Rings & Things Design Gallery

Gemstones and Pearls Category

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:59:39 GMT

What's New, Pussycat?

Artist: Kathryn Levine (Morgan Hill, CA)
Polly's Picks, Gemstones & Pearls

�No special story here, I just love earrings that are different. They make really good gifts, especially if you can't find them in a store and the receiver knows it's handmade just for them. I used a heart bead for the body and a piece of sterling silver wire to put it together and add a tail. I am a cat lover and cannot have them because my husband is allergic and my dog (my last child at home) probably wouldn't allow it.� � Kathryn Levine

We especially liked how Kathryn combined lampwork cat face beads with Swarovski� rhinestone wheels as collars. We offer a few large vertically-drilled gemstone hearts in our permanent line. Others can sometimes be found at our traveling BeadTour shows.

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!

55 views
Apr 03, 2007

Gemstones & Pearls Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:39 GMT

Doorways to Life

Artist: Tammie Ward (Hickory, NC)
Polly's Picks, Gemstones & Pearls

Tammie has been creative in various media since she was a child. After a personal tragedy struck, it took her a while to start back up on creative endeavors. But she did start back up and now runs a business called Graceful Designs. �Why did I create this particular piece?� Tammie asks. �[Because] where once I felt the doors of my life had closed, they are now open, and this piece is dedicated to that blessing. I love to work with silver leaf jasper because the colors are so versatile that the pieces will go with almost any conceivable outfit. Most of all, the blend of colors is soothing as well as inspiring to me � and don't we all need some inspiration, as well as peace, in our lives?� � Tammie Ward

We particularly liked how Tammy used our gemstone rectangle donuts. One judge noted that a longer version of this piece would make a stylish (although heavy) belt!

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
48 views
Mar 29, 2007

Mostly Metal Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:18:09 GMT

Sweet Denim Blue

Artist: Lynn Kvigne (Underwood, IA)
Polly's Picks, Mostly Metal

�I love working with chainmaille, and have started designing weaves that have stones incorporated to add color and interest. This bracelet came about after I'd made a "caterpillar� weave and wanted to try it with larger stones. Because the sodalite beads were fairly heavy, I needed to create some additional support for the stones. The resulting weave is flat on the back and comfortable on the wrist. The puzzle clasp from Rings & Things was a perfect complement for the rings in the maille and round beads.� � Lynn Kvigne

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
47 views
Mar 29, 2007

Alternative Materials Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:52 GMT

Silver Lake

Artist: Summer and Kristie Craig (Normal, IL)
Polly's Picks, Alternative Materials

�We fell in love with all the mother of pearl pieces at Rings & Things. We knew this material would provide much interest to our designs by the unique texture and shape it provided. We wanted to create a versatile necklace that any woman could wear with all colors and, therefore, year round. Born was Silver Lake.� � Summer and Kristie Craig

Rings & Things offers various colors and shapes of mother-of-pearl drilled rings.

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
46 views
Mar 29, 2007

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:15 GMT

Piece of the Rock Polypouch

Artist: Kimberly Pajot (Friendswood, TX)
Polly's Picks, Polymer Clay

�This piece was inspired by my love for jeweled purses. With the Rodeo going on in Houston right now, I wanted to make a polymer clay purse with lots of silver and beads to give it a real western look. To make this purse, I made my own form using polymer clay. I covered the purse with gold and black bulls eye canes and three large polymer clay shamans. I put large western-looking silver beads on the lid of the purse, and hung a lot of polymer clay, sterling silver and glass beads on the sides. The purse was then sanded and buffed to bring out the beautiful natural shine. I used buna cord for the strap. It�s a fun, fun little piece that will certainly have people stop and look. Yeeeeehaaaaw!� � Kimberly Pajot

Included in Kimberly's beaded dangles are round and tube bone beads.

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
42 views
Mar 29, 2007

Alternative Materials Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:17:10 GMT

Oak Island

Artist: Kristina Johannson (B�stad, Sweden)
Polly's Picks, Alternative Materials

�I love alternative materials, so it was no surprise I entered in this category. Also, I wanted to show what can be made using alternative, natural materials, after reading that you didn't get many entries in these categories. With this set � consisting of necklace, bracelet and ring � I wanted to do something with a rough and earthy feel, emphasizing the pirate theme. When I first saw the pirate skull in the catalog supplement, the inner child in me knew I should buy this bead. It was far from the crystals, porcelain, glass and metal I normally use. Perhaps best suited for a little boy's necklace, but I wanted to do more with it ... This winter I came up with a design and placed an order, hoping it would arrive in time for me to meet the deadline. When I first got the turquoise heishi, I was a bit disappointed at how much brown there was in them, but I then realized it would help give the jewelry a look of patina. I then just had to ream out all the beads used to fit the cord. Apart from the design process, this was the major part of making the set. ... The knots, which I experimented with in different ways before settling for this version, were used to add interest and texture. They are originally so called 'good luck knots.' I don't know why, but already when coming up with [the] pirate theme I knew I wanted leather knots in the pieces. As it would be too much to push two cords through the beads, the second cord used in the knots was added to the small knots holding the heishi beads. A small dab of glue was used to secure the ends in the knots ... I named the set "Oak Island" after the myths surrounding the Oak Island Treasure. Other names I had in mind were Piratika (after Tanith Lee's book) and Johnny, or Jack, after the one and only Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow (drool).� � Kristina Johannson

