What do I wear?

These questions form this month's Etsymetal Blog Carnival. Etsymetal is a group of independent, rambunctious jewellers I am delighted to belong to.

My well-blinged left hand

What jewellery do you wear everyday?
Rings are my thing - you may have noticed - and the rings I wear everyday on my left hand are traditional but very special to me.
My simple wedding band I had made when I was living in Milan 15 years ago. Next to this is a beautiful sapphire ring made for me by a jeweller here in Bath when my first son was born. The design had to be modified when the first tension-set sapphire fell out somewhere in the garden while I was playing with my baby. A very valuable and expensive lesson in design, that one.

The last is my engagement ring. It's Victorian with cushion cut diamonds and sapphires, so it twinkles in candlelight.


What is your favourite piece from your private collection?

Grafitti Ring

From my own work it has to be my Grafitti ring. I have worn it everyday for 2 years, even in my workshop. I took this picture today and it looks good, I think. It still makes me happy to look at, though it could do with a good polish.
The ring was influenced by one of my favourite mid century artists, Ben Nicholson and I also developed my own technique for the resin, which was satisfying.
How many finished pieces do you keep for yourself and why? 
Often, I'll keep the prototype of a new ring, I like to see what it's like to live with and wear. 
I tend to keep my more exotic "out there" designs because I like to wear them myself.

Anke Hennig

What is your favourite piece of jewellery that you didn't make?
Buying earrings, preferably in an alternative material, is a weakness of mine. I have two pairs to share with you. A smooth sinuous cellulose pair in a slate grey by Leslie Strickland and a gorgeous, springy pair of red textile earrings by Anke Hennig.

Leslie Strickland

This post is part by the Etysmetal Blog Carnival for March. 
See what my fellow etsymetal jewellers have in their own "Private Collection" here:
1. Rebecca Bogan - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
2. Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
3. Inbar Bareket - http://www.inbarbareket.net/
4.Twigs and Heather - http://www.twigsandheather.com
5. 2Roses - http://www.JewelryTutorial.blogspot.com
6. Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
7. Thomasin Durgin - http://metalriot.blogspot.com/ 
8. MicheleGrady - http://www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com/