Something about polymer rings

Dee Wilder's koosh ring

“I’ve never made a ring, but have been wanting to give it a try so I joined a Ring-A-Day group,” says Dee Wilder (Malodora).

For several days she indulged her fascination with Koosh ball threads. Thursday she returned to a micromosaic theme. Imagine making a ring a day! After one month there are already over a thousand in the Flickr group’s archive. (I just found Ponsawan Sila in the archives too!)

Dee Wilder's polymer micromosaic ring

Wednesday’s featured artist, Lynn Lunger (UnaOdd), has experimented with a faceted wood/polymer model. Mixed media artist Jillian Moore admits that she previously had an aversion to polymer but has been converted to using the media for her rings which are pictured below.

Jillian Moore's polymer clay rings

Ronna Sarvas Weltman will divulge the secrets of her ancient/modern rings at her class at CFCF. Bettina Welker will focus on her european versions in her pre-Synergy class.

I’ve only scratched the surface. Thanks to Randee Ketzel and Susan Lomuto and others who have been sending me “heads up” about this trend.Β There’s a ring thing going on and poring over the examples may keep you warm on a cold winter weekend.

  • reply Anke Humpert ,

    uuuuhhhoooohhhh!! That is so cool!! I have been thinking about rings a lot latley and the ones you show are just devine!
    Thank you so much!
    BTW: love the one ring a day flickr group, too πŸ˜‰

    • reply Ronna Sarvas Weltman ,

      These are wonderful. I too am intrigued by the Ring-A-Day group. We’ll be covering physics as well as design in the ring class. No, don’t get scared. I’ll just be explaining how to design rings so the focal part stays put on top of your finger instead of falling to the side. But mostly we’ll be playing. Still a few spots open in the February 24 class …

      • reply Melanie West ,

        Brilliant Rings! I’ve shied away from ring making because… well… it’s foreign territory for me. But looking at all these (many!) wonderful designs is incredibly inspirational. My muse is jumping up and down shouting “try it, try it!” Lol

        Best of luck to my dear friends Bettina and Ronna. Can’t wait to see you again at Synergy! πŸ™‚

        • reply MaryLou Holvenstot ,

          I am completely in awe of Dee’s polymer clay creations, and I freely admit to being a “flickr stalker” as I wait to see what she’s going to produce next. I consider myself very lucky to own some of Dee’s work, too: luscious, giant beads and one of her nudibranch bracelets. I love her stuff, and I love her (she’s a friend and fellow member of Bead Art Originals)! Kudos, Dee! πŸ™‚

          • reply Liz Hall ,

            I was just admiring Dee’s work yesterday on Flickr. The ring a day challenge has really been a fun group to watch and Dee’s rings have been awesome!

            • reply Ponsawan Sila ,

              Dee posted her ring in the morning, so I have all day to see if I can match up with her. More than 300 rings to make. Please stay tune. This is my new obsession. πŸ™‚ Thanks, Cynthia.

              • reply Carol Dean Sharpe ,

                I have been a fan of Dee’s for years and was thrilled when she agreed to join Bead Art Originals. I have several of her bracelets and necklaces and many of her beads (still waiting to be played with, sadly) and now I have two of her rings! Wherever Dee goes, I shall follow as a fan…

                • reply Dee Wilder ,

                  Thanks, Cynthia, for mentioning the ring-a-day challenge, and my rings!

                  I started the challenge as a lark, but it has been incredibly liberating. Without investing huge amounts of clay or time, I’ve been able to try out many ideas that have been in the back of my mind for years. The dynamic of having to complete one ring every day keeps the ideas flowing.

                  • reply Melody ,

                    Count me as another of Dee’s fans! Um, and flickr stalkers, yeah. I love the idea of finishing a project every single day.

                    • reply Sharon Palac ,

                      I’ve been admiring UnaOdd and Jibby and Juna’s rings for a while now, such amazing inspiration from so many talented artists!

                      • reply Sarah Chinen ,

                        Thanks for such a great website and way to start my day!

                        Have you checked out Donna Kato’s rings? I have a few – love them because of their funky art look as well as the strength of her clay! I’ve tried making rings before but the shank always cracked and had to be so thick. I’ve baked her clay on ring mandrels, popped them off, sanded them, and they are strong and done – so long as they are cured hot enough and long enough.

                        Thanks again!

                        • reply LaLa ,

                          OMG Cynthia! You SO, totally inspired me me with this post today. I have been obcessed with making, and wearing, polymer, metal, Swarovski crystal cocktail rings for months now.

                          I just joined this group and will go into the studio and makes some rings this weekend!

                          Thank you so much! You are cooler than the flip side of my pillow!

                          • reply Ed ,

                            Hi’
                            Should CPCP really be CFCF? I’v not been able to find a CPCP.

                            • reply byZarah.com ,

                              The rings are so odd but cute! Like they came from outer space or something πŸ˜‰

                              • reply AbracadabrA ,

                                So so cute rings, all of them ! Thanks for this really good post, with a lot of very great links… Thanks…

                                • reply Triz ,

                                  cool rings! and great concept “a ring a day”, Love it!
                                  Huge fan of Dee’s work!
                                  Great post! πŸ™‚

                                  • reply Deb Tuchsen ,

                                    I haven’t given rings a try – I feel inspired to do so, now. Thank you!

                                    • reply Anna ,

                                      Another fan of Dee’s! Gorgeous work…wonderful rings!

                                      • reply Amy Crawley ,

                                        The rings are very inspiring and very creative. I’m not one to make jewelry, yet I love seeing how the art of the ring as evolved. I also love the koosh threads. Are people cutting apart koosh balls or is there a resource for koosh threads on a spool?

                                        Great way to end the week. Thank Cynthia.

                                        • reply Ruth Baillie ,

                                          I love the koosh ball ring! I’d be playing with it all the time if I wore it. Wish I could go to Bettina class too…..gosh – so much out there I’d like to do.

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