Blog > June 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
If you liked yesterday's rings but still prefer to wear your nails the traditional way you know, press-on acrylics this ring could come in very handy, no pun intended.
Open it up and you'll find a set of emergency replacements should one of your own nails get chipped. (The nails are actually enamelled copper, so they're pretty sturdy, unless you're working in environments of 1,084 °C.)
You'll find all this and much, much more (from eye jewellery to lipstick necklaces) in the portfolio of New Jersey metalsmith Jill K. Baker Gower.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Francescab (Italy) - bold neckpieces
- Joanne Thompson (UK) - chain mail
- Jarosław Westermark (Poland) - textured silver
- Helene Courtaigne Delalande (France) - gold & gems
- Manano (Belgium) - beads & charms
Monday, June 29, 2009
If this is how you carry your money around, you definitely need the added protection of these "cougar claws" from San Francisco's Litter (I love how they also look like pen nibs).
Above, more talon-rific metalsmithing: fingernail rings from RISD student Hyun Kyung Park.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Sys Bjarnhof (Denmark) - remade antiques
- Miss.g (Kat Gee) (New Zealand) - chunky & playful
- Katrin Wacker (Germany) - contemporary metal
- Marla S. Rudnick (Washington, DC) - knit silver
- Ian Saudé (California) - diamonds & pearls
Friday, June 26, 2009
It's been a while since I've posted Random Pluckings from My Bookmarks. Ready for another go? First up: plastic and metal from Hungaria's Gaál Gyöngyvér (I believe "Gaál" is the surname, because that's how they roll).
"Square lines" ring by Brazil's Thelma Aviani.
These rings really do not do his body of work justice so please visit his site to see more of Bulgaria's Nikolay Sardamov.
Acrylic and glitter from Germany's Monika Gimborn-Jochum.
Balloon and egg rings from Norway's Sigurd Bronger (shamefully, I've had a half-written post about him sitting around for about two years now).
![]() One more egg ring, this time in anodized aluminum: the "chromegg" from Israel-based Italian designer Arosha Luigi Taglia. |
Even more jewellery:
- Olivia de Soria (Denver) - enamel & gumballs
- Stephanie Winther (Australia) - etched silver
- Spacefruit - Becky Crawford (UK) - plastic clusters
- NUÑ (New York) - gorgeous gold
- Anne Thomas (France) - ceramic girls
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I was a little whiny yesterday (Excedrin for three meals a day will do that to you). Let me balance things out with an "Optimistic Impulse," as the above ring is named. The piece is by L.A.'s Mary Donald, an artist who works with diverse materials to create gorgeous, organic jewellery (this one is wire, fibre and paint). Below, "Forever the Optimist" and other rings in rubber, nylon, glass, pearls and more.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Paweł Kaczyński (Poland) - botanical sculptures
- Francesca Harland (UK) - textile love
- William Belack (Miami) - metal & gems
- Heike & Peter Bereck (Germany) - contemporary gold
- Gabriela Fissore (Argentina) - silver & colour
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
There is construction ongoing nextdoor. Drilling. Banging. Yammering. Hammering (both jack- and claw-). I'm headache prone as it is and this is just driving me nuts and bolts. Well, if you can't beat 'em, and you can't join 'em, and you can't make 'em stop please stop, you can at least be inspired by 'em. So, some construction-themed rings today, starting with these cement-block and wood-block rings by Brazil's André Lasmar (above).
Ring with nails and spiral shank by Virginia's Susie Ganch.
Bricks and window shutters by Cynthia Myron, also of Virginia, who does fabulous architectural work in pewter and copper.
Clockwise from top left: "Disturbing the Peace," "Tension," "Labor" (with nail) and because who doesn't love irony? "Hammered Serenity" rings by Los Angeles metalsmith Amy John (see her gallery for lots of bullet rings).
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Susannah Dwyer (Australia) - industrial parts
- Heather Grandmont (Cleveland, OH) - oxidized silver
- Rita Botelho (Portugal) - lasercut leather
- Shabnam Bahmanian (California) - forged metal
- Carole Leonard (UK) - perspex & steel
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rice and silk may be evocative of Asia but Jessie Yeager's jewellery is actually influenced by her travels across the U.S. Check out this North Carolina jeweller for pieces with grass, harmonicas, map outlines and more...
...some of which come with a hidden surprise.
![]() Speaking of rice, Spain's la boîte à couture has some cute rings shaped like sushi. No paella, as far as I can tell, but there is lots of cake! |
Even more jewellery:
- Joanne Garner (UK) - silk & silver
- Luana Coonen (California) - amazing insects
- Littlewhitedish (Australia) - porcelain pendants
- Nügaard Designs (Florida) - metal & stones
- Sikara (Texas) - inlaid gemss
Monday, June 22, 2009
If you've been reading my blog long enough, you know how I feel about birds. And, of course, you know how I feel about jewellers. Can you please tell me, then, how I'm supposed to feel about a jeweller who's in cahoots with a bird? Does not compute. In her "Collaboration with a Bird" series, Wisconsin artist Teresa F. Faris explores the "ideas of fragility and human/animal connectedness" by working "with animals rather than using their bodies." Each piece features a piece of wood that has been chewed or "carved" by a bird. They're making jewellery now, folks. Be afraid.
