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The Unexpected Findings Book Blog Tour stops here!

by Cindy on September 17, 2014

Welcome to Day 3 of the Unexpected Findings Book Blog Tour!

I am so excited to be celebrating the release of Michelle Mach’s brand new book, Michelle hits it out of the jewelry design park with this jam-packed book. She takes an in-depth look at the hardworking components that we need and use in our designs: everyday findings. What I find so inspiring is that together with her book contributors, Michelle puts a whole NEW twist on those findings.

Michelle grabs the reader right from the Introduction page with this question –

“Beads are the stars on the jewelry stage. They’re the ones twirling, singing and shouting while the findings scuttle backstage, working the lights and opening and closing the red velvet curtains. Ever wonder what would happen if their roles were reversed?”

Why yes! We could all use a fresh outlook, a little inspiration. As jewelry designers, we tend to keep a good stash of essential findings on hand. I found it fascinating to turn page after page of the book and see how Michelle and her contributors used findings in all-new ways (and are there ever such beautiful designs!). I’m thankful to Michelle for presenting this challenge to me as one of the contributors to Unexpected Findings.

Some of my favorite features you’ll find in Unexpected Findings:

A comprehensive description of jewelry findings A thorough description is provided as well as lots of photos. You’ll learn about findings you never even heard of before. I worked with one unfamiliar component in one of my projects – a pin converter!
50+ jewelry designs Complete with full-page photos and detailed project instructions. I like how Michelle also includes design variation suggestions and plenty of tips so that you can vary the project in countless ways.
Loads of resources Michelle describes the tools you’ll need, basic techniques to get started, and helpful tips learned from years of experience. Shopping resources are provided so that you can find that special bead or buy the findings you see used in the projects.

When you visit each stop on the book blog tour, you’ll get a sneak peek of many of the projects. I’m thrilled to finally share some of mine with you…. it sure seems like ages ago when I worked on these and mailed them in. I have an additional project in the book that I will leave for you to see in the book. 🙂

Vintage Revival by Cindy Wimmer

“Vintage Revival” – pin converters are used in this design both for the vintage brooch focal and for the multi-strand clasp.

Pin Converter necklace by Cindy Wimmer

In “Branching Out”, a spacer bar is used as a bail. The beautiful focal is by Heather Powers of Humblebeads.

I sure love making wire links and chain (wink, wink). In “Downtown Arts District”, I used wire S-clasps to create handmade chain that is befitting of one-of-a-kind beads. Lampwork by Shirley Zhu of Shirley Glass Beads.

Downtown Arts District by Cindy Wimmer

Thank you for joining me on the Book Blog Tour. I am so happy that Michelle Mach’s book is hitting the bookstores and is available online. It is going to be a staple reference in many studio libraries, including my own. To celebrate, Michelle is offering some fantastic prizes you’re going to love. Please join in and good luck!

Unexpected Findings Giveaway Prizes:

Grand Prize: $50 Etsy Gift Card to be used at any Etsy shop where gift cards are accepted!

First Prize: Fun with Findings Kit. Everything pictured above, plus more!

Second Prize: An “Unexpected” Mystery Pack of Findings from Michelle.

The giveaway is open to all visitors . One comment per person per blog post for a maximum of eight chances to win if you visit and comment on all eight book-related posts during the September 15-19, 2014 period.

Please help us spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Michelle will contact the winners by email this weekend (Sept. 20-21) and post the winners to her blog next week (Sept. 23). Remember to leave an email address in your comment for her to contact you, if you win.

Blog Tour Schedule – September 15-19, 2014

Monday, Sept. 15
Michelle Mach

Tuesday, Sept. 16

Lorelei Eurto
Erin Siegel

Wednesday, Sept. 17
Cindy Wimmer – You are here. 🙂
Erin Prais-Hintz

Thursday, Sept. 18
Andrew Thornton

Friday, Sept. 19
Denise Yezbak Moore
Molly Schaller

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 last Fall.

New Wirework Jewelry Tutorials in Step by Step Wire Magazine

by Cindy on July 3, 2014

Hello!

We’re rolling along swiftly into summer, wouldn’t you say? This happens every year – I cannot wait until my favorite season, and then I’m keenly aware that it is flying by. It is July somehow! If you find that you have some time amidst busy schedules and summer vacations, I have a few wirework jewelry tutorials for you!

