The Carrotbox Jewelry Blog - rings, rings, rings!

Zoe Arnold / Lívia Canuto

2008-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

One third romance and two thirds whimsy (it's true, I measured it), London's Zoe Arnold creates jewellery that tells a story. Specifically, that story would be the one told in "Several Sharp Sentences on a Moon Lost Night," the poem upon which the rings are based. The gold and quartz fly ring is titled "Open Windows with Absent Views," while the cameo and quartz piece is "The Glint from a Frosty Breath."

Bonus link: this "Drink Me" ring by Brazil's Lívia Canuto is one of her pieces based on a more famous story: Alice in Wonderland. Lots of great work on her site! (Click "entra" instead of "enter" to view.)

Even more jewellery:

Alice in Wonderland (UK) - contemporary silver

Brieana Ruais (Brooklyn) - leather snakes

Smersh Design (Seattle) - concrete & pearls

Ines Schwotzer / Jenny Henze / Golden Knots

2008-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

There's enough metal here to make a solid, chunky ring, but Germany's Ines Schwotzer does the unexpected and makes stainless steel look light and airy. Rather than rings, these knotted pieces are more like wire frame suggestions of rings.

Above: more wire frame rings — this time in gold, aquamarine and fire opal — from another German jeweller, Jenny Henze. My favourite is below:

Bonus link: if you're looking for more knotted work, Golden Knots (Florida's Loren Damewood) will keep you occupied for a good, long time.

Even more jewellery:

Herndon Heald (Santa Fe, NM) - metal discs

Octavia Cook (New Zealand) - faux guns

Ann Biederman (New York) - classical gold

Beate Eismann / Peg Fetter

2008-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

While the garage might not be the place for your finest jewellery, these weighty hunks of metal by Germany's Beate Eismann would fit right in. She calls them an "artistic application of industrial construction." Which beats my description, "lug-nutty."

Bonus link: for somewhat industrial jewellery that's a bit more refined, turn to St. Louis jeweller Peg Fetter; pictured is her blackened steel ring with gold screw.

Even more jewellery:

Spariam (Brazil) - silver & resin

Steffen Lang (Germany) - carved iron

Jane Lock (UK) - seed beads

Arnold Patrick Martin / Strings and a Dare

2008-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do not — I repeat, do NOT — attempt to play cat's cradle while wearing this ring. This thread and metal piece by Detroit's Arnold Patrick Martin is from his fabulous "tension structure" series, in which he explores geometry and proportion.

Bonus link: this ring also knows a thing or two about tension — it's made of guitar wire! See more, including wires from violins and pianos, at Minnesota's Strings and a Dare.

Even more jewellery:

Shona Carnegie (UK) - understated silver

Plume (New York) - folded ribbon

Nicholas Liu (Hong Kong) - orchids & crystals

Jimin Park / Mah Rana

2008-07-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

If you do go with yesterday's break-apart engagement ring, this felt and diamond wedding ring should protect from those jagged porcelain edges. Piece by Washington, DC-based Jimin Park, whose gallery is full of beautiful work. Here's another sampling:

Bonus link: for another non-traditional wedding ring, check out this "caged" gold band by London's Mah Rana.

Even more jewellery:

Maya Kini (San Francisco) - vegetable slices

Steven Stehouwer (Netherlands) - titanium & paper

Christoph Contius (Germany) - brushed & minimal

Frederik Roijé / &design

2008-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Want to get married? Break things off! These porcelain pieces, when broken apart, become engagement rings. (As an added bonus, Kit Kat bars make delicious wedding favours.) Concept by Dutch product designer Frederik Roijé.

Bonus link: Tokyo's &design also makes break-apart jewellery. These sets, from their "Borders" series, are fashioned after plastic model kits.

Even more jewellery:

Tania Gil (Portugal) - modern silver

Aniol (Germany) - geometric & contemporary

Charlotte Molenaar (Netherlands) - felt pansies

Laura Creer / Stubborn WORKS

2008-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

I've had an enfrazzling last few days but just one look at these soothingly simple designs and all is calm again. For that, I have English jeweller Laura Creer to thank; pictured are her silver and resin "cell" rings.

Bonus link: check out Portland, Oregon's Melissa Stiles — aka Stubborn WORKS — for a similar style, also in inlaid resin.

Even more jewellery:

Muku (UK) - lasercut perspex

Inaures (Spain) - bright enamel

Claudia Arashiro (Toronto) - contemporary metal

Lucila Albert / Patrycja Zwierzynska / Annette Lechler

2008-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Bringing scribbling to an art form: silver and coloured steel cable from Argentina's Lucila Albert (above, top) and matte silver wire from Toronto-based Patrycja Zwierzynska (above, bottom).

