Jewelry: Nature in Design

(Dendro ring by Carrie Bilbo)Artists and designers find inspiration everywhere but nature is where most turn to for ideas.  Designer Carrie Bilbo scrutinizes the fine details of nature and transforms it to her inventive jewelry.  In the Dendro ring above, Carrie takes the serene colors of a cicada wing and places it under resin to create this unique ring.

(Round wood ring by Carrie Bilbo)Trees have also become a source of inspiration for Carrie.  She slices a tree branch and turns it to the center “stone” for the wood ring above. You can see the tree rings and medullary rays clearly – a great capture of life. For the cuff bracelet below, Carrie creates a lacey pattern of branch foliage by using liquid rubber.  The cuff itself is copper and plated with gunmetal. 

(Cut out cuff by Carrie Bilbo)

Interested in learning more about jewelry design?  Take a look at Sheffield School's course in Jewelry Design.