If you’ve seen the June/July 2014 issue of Step by Step Wire, maybe you’ve already seen my wire bangle tutorial. The Twin Twirl bangle features two classic wirework techniques: spirals and coils. You can make a similar bangle with just a few tools and mixing 3 gauges of wire. Mixing the metals looks great too.

You can find the Twin Twirls bangle tutorial in Step by Step Wire – just click on the image below.

The August/September 2014 issue of Step by Step Wire is coming out already! I designed a wire link necklace for this issue. Again, all you need are basic tools and just 2 gauges of wire this time. The Inner Circle necklace features a new wire link and a rather neat variation of that link for a clasp. I still enjoy dreaming up new wire link ideas. If you’d like dozens of additional wire link ideas – my book, The Missing Link is just the jewelry design book for you.

You can find the Inner Circle tutorial by clicking on the SBS Wire image below:

Thanks for visiting & enjoy your summer!

– Cindy xo

Vintage Jewelry Love

by Cindy on February 17, 2014

Hello everyone

Thank you for stopping by today!

I suspect many of you have a thing for vintage jewelry, just like me. I am always on the look out for tarnished treasures when I’m out antiquing. Today I’m posting a round up of pretty pictures – pretty because they are full of the vintage bits and baubles and the sparkly things many of us like to collect. I like to research my jewelry pieces when I can and I’m going to share some of it with you in this post.

A few links for learning more about vintage jewelry:

* A wealth of information and research on antique and costume jewelry (under Jewel Chat)

* Dating vintage jewelry and here

* A list of manufacturers and designers with dates.

* Manufacturers, time periods and styles

* Great tips on how to date vintage jewelry

Here are a few flower bracelets and chokers, most likely from the 1950s – three are enameled and one has vintage Lucite flowers. Short necklaces and chokers were popular in this era as were matching sets (parurers). Can you just picture the outfits that were once worn with these floral pieces?

I am so drawn to old velvet. And satin. Put them together and it makes an old jewelry box irresistible. Some may see an empty, discarded box, but to me there is beauty not only in the box itself but also in the mystery of what it may have contained and for the occasion it was for…

This dark blue Felco box has a mother of pearl push-button. The gold sticker is from the jewelry shop: Milton E. Buch Jewelers, 21 North Sixth Street Reading. I can’t find any information on this shop but just felt compelled to record it for posterity. The box likely held a strand of pearls.

The very old rectangular watchcase/box on the left (above photo) is a special find. It is from a NYC “watch and jewelry house” with an interesting history. I did quite a bit of research online regarding the Benedict Bros who have a well-documented family tree. The company was founded in Wall Street by their father, Samuel Benedict around 1821. Sons Ovington and Samuel carried on the business.

The satin and velvet box on the right (above picture) is from J.M. Kreider Jewelers, Ephrata, PA. I found this one while antiquing nearby in Adamstown. Although this store closed around 1927 (and therefore I know this box is over 80+ years old), I was able to find a bit about its history thanks to the Cocalico Valley Historical Society. The proprietor, J. Monroe Kreider, operated a jewelry store in Denver prior to opening his shop in Ephrata. The PA store on 30 East Main St. was opened around 1907. It’s amazing that I have driven down this street myself many times myself.

While gathering up blue jewelry boxes for this post, I had to include my favorite. I couldn’t resist this sweet “BABY” ring and its original box when I found it back in 2011. The ring came from Gale-Ford Jewelers (Granby St. Norfolk, VA). By the hallmark inside the ring, I was able to identify the ring’s maker as Clark & Coombs – jewelry manufacturers in New England. I found that the maker’s mark (c’s in a triangle flanking an ampersand) was used until 1915.

Researching this jewelry company’s past, I found a 1917 ad that advertised not only wristwatches, but swagger sticks as well. It would make sense that being in a Navy town, this jeweler carried sticks that were once used by the military. Are you familiar with them? Not something you find in today’s jewelry store!

Yellow gold, brass and bronze are popular today – and have been throughout different periods of time. Here’s a selection of old brass chain and rhinestones – draped on top of one of my absolute favorite Victorian albums.

And before I go, one last photo. I’ve gathered a few of my latest vintage pieces that made their way home with me. Pearls with rhinestone clasps are too pretty to pass up. An empty watch face will be find new life in a future design. A beautiful gold-filled Victorian braided bracelet with tassel. Aurora Borealis rhinestone ear bobs. Did you know – Swarovski developed the “AB” effect on cut crystal together with Christian Dior in 1956? And the antique hand-held mirror….well, I’ll leave old mirrors for a future post. 🙂