March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I just flabbered my gast. Or, rather, Korean metalsmith Dukno Yoon did. I didn't want to blow up your browser with animated gifs so I've restrained myself to just one from his awesome "Wings" series; however, I command (please) that you visit his site post-haste to view the rest of them for yourself.

Bonus link:
For a feather ring a bit better suited for everyday wear, there's the "Wind" ring by Mexican-born, Los Angeles-based jeweller Daniela Villegas.

Even more jewellery:

Astali (New York) - bullets & feathers
Lauren Manoogian (Pennsylvania) - colourful triangles
Julie Linn (UK) - buckles & fasteners
Pat Falcão (Brazil) - religious outlines
Inbar Bareket (Israel) - contemporary metal

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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Where are the great trios? History has given us many a fabulous duo, but the trios have been average at best. The Stooges? The Musketeers? Snap, Crackle and Pop?* Let's just say I don't own any of their posters. Well, French jeweller Anne Perbet is here to change all that with her rings made of porcelain, paper and glass — oh my. There's a trio that works beautifully together.

* According to Mental Floss, in the '50s, there was a fourth elf named "Pow" who was "supposed to represent Rice Krispies' explosive nutritional value." Chew on that. And then, for extra nerdiness, check out the Wikipedia list of Snap, Crackle and Pop's names in other countries.

Bonus link: for more porcelain rings, see Houston's China Baroque, who takes hand-cut china and sets it in silver. Maybe there's a former cereal bowl in there somewhere, too.

Even more jewellery:

Kirsten Spuijbroek (Netherlands) - mourning porcelain
Stephanie Hensle (Germany) - jewels in meat
Christina Kazakia (Pennsylvania) - cork beads
Melody Rodgers (New York) - new & vintage
Jennifer Murphy (UK) - silver & china

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Here's a great first anniversary (traditionally the "paper" anniverary) gift for your irony-loving spouse. In her "We Propose a Gift" series, New Zealand-based Australian jeweller Jhana Millers questions consumerism and luxury by creating rings using the pages of a Michael Hill Jewellers catalogue. Don't miss the rest of her portfolio, especially the mini debit-card sculptures!

Bonus link: catalogues aren't the only junk mail that you can recycle into jewellery! Maryland's My Ugly Kitty takes advantage of patterned security envelopes, showcasing them in her resin and pewter rings.

Even more jewellery:

Robayre (Illinois) - paper & silver
Elena Ruebel (Germany) - broken jewellery
Katie Hillier (UK) - animal doodles
Ginger Meek Allen (North Carolina) - contemporary metal
Amanda Rudey (New York) - briolettes & chains

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Taking jewellery to another dimension — the second one, to be exact. England's Ellie Murphy takes the familiar facets of a cut diamond and squashes them flat, creating fun rings (in silver and inlaid enamel) with a graphic punch.

Bonus link: getting back to faceted silver rings of the 3D variety is this piece from the "cubeoctahedron" collection by Bandada, a collaboration between Spain's Ana María Ramírez and Adriana Díaz.

Even more jewellery:

Danielle Vroemen (Netherlands) - faceted metal
House of Mani (UK) - bold bangles
Mabel Pena (Argentina) - contemporary silver
Nicholas Landon (Texas) - pearls on cords
Zachary Pryor (California) - feathers & chains

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

If the Mayans don't have a symbol for "acrylic ring," they do now. These vaguely hieroglyhpic pieces are by American/Jamaican designer Claire Requa, the woman behind Denmark-based home accessories company Accent. Known for her acrylic chandeliers, mirrors and other furniture, she's recently branched out into jewellery with her "Clairely" collection.

Bonus link: Nicaraguan jeweller Marlon Obando Solano of Naturaleza creates eco-conscious jewellery from wood and seed. This band (in silver with black coyol seed) is inlaid with the Mayan symbol for "zero."

Even more jewellery:

Michal Rocheli Kadim (Israel) - archaeological gold
Arca Jewelry (Florida) - antique coins
Chuchart Sarunnayawatsin (UK) - wood blocks
Maidstone (New York) - metal & stones
Zuhma (Mexico) - silver & beads

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

"Growth from decay" makes me think of pollution-induced mutations (like the boy with 16 toes) — but here's Suzanne Harbinson's interpretation. The UK jeweller, whose collection draws inspiration from stones and pebbles, created the sprouting rings above. See more on her site, Sh! Jewellery.

