harsløf, the Danish designer behind Fafafa.
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Even more jewellery:
- Madewithhands (UK) - knit necklaces
- Biko Designs (Toronto) - lockets & charms
- Scarlet Chamberlin (Portland, OR) - semiprecious stones
- Liz Castelli (New York) - silver & pearls
- Arunashi (Los Angeles) - luxe rings
Friday, April 4, 2008
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Artfully unpolished arrangements of green grass, red thread and silver simply pleasing work brought to you by Germany's Claudia Rinneberg.
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Even more jewellery:
- Ginger Pottin (Vancouver) - enamel & leather
- Heather Guidero (Providence, RI) - modern circles
- Mariella di Gregorio (Italy) - china necklaces
- Cloth (Australia) - scarf necklaces
- Billoware (Brooklyn) - silver crochet
Thursday, April 3, 2008
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Ah, Spirograph. I always managed to ruin my designs with a single jerky pen stroke (those darn plastic cogs!) but I bet Teri Howes's drawings turned out perfectly every time. Now, the trained graphic artist translates those designs into fabulous silver jewellery, like this "spirograph" ring (above, right). Also pictured is a ring from her "urban jungle" line; be sure to view the rest of that range and her other collections, as well! If you're in London (like the artist), see them in person at the Tate Modern.
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Even more jewellery:
- Bunnyoramma (Norcross, GA) - stamped wood
- Patricia Nicolás (Spain) - fashion necklaces
- Fine and Good (Toronto) - glass beads
- Philippe Audibert (France) - glitzy baubles
- Claudia Bradby (UK) - pearls & silver
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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Getting married? In the next few minutes? If you don't have time for pesky details like getting your ring sized, French designer Benjamin Lignel has the perfect solution: instant wedding rings! Just open the pack, pull out a strip and twist the ring before you tie the knot. Like so:
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Even more jewellery:
- Limedrop (Australia) - animals & tetris
- Alyssa Norton (New York) - chains & ribbon
- Blütenstaub (Germany) - silver & colour
- Dorje Designs (Colorado) - ancient beads
- Jan Fryer (UK) - silver charms
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
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Sculpting is just one of Caroline Bacher's artistic talents, and it's no surprise when you look at the Toronto artist's range of silver jewellery. My favourites are these vaguely vascular and rib-ular pieces above. (I know, I know, the word is "costal." But it should be "ribular." Don't fight it.)
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Even more jewellery:
- Wendy-Sarah Pacey (London) - acrylic & foil
- Sharrey Doré (Seattle) - contemporary silver
- NewD (Italy) - skin jewels
- Tschetter Studio (Dallas) - small earrings
- Schwa Designs (Seattle) - gold & briolettes