by Cindy on March 17, 2014
Another issue of Step by Step Wire is available – have you seen it? A friend on Instagram let me know when she received her contributor copy – and I was in for a surprise when I saw the cover. I have a wire link necklace in this issue, and it’s rather special to me because it contains fun + whimsical lampwork beads by my long-time friend, Kerry Bogert. I just knew these beads I hoarded for a few years would go to an extra special project! Kerry has a tutorial in this issue as well…. Look for her half-chevron dangly earrings! You’ll be sure to find a great variety of wire projects – check it out and let me know what you think! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! Have a fun St. Patrick’s Day and week ahead.
– Cindy xoxo
Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design. She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her first jewelry design book, The Missing Link, was recently released in the Fall.
by Cindy on January 28, 2014
Hello!
Not too long ago I sat down to create my next project for Step by Step Wire magazine. I had made twisted wire spirals that seemed to make the perfect back drop for something special. I tried stitching a few vintage mother of pearl buttons on to the spirals with thin-gauge wire. The twisted wire around the edges created a nice border. I was inspired to use some of those pretty mother of pearl buttons again that I had saved in a jar! Why wait til the summer to enjoy a little white? We’ve certainly had our share of white this winter here on the East Coast! Our snow days are all used and we’ll be borrowing from summer vacation days before long.
Do you collect mother of pearl buttons? Any two-hole button will do. Gather up a few of your favorite buttons – ceramic, lampwork, vintage or new and create twisted wire + button pendants. You can find this project in the February-March 2014 issue of Step by Step Wire.
– Oxidized spirals before being polished and added to the tumbler –
Thank you for visiting!
– Cindy xoxo
Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design. She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her first wire jewelry design book, The Missing Link, was recently released by Interweave Press.
Tagged as:
2014 Featured Artist
by Cindy on December 27, 2013
Hello!
I hope this finds you enjoying the festivities of the season!
It’s been far too long since I shared jewelry with you here so get ready for a stream of pictures! I am super excited to share this cover of Jewelry Affaire – the Winter 2014 edition due out next week. This is my first time being published in this beautiful publication and I received the biggest Christmas gift ever earlier in the week when I received my contributor copy. On the cover you’ll see a trio of bracelets I created over the summer, each featuring a vintage mesh chain. I was happy to find the beautiful work of many of my jewelry designer friends in the pages of this issue. I think you’ll be as inspired as I am when you browse through the pages in the weeks to come. I am so thankful to the JA editor, Christine Stephens, and the entire design team – especially photography, led by Johanna Love.
At artBLISS 2012, I purchased a bunch of mesh chains from Dia Daniels who brought her vintage wares to sell to fellow attendees. I was immediately drawn to the mesh chains she brought back recently from a warehouse in NYC. Maybe it was the old brass patina, maybe it was the mystery of not knowing what they were used for originally….I just knew I could use these 10 1/2″ chains for jewelry. The chain seemed too short for a necklace (although originally they may have been used as chokers with an extender chain) and too long for a bracelet. It didn’t take long to realize they could be used as a bracelet, a wrap bracelet! I personally love wrap bracelets and stacked bracelets so I had fun creating different variations. I also had fun with the jewelry photo shoot afterwards – as I’ve said before, I have just as much fun styling jewelry as I do making it!
You can really alter the look of the bracelet by adding suede, wrapped links or chain. I enjoyed the challenge of seeing how I could embellish the chain and add character with the beads and vintage findings in my own stash.
I recently made another wrap bracelet and listed it in my Etsy shop here. This one features a special vintage earbob – adorned with black beads and sparkly crystal. I added a mix of onyx, brass, Swarovski and labradorite beads to lengthen the bracelet.
Here’s another project featured in the Winter JA issue – “Cashmere & Cocoa”. This one is special to me. Earlier in the Spring my friend Vicki let me know about a series of jewelry color competitions at a local bead store, Beadazzled. The challenge focused on monochromatic design. I had never entered a jewelry competition before but happened to enjoy working with monochromatic colors. My focus was on finding ways to add interest by texture, shapes and by using wirework. I was excited to win the wirework category and received a generous gift certificate to the store.
I am very grateful to close 2013 feeling that I have accomplished many good things. I am especially thankful for the support and friendship of an amazing jewelry community – mentors and friends alike. Thank you to all who stop by this site – you are so appreciated. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and Happy New Year!
– Cindy xoxo
Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design. She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her first jewelry design book, The Missing Link, was recently released this Fall.
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