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
42 views
Mar 29, 2007

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:16:54 GMT

Sophisticated Peacock

Artist: Luann Zanke Gilliland (Bloomsburg, PA)
Polly's Picks, Glass

�The inspiration for this ensemble came from the stunning oval peacock beads. When I spotted these in the R&T catalog, I ordered the minimum amount to see if they were as gorgeous in person as they appeared on paper. They exceeded my expectations! Working with a small amount, I judiciously used them in a few different jewelry sets. Then, I decided to order a larger amount, so that I could feature them prominently in a design � this is the end result.

�One design technique I employed was to pull out some of the lovely individual colors on the peacock beads by using Greek ceramic spacers. I used these to incorporate texture and dimension while providing a punch of color ... the only stringing tip that I would suggest is to slip a seed bead or two inside each ceramic spacer, to keep it from slipping slide-to-slide.� � Luann Zanke Gilliland

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
43 views
Mar 29, 2007

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:16:12 GMT

Bracelet

Artist: Garry Buck (Tucson, AZ)
Polly's Picks, Glass

Garry used an 8.2" disk-and-loop bracelet form to showcase his handmade glass cabochon. About this particular design, he says �my wife and I both enjoy Celtic art and music, and this bracelet was inspired by that ... If I�ve learned one thing from [the creative process], it�s to go with the flow. My most popular pieces have been complete accidents!�

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
42 views
Mar 29, 2007

Alternative Materials Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:15:15 GMT

Daffodil Follies

Artist: Debbie Kelly (Topsham, ME)
Polly's Picks, Alternative Materials

�I don�t know about you, but, here in the Great Northeast, we are ready for a bit of springtime. My inspiration came from my anticipation of the daffodils poking their little yellow heads out of my garden, amidst the unmelted remnants of winter. I have a love for crocheting, and I set off to combine jewelry and crocheted fiber work into my creation. My first choice was to find an earthy looking background for my garden. When I happened upon a spool of natural 1.2mm waxed cotton, I thought this would be a perfect canvas to work on. I had never tried to crochet with this material before, and soon found it was a pleasure to work with. I prestrung around 200 crystal silver-lined E beads on the cord and incorporated them onto the chain row for an icy effect. I continued designing as I went until I had come up with a pleasing original design. It was no easy task to 'make' a daffodil, but, after many attempts, I felt that I had fabricated a pleasing facsimile. The daffodils and leaves were made separately for various crochet threads in appropriate colors and attached to the foundation in an attractive staggered order. Note that the tips of the daffodil petals are tipped with topaz silver lined E beads. I used sterling silver filigree bead caps upside down with a French knot in the middle for the flower centers and for buds. I added a row of wispy white novelty yarn all around the outside for a snowy illusion. For more interest, I strung crystal silver lined E beads onto cord and used 2x1mm sterling silver crimp tubes to secure the beads. I added streamers of my 'icicles' hanging out of the flowers and leaves, and combined them with more 'snow' for a bit more glamour at the bottom front. The closure is adjustable (see inset).� � Debbie Kelly

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
40 views
Mar 29, 2007

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:15:01 GMT

You Can Never Have Enough Shoes & Purses

Artist: Deborah Anderson (San Jose, CA)
Polly's Picks, Polymer Clay

�I was inspired to create this necklace with lots of miniature shoes and purses because I have a strong connection to these things. I used to make custom-made footwear and handbags out of leather (as a business). ... [For this piece] I mixed my own clay colors and made a variety of flower and leaf canes using the millefiori technique, and I reduced parts of the cane to a very small size for embellishing the shoes and purses. I made a variety of shoe styles and even textured and put heels on the bottoms of each shoe. I sliced the larger flower and leaf canes into even sections and inserted holes through them and inserted a jump ring through each one. I twisted two wires together with a pin vise to make twisted jump rings and made my own clasp. I constructed all the parts for the entire necklace. I guess the hardest part was picking out which shoes and purses to include in the necklace � I made more than I used.� � Deborah Anderson

Polly�s Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2007 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
45 views
Mar 29, 2007