Doughnut Bites

Scented twist doughnut charm

Despite its somewhat breadstick-like appearance, this 0.75" glazed doughnut charm is a refreshing twist (bad pun intended) on the kind of doughnut jewelry that most artists create and that I usually write about. I have nothing against standard round doughnuts, but the amount of enthusiasm a person can generate about a different frosting color or distribution of sprinkles is not infinite.

What I appreciate even more than the polymer clay twist's shape are that it's got real cinnamon sprinkled on top of it and it's scented with "sugar and spice" fragrance. Oh, and it's only a $1 from Handmade by Hilary.

Rhinestone doughnut charm

Am I the only one who starts to crave iced sugar cookies when looking at this doughnut charm ($8) topped with jewel-toned rhinestones?

I suppose it's strange that a plastic doughnut would make me want to eat a real cookie, especially when I've always been disappointed by the way those oversized iced cookies actually taste, but I blame the color of the doughnut. It's more cookie-like, don't you think? In fact, if I were in the business of naming colors, I'd probably call this one Butter Cookie (nostalgic side note: oh my god, Butter Cookie and Jelly Bear were one of my favorite Strawberry Shortcake kid-pet pairs!). There's also something about the way the white icing looks like it can be separated from the shortbread-colored doughnut that just makes me think cookie.

Rainbow doughnuts charm bracelet

This shockingly colorful rainbow doughnut charm bracelet is already sold out (equally shocking, perhaps) so there's no way to ever know for sure, but I think something like this would only appeal to a child or someone firm on never being depressed. Say what you will about being blinded by neon polymer clay; the possibility of some kind of anti-depressant drug being mixed right into the 0.75" doughnuts probably crossed your mind at least once.

If you're already a happily adjusted doughnut fan or have your own legally prescribed supply of Paxil, you can check out acylicana's other sweets at her Etsy shop.

Strawberry doughnut ring

I have a collection of these really cute miniature desserts from Japan that I don't quite know what to do with. I mean, other than put them on display and look at or play with them, what else could I do?

Well, if I take a cue from minimania's Etsy shop, I could make some jewelry! Her Strawberry Glazed Donut Ring ($7), which features a miniature doughnut set upon a neon green plate and affixed to a silver-tone ring, is something I could actually make right now with some pieces from my collection.

And I don't mean I could make something like it; I mean I could literally make this exact piece. Have a look below.

Diamond doughnut earrings

You really have to have a thing for doughnuts if your diamond jewelry pays homage to them.

I mean, a doughnut bracelet with little polymer clay doughnuts is one thing; it shows everyone that you're cute and fun. But a pair of 14K gold doughnut studs sprinkled with 12 round diamonds totaling 0.14 carats is quite another. That tells everyone that you're so obsessed with fried dough that . . . oh, I don't know . . . that you'll stop at nothing to make it known to the world that you really have a thing for doughnuts. What's next? A doughnut-themed website? Oh, wait.

The doughnut earrings by Gorgiaz sell for about $210 from Amazon.

Sweeten your style with doughnut hair clips

Because I'm incredibly boring with how I wear my hair, my collection of hair accessories consists of nothing more than a pack of rubber bands that I use for ponytails at home. If I ever become more adventurous, I'd like to get into cute hair clips. I've seen a shimmering pair of butterflies on TV before and might like to try to recreate the look with these chocolate doughnut hair clips ($12) from Sweet Stella Designs.

The handmade polymer clay treats measure about a half-inch each and are attached to silver-toned bobby pins. They might not be too visible in my dark hair, but at least I'd know they were there.

Chocolate doughnut stud earrings

Back in college, I had nine earring piercings (four on each lobe and one through the cartilage of my right ear). I reserved the bottom holes for hoops and the upper ones for studs. When I finished grad school a few years ago and got my first real job, I took out seven of the "extra" earrings and let the holes close up. It probably wouldn't have made a difference in the office, but I decided I'd rather be conservative than wonder what my boss was thinking when she noticed my ears.

Now that it's been more than four years that I've been self-employed and working from home, however, I regret letting those extra holes close. If I hadn't, I'd have more than enough space for a pair of these cute chocolate-frosted doughnut studs ($5).

Doughnut stitch markers

If you don't mind seeing baked-in evidence of their handmade-nature (i.e., fingerprints), these doughnut stitch markers are an adorable asset to the knitter/crocheter's toolkit.

A baker's dozen sells for $18.29 and can be ordered in different sizes (4mm to 8mm) and flavors. Not a hook-and-needle gal? Don't worry. Kishcrafts will gladly convert any stitch marker into a piece of jewelry, cell phone charm, or whatever else you want.

Check out her Etsy shop for more sweet treats.

Chocolate glazed doughnut earrings

They may not be accented with Swarovski, but Gimmeswords' dangling doughnut earrings are a bit cuter and would only set you back $5.

They're made out of Sculpey, a polymer clay brand I never heard of (FIMO, which I actually haven't seen in over 20 years, is the extent of my clay knowledge), and sprinkled with white jimmies that I assume are also fashioned out of Sculpey. What the chocolate glaze is made of is presumably no mystery to craft folk, but I can barely even take a guess. Nail polish is the first thing that comes to my mind, but some sort of acrylic paint would probably make me sound less ridiculous.

Doughnut charm bracelet sparkles with Swarovski

Let's see. So far, we've seen a silver doughnut ring, dangling doughnut earrings, and glittery doughnut charms. The only thing missing from the perfectly completed pastry-filled jewelry box is something like this Decadent Donut Charm Bracelet handmade by SweetStella.

Each of the seven 0.5" polymer clay doughnuts are fastened to a 7.25" silver chain bracelet and separated by turquoise and purple Swarovski crystal beads.

Very cute and well worth the $35 asking price.