Nazar Ring

As a young boy growing up in Maine, Aaron Ruff was fascinated with the idea of stumbling upon hidden treasures and unearthing ancient relics. The son of a craftsman, Ruff grew up with a strong sense of artistry and construction. Working as both a carpenter and cabinetmaker, he enrolled at Parsons to study furniture design. After taking a class in jewelry making, Ruff soon discovered his true craft. While enjoying the familiarity and technique of creating furniture, he found a more intimate connection with constructing objects that people could wear and cherish. Created in 2006, and based in Brooklyn, New York, the Digby & Iona collection is inspired by everything from history and literature to the design of nature and tools of necessity. Ruff also draws from his childhood fantasies of exploration, which lends a playful quality to his work.