Blog - October 2007 | The Carrotbox - glass rings, lucite rings, plastic rings, jade rings, wooden rings, resin rings and other non-metal rings

October 2007

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Stick your finger in the pumpkin pie hole — it's Jack o' Lantern Day! Cast bronze and silver pumpkin by St. Paul's Brent Michael Kelley.

And for those of you who don't have Hallowe'en, here's a beautifully sleek rose gold piece by Beate Druschel of Germany. The shape is fantastic — simple but unusual.

Bonus link: back to Hallowe'en... check out New Zealand's Claire Hammon and Greg Fromont, aka Meadowlark, for bones (pictured) and fangs.

Even more jewellery:

314 Studio (Boston) - circular flowers
Allison Wiffen (London) - printed ceramics
Marzio Fiorini (Brazil) - lasercut rubber
Rosie Brown (Scotland) - charming silver
Fuss Jewelry (Connecticut) - feminine beading

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

If you live somewhere where they have Dairy Queen and you've attended a birthday party, chances are, you've had one of those DQ ice cream cakes. And if you've had one of those DQ ice cream cakes, you know the best part isn't the ice cream. And if you know that, you can guess why I want to eat these stingray rings by Berlin's Rainer Wiencke.

Bonus link: this gold and diamond ice cream ring is just one of many sweet styles available from New York's Emma-Jane & Tan.

Even more jewellery:

Beautiful Metal (UK) - metal neckpieces
Sonya Ooten (Los Angeles) - gems in fishnet
Aura of Copenhagen (Denmark) - fine gold
Lady J Jewelry (New York) - leather & silver
Kristin Linton Designs (North Carolina) - cutout silver

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Monday, October 29, 2007

I've been periodically checking on Jon M Ryan's site for over a year and it's perpetually under construction so I'm going to go ahead and post it anyway. These rings can be denied no longer! View his flickr portfolio for more jewellery and check his other flickr sets for a behind-the-scenes look at how he produces these fantastic anodized aluminum pieces.

Bonus link: is aluminum better as jewellery or as a drink receptacle? Why choose? Beer can rings by Oregon's D-licious (US$40).

Even more jewellery:

ZM (Australia) - bejewelled wrestlers
Jeanet Metselaar (Netherlands) - folded polyester
Mifflin Jewelry (Brooklyn) - gold medallions
Jill Briggs (UK) - beads & charms
k.maley design (San Francisco) - simple glass

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Friday, October 26, 2007

Wax lips aren't just for kids! The "Promises" series by Finland's Heli Hietala features lip-shaped rings made from such materials as candlewax and soluble soap (as pictured above). Her collection is designed to "be disposed of by washing, burning, melting or breaking [the rings] in pieces."

Bonus link: if you want your lips to last, go for this acrylic piece by always-fun UK designer Tatty Devine (£23).

Even more jewellery:

Oblik Atelier (Brooklyn) - modern lines
Pia Aleborg (Sweden) - modern art
Azumi and David (London) - coolness
Matt Weston (Australia) - chains & neckerchiefs
Deborah Grivas (Southlake, TX) - gold links

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Thursday, October 25, 2007

Spent all your money on jewellery and have nothing left for insurance? Protect your jewels with a menacing setting instead. Left: "bite ring" by New York's Mine Jewelry; right: thorny "twig ring" by Sweden's Petronella Eriksson for LOD.

Bonus link: in the spirit of Hallowe'en, here's another teeth setting — with fangs. "The Vampress" half-carat diamond ring, US$1,800, available at Bittersweets NY.

Even more jewellery:

Adam Smith (Pooler, GA) - antlers & arrows
Kvell (Toronto) - antlers & silver
Page Lys (New York) - old & new
Michael Peckitt (UK) - colourful cuffs
Acentos (Argentina) - organic metals

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

This is, without a doubt, the pointiest ring I've ever seen. Since it follows the outline of the wearer's finger (does it bend?), each silhouette ring is highly customized and requires a meeting with the designer, Rhode Island's Scott Cormier.