Bonus link:
Here's another sprouting ring (silver flowers, in this case). From the "Parapluies" collection by Quebec's Hélène Marcoux.

Even more jewellery:

KFD Jewellery (UK) - botanical silver
Cast of Vices (New York) - pills & cigarettes
Beatrice Brovia (Sweden) - art jewellery
Charlotte Bjorlin D'Elia (California) - antique gems
Chelsey Radabaugh (Indiana) - enamel & sugar

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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Small but not dainty, pretty but not precious — Portland, Oregon's Better Late Than Never (Sara Dudzinsky) collects vintage parts and turns them into rings that are juuuust right.

Bonus link: if you like that combination of brass and crystal, what about crystal cast in brass? That's what New York's Mary Jane Hunter of By Mary Jane did with this fabulous ring.

Even more jewellery:

Nicole Romano (New York) - bold brass
Red Sofa (Montreal) - silver & quartz
One:of:One (Australia) - paper & resin
Rock 'n Rose (UK) - vintage style
Kathy Lo Rocks (San Francisco) - photo jewellery

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Monday, March 22, 2010

I hope Katharina Moch won't mind that her work doesn't repulse me. In her own words, the German jeweller creates "flamboyant, sculptural and wearable pieces that combine ambivalent aspects of appeal and repulsion." Well, for me, it's all "appeal" when it comes to her eclectic mix of precious gems and glow-in-the-dark plastic.

Bonus link:
For synthetic rings in a much simpler — if not the simplest — form, check out the resin jewellery of Australia's Loop (label of former architect Danny Sheiner).

Even more jewellery:

Ivana Bacura (Croatia) - resin & silver
Rauni Higson (UK) - organic folds
Round Designs (Los Angeles) - simple & modern
Mary Lu Wason (New Jersey) - collage pendants
Erin McDermott (Virginia) - semiprecious beads

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Hana Lin's rings aren't just conversation pieces — they're entire stories! The UK-based artist tells many tales through her humorous, playful jewellery (with disembodied parts as a major theme). This portfolio is a definite page-turner.

Bonus link: perhaps you prefer to read the classics. Toronto's Liz Kain offers a "Shakespeare" collection engraved with a number of the Bard's famous quotations (like "to thine own self be true," pictured here).

Even more jewellery:

INK (Italy) - words on metal
Max Steiner (New York) - cement & glass
Penny Warren (UK) - anodized aluminum
Kristi Roshau (Minnesota) - stamped & rustic
PanStyle by Hui-Mei Pan (Taiwan) - silver & stones

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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Rock.

Paper.

Scissors.

Did I win?

Rings above by Colorado's Jim Cotter (rock), North Carolina's Brittany Isenberg (paper) and France's Melissa Fourrier (scissors).

Bonus link:
If you'd rather settle things with a round of "one potato, two potato," this "Potato" ring by Amsterdam's Mezereem (Daphne van der Meulen) could help you out.

Even more jewellery:

Continuum (New Zealand) - rocks & paua
Lydia Hirte (Germany) - sculpted paper
Returntome (UK) - diy embroidery
Stonehouse Studio (Massachusetts) - polymer clay
Beth Orduna (Los Angeles) - metal & charms

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Lucky rabbit's paw for us...

...and human paws for them. It's only fair.

French jeweller Calourette (Marianne Rautureau) is about to brighten your day with her rabbits, donuts, gymnasts and more.

Bonus link: do the white rabbit and toadstools above (not to mention a certain movie) have you in an Alice mood? Then you'll want to check out the UK's Fairytales and Hidden Notes for pieces like this "Curiouser & Curiouser" ring.

Even more jewellery:

Tartx (Colorado) - Alice & artists
Bjørg (Germany) - Victorian style
HAL 1 Design (Netherlands) - contemporary metal
Jenny Gutierrez (UK) - opals & briolettes
Stephanie Gorski (New York) - pebbles & silver

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

We know the devil wears Prada. Now, if Prada wants to return the favour, he can do so thanks to Japan's Shun Okubo.

