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” – pin converters are used in this design both for the vintage brooch focal and for the multi-strand clasp.
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.
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.
Looks like a great resource guide for me to quickly purchase that will add oodles of great ideas to my beading and wiring! Thanks!
Wow this looks like a great book. Certainly has my curiosity peaked…
So exciting to see this finally come to fruition, Cindy 🙂 I am loving your designs, a sweet taste of Michelle’s book 🙂
Each day, reading the contributor’s comments and seeing what you all have done, makes me more excited to see the book. Very innovative ideas.
This looks like a super book and I can’t wait to see all the new design elements.
this is a real feast for the eyes . all this blog candy and glimpses into Michelle’s new book . I really love what you did with those pin converters. I have several that I got a deal on years ago and have used some of them for their intended purposes but i don’t have many brooches so the rest are languishing about in my findings boxes. NOW i have a new purpose for them . Love the birdy bail too, and your links necklaces is so cool (I have YOUR book and it’s frequently perused when i need ideas.
Lovely pieces, Cindy! I can’t wait to get my hands on the whole book and pour over all the lovelies inside!
Thank you, Cindy! I love the photos you took of your projects! I especially the way you used the pin converters in your Vintage Revival necklace. I know that was a very challenging finding to use in a new way and I think you knocked it out of the park!
I can hardly wait to own this book. Thank you for your contribution and the chance to win some great prizes.
Oh what cleverness lies within! I love this book. I adore the unique uses for these bits that we take for granted. I love the idea of making that pin converter into a clasp or link. I am most honored to be among people that I admire, people I stand in awe of, people who are my friends. You are one such person. So glad to be sharing this experience with you! I miss you! Hope that all is well. Enjoy the day. Erin
I love these preview photos. So many cute and clever ideas to try!
The pieces you made for this book are spectacular.
Cindy, your pieces are so refined, elegant, beautiful and expertly crafted with the up most attention to every detail with care. Your work is so seamless! One would never in a million years think that any part or component you used was intended for anything else, but exactly what you used it for. I really tried to achieve this goal with my designs as well. One of my biggest fears when working on the projects for this book was making something that looked “contrived” or “gimmicky” from trying to hard to be “clever” with the findings. When I looked through the book, I was blown away and so impressed! All of the contributors were able to use their findings in a clever way AND integrate them in a cohesive design.
Oh my goodness, I love the pin converters as spacers .. Fabulous! I also love that you made a chain .. Totally you! I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.
Congrats on your contributions, they are great! Michelle’s book looks super! Your Vintage Revival necklace made me swoon! The pearls of course, but the brooch and the entire design is just fabulous! Everything I’ve seen so far from this book is just too fun!
I am really looking forward to this book! I love to see new and fresh ways of using findings in designs and see that this book will have lots of inspiration! The designs you created are beautiful, I especially love “Dowtown arts district; very striking piece and fabulous name! What a clever way to use pin converters too! Beautifully done Cindy!
Wow, all your pieces are stunning! I really love the last one, Downtown Arts’ District, and will have to check out those beautiful glass beads! Can’t wait to see the book 🙂
Love the pieces that you made. I can not wait to see the book.
Love the idea of using findings in different ways. It looks like a great book. Congratulations.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful jewelry designs! I love graceful look of your pieces, and the attractive color palettes.
Looks like an innovative book. I love all of your work, and can’t wait to see what clever ideas will be shared. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love your innovative ideas and wonderful jewelry—especially love the spacer used as a “bird bail”. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win. 🙂
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS::::::::I want the book; now to Amazon.ca….
Beautiful pieces, Cindy. You always hit the mark with such elegance and simplicity. Brilliant idea for the converters, I know I have some of those in my stash; the spacer bar is perfect with Heather’s bead; and my fav is the chain and lampwