Sweet Bead Studio — Handcrafted jewelry by Cindy Wimmer

I heart Mother of pearl

by Cindy on February 6, 2011

Hello!

If you’ve stopped by in the past, you already know that making jewelry is not my only obsession interest. I’m an antiquing die-hard and bring my camera with me as a rule. So I had the idea recently, why not share a little about the things that I like to search for….those special little treasures that have me looking high and low as soon as I step foot in an antique shop. Although the list is constantly growing, my husband and kids know exactly what these are and join in the challenge. My 2 year old son doesn’t quite understand what Victorian albums are yet, so he’s excited to call out “Mickey Mouse!” when he sees one. Yes, there are plenty of vintage Mickey paraphernalia to be found (for you Disney fans!). I’ll be writing “I heart” posts on my many collections in the future.

When I saw the cover of the Jan/Feb issue of Victoria, I picked it up right away. I haven’t bought this magazine in some time, maybe because I’ve cut back on magazines due to a lack of time. Years ago, around my college days, I was a big fan of this Victoria. Some of the magazine was a bit stuffy for me, but overall there was just something romantic and dreamy that had me turning the pages. Recently is was the mother of pearl cover that drew me in. I love the iridescence and the warm glow that you find in old mother of pearl pieces. Here are a few favorites in my collection…

vintage-mother-of-pearl_bel

I’d love to hear what you *heart*. Recently Beth Bricker of Vintage Sweets shared her collection of engraved spoons in this wonderful post. You’ll have to visit and see what she planned to do with them (what a fantastic idea!). I found myself ooohing and aahing over Beth’s collection, finding it impossible to resist something so sentimental when mixed with tarnished silver. I think I’ll be on the lookout for engraved spoons too, thanks to Beth! 🙂

*In case you’re stopping by for the first time, please visit this post for a chance to win a copy of Wire Style 2! You still have time to enter……I’ll draw the winner after 11:00 am EST on Monday!

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Hot off the press: Wire Style 2 {and a give away!}

by Cindy on February 2, 2011

I am so thrilled to introduce Wire Style 2, a brand new book full of inspiration from NINE top jewelry designers, complete with an instructional DVD. Wire Style 2 by Denise Peck is packed with 45 new and phenomenal wire designs! You may know Denise as the remarkable editor of Step by Step Wire magazine, and author of 101 Wire Earrings and Wire Style. And in even more news, Denise is the coauthor of Handcrafted Wire Findings due out this June!

Being asked to contribute to Wire Style 2 was certainly a personal dream come true for me. I am humbled to be in the company of 8 exceptional jewelry artists. Among the contributors are Kerry Bogert, Jodi Bombardier, Jane Dickerson, Lorelei Eurto, Connie Fox, Lisa Niven Kelly and Donna Spadafore – most are authors of their own jewelry design books. One of my favorite features about Wire Style 2 is the wide array of styles that can be found inside. From fine coiling and detail work, to textured metal and oxidized wire, you’ll find something sure to catch your eye (and have you grabbing your spool of wire and trusty pliers). Beginners and seasoned wire workers alike can draw fresh inspiration from this collection of designs.

I am proud to have 11 designs in Wire Style 2. Are you ready for a preview? In “Change of Heart”, I created a design that I would consider my signature style. If you’ve ever wanted to create a bangle using heavy-gauge wire as a base (and add a couple layers of coiled wire), this is a fantastic project for you! Oxidizing the finished piece and tumble polishing are my secrets to a knock-out piece. You can use anything for the focal bead, from your favorite Thai silver bead to that lampwork focal you’ve been hoarding.

I made another just for this book preview, available in my Etsy shop just in time for Valentine’s Day…. or any day you feel like wearing your heart on your sleeve:

While you’re working with heavier-gauge wire, how about learning a brand new link? “Encircled” is a lesson in simplicity and repitition; a project allowing you the opportunity to perfect the spiraling technique. Again, all you need is wire and a single focal bead! The lampwork focal in this piece is by Jena Fulcher.

I had fun making another for my shop, this one features a lampwork focal by Deronda Designs:

If you love vintage-inspired jewelry and have a collection of bits and bobs, you just might want to try “Dreaming in Sepia”. With a simple spiral design, learn to create a charm holder for all of your special treasures.

dreaming-in-sepia_1

One of the highlights for me in designing jewelry for Wire Style 2 was the opportunity to collaborate with fellow jewelry designers, personal friends whose work I greatly admire. Look inside the book to see how you can highlight special art beads with three gauges of wire. I worked with Christine Damm’s exceptional polymer clay beads in “Fallen to Earth”. I was also so excited at the opportunity to design a long, classic necklace featuring the lampwork beads of my long-time friend,Kerry Bogert. In “Collector’s Club”, you can combine your favorite collection of wirework links with a cherished collection of beads! This just might be my favorite piece in the book as it represents years of friendship and support from someone who has been with me since I did my very first craft show and was brand new to wire working. Who would have guessed that we would collaborate like this one day back when we met on the Bead and Button forum online? 🙂

Speaking of Kerry, you’ll want to stop on over to KABS Creative Concepts now and see her FABULOUS pieces as a second-time contributor to Wire Style 2! You’ll learn so many new techniques when you give her cutting-edge projects a try.

…..Now on to the GIVEAWAY!!! Would you like to win your own copy of Wire Style 2?? Simply leave me a comment to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of this must-have book! *The deadline to enter is February 7th, 10:00 a.m. EST. The winner will be announced later that day!

Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!

*Update* The drawing is now closed. Thank you for your interest!

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Good things are coming!

by Cindy on February 1, 2011

1. Jack Rabbit! Say this first thing on the first of the month for good luck! I know it’s silly, and I really can’t remember how it originated. All I know is became a tradition in my middle school/high school years while living in Germany. It has stuck since.

2. I received my “bead soup” from my Bead Soup Blog party partner, Amanda Davie over the weekend. Let me tell you this package is super heavy and was full – and I mean full – of individual baggies filled with treasures. Each and every bead and component came with a handwritten label. I am thrilled with my soup! This will be a challenge for me but a fun challenge for sure (party date is Feb. 26th).

3. A few new pieces of jewelry are coming to my Etsy shop. I’m not even going to link to my shop right there in that sentence because the cupboards are bare now. I’m talking my old-school wirework kind of jewelry with a new twist.

4. Stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY along with a big show and tell. Coming VERY soon, so check back!

Have a great day and THANK you for stopping by! 🙂