Bonus link: here's another silhouette — this time, of a diamond. For rings that are grand, glam and glossy, see Brazilian jeweller Willian Farias.

Even more jewellery:

Amazing Animal (Finland) - art jewellery
Pretty Black (UK) - charm necklaces
Susan Pietzsch (Berlin) - chocolate & candy
Ladjili Jewelry (California) - quartz & gems
Micki Lippe (Seattle) - metal & pearls

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

I'm looking for a job that involves sitting and staring at these rings all day. I'm pretty good at it and have a lot of experience. If you know anyone who's hiring, let me know! These fabulous rings, made of recycled wood and bakelite, are by California's Kyyote (aka Amanda Loos); through Trees for the Future, she plants two trees for every ring sold.

Bonus link: Trees for the Future might not like hearing "timberrrr!" but they'd probably love these cute wooden rings by Chicago's Timber! (US$10).

Even more jewellery:

Nadine Kieft (Netherlands) - deer cameos
Jane Hollinger (New York) - delicate gold
Chloe Sachs (Boston) - Indian gold
Abbott & Ellwood (UK) - figural brooches
Lucy Woodley (Scotland) - flowers & ovals

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Monday, October 22, 2007

Cobric, a Spanish creation, is a copper toy "consisting of twenty articulated curves united by an internal spring [which] can be manipulated to form an infinite combination of geometric and free figures." Unuc is the toy re-imagined as jewellery. (Hint: click on the moving silhouette and wait for the menu to pop up on the left.)

Bonus link: Amsterdam's Joke Schole also works with copper; these quirky rings combine the metal with silver and porcelain.

Even more jewellery:

Adoura (San Francisco) - vintage brass
Not a Full Shilling (UK) - cut-out coins
Jewelry by Nola (Los Angeles) - chains & pearls
B/Colasuonno Designs (Brooklyn) - simple silver
Mari Syrén (Finland) - prehistoric

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Friday, October 19, 2007

Austria's Christian Wimmer brings us these firecracker and matchstick rings — or, as I like to call them, the "what NOT to wear to Logan Airport" collection.

Bonus link: another red hot ring is this piece by Poland's Arek Wolski. All the drama is in the flaming tresses that make up part of the band.

Even more jewellery:

Vannetta Seecharran (London) - silver & ribbon
Complete Technique (Brooklyn) - DJ culture
Eva Steinberg (Germany) - ornate gold
NEKO (Mexico) - industrial
Lua Lua (UK) - perspex shapes

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

I've described rings as "architectural" before but this time, I really mean it. Oscar Abba, an Italian "jewels author" who lives in Spain, obviously modelled the ring on the building when he created this piece for the Mies van der Rohe Foundation in Barcelona. That building is the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, which was designed by the architect for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition (the iconic Barcelona chair was created for that Pavilion, hence its name). Be sure to view the rest of Abba's collection!

Bonus link: another Barcelona jeweller is Marta Sanchez, whose gorgeous rings are refined without losing that "handcrafted" touch.

Even more jewellery:

Erna Anema (Netherlands) - silver darts
Laura Pearce (UK) - silver rays
Jun Konishi (Japan) - experimental
Ann Lawson (San Francisco) - keys & charms
Scherning (Denmark) - adorable porcelain

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

I think the allure of colour is a major factor in driving jewellers to use plastics and resin. That's why I was struck by the absence of colour in this collection of synthetic pieces from British jeweller Kate Brightman. These beautiful rings range from £160 to £240.

Bonus link: you can find more achromatic resin pieces in the portfolio of Los Angeles jeweller MK Wind, who uses recycled material in her work.

Even more jewellery:

Tzuri Gueta (Paris) - textile art
Anomaly Jewelry (New York) - tigers & deer
Kathy Frey (Chicago) - sculptural wire
Caroline Haywood (UK) - chunky bracelets
Géraldine Rincón (Chicago) - natural beads

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I thought it'd be ideal for some light household dusting but London's Corinne Hamak helpfully suggests that her feather ring is "more of a party ring." She's probably right.

