Fuck! is the tournament over? i was in Vancouver with my lady for 5 weeks trying to get her visa squared for all of March. I missed the entire tourney! How about Corey Brewer though! Gators killed it. last time there were 2 in a row my man Bobby Hurley from St. Anthonys put it down. Jersey is a basketball powerhouse... like it's bretheren, NYC. So I first remember seeing your rings some time in December of 05' when they got them in this store I was working at on Orchard St. I thought to myself, "those shits are a beast" (no pun intended).

When did you start designing jewelry and what tempted you to go into untamed territory?

I was blessed by a friend of my mother's with two eighties 14k rings one day. He asked me, "are you into these"? real canal street jems - a horse and tiger. I wore these pieces and they started turning heads. I figured if these lackluster pieces could cause commotion, what if I did my own unique take on the animal kingdom and went more sophisticated, more classic, better. I always had love for gold jewelry from the likes of Rakim, Slick Rick, and most recently, Ghost. I have some fronts I made years ago with gold leftover from my grandmothers bridgework from the 40's. When she was cremated, all that was left were her bones and her teeth with the gold. Ryan in Irish means little king, so I had them engraved with that. They are my most prized pieces. __ Did you have any pets when you were young? Did you get halfway through a veterinarian degree and decide to just make animals instead of healing them?__

No vet degree as i couldn't concentrate in school. I had a lot of trouble following the rules. I had a crazy terrier when i was younger who also had trouble following the rules as well - ate half my friends. Lucky to not have to put him down - nature took care of that. __ There is some serious meticulous detail on those pieces... how long does it take you to create a mold and/or one piece?__

The pieces generally take 3-4 days of solid work, sometimes more. I'll start by giving my man a sketch or an image. We then meet throughout the carving process to make sure all is turning out as intended. I then have a production house in the 30's on the west side of Manhattan where i make my molds. __ How did you get into making jewelry in the first place? School, homies, watching Mr Wizard?__

The rings are predators and I do pendants of prey which correlate. the pieces are hand carved by a dear friend. He is the best sculptor I have ever come across. Self taught which means everything to me. I saw what I wanted in my head and from there I had to find the right people to help me get it done. we are on the same page and it shows in the pieces.

__So do the rings come in a variety of sizes or do the sizes coincide with the designs? For example, if you have small hands you can only get the frog and the mouse? __ I make a large version and a small version of each animal anyway. I did not want to exclude anyone's preference. The large is more of a cocktail piece, a standout. You can't help but notice them due to their size and uniqueness. The smaller versions are a bit more subtle but just as fetching. __ Do you use standard ring sizes or is it just on some small, medium and large vibe?__

They can be cast in any size large or small. standard ring sizes or custom, if necessary. I try and go the extra mile. __ Do you make sizes to order? __ Each ring is made to order. __

Do you listen to any particular music when you work? What's in your Ipod now?__

Damn man, I had to leave the love of my life in Canada while she awaits her visa. I've been listening to stuff that reminds me of her and music that we listened to together: Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkle, Bruce Springsteen, Cass McCombs, Lou Reed, The Beatles, The Stones, Trex, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Damien Jurado, The Velvet Underground, The Animals, Nas, Kool G Rap, Group Home, Smif 'n' Wessun, Ghostface, Rakim, Redman. There is more but of the same good stuff. __ So who are some of your celebrity "clientele"? Have you been commissioned to do any exclusive pieces? __ Funny you ask. i've haven't gone out and tried to land big names - it's not really my way. i just try and focus on making beautiful things and let the rest just happen. My friend, Chloe, wore some frogs to an event in L.A. and I've had some commissions from artists in NYC. I did just finish doing a full hand sculpture of a camel for a sheik in Dubai. Very glamarous. Basically a full hand piece. A magazine named ALEF will debut them. It is Prince's magazine (Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, Prince that is.) It is a high end publication which dictates art and fashion in the middle east. I am really pleased with the way they turned out. __ What other artists, jewelers, musicians, designers, ballers, haters, etc. are really doing it for you right now?__

Who's doing it for me right now... A super intelligent and beautiful artist named Aurel Schmidt. She is the most inspiring person I know. She turns me on in every way and her talent and vision are impeccable. She is the best... my better half.

__Where can we get some of your pieces at right now? Cause I know I wants one! __ GerardTully is selling at Opening Ceremony and Barneys in NYC, Colette in Paris, Comme des Garcons in London. Quartier 206 in Berlin. and a slew of other places across the globe. I am trying to build the name, create an identity... slow and steady wins the race __ I don't know if you were born and raised in NYC or its outlying areas, but living here now do you find NYC inspiring and exciting?__

i was born in NYC at St. Vincents in the West Village. My family moved across the river to New Jehru when I was 3. I went to school in Jersey City in the 80's which was a hard town. I fought to get back here to NYC ever since. I'm a true mix between NYC and Dirty Jersey. I have love and great appreciation for both. the duality is what inspires me. New York is New York to me. it is definitely changing though, i.e. You can hardly go skating anywhere anymore. Spots are all patrolled or gone. It is sad. Unfortunately the city is losing it's individuality to the quick and easy dollar. Cheap modern architecture to the Disney version of Times Square. everyone is simply after the easy way. The generic way. the road most traveled. certain aspects definitely suck, though it is still the center of the world for me. You can do anything here at any time. You just have to want it. it is my home.The cultural epicenter.

__ What did you wear today?__

Today i wore my girls jumper and my og air jordan white 3's that say nike air on the back. A perfect sunday of comfort. No leaving the house. There was a monsoon here today. I can still smell her scent on the outfit and that is what got me. Next thing I know I had it on. Another week or so at least before she is back. I'm losing it here and cross dressing as a result. Fuck man! lucky I'm secure with myself! __