Bonus link: more scribbles! These playful messes of silver circles are by German jeweller Annette Lechler.

Even more jewellery:

Nuala Jamison (UK) - acrylic pebbles

Paula Mendoza (Washington, DC) - matte gold

Bonnie & Clyde (Sweden) - black & silver

Anna Lorich / Kirsten Muenster

2008-07-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the etheral quality of these pieces by Anna Lorich. The New York artist references both a variety of themes (childhood, history, symbolism, etc.) and collected objects (textiles, coins, miniatures, etc.) in her work, often using portraiture and landscape imagery to create "intimate keepsakes of moments and memories."

Bonus link: also referencing landscapes is San Francisco's Kirsten Muenster, who uses stones like Montana agate to create "wearable landscapes."

Even more jewellery:

Brazen Design (Montreal) - silver cutouts

Jewelberry (Germany) - ribbons & charms

Poppy Dandiya (UK) - gold & gems

Caroline Gore / Yoko Ueda / Josée Desjardins

2008-07-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

But it is a ring! Meant to be worn between the fingers, this boro glass piece is from the "weights:balance" series by Kalamazoo, Michigan's Caroline Gore.

These pieces (above) aren't quite what they seem, either. Yes, they're rings — but no, they aren't quartz. Can you guess what they're made of? Designed by Japan's Yoko Ueda, the "gems" are actually...

...cat hairs trapped in acrylic.

Bonus link: here's some fur that isn't pretending to be anything but! Ring by Quebec's Josée Desjardins (naked version also available).

Even more jewellery:

Kateřina Jančářová (Czech Republic) - light plastic

Daniele Corrêa (Brazil) - cocktail rings

Roland Dubuc (Montreal) - sculpted metal

Regina Kaintz / Siegfried De Buck / Núria Aventin / Liesbeth Busman / Simone Haag

2008-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Monthy Python's Spanalot! These wide-span rings brought to you by [clockwise from top] Hungary's Regina Kaintz (red steel wire), Belgium's Siegfried De Buck (gold and steel), Regina Kaintz again (blue steel wire), Spain's Núria Aventin (silver) and Dutch jeweller Liesbeth Busman's "A Simple Line" series (14k gold).

Bonus link: Simone Haag of Germany also has a collection of rings designed to hang over more than just one finger.

Even more jewellery:

Susanna Loew (Germany) - folded shapes

Des Design (Brazil) - silver & crystal

Michaela Wolfert (Ontario) - contemporary metal

Tomasz Donocik / Trash Design Manufactury

2008-07-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Tomasz Donocik has a flair for the dramatic. The London-based Austrian jeweller gives his nod to old-world decadence, resulting in fabulous pieces like the silver tower ring, above. Below are his pentagon "star" ring in gold and quartz and the leather ball "tree ring," for wearing betwixt the fingers.

Bonus link: for Austrian jewellery that's decidedly more 2008, check out Trash Design Manufactury, which hires the long-term-unemployed and people with disabilities to recycle used electronic devices.

Even more jewellery:

Alessia Semeraro (Spain) - iron & gold

Jamie Wolf (New York) - modern classics

Dominique Cohen (Los Angeles) - gold chains

Markéta Lisá / Lauren Barnes

2008-07-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Czech is Greek to me but judging by the product shot beside a car windshield and the fact that the collection is named "Crash," I'm guessing these rings are made with glass fragments. They're by Markéta Lisá, a Czech artist who sometimes collaborates with name-twin Markéta Richterová (whom I wrote about in April; their joint site is here). The former Markéta's site can be a tad confusing to navigate but the array of eclectic work makes hunting all the more fun. For an overview, you can cheat over to this page, though it's not comprehensive. Below, some more of her rings:

Bonus link: this ring may have started with glass fragments but England's Lauren Barnes fused them into a formidable tower of colourful stripes, set in silver.

Even more jewellery:

Lucy Martin (UK) - modern classics

Hanut Singh (India) - opulent deco

Wimmel Ädelsmide (Sweden) - silver pendants

Gamblers Jewels (Andreas Zidek) / Jennifer Kellogg

2008-07-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today is lucky 7/7 — and I bet the Vegas slot machines are extra busy. If you're looking for that winning advantage, try boosting your luck by donning one of these casino-themed pieces from Gamblers Jewels. Who knows? The one-armed bandit just might reward you for your style. (The collection is by Germany's Andreas Zidek, whom I also wrote about a couple of years ago.)

