Rings & Things Design Gallery

Mostly Metal Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:45 GMT

Ancient Bone Necklace

Artist: Susan Walter (Torrance, CA)
Honorable Mention, Mostly Metal

�I made the lampwork glass bones and wanted to do something different with them using silver components. I wanted to make a big focal centerpiece and made the big silver twist bead to use in the piece. When I started, I had no real design idea; I just went with the flow and added beads where I thought they would look good. At first, I didn't like the bone sitting on top of the silver twist bead as it looked too symmetrical so I added the wire coil on the front. I accidentally made the coil too short so I added the brass heishi. I then incorporated the heishi into the rest of the necklace. All lampwork beads, silver components (clasp and jump rings) were handmade by me. I found and drilled the river rocks too.� � Susan Walter

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
83 views
Mar 29, 2007

Mostly Metal Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:17 GMT

Owl's Eyes

Artist: Lynn Kvigne (Underwood, IA)
Honorable Mention, Mostly Metal

�I had gotten these jade donuts from Rings & Things with the intent of using them in chainmaille. I started out making a simple Byzantine weave, but after making the first section, decided it was too plain, and the weave wasn't holding well because of the size of the rings (9mm). I began adding smaller rings to give it stability, and found that the design was also developing into something interesting. The resulting weave looks almost like the large round eyes of an owl, and the bracelet is really chunky but comfortable to wear. I cut and tumbled all the rings, created the clasp and tumbled the entire piece to finish it.� � Lynne Kvigne

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!

78 views
Mar 29, 2007

Alternative Materials Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:05 GMT

Zulu Dancer

Artist: Mara Marlow (Federal Way, WA)
Honorable Mention, Alternative Materials

Mara was inspired by this African fetish-mask pendant to create a whole series of necklaces. For this particular piece, she wanted to recreate the pomp of Zulu dancers wearing ostrich-feather headdresses. She used cupolini-style coral and seed beads to make the headdress for her brass warrior. She also hammered the hook herself and used wire links to connect all the pieces � a construction which allows for easy shortening. Woven open-work African brass beads are a great addition to the ensemble!

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
60 views
Mar 29, 2007

Gemstones & Pearls Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:00 GMT

Flowers and Pearls

Artist: Sonia Noguez (San Antonio, TX)
Honorable Mention, Gemstones & Pearls

Sonia is an admirer of organic forms and wanted to reflect them in her jewelry, breaking away from perfect symmetry in her design. She chose pearls for this goal because they are uniquely shaped, exotic, mythological and elegant. She chose sterling silver because she loves the way it shines. She carefully measured each element and calculated her approach before she began. Doing so, she said she had no trouble getting everything to fit together. In her own words, �I made the silver flowers using sheet silver and then set the pearls in these flowers with the [needle-end] silk thread ... My necklace is a reflection of the simple forms of nature ...�

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
67 views
Mar 29, 2007

Gemstones & Pearls Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:04 GMT

Forest Fantasy

Artist: Laura Adams (San Francisco, CA)
Honorable Mention, Gemstones & Pearls

�As a child, I was fortunate enough to have easy access to several acres of (then) undeveloped forest right across the street from my house. My Dad would take my brother and me for walks and tell us all about the moss, lichens and ferns along the way. With his help, we created a thriving terrarium from our woodland finds. When I discovered the wonderful, large jasper teardrops at your San Mateo, CA, road show last year, I was not sure what they would become, but I knew they would definitely be grouped. After careful searching, the teardrops were joined by pyrite, Mexican jasper and later some mossy green pearls and golden beads and findings. I felt the mossy coolness of the woods reflected in the group of materials. The pyrite and pearls glisten just enough to evoke memories of dew on the undergrowth. The brown variations bring in the colors of tree bark and earth. � It was interesting getting the large teardrops to gather together and stay together. I used a very long length of 49-strand Beadalon� to string and bind them all together. The extra long tails formed both ends of one of the three braided strands. Beaded strands number two and three travel through and over the cluster of teardrops, concealing any exposed wire with a trail of beads. The teardrop cluster is designed to be off-center when worn. The vermeil clasp and chain allow for individual length modification. The stone teardrop tassel provides a bit of balance down the back. The result � a piece to adorn a joyful woodland nymph!� � Laura Adams

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
80 views
Mar 29, 2007

Gemstones & Pearls Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:00 GMT

Geometry 101

Artist: Leena Tucker (Folsom, CA)
Honorable Mention, Gemstones & Pearls

�This necklace has the toggle in front with a 2.5" dangle. I don't like anything close around my neck, so I make longer necklaces that I find new and creative ways to make beautiful and interesting. The most interesting thing about this necklace is that I bought these onyx beads to go with some sterling silver triangle beads. When I put the design together, it just wasn't quite right. It's amazing to me how my designs are created � by trial after trial until it is exactly the way I want it to look. The earrings have a bit of a softer look. I felt the set needed something to balance the boldness of the necklace while still keeping the geometric shape in mind.� � Leena Tucker

Leena found these great triangle gemstone beads at an R&T BeadTour show � a great place to find unique items not found in our catalog or online store.

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
69 views
Mar 29, 2007

Alternative Materials Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:16:07 GMT

Serenity

Artist: Genevi�ve Liebaert (Bruxelles, Belgium)
Honorable Mention, Alternative Materials

�I received from my dear aunty a donut in mother of pearl and I wanted to use it. I adore to recycle old things in new designs! At the same time, I wanted to learn [how to make] beaded beads ...� So, Genevieve educated herself on how to make beaded beads. She then glued the pearl in the center of the gemstone donut, and embellished the centerpiece with Toho Treasures and 15/0 seed beads. She then made the beaded beads using round wooden beads for her bases. After completing the fringe tassel, she was then ready to string all the handmade components together.

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
59 views
Mar 29, 2007

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:16:03 GMT

Beaded Blue Frog Box

Artist: Ginnie Parrish (Cary, NC)
Honorable Mention, Polymer Clay

�I recently took a workshop by polymer clay artist Kathleen Dustin where I learned translucent techniques in polymer clay. I was awed by this class and incorporated what I learned into my own style of work to create this art box. The piece is constructed of solid polymer clay. Inspired by my business name, I made a blue frog cane. I collaged blue frog cane slices together with other millefiori and translucent designs, including some with layered silver leaf. Using silver polymer clay, I pieced design sections together and created the lid of the box. The lid was then baked, sanded and buffed, and the beads wired onto it. The remainder of the project was created using designs and processes similar to those used in the lid. I used texture sheets to create texture inside the box lid and on the bottom. Finally I added striped clay legs to complete the box.� � Ginnie Parrish

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
45 views
Mar 29, 2007

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:15:58 GMT

The Queen's Green Collar

Artist: Jama Watts (Lebanon, KY)
Honorable Mention, Glass

�This piece began as a single drop peyote strand. I began laying out the fringe in a pattern similar to a necklace I'd already done, but began layering in even more fringe to create the lush green lawn feeling of the collar. There is an actual pattern to the fringe which caused me some great frustration as the fringe got denser! I stopped counting my time around 70 hours!� � Jama Watts

To finish the ends of her seed-bead dangles, Jama used potato & rice pearls and 9mm Czech glass leaves.

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
66 views
Mar 29, 2007

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:15:52 GMT

Royal India

Artist: Karen L Mitchell (Altadena, CA)
Honorable Mention, Polymer Clay

�As an avid traveler, I am always inspired by the exotic decorative arts and architecture of other countries. It can take months or years for the inspiration of a trip to appear in my work, and it often emerges in unexpected and abstract ways. In the creative process of designing a piece, I usually start with a color palette, and a loose concept of the construction. As I jump into the fabrication, the piece evolves as the elements are layered together. Until the design is complete, there is a thrill for me in seeing the changes that occur. This elaborate necklace is reminiscent of the spectacular and intricate details seen in the palaces of India, and echoes the dramatic gem-encrusted jewelry fit for royalty. I selected a warm, curry- and ruby-accented color palette, with subtle hints of violet, lime and olive. The focal elements are made from FIMO soft polymer clay, layered in complex blends and formed into a millefiore cane with a heart spiral pattern. The cane slices are subsequently cut up and overlapped for a more dimensional look, accented with wired clusters of Czech firepolish beads and filigree. Coordinating beads are also made from cane slices over shaped clay base beads. The necklace has additional dimension because of the double stranded offset of the focal elements in the front. I love the sparkling accent that the Czech glass beads add to the polymer clay.� � Karen L Mitchell

View more 2007 Honorable Mention winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
66 views
Mar 29, 2007