The Carrotbox

The Carrotbox is obsessed with rings. Please enjoy your stay.

Alice Matsumoto · Vancouver, BC

While the shop is metal-free, the blog is not! Links are never repeated so there's always something new.

I post only what interests me. No ads, no paid promos.

AD-FREE SINCE 2003

Very recent posts may not show up in search results — please try the archives.

Please note that I am not seeking submissions for my blog. Thanks!




















Please pardon any formatting issues in the archives (caused by changes to the template over the years).

Blog > October 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

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:

Wednesday, October 30, 2013


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:

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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:

Monday, October 28, 2013

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:

Friday, October 25, 2013

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:

Thursday, October 24, 2013

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:

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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:

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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:

Monday, October 21, 2013

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:

Friday, October 18, 2013

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:

Thursday, October 17, 2013

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:

Wednesday, October 16, 2013


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:

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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:

Monday, October 14, 2013

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:

Friday, October 11, 2013

"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:

Thursday, October 10, 2013

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:

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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:

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

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:

Monday, October 7, 2013

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:

Friday, October 4, 2013

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:

Thursday, October 3, 2013






Apparently, there are people who use car paint to paint cars. What? If they were regular readers of this blog, they'd know car paint is for jewellery, just like MDF and epoxy putty, hello. Israel's Noy Alon knows where it's at.


Bonus link:
Belarus-born, Milan-based Cristina Stashkevich uses (regular) paint on wood to create adorable rings and other jewellery. Check them out on her site, Stakshop.

Even more jewellery:

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Dieters beware: this jewellery may test your resolve. Maybe not the moldy bread rings and bracelets, but the grilled cheese necklace and veggie dip brooches are another story. To get the full taste, visit Indiana artist Rachel Kassia Shimpock.


Bonus link:
it's hard to imagine a bigger test of willpower than an array of French pastries! La Nostalgie is a tempting collection handmade in France by Mariana Salinas.

Even more jewellery:

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Wolverine may have his adamantium skeleton but maybe he'd be better protected by some jewellery from "Growing a Metal Skin." Israel's Elina Gleizer creates stylish armour for your fingers in gold-plated and blackened brass.

Visit her site for more, including some gorgeous work in wood.


Bonus link:
being unprotected can, at times, lead to injury and scarring. That's what happened to UK-based Isabella Liu, who was inspired to create the "Scar is No More a Scar" series. Read more on her site.

Even more jewellery:

«  Older   back to blog home   Newer  »