The Modern Materialist : rings

Sharpen Your Fashion Sense

Laureen Mahler — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:06:00 GMT

What could be better than an old school pencil sharpener? An old school pencil sharpener that's been transformed into wearable art:

[Ignacio Pilotto]

These pencil sharpener rings are concept only (why must you tease us, cruel designers??), but the idea is that they seamlessly merge form and function. Not only are they sleek, silver accessories, they also still sharpen pencils.

Basically, if you wear your own pencil sharpener and look damn fine doing it, you are completely awesome. Also, can someone make one of these for me?

[via bookofjoe]

Can You Identify This Ring?

Alex Zalben — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:02:00 GMT

Okay, without cheating, or having read it on another blog, or knowing the designer, can you guess exactly what's special about this ring? If you can... Well, on the off chance that someone DOES guess it, I probably can't afford it. But I'll give you a big old high five.

Guessed yet?

It's an 18 Karat Gold Replica of the original, 1981 Atari Computer Chip. Designed by Brooklyn's own Sakurako Shimizu, the ring also comes in silver. No pricing known yet, but I'm sure if you really wanted to buy it, I could walk over to Sakurako's place and find out for you.

[Sakurako Shimizu]

[Via Cnet]

Ring Around The Crayon

Alex Zalben — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:08:00 GMT

I'm totally in love with this idea: hand-crafted crayon rings. But there's something even more shocking about them, at least in the context of this blog:

They actually exist! Usually, we post about something wacky like this, and it's just a concept. Not this time... The crayon ring is real, and it is spectacular. Seinfeld quotes are still really cool, right?

[Price AoD, The Future Perfect]

[Via DesignBoom]

The Way To My Heart

Steph Auteri — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:02:00 GMT

The way to my heart?

Typically, a packet of candy buttons or, lately, fluffy stuff lollipops.

But if you want to go the traditional route...

[$198, Q-pot]

Sure. Get me jewelry.

This burger ring comes with an individual ring layer for each part of the delicious, meaty sandwich.

[Via Ooh! Shiny!]

This Ring Wants To Tell You Something

Alex Zalben — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:33:00 GMT

File this under rad, but uncomfortable ideas:

Yoon Jung Yun has created a line of rings called "Inner Message," that leave an imprinted message on your finger. Currently available rings come in Sterling Silver, or Gold, and say "Marry Me," or "Always."

Thoughts on this? I'm a little torn, as I like the idea, but I wouldn't want a ring biting into my finger all day.

[$120-$1500, Yoon Jung Yun]

[Via Cool Hunting]

Polaroid Ring

Diana Vilibert — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:25:00 GMT

I'm pretty much in love with this. Etsy designer yellowgoat was "Inspired by beautiful Polaroid Photos I see daily on Flickr"--and the result is this unique, customizable ring.

Valentine's Day Tip: Ring In V-Day Just Right

Alex Zalben — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:02:00 GMT

Normally, I'm not a big jewellery guy; and I'm definitely not a "jewellery that's just big fat words," guy. But this ring has me sold, because it's just so over-the-top blingalicious. A few more shots, then pricing:

[$69, DesignBoom]

Decisions, Decisions

Alex Zalben — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:04:00 GMT

How to make those very important decisions in life, especially when a magic eight-ball is soooo complicated?

[$10, Fredflare]

[Via Mighty Goods]

A Promise That Lasts Forever

Steph Auteri — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:03:00 GMT

A marriage is a promise that lasts forever (and ever).

(And ever.)

Promise your loved one everything...:

[$72, Supermarket]

...with the most literal promise ring out there.

Decadent and Dirty

Steph Auteri — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:03:00 GMT

[$1,200, Coco De Mer]

It's not just the artfully arranged photos. Neither is it the descriptions, as simultaneously sexy and instructive as any book of erotica. There's an artistry and opulence about the products sold through Coco De Mer that oozes sensuality. How can one help but take out their Platinum Visa as if in a daze and snap up everything in sight?

My purple tickler and soft leather handcuffs can't hold a candle to these items:

[$25, Coco De Mer]

Speaking of candles, I wasn't aware that massage candles existed. This Afterglow candle can be used in the usual fashion before blowing it out and dipping the included body brush in the melted wax. When heated, the was apparently liquefies into a high-slip massage oil. The site says that it "burns up to 42 hours, every one of them memorable."

[$150, Coco De Mer]

It's tough to see in this photo, but these teacups have inscribed upon them, in delicate cursive, "bitch" and "wanker." Both cheeky and demure. Love.

[$850, Coco De Mer]

Both ring and tickler.

[$795, Coco De Mer]

This beautiful pearl circlet is "designed to adorn the middle finger of your most able hand; when turned towards the palm, the seven pearls are particularly indicated for penis adoration." Apparently, it can feel pretty damn sensational on one's clit as well.

Check out the vibrators, dildos, cock rings, and anal toys if you're looking for something with a little more oomph. They're just as beautifully designed.