Here's another collaboration, of sorts, with a bird: caged quail egg ring by Rhode Island's Nikki Thiess-Kusiak.
![]() Now here's the kind of bird I can handle cute and simple. Silver dove ring by Toronto's Danielle Zippan of Zippan Designs (US$40). |
Even more jewellery:
- Trine Trier (Denmark) - clean lines
- Aurélie Dellasanta (Switzerland) - embroidery & skeletons
- Miriam Kimelblat (Brazil) - flora & fauna
- Silvia Mazzoli (Italy) - zippers & bows
- Matsu by Jennifer Shigetomi (Toronto) - organic metal
Friday, June 19, 2009
There's nothing as refreshing as something bubbly on ice.
Let London's Vicki Purnell take you into the weekend with her pops of acrylic and resin.
![]() Of course, it's no fun when your bubbles go flat unless it's these stacking acrylic bubble rings by Australia's Melinda Young (~US$130). |
Even more jewellery:
- Bell & Spoon (Oona Ball) (UK) - people & animals
- Sodaplus (Japan) - chains & briolettes
- Chris A. Wronski (Atlanta) - pierced silver
- Mandy Allen (Portland, OR) - anodized aluminum
- Pepitarosa (Italy) - sweet & pink
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I like how "plique-à-jour" sounds somewhat like "peek-a-boo." Because that's exactly what the enamel does it peeks out from the silver and lets the light peek through, as well. UK jeweller Regina Aradesian uses the technique with lovely results; inspired by her roots, she combines traditional Armenian patterns with "the intricacies of the cellular world observed through a microscope."
![]() For more vitreous enamel, check out New York's Ursula Masterson; pictured is the pansy ring from her "Moderna" collection. |
Even more jewellery:
- Jenn Parnell (Laurel, MD) - enamel & silver
- Green Halo (California) - gold & briolettes
- Beadworx (Bettina Welker) (Germany) - polymer clay
- Maja Schulz (NY/Ecuador) - metal & gems
- Jacqueline Warrington (UK) - contemporary twotone
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Terrific? More like amphitheaterrific! (I'll escort myself out now.) Germany's Sina Emrich turns wood into magic worthy of any stage. Visit her site to see more gorgeous wooden pieces and read about her Schmucknomadin - weltlernen ("jewellery nomad - world-learning") project.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Miranda Hughes (UK) - vintage components
- Doerthe Fuchs (Germany) - oxidized silver
- Loewestamm (Ukraine) - Black Sea wood
- SeidenGang (New York) - classical gold
- Lisa Black (Australia) - cultural inspirations
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Here's another portfolio I've been awaiting for a long time. No longer "under construction" is Mayavanlierop.com, website of Dutch jeweller Maya van Lierop. Obviously. These rings are like coloured cross-sections of soap bubbles!
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Julie Tougas (Montreal) - circles & spirals
- Kristina Brekne (Australia) - modern silver
- Karat (Japan) - bugs & fish
- Danielle Meshorer (San Francisco) - metal & gems
- Clare Lupino (UK) - beads on wire
Monday, June 15, 2009
Ooh, nice. I want more!
More, I say!
That's more like it! I'd been waiting a long time for Germany's Iris Bodemer to get a website. As it turns out, good things do come to those who wait.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Sahlia Michelle (Oregon) - modern chains
- Lost Values (Elena Corchero) (UK) - solar-powered
- Jewels Curnow (Seattle) - metal & gems
- Philipp Plein (Switzerland) - diamonds & dogtags
- Nah (Chile) - thread beads
Friday, June 12, 2009
Yesterday, you met Fanny the Fox. Today, meet Oregon's Sarah Fox (no relation) and her topiary jewellery in colourful felt.
![]() Here's a topiary ring that might require some upkeep, as it contains real moss. By Toronto's Alishsa Marie Boyd. |
Even more jewellery:
- Maaike Ebbinge (Netherlands) - colourful fibers
- Jen Cunningham (Scotland) - trees & mountains
- Veronika My (Germany) - leather & felt
- Nicole Rossetta (Nantucket Island, MA) - silver & glass
- Cheena Chandra (Irvine, CA) - gold & gems
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cow, chicken and fox aka Craig, George and Fanny are just three of eight animals (plus one imaginary one) standing ready to decorate your fingers. For more lasercut acrylic goodness, including a line of housewares, see UK designers titiMadam. [Update: unfortunately, based on more than one personal experience, I cannot recommend shopping from them.]