More of his rhodium-plated rings above, this time with creatures who reside north of Hades.

Bonus link: "Sympathy for the Devil" ring by Chile's Gloria Wasserman (who, happily, seems to be safe after the recent quakes). It was inspired by a certain song by her favourite group, The Rolling Stones.

Even more jewellery:

Anita Münz (Austria) - chunky horn
Melanie Nützel (Germany) - enamel & metal
Mannin (Los Angeles) - gold links
Kerri Strachan (UK) - silver cuffs
Mardi Studio (New Hampshire) - briolette clusters

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Monday, March 15, 2010

In her "Herbarium Specimen" series, Idaho artist Anika Smulovitz explores "the human desire to label and collect all aspects of our surroundings." Each ring features a sampling from her garden and is scientifically labelled underneath.

There's lots more to discover on her site, like the interesting "Lip Liner" series, which ties in nicely with her chocolate-wrapper rings made of foil from Ferrero Rocher and other bonbons (above).

Bonus link: speaking of bonbons and lips, Spanish superbakery Escribà, in addition to amazing cakes (like this birthday ring), also makes Candy Glam rings like the lip-shaped one at left.

Even more jewellery:

Tiny Hands (Wisconsin) - scented sweets
Linda Darty (North Carolina) - botanical enamel
Sarah Myatt (UK) - fused glass
Francesca Romana Diana (Portugal) - chunky & colourful
Linda Read (Vancouver) - contemporary silver

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Friday, March 12, 2010

It's the weekend and Haldis Scheicher is here to play!

From ping pong and penguins (above) to comic books and spinning propellors (not pictured), the Austrian jeweller's collection is all fun and whimsy.

Bonus link: another humorous ring, this time from an unexpected source. The "Cheapskate" solitaire is by Tim McClelland of McTeigue & McClelland, who normally deal in fine jewellery. Find more fun in his "Lighter Side" collection.

Even more jewellery:

Takanori & Chiyo Kitamura (Japan) - cute dinos
Cathalijne Postma (Belgium/Netherlands) - modern silver
Amanda Dowd (Australia) - contemporary metal
Antigoni (Greece) - gold & gems
Francesca Antonello (Italy) - playful pendants

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

On one hand, she has you worshipping bright colour...

...while on the other, it's neutrals and nothing but. Building a great case for both sides is Hungary's Abaffy Klára, whose collection is filled with sleek, modern pieces featuring leaf-shaped cutouts.

Bonus link:
For more silver with bright shots of resin (like the mod target ring pictured here), as well as more leaf shapes, see the contemporary jewellery of Britain's Ros Coope.

Even more jewellery:

Kleine Ursachen (Germany) - metal & colour
Dawn Mckelvie (UK) - bright leather
Lori Leavitt (Ohio) - vintage parts
Gaia Jewlery (North Carolina) - fossils & stones
Clara Lievano (Costa Rica) - contemporary silver

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Violence becomes art in the hands of Stephen Saracino. Drawing on events such as the Columbine massacre and the Lockerbie bombing, the Buffalo metalsmith creates work that is both visually and thematically heavy. Shown above is his "Third World Civilian" ring; below, his "Airport Terror" ring:

Bonus link:
On a lighter note, let's shed the terror luggage from above and carry our clothes on our rings instead. Golden cube ring with shirts and socks by Germany's Florian Buddeberg.

Even more jewellery:

Baptiste Viry (France) - menswear-inspired
Discreet Charm (New York) - antelope horns
Bea Jareno (UK) - links & quills
Sb Collections (Pennsylvania) - beads on chains
Angeles Janza & Flor Fiszman (Argentina) - aluminum

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

True story: I was listening to the album "Jewellery" by Micachu & The Shapes when I came across these amazing rings by UK-based Cypriot jeweller/architect MCP (Maria Christina Papaleontiou). Ok, so it's not much of a story. But it is true. And it is appropriate, because, just look at those shapes! Those layers of burnt, lasercut plywood! Do yourself a favour and check out her whole catalogue right now.

Bonus link: for more wooden rings, check out California's J. Fein Designs (Jessica Feinsmith). Her pieces are topped with an assortment of decorations such as cameos, lucite butterflies, vintage gems and more.

