Designer: Polli Australia

So you might have picked up on my animal obsession..? Favourites include whippets, daschunds, tapirs, most of the corvid family, cats in all forms... and many, many more beyond... I'm also a sucker for helping out any little bug or spider who's trapped, often shouting 'Don't kill it!!' even if it is a monster house spider or ugly Bluebottle. Recently thinking I was coming to the aid of a little black beetle in my bath, I sadly realised I was in fact saving a bit of sock fluff from in-between the boyf's toes. That'll learn me...

Gold 'Hoot' earrings. Image courtesy of polli.com.au

Maja Rose and Tess Lloyd, the designer behind Polli

So again, in a brilliantly round-about way, this brings me to the stunning animal jewels of Polli, an Australian design duo who make in stainless steel and silver. Taking influence from Danish and Japanese paper cut-outs, Polli's necklaces and earrings catch the light in a way which shows off the simple yet detailed etched designs. And although animals aren't the only thing on their roster (Terraced house necklace, anyone? Bow earrings?), there are some real treats...

 Gold 'Flock' necklace and earrings. Image courtesy of polli.com.au

The Lyre Bird earrings got me smiling - recalling that brilliant David Attenborough video - as did the sausage dog necklace. Cute, cute, cute! Available in London at the Southbank Centre shop and at Brighton's Silverado.

'Lyre Bird' earrings. Image courtesy of polli.com.au

The 'Dash' necklace. Image courtsy of polli.com.au

New Designer: Aroha Silhouettes

I stumbled across Aroha Silhouettes earlier this week, as my eyes devoured the yummy bits and bobs on Not Couture (or NotCot, as it's also known). I did a double take at a pair of unusual earrings, which, interestingly, I now understand is the aim of Aroha's jewellery. It makes you stop, look and go 'oh, I see', because cleverly Aroha have taken those optical illusions that had us baffled and cross-eyed as kids, and turned them into minimal, graphic jewellery designs.

'Confined' optical illusion steel earrings, by Aroha Silhouettes. Photo courtesy of arohasilhouettes.com

Aroha appears to be a one-woman jewellery venture - a 26-year-old known as Tania, based in Vancouver. Her own blog explains she's been in business for just over a year, yet Aroha seems to be gathering strength already, with an Etsy shop and a host of other retailers. But let's stick with what's important - the jewellery.

Tania's designs are made from recycled vinyl records and steel, both of which I'd imagine are laser-cut. The results are 2D designs which appear 3D. Optical illusions become accessories, channelling a magical, myserious vibe, not to mention one's inner geek. Her design repertoire is already sufficient - it also includes stacks of books and prism-like cubes - but there's definitely plenty more for Tania to play with... I'll be sure to keep an eye on what comes up next!

'Succession' vinyl necklace, by Aroha Silhouettes. Photo courtesy of arohasilhouettes.com

'Succession' necklace, as above. Photo courtesy of arohasilhouettes.com

'Conform' vinyl necklace, by Aroha Silhouettes. Photo courtesy of arohasilhouettes.com

'Bermuda' optical illusion steel earrings, by Aroha Silhouettes. Photo courtesy of arohasilhouettes.com