January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

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.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

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).

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

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).

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

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.

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Monday, January 27, 2014

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.

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Friday, January 24, 2014

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

Also admiring:

Minimalist bangles from Australia's Nicola Wilson.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

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.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

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.

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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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.

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Monday, January 20, 2014

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.

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Friday, January 17, 2014

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.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

"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.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

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.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

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.

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Monday, January 13, 2014

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.

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Friday, January 10, 2014

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.

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

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).

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

SCAD student Mint Kaewkoon may be far from her native Thailand but Thailand isn't far from her mind — or work. This ring, for instance, is based on elements from both Thai and American family rings, and incorporates her last name into the design. Also check her site for the "On My Way Home" ring, based on the streets of Bangkok.

I'm also loving the designs of London's Finchittida Finch (identical twins Tida & Lisa Finch), inspired by Lao culture.

Bonus link:

For more jewellery with a heavy Thai influence, see Bangkok's Pilantha (Chutapat Wittaya).

Also admiring:

This "baby's tears" series of earrings by Japan's Yuri Oiwa.

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Whether it's a silver version of the fortune teller game or a couple of spherical fans, paper figures prominently in the work of Houston jeweller Tarina Frank (currently based in Stockholm). And speaking of paper figures, don't miss her wild 2-D necklaces.

Bonus link:

For more paper necklaces, see Belgium's Christine Keyeux.

Also admiring:

Quirky, colourful, abstract botanical shapes from Melbourne-based Japanese jeweller Yuko Fujita.

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Thanks for your patience during the break! I hope you all had a fantastic holiday. A quick note before we kick off the year: dedicated readers may notice a slight change to the formatting of my posts. But, rest assured, the mission is still the same: never-repeated, non-sponsored links to jewellery that catches my eye.

Rah rah rah, it's 2014! Japan's Jizeeru (Gisela Febrina Juwono) cheers it up with these playful pom pom "baburu" (i.e. "bubble") rings. Here's hoping the year is full of things to celebrate.