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Finest Imaginary (UK) - lasercut acrylic
- Patrik Muff (Germany) - regal motifs
- Antoine Camus (France) - panthers & gems
- Hoorsenbuhs (California) - gold & diamonds
- Rosalind Wolchock (Winnipeg) - silver & pearls
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
These whimsical cocktail rings, with their framed Victorian illustrations, make me long for the olden days when they had things like hot air balloons and feathers and moths. Get a taste of those halcyon times by visiting New Jersey's Schmutzerland.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Swan:Dive (San Francisco) - illustrated pendants
- Babette (Japan) - framed art
- Emma Fox (UK) - birds & koi
- Cubannie Links (Brooklyn) - guns & butterflies
- Sabine Böttcher (Germany) - metal & gems
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Though I usually don't post the same jeweller more than once, the last time I mentioned this artist was four years ago and that was only in passing (no photos) so I think I'll allow myself this one. Besides, he's well worth a hundred mentions, let alone two! His rings are wildly botanical...
...clearly cool...
...and warrant some serious face time. Too bad that's made difficult by the fact that Shinji Nakaba is all the way over in Kanagawa, Japan. Then again, his work is on display in New York's Museum of Arts & Design and Montreal's Museum of Fine Arts so, if you're in either of those locations, go check it out!
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Gavang (Thailand) - botanical metal
- Andrea Halmschlager (Austria) - art jewellery
- Modern Madini (Eugene, OR) - copper & silver
- Hirocoledge (Japan) - lasercut acrylic
- Amrita Singh (New York) - ornate gold
Monday, June 8, 2009
OH MY GOD YES PLEASE I WILL TAKE TEN OF EACH THANK YOU. «Deeeeep breath» Sorry, I get excited sometimes. Can you blame me? I'll tell you who you can blame: Japanese glass jeweller Yoko Yano.
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Hastha Kala (UK) - ceramic & seaglass
- S'adoucir (Japan) - vintage style
- Pamela Harari (Israel) - gold & gems
- Vanessa Jenik (Los Angeles) - silver & beads
- Deborah Gaspar (Dallas) - mother of pearl
Friday, June 5, 2009
There's a regular ol' full moon this Sunday but to see a blue moon and an eclipse, at the same time, no less, check out Edinburgh-based jeweller Mie Miyakawa. Pictured are her "blue moon" and "eclipse" rings in silver, gold, acrylic, resin and topaz.
![]() For a crescent moon and other simple, modern styles in metal, check out Los Angeles jeweller Ariel Gordon. |
Even more jewellery:
- Marlo Miyashiro (Seattle) - silver sprouts
- Company of Strangers (New Zealand) - locks & keys
- Elke Mitscha (Germany) - clean & simple
- Polytima (New York) - bold stones
- Jennifer Shon (Los Angeles) - beads & charms
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Let's see: we have cheese, heartbeats and things coming full circle. What is this, a Hallmark Movie of the Week? Nope, it's something better: jewellery by Belgium's Pooja Sahny, aka Memyselfandi. (The circular arrow is actually the "male" symbol spiffed up.)
![]() Here are a couple more cheese rings (Swiss cheese, to be precise) from English jeweller Karen Thomas. |
Even more jewellery:
- Emma Jane Donald (Australia) - cool & geometric
- Izabel Camille (Denmark) - modern classics
- Andrea K (UK) - hearts & flowers
- Cynthia Rybakoff (New York) - links & cameos
- Vitrice McMurry (New Orleans) - contemporary metal
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Chess, for me, connotes "cerebral" and "cold weather" so let's do a 180 from yesterday and go for some summertime child's play. Pictured above are three rings from the perfectly-named "Five More Minutes" playground series, plus an awesome "Tic Tac Toe" ring that comes with a drawer in which you can store the Xs and Os! All rings by Ohio's Jennifer L. Bunt.
![]() UK jeweller Susannah Goodyear also has a "Playful Playground" series; her equipment is occupied by birds, as in this see-saw ring. |
Even more jewellery:
- Renee Zettle-Sterling (Michigan) - art pieces
- Linogirl (Australia) - painted porcelain
- Jouer Avec Moa? (Japan) - vintage style
- Closet by Alexandra Hunt (Calgary) - buttons & silver
- Heike Eden (Germany) - contemporary gold
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Church windows are admired for their stained glass panes but England's Alexandra Buckle reminds us that the frames are plenty gorgeous on their own, too. Shown above are her oxidized silver window rings; below, her equally gorgeous chess rings:
![]() |
Even more jewellery:
- Myung Urso (Rochester, NY) - silk & silver
- Céline C (Ireland) - romantic necklaces
- Emily Snadden (Australia) - contemporary metal
- Gabriele Späth (Germany) - gold & jade
- Clic'Clasp (Anna Tabokhoff) (France) - geodes & pearls
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sticks and stones may break my bones but look how pretty they are! Above: two-finger twig ring in recycled silver by Brooklyn's Species by the Thousands and twig bands by Charlotte, North Carolina's Jason Janow. Below: stacked pebble ring by Geneva-based Austrian jeweller Gundula Papesch and clean, pebbly, white gold pieces by England's Ruth Bridges.
![]() For more jewellery in that simple, pleasing pebble shape, see Belgian musician-turned-metalsmith Rembrandt Jordan. |
Even more jewellery:
- Chris Edwards (UK) - pebbles and glass
- Ashley Ernest (Michigan) - wood & mirrors
- Little Rock (Edmonton) - rocks & silver
- Silverdream (Belgium) - botanical metal
- Michelle Canuelle (Seattle) - gold & gems