Bonus link: of course, nobody wants to wear the same feather ring to two parties in a row, so here's one from Austrian RCA alum Katie Gayle.

Even more jewellery:

The Foundling (Asheville, NC) - new from old
Mallory Eisenstein (Hollywood) - silver & gold
Gem Kingdom (Netherlands) - pearls & cameos
Claire Allain (UK) - silver hearts
Aarikka (Finland) - wooden balls

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Monday, October 15, 2007

I look at these amazing three-finger rings with a mix of awe and amusement (the amusement comes from imagining all the inappropriate places they could be worn). London designer Kali Arulpragasam showcases her edgy style via Super Fertile — and yes, that's London, England, not London, Canada, despite how much the rings resemble hockey referee whistles.

Not sure if three-finger rings are for you? Ease your way in — start with these double rings from two Los Angeles designers. Left: go slim with Zoe Chicco's delicate bar ring with flush-set diamond, US$350 (shown with comfort fit band, US$700); right: for a flashier look, go with the sapphire "bling" ring by Erica Anenberg, US$2,400.

Bonus link: if you like the animal look but can only spare one digit, try the antler-tastic "stag" ring from New Zealand's Frost.

Even more jewellery:

Lisa Cahill (Australia) - glass pendants
Doodle Jewelry (Washington, DC) - simple & playful
Julie Sandlau (Denmark) - fine jewellery
Sue Lane (UK) - stacking bands
Ingrid Psuty (Texas) - art jewellery

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Friday, October 12, 2007

Did you know that nylon thread is spun out of air, water and... coal? Air and water, maybe, but there's no trace of coal in these nylon filament rings by Joanne Cox. The UK designer also has a range of anodized aluminum jewellery that's just as eye-catching.

Bonus link: for similar but slightly more theatrical pieces, check out London-based multidisciplinary artist Anoush Waddington.

Even more jewellery:

Joanne Haywood (UK) - crochet & metal
Sawa (Japan) - sweet vintage
Martina Dempf (Germany) - eclectic
Pupil (New York) - gold circles
Studio Acorn (Portland, OR) - cakes & firehydrants

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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Each of these talented jewellers deserves her own post but I couldn't resist the parallels (in more ways than one). At left are rings from the "Duotex" range by London-based Gerlinde Huth; both are stacks of multiple rings, not individual items. At right are pieces by Tel Aviv's Yael Herman; the square is another ring set, made up of her "origami" and diamond "ice stick" rings, while the long "stream" ring (which crosses four fingers) is stainless steel with diamonds that slide in the groove. Plenty more to see on both websites!

Bonus link: if you mixed the bar rings and square rings above, you might end up with something like this piece by Dutch jewellers Jan Kerkstra & Marion Pannekoek.

Even more jewellery:

Tarja Lehtinen (Finland) - glass cameos
Heidi Abrahamson (Phoenix) - mid-century pendants
Marjorie Victor (New York) - geometric & organic
Helen Brice (UK) - resin & metal
Brendalyn Avender (Vancouver) - metal cuffs

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

I thought these were the neatest things I'd seen all week:

And then I saw this:

The "Tub," "Ring Ring" and "Return from Victory" rings are all by Monika Krol of Philadelphia. Needless to say, you don't want to miss the rest of her portfolio.

Bonus link: if that rotary phone isn't your thing, you might prefer Los Angeles jeweller Robynn Molino's rings made with touch tone keypad buttons.

Even more jewellery:

Saskia Diez (Germany) - chains & pearls
Michelle Tuck (UK) - lotus outlines
Jacek Wysokinski (Poland) - clean & modern
Klaus Spies (Chicago) - contemporary gold
Pixie Petals (Brooklyn) - cute beads

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

UK jeweller Claire Lowe embeds resin with bits like wool and tea leaves — just the things you'd want on a cozy autumn evening. (I hear there were complications embedding a roaring fireplace.) Her work is modern, serene and gorgeous.