Bonus link: for a more subtle "bar" ring, try this band from Brooklyn's Jennifer Kellogg. Also shown are the "casino" bracelets.

Even more jewellery:

Mimco (Australia) - glam bangles

Leticia Costa (Brazil) - silver & beads

Ulrike Zöllner-Krumme (Germany) - brushed gold

Annika Hauser / Kristin Freeman

2008-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Some Fourth of July fireworks for the Americans out there, courtesy of Sweden's Annika Hauser. Enjoy your weekend!

Bonus link: in keeping with the Fourth of July spirit, here's a burger ring by Texas metalsmith Kristin Freeman, thoughtfully pre-bitten for you.

Even more jewellery:

Rebecca Strzelec (Pennsylvania) - political plastic

Jan Harrell (Houston) - enamel & copper

Studio 174 (Brooklyn) - metalsmithing studio

Gosia Serafin (Poland) - felt & silver

Dyrberg/Kern (Denmark) - sleek & shiny

Soledad Kussrow / Helena Rezenda / Tamara Lisenberg

2008-07-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

If you woke up today craving some modern metalsmithing from Argentina, you're in luck! Check out Soledad Kussrow (above) and Helena Rezenda (below).

Bonus link: one more from the Argentinian archives: silver "precious stone" ring by Buenos Aires jeweller Tamara Lisenberg.

Even more jewellery:

Victoria Mason (Australia) - food & pencil shavings

Laura Patron Costas (Argentina) - modern silver

Hollymarie Jewelry (California) - photos & quartz

Freisfeld (Germany) - gemstone flowers

Rabinovich (Denmark) - silver & stones

Cornu / Andante / Imago / Niiichini / Citron / Frapbois

2008-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Since I focussed on Canada yesterday, I thought I'd go with my Japanese side today. Specifically, my dainty, Japanese, claw- setting side. Above, top: antique rhinestone ring by Cornu (also available in red, white and yellow). Middle: Dutch glass asterisk cabs from andante* (left) and blue topaz ring by Mariko Yamashita of imago. Bottom: "pebble" rings by Niiichini (left) and Swarovski crystal rings by citron.

Bonus link: wrap-around ring with glass stones, each in its own claw setting, by Japan's Frapbois (available in clear, pink and green).

Even more jewellery:

Yuji Kono (Osaka) - buds & splashes

No Quiet (Tokyo) - modern silver

Antonio Murphy & Astro (Tokyo) - modern glam

Aloha Mana (Kanagawa) - Hawaii-inspired

Niwaka (Kyoto) - bridal & more

Danielle Crampsie / Crush Lane / Downstairs Studio

2008-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

July 1st is Canada Day, so... guess what? I'm going to post rings by some fellow Canadians! I know, you're like, "How did she come up with such an amazing idea?" I can't explain it but I think it must be something in this Canadian water. Anyhoo...

Top row: spray paint "graff cap" ring and interlocking "play, pause, record" ring from the "Soundpieces" collection by Danielle Crampsie. Middle: slide-like anodized niobium rings by Tarah Zaczyk of Crush Lane. The two-finger rock crystal piece on the right is letter-punched with the words, "This Is Your Lucky Gemstone Today." Bottom row: "Pilo-pilo" cushion rings for the resting of the face, by Ming Lo and Sae Shigeto of Downstairs Studio.

Bonus link: he may not be Canadian but UK jeweller Thomas Nayler has a graffiti-centric collection that should get together with the graff cap ring above.

Even more jewellery:

Sarah Mulder (Vancouver) - ceramic pendants

Jadester (Victoria, BC) - photo pendants

Twee Things (Edmonton) - minimal wood

Tania Hopek (Toronto) - inlaid resin

Anne Fauteux (Montreal) - art jewellery

Mi-Mi Moscow / Dada Arrigoni

2008-06-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

If you have even half a teaspoon of interest in conceptual art jewellery, you'll already know the name Mi-Mi Moscow (Russians Mila Kalnitskaya and Micha Maslennikov). Whether you're visiting them for the first or fifteenth time, their site is always worth the visit.

Below, a ring from their much-lauded frog series:

Bonus link: while some frogs ride helicopters, others like to rest easy on a dome of shiny quartz. Pictured is one of Italian Dada Arrigoni's signature "Happy Frog" rings.

