Nervous Habit Rings

There is something particularly intimate about a ring---Not only because it is used as a symbol of love---but because it literally surrounds and becomes a part of the wearer more so than other jewelry. Our hands are the main source of our gestural language...we wave hello, we hug, we shake and hold hands...

Nervous Habit Ring #7. Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997 and "1000 Rings", Lark Books.

I have always liked to make rings that are gestural, playful, kinetic....
Rings that can be enjoyed by the wearer and viewer, rings that are conversation starters, rings that are more than just rings...

Revisiting my love for kinetic rings in the Ring-a-Week Challenge has made me think about some of my older designs. I recently rephotographed them since I had no digital images of them---only slides! (How old school is that?!)

Nervous Habit Ring #8? Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997.

Ring-a-Week : ring 3/52

Continuing with the kinetic theme this week...

Fidgeting Marquise Ring
Sterling silver w/ patina. Marquise elements freely rock back and forth.

Ring-a-Week: ring 2/52

My second ring for the Ring-a-Week challenge was inspired by some other pieces in my Mod Collection. It is a combination of my Mod Rocker Rings and my Mod Slider Necklace.

Mod Slider Ring - sterling silver, amethyst and garnet.It doesn't see-saw up and down like my Mod Rocker Rings, but the stones settings do freely slide back and forth. This is a quick video I shot with my little digital camera, so please excuse the poor video quality...

New Year, New Challenges...

You may or may not know, a year ago, I embarked on a challenge entitled "A Ring-a-Day" in which I was to create one ring every day for as long as I could...

I lasted 100 days. (see my RAD rings on flickr.)
Some brave and VERY creative souls lasted an entire 365. (see everyone's RAD rings on flickr.)

Now in 2011, I am embarking on another challenge...a little less demanding but equally as inspiring..."A Ring-a-Week". I have committed to making one ring per week for the entire year...52 rings! I hope to continue to explore some of the ideas that I began with the previous challenge, to make some rings that have been brewing in my mind for a while and to be inspired to new levels.

This is my first ring for the Ring-a-Week Challenge:

18k gold & green tourmaline.
The stone setting freely slides back and forth.

I hope to not only blog my rings but also to share with you some of the amazing rings made by my fellow Ring-a-Day artists....stay tuned! In the meantime, you can view everyone's RAW rings on flickr.

New Work

These are just a few of the new pieces I made for the recent Buyers' Market Show. I am just now getting around to taking documentary photos of them. Soon they will be shipped off to be professionally shot.

Large Vine Necklace : blackened sterling, 18k gold, chocolate diamond and white diamonds. The leaves freely swing with the movement of the wearer.

Marquise Cuff Bracelets : Brushed sterling, blackened sterling, 18k gold, citrine, peridots

Vine Ring : Blackened sterling, 18k gold, chocolate diamond

Friday at the bench...

This week I've been finishing up wholesale orders and dabbling with some new designs...

I have been pretty successful with my vine rings on Etsy, so I was inspired to expand the line. Here are some pendants I'm working on. They are very different from most of my work and I'm not sure how they will fit into my display as a whole. Of course, I added some movement: the little leaves freely swing! Your thoughts are welcomed!

I am also working on more Slider Rings. I'm really excited about this series! I bought stones this week specifically for these designs. This is one I finished several months ago

And this is one I'm currently making
Now I'm off to work....Have a good weekend!

Niche Awards Finalist!

I was recently informed that my "Kinetic Mod Necklace" has been chosen as one of the 2009 Niche Awards Finalists! The winners of the awards will be announced on February 15, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA at a banquet and ceremony during the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Wish me Luck...because....

This is my 8th time as a Niche Award Finalist...but I have yet to win the award. I am beginning to feel like the Susan Lucci of the Niche Awards. I think it took her 19 Emmy nominations before she won...geez!

Back to School...

Back to School!
This sterling silver ring is such FUN!
The pencil actually spins like a propeller when you flick it!
I made this ring as part of etsymetal team's monthly theme... September's theme involved using the technique of riveting and the concept of green/recycle/upcycle.
I am happy and surprised to say that the ring sold quickly. Tell me what you think...should I make more????

Satellite Collection & A Blog nod...

Last week my original Satellite Ring was featured on panie przodem, a contemporary jewelry blog based out of Poland! It it a great honor to be included with such inspiring avant-garde jewelers. Thanks, Dominika!
With that said, I have also recently decided to resurrect my Satellite designs. In the past this collection has mainly been flatware (cocktail spoon, fork and martini sticks). Now, I am working on adding many new jewelry pieces. The first two are now available in my etsy shop.

Satellite Ring #2

Satellite Earrings #1

More Satellite designs coming soon...keep posted!

New Rings...

I was going to continue my silversmithing workshop posts today---but I decided I would continue that series next week. In the meantime, here is a new ring I've recently made...

INTERLOCKING CIRCLES

the small circles freely rotates...great for fidgeting!

This ring is now for sale in my Etsy shop...see it here.