Jewelry Inspiration: Rings with a Twist (or Two)

The Carrotbox is a site dedicated to all those wonderful rings made of glass, lucite, resin, plastic, jade, wood, bakelite, metal, and even stone. Alice Matsumoto from Vancouver, BC, Canada has a ring shop and has kindly given us permission to inspire our jewelry lovers at Sheffield with her discoveries. In this post, Alice focuses on rings with twists.

I bet M. Night Shyamalan would love these. Rings, with a twist or two, from Poland's Fruit Bijoux.

Bonus

Brooklyn's In God We Trust (Shana Tabor) has lots of nice, simple pieces, like this "Twisty" ring available in three shades of gold.

Even more jewelry:

• Snake Twist (Seattle) - flexible necklaces
• Sarah Kathleen Warner (New York) - silver bones
• Merilyn Bailey (Australia) - metal & plique-à-jour

 

Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Jump Rings in Jewelry, More than Just a Connection

Mallory Marks bracelet at Twist

When you think of jump rings most people think of connecting a pendant, clasp or two components together. They can be used for many more purposes than just connecting, even being the focal design element. This playful bracelet by Mallory Marks is entirely made from rings embellished with floating gem stones.

Bella Luna Design on Etsy

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When using jump rings as only part of the focal point, design styles can vary. For an example of a simpler look this Bella Luna Bracelet uses three jump rings just slightly enhancing the forged links with out over powering them. The use of chain maille, from this unknown designer, connects the forged links with a bit more flare. You can learn to make braclets like these in unit 4 of Sheffield's jewelry design course.

Bracelet by Nancye Church

Love the way Nancye Church broke up this bracelet by using over sized rings with texture in contrast with the straight bangle bracelet as its focal point.

Earrings by Additions Style

Earrings by Eni Oken

Adding texture to the jump rings will also bring them to the forefront no matter what size. Connecting multiple rings with smaller jump rings or wire wrapping them together always produces a great look. Such as these earrings by Additions Style on Etsy and Eni Oken.

Mallory Marks earrings

These Mallory Marks earrings place the stones where the rings are connected holding them with formal structure. The rings would look spectacular even without the added sparkle of gem stones, but the uniform placement of the stones creates an elegant look for a dressier pair of earrings.

If you're interested in learning more about jewelry design, we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Artisan Wedding Jewelry

Gold knot rings by Jessica Poole.

Marriage is about the unique commitment that two individuals make to each other. Whether it is with something old or something new, there are many artists out there hoping to help you create a one-of-a-kind, ageless, and personal piece of jewelry that will endure the ever-changing nature of fashion.                                                                                                        

The 18 karat Gold Knot Rings by Jessica Poole are a unique way to tie the knot - an inventive and fashionable variation from the diamond engagement ring. 

Rough diamond stud earrings by Lex Luxe.

The beauty in artisan wedding jewelry is that the pieces usually fall under the category of an extension of regular jewelry, with a sentimental touch. These "not so typical diamond studs" can be worn as everyday jewelry. The 14kt gold studs hold a rough diamond created by Lexluxe. These earrings have been admired in LUCKY magazine, People Style Watch, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

 Heart shape aluminum guitar pick by Nici Laskin.For the musician, a personalized guitar pick will last forever. This guitar pick was hand sawed in the shape of a heart by Nici Laskin. You can have a hole drilled in it and wear it as a necklace or a key chain. It also makes a great gift for groomsmen. You can even give it with a guitar, or guitar lesson, if you have the budget.

Misha of N.Y.These fresh water cultured pearl earrings and necklace are elegantly hand wrapped with gold filled wire by Misha of NY in his signature wire wrapped embedded stone technique.                                                                                                              

Crocheted gold filled jewelry by Yoola.The crocheted cuff bracelet, ring, and necklace by Yoola, are modern and classic at the same time. The cuff is created using a crochet hook and fine gold filled wire.

Of course nothing says forever like a tattooed wedding band...

If you're interested in learning more about jewelry design, we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Hey, Santa: Gift Ideas for Jewelry Makers

If you're like our Sheffield School Jewelry Design instructor Haley Mindes, you're always on the lookout for gifty items for both yourself and those like-minded jewelry makers on your holiday shopping list.

Haley has given us a few items that she thinks anyone who's making jewelry would love finding under the tree or in their stocking this year. Click on each photo for more product information.

Beadalon Beading Station - Every beader needs workspace tools to help organize their tools and materials, and this station lets you store multiple materials and even sort beads by colors and different color combinations.
 

Beadsmith Three-Step Wire Looping Round Nose Pliers (5mm, 7mm, 10mm) - While tools aren't necessarily the most glamorous of gifts, they're inexpensive and you'll use them again and again to save you time and money as you're putting together your wireworking creations. These wire-looping pliers are nifty and essential.
 

 

The Workbook Guide to Jewelry Techniques - It's great to have some handy reference materials, suitable for both students and professionals, at hand when you want some inspiration or quick how-to help; this guidebook has photographs to help illustrate the steps of different techniques.

Beadsmith Solid Stainless Steel Mini Jewelry Anvil Wire Work Tool - With straight edges on one end to assist in wire bending, and a tapered end for wrapping and shaping, this heavy (1 pound) anvil takes up little space (it's only 4 inches long), but it will be a workhorse part of your design projects.

Handcrafted Wire Findings: Techniques and Designs for Custom Jewelry Components - Every jewelry designer is looking at holding down the costs while adding personal style to their pieces, and this book inspires jewelry designers to creatively do it themselves. 

Beadsmith Craft Wire Multi-Mandrel - Use these different mandrels or shaping tools to create round, oval, triangle, and square shaped jump rings, toggles, pendants, earrings, and other jewelry items.
 

 

Profiting By Design: A Jewelry Maker's Guide to Business Success - It's important to focus your attention on starting a business and earning a living from your jewelry creations, and author Marlene Richey gives you abundant ideas and inspiring case studies to help your business grow and find its unique niche.

 

 Eurotool 6-Step Multi Size Wire Looping Jewelry Pliers - Haley's certainly a tool lover, and this is a favorite!
 

Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Thanksgiving Day Special: Jewelry Designer from Turkey

Klimt02 is a website that provides an international forum for contemporary jewelry in a creative space that offers knowledge, information, debates, and exchanges - all within the artistic realm of jewelry. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Kilmt02 inspires everyone interested in the selection, quality, art, technology, and creation of art jewelry. Sheffield School has kindly been given permission to share works of global designers here on our website. Today's Turkey Day focus is on a few of our favorite contemporary jewelry pieces from Turkey (sorry for the play on words, but I couldn't resist!). 

Senay Akin 

 
Senay Akin
Pendant: Spellbound Woods 2007
Routil quartz, sterling silver 
48 cm long
From Tales Series

Senay Akin
Earrings: Goblin 2009
18K gold, sterling silver
3.3 cm long
From Tales Series

Senay Akin
Ring: Dark King & Queen 2007
Moonstone, sterling silver 
2.4 x 3.1 cm
From Tales Series

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