Even more jewellery:

Zoë Bassi (UK) - aquatic enamel

Shareen Woodford (Toronto) - shiny ovals

Bess Heitner (New York) - semiprecious beads

Karry'O (France) - glam & vintage

Werkstatt:Muenchen (Germany) - men's silver

Diego Bisso / Brigit Daamen

2008-06-27T00:01:00.001-07:00

Having recently julienned the tip of my opposable thumb right off, I now see why those particular digits are constantly hailed as what separates us from other hamfisted mammals. Loss of thumb use gets in the way of activities like buttoning, hitting the space bar on a keyboard, and the general holding of things. Like pens. Which is why this ring by Barcelona-based Italian designer Diego Bisso would've come in really handy, no pun intended.

Below are his "environmental" rings:

Bonus link: for more felt-tipped rings (though not of the ink-filled variety), check out the wool jewellery of Dutch designer Brigit Daamen.

Even more jewellery:

De Vera (NY/SanFran) - gold & gems

Anastasia Kolos (UK) - fashion accessories

Michaela Wiecek (Germany) - metal & quartz

SAYK (Zsolt Székely) (Toronto) - contemporary metal

Réminiscence (France) - busy beads

Anton Cepka / Arno Pancke / Studio Damm

2008-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

For those mornings when you look yourself over in the mirror and think, "Hmm, this outfit could use a little more... Pythagoras," Slovakia's Anton Cepka has squared away a great collection of geometric jewellery.

Above: some more rings that look borne of a sheet of graph paper, courtesy of Germany's Arno Pancke. I especially love the telescoping one on the right!

Bonus link: more triangles! This multi-finger double equilateral ring is by German jeweller Christian Nadrau of Studio Damm.

Even more jewellery:

Deka Ray (New York) - geometric coolness

Florencia Gargiulo (Argentina) - modern silver

Tutu Ferreira (Brazil) - chains & resin

Unikat (Germany) - paper beads

Freek Aalten (Netherlands) - mokumegane

Antoine la Mendola / Zuazu / Deadly Ponies

2008-06-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Exactly six months away from Christmas, I happen to post rings that look like mistletoe and holly berries — I guess my subconscious likes to think ahead. Or maybe it wants me to eat more fruits and vegetables. Above, green rings by Switzerland's Antoine la Mendola and red ring by Spain's Zuazu.

Bonus link: while my subconscious thinks ahead, my conscious is presently fixated on this 9k gold brain ring by New Zealand's Deadly Ponies.

Even more jewellery:

Sarah Kettley (Scotland) - interactive networks

DAL Designs (Vancouver) - lace on ceramic

Ageeth Keyser (Netherlands) - contemporary silver

Suzy Landa (New York) - studded gold

Patricia Candido (California) - bead bracelets

Formglück / Uni-T Design (Takafumi Inuzuka)

2008-06-24T00:01:00.001-07:00

In addition to jewellery, Germany's Formglück works in graphics and video — but I think their rings betray a hidden talent for furniture design, don't you? Pictured above, left, are pieces from their "konstrukt" series in smokey quartz, silk yarn, silver wire, lacquer and resin. Beside them are the Peter Stathis "Tube Top" lamp (top) and the "Salton" lamp from EQ3.

More of their work, in gold, below:

Bonus link: another furniture-y ring by Japanese designer Takafumi Inuzuka of Uni-T Design — it's like a little drafting table! Don't miss his L.E.D. brooches.

Even more jewellery:

Dörte Dietrich (Germany) - organic enamel

Pamela Tuohy (Sacramento, CA) - framed animals

Verónica Alonso (Argentina) - contemporary metal

Machteld van Joolingen (Netherlands) - art jewellery

Ovanni (New York) - gems & metal

Moon Young Shin / Laia Calatrava

2008-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

These rings aren't just decorative — they're supportive! UK-based Korean designer Moon Young Shin created these rings to "give the wearer a sense of hope and a feeling that someone is there to support him or her at all times." Be sure to check out the rest of the collection and view the RCA grad's other collections, too, including these "shut up" earplug rings and dyed acrylic brooch rings, below:

Bonus link: here's another ring that's meant to double as a brooch. By Spain's Laia Calatrava, from her "solitary ring" series.

Even more jewellery:

Emanuela Duca (New York) - fluid metal

Rachel Galley (UK) - balls & teardrops

A Figurinista (Brazil) - eclectic necklaces

Pomellato (Italy) - modern luxe

Eigenmann (Netherlands) - fine contemporary

Karina Jean / Nicotine / G de Joyas

2008-06-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Weekend quickie: take a peak. Left to right: sterling "summit" ring by Australia's Karina Jean, stainless steel ring by Spain's Nicotine (available in many colours) and gold "degradé" ring by G de Joyas, also of Spain.