Cool Hunting

Leslie Shershow Jewelry
Boston-area metalsmith and jewelry designer Leslie Shershow finds inspiration in topics as disparate as found objects, stuffed animals, and the exploitation of nature by humans. Despite the wide array of subject matter, her collections share a refined ruggedness and a rough-hewn beauty. Our favorite collection is her Alaska Series, with its antlers, rifles, bear heads and horns. Selections from the Alaska Series have recently...

Melissa Borrell Jewelry
Currently on display as part of Brooklyn store/gallery Spring's show "Around the Flat," Melissa Borrell's jewelry translates topographic maps into wearable forms. The RISD-trained designer asks "How can I change the way someone views the world?" redefining jewelry as well in the process. Though Borrell's work seems to point to the differences between urban and rural landscapes, the New York-based jewelry designer also makes"...

Refinery29: Earth Science
Christine J. Brandt's shapely oversized rings and necklace pendants put her right in line with current cutting-edge jewelry designers, but her use of nature, both for raw materials and inspiration, sets her apart beautifully. Creating her pieces from a log cabin in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, Brandt fashions her jewelry from exotic woods, raw crystals, and stones, each piece hand-carved and finished with natural oils...

Skullflower Ring
Just when I thought I was getting over the skull thing, this ring crossed my path to set me straight. A macabre masterpiece, it's best worn on a thumb or index finger so you can see the full skull garland. Klaus Lohmeyer is a Munich-based jewelry maker and craftsman behind Werkstatt:München who have a rather complete line of hand finished skull jewelry and accessories....

It's all about the Smallthings
Teresa Robinson is a Portland, OR-based artist who makes jewelry from silver and glass by hand. Her designs feature organic forms and nature images such as birds and bees. They include rings, necklaces and ear rings. Our favorite is the skull, and you can get it in 10 different colors to suit any mood. Smallthings is available online and at several retail stores....

ALISSIAmt "Diamond" Rings
Dutch native and former IDEO resident Alissia is the designer behind these faux gems. Currently based in Brooklyn, she sold out of them at the Designboom marketplace at NYC's last ICFF in New York and for good reason. Elegant, modern silhouettes in clear or colored acrylic, silver, or gold mock tradition and the subtle punchline looks as good on a finger as worn on...