Even more jewellery:

Omerica Organic (Colorado) - solid wood
Samma - Hanna Sandin (New York) - geometric necklaces
Gemma Wheeler (UK) - etched silver
Sherry Terao (Maryland) - mixed metals
Sethi Couture (San Francisco) - colourful pavé

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Monday, March 8, 2010

Honeycombs and Pac-Man make for terrible breakfast cereals but, in the hands of Massachusetts jeweller Rachel Pfeffer, they make some pretty nifty rings.

Bonus link:
For more rings in that honeycomb shape (what a non-bee might call a "hexagon"), check out Massachusetts jeweller Melanie Ungvarsky of Stone That Flows.

Even more jewellery:

Naho Kuwano (Japan) - honeycombs & branches
Afterglow (Australia) - wings & crocodiles
Emily Richard (UK) - modern metal
Sarah Katerina Suloff (California) - contemporary lockets
Leslie LaCombe (Florida) - organic silver

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Donovan Widmer takes social convention and turns it on its ass.

In his "Ornamentation" series, the North Dakota metalsmith "utilizes the decorative object as a means to critique aspects of our culture's social, political, and economic systems." More importantly, he seems to have invented the ring-shaped Aspirin. Are you listening, Bayer? Untapped market here! (And if you don't think it'd work, two words: Flintstones vitamins.)

Bonus link: also playing with notions of tradition is London-based Dutch silversmith Alexandra Yeung, who takes traditional Delft pottery and sets it in her contemporary silver rings.

Even more jewellery:

Awa Meïte (Mali) - African traditions
Phil Renato (Michigan) - sculptural plastic
Michael Becker (Germany) - gold squares
Angela Learoyd (UK) - silver & stone
Talonalia (Los Angeles) - talon pendants

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Thursday, March 4, 2010

If you can't be level-headed, you can at least be level-handed, thanks to this ring by Pennsylvania metalsmith Joy Lily Stember. Visit her portfolio for more industrial rings, as well as some wild sculptural pieces.

One more level ring, this time by Maryland artist Rachel Timmins.

Bonus link: for industrial rings made from tools actually used by jewellers, check out the jeweller's file rings by Oregon's Deb Stoner (an artist known for her eyewear designs).

Even more jewellery:

Pamina London (UK) - nuts & bolts
Colby June (Colorado) - organic metal
ANKH by Racquel Honoré (Los Angeles) - chain necklaces
Helga & Stefan Gräbener (Germany) - metal & gems
Gustavo Pardo (Massachusetts) - steel saws

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Loving these colourful threaded rings by Switzerland's Minuit 12.

The only problem is, with just a quick colour change...

... she's got me craving a big plate of spaghetti.

Bonus link:
Pass the parmesan! Here are a couple of more rings that look like spaghetti — or maybe more like fettucini — by Brazilian jeweller Renato Camargo.

Even more jewellery:

Christopher Thompson-Royds (UK) - lead & chocolate
Myrthe Cools (Netherlands) - metal coils
Cambur - Isabel Herrera (Spain) - organic silver
Linda Kindler Priest (Massachusetts) - golden animals
Teïka (Morocco) - crochet earrings

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Yesterday's rings were inspired by music. Today's? Dance. British designer and choreographer Sarah Warsop captures the movement of dance in her fluid, linear jewellery. More samples below:

Bonus link: this fluid gold ring by Spain's Rieragasso (Montse Riera & Miguel Gasso) looks like it could fit right in with the dance rings above; however, it was inspired by the movement of plants, not people!

Even more jewellery:

Zehava Hashai-Spellman (UK) - dance-inspired
Colleen Heineman (Pennsylvania) - chairs & bows
Mirit Weinstock (Israel) - shuttlecock necklaces
Valérie Sloan (France) - undulating metal
Jewels Now (Germany) - silver & stone

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Any true North American hockey fan will have a soft spot for organ music, so I may have been predisposed to liking these rings by UK jeweller Christina Suen. Inspired by musical notes and instruments — like the pipe organs, trumpet and tambourines above — she translates those shapes into little works of silver.

Bonus link:
Japanese urushi lacquer artist Showzi Tsukamoto created this ring for his jewellery line, ZIVA. The lacquered piano ring comes in silver, gold and platinum.