Marci; just an opinion. India is the worlds leading brass exporter but you do NOT want brass. Bronze would be ideal, but is very expensive....if you're not too concerned over cost go with bronze. Silver would be a nice second option and there are various techniques to get that "aged" look. Good luck!

You also have to think about the manufacturing process. For example, a dish rack almost has to be stainless steel to avoid rusting. Practically this limits you to using small diameter rods, bending them, and spot welding. These parameters affect your design. (BTW I saw a beautiful modern fruit bowl made from a single stainless rod bent into a continuous spiral to form the base and the bowl).

On the other hand napkin rings are made from flat sheet that is rolled into a cylinder or folded into a rectangle. Depending on your design (closed or open) they could be welded, silver soldered, or brazed together. You would probably cut, etch, or stamp a design in the flat stock before it is rolled. And why do napkin rings have to be rust proof? I have a collection of sterling silver napkin rings and they tarnish unless you polish them regularly or lacquer them. A good lacquer finish would let you use brass, copper, or mild steel as well as stainless.

Finally this is a welding forum so you will get replies from welders. But many objects, including napkin rings, can be cast. This is a relatively expensive process but gives tremendous freedom in the design. If you are selling high end objects then the cost of casting would not be a problem.