Bonus link: not all wool has to be cozy — this ring by San Francisco's Shana Astrachan resembles two scoops of frosty sorbet.

Even more jewellery:

Samantha Nemiroff (Toronto) - elaborate necklaces
Elizabeth Bone (UK) - sleek & modern
A Skulk of Foxes (Australia) - animal cutouts
Poési (Chicago) - delicate earrings
Jivita Harris-Casey (Long Beach, CA) - nature in silver

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Monday, October 8, 2007

A quickie post on this holiday Monday (Canadian Thanksgiving): Sometimes, I save images of neat rings and completely forget to note where they're from. I had this one in the "mystery" pile for a long time but after spotting those distinctive shapes in a notice about a recent gallery exhibition, I can finally credit the rings to Germany's Christa Lühtje. If I didn't know they were rings, I might've guessed they were set designs for Antigone.

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Friday, October 5, 2007

Vienna's Fritz Maierhofer models these rings on his computer before forming them out of Corian, an acrylic polymer material commonly used on countertops. Of course, they can also be made by boiling a few hundred Cosby sweaters down to their essence, then pouring into a mold.

Bonus link: craving more colour? Visit the steel and rubber creations of Sushi Design by Portugal's Naulila Luis.

Even more jewellery:

Crumley (New York) - glass bubbles
Kate Bajic (UK) - clean & modern
Tanel Veenre (Estonia) - birds
Morgan Jean (California) - quartz pendants
Ann Jenkins (Bar Harbor, ME) - framed nature

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Thursday, October 4, 2007

A buck doesn't get you much these days — unless it's Kim Buck of Copenhagen, who brings us this unfolding solitaire. If his name is familiar to you, it could be because he also designs for Danish silversmithing giant Georg Jensen.

Bonus link: another artist who designs for Georg Jensen is London-based American jeweller Jacqueline Rabun.

Even more jewellery:

Aiko Machida (UK) - folded leather
Gerard Tully (New York) - animal heads
Karen McCreary (Long Beach, CA) - acrylic sci-fi
Oreades Design (Argentina) - beads & mesh
Oh Dear (Switzerland) - porcelain pendants

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Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Bamboo doesn't have to look like something Vern Yip arranges in squares on your coffee table. This "black bamboo" ring by Denmarks's Kasia Gasparski is a lovely take on the popular plant.

I'm also enthralled by her red lacquer and fragile gold pieces which are, as you can see, totally thrall-worthy.

Bonus link: stackable bamboo bands available in yellow gold and rose gold, US$250 each, from New Jersey's Sloane Jewelry.

Even more jewellery:

Pretty Little Thing (New York) - vintage style
Nikolai Balabin (Finland) - art brooches
Jotija (Australia) - crochet & pompoms
TIVI (Denver) - wood & steel
Leigh Elena (Austin, TX) - enamel & ebony

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

I don't know what I love more: the combination of acrylic and silver or the juxtaposition of red and turquoise. I'll let them battle it out atop the pyramid of wares from British jeweller Julia Groundsell of JEG Design.

Bonus link: if you want wares that are pyramids, Brooklyn's Wendy Nichol is your woman. Pictured here is her gold vermeil pyramid ring, US$150.

Even more jewellery:

CorkySaintClair (Australia) - adorable silhouettes
Frans Van Berkel (Netherlands) - ultra clean
Lynne Glazzard (UK) - enamel & aluminum
Yuka Oyama (Berlin) - spontaneous jewellery
Andrea Waines (Vancouver) - stamped silver

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Monday, October 1, 2007

California's Matthew Moerman offers an inventive mix of clock gears, coins and vintage buttons in his collection, Reclaimed Relics. Be it a braided band or a five-yen locket, each piece has a touch of the unexpected.

Bonus link: another ring with cogs is this "supa gearing" in gold, tantalum and stainless steel by Australia's Sean O'Connell (aka One Orange Dot).