[Via Whorange]

Related: The Power of Art to Arouse

Equation: Paper's Fling With Rings

Steph Auteri — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:08:00 GMT

[Monkey Business]

These Memorings are post-its that double as memory joggers...sort of like tying a piece of string around your finger, except with more paper cuts.

[Via Fashionably Geek]

Wedding Ring For Audiophiles

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:01:00 GMT

Guys aren't usually savvy to wedding jewelry, but these rings seem like something everyone can get behind.

Sakura Koshimizu, the designer of these waveform rings, takes a personalized recording and laser cuts the waveform out of the silver band. And you can get anything recorded, provided it's short enough to fit on the band.

My question is. . . are girls okay with this kind of ring compared to traditional wedding rings?

[sakurakoshimizu]

[Via woohome]

The Ring Every Girl Wants [NSFW]

Alex Zalben — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:02:00 GMT

You've been waiting forever to get that ring from your man. You can't stand it any longer, and when he finally opens that box and puts it on, you feel an incredible explosion of... Wait, what ring did he just pull out of a box? Oh, this ring:

The Mates Intensify Vibrating Condom Ring comes with a super thin condom, and one ring that vibrates for twenty-five minutes straight. Now, I don't pretend to know what it feels like to have a vagina, but I have to imagine this would feel like a horrible knobby tumor? Am I wrong? Too early in the afternoon for this sort of talk?

Anyway, here's a totally NSFW ad:

[£4, Life Pharmacy Online]

What's Your Number?

Diana Vilibert — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:33:00 GMT

My number is 945. But I wish it was higher, and here's why:

Because that's how many Google hits I get when I search my name. Measure your popularity by the number of Google hits you get and wear it on this concept ring designed by Markus Kison. Flaunt your number all day and then load the ring into its docking station to reload and update at night.

[Markus Kison]

We're Off To Drink The Wizard

Alex Zalben — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:03:00 GMT

What do you get when you mix the Wizard of Oz, a teacup, and a ring? This:

There's only one on sale, so grab it quick.

[$7, Etsy]

These Skulls Have a Secret

Alex Zalben — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:32:00 GMT

Pretty rad skull rings, right? I mean, you'll be a total bad-ass with them on. Except, they have one terrifying secret:

They're actually a 2GB USB flash drive... You nerd.

[$146, Geek Stuff 4 U]

[Via Gizmodo]

Related: Trend Watch - Your Thick Skull

Wedding Tip: I'll Bring The Pop Tarts

Alex Zalben — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:01:00 GMT

I'm not sure how many people would exchange Pop Tart rings at their wedding, but if Fakery Bakery has their way, it'll be a lot more. Not only has the Etsy seller created these cute reproductions of the breakfast fave in ring form, there are even more awesome ones, like these:

The seller has a ton more awesome, dessert themed jewelry over at her Etsy store, so check it out.

[$5, Etsy]

[Via Fashionably Geek]

Get Nailed by a Snake

Alex Zalben — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:28:00 GMT

When is a snake eating your fingers an okay event? When you're wearing one of these:

[$166, Bijules NYC]

[Via StyleFrizz]

Wedding Tip: I Crown Thee Man and Wife

Alex Zalben — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:03:00 GMT

On your wedding day, you want to feel like a King and a Queen, right? So why not wear these:

The site is in German, I believe, so no info on pricing and availability. By which I mean, I don't read German.

[Catherine Niegel]

[Via StyleFrizz]

Keep A Man Away With Your Ring

Alex Zalben — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:33:00 GMT

As far as I understand this, sometimes women will wear a ring to keep men away; regardless of whether they are married, or just in a relationship, they don't want to be bothered on a night out, and wear the ring to give a subtle visual reminder to dudes that they're taken.

Ladies: this would work based on the idea that we noticed rings. If you do want to try this, though, may I suggest this one:

[Via Beading Gem]

Teething Ring

Alex Zalben — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:27:00 GMT

Nope, not the above. The below:

[Etsy]

[Via Book of Joe]

Just Another Notch In The Ring

Alex Zalben — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Hey, can you guess what this ring is used for? I'll give you a hint, it's called the Trophy Ring for a reason. Did you guess that it's...

...For marking off your conquests in bed? Yup. The ring is silver plated gold, so every time you bed a lady, you just slice into your ring. Ironically, have a slice up ring will lead to less and less ladies in your bed.

[Via DesignSpotter]

You’re Getting Sleepy…

Alex Zalben — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Just getting into work huh? Still a little sleepy? You know what, you’re the only one in the office, why not just lay your head down on a pillow, and… Wait a second, that’s not a pillow! That’s a…

Pillow ring! Brilliant, for those times when you just want to take a tiny nap.

[Downstairs Studio]

[Via Design Sponge]

Everybody Must Get Stoned

Alex Zalben — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Getting stoned in public may not be the smartest idea ever, but it certainly will make you feel pretty good every time you do it. So how best to go about getting stoned, without alerting the cops?

How about with these rings with large gemstones built right into the base, from designer Kyle Ng? No word on pricing or availability, but Ng has plenty more at his myspace.

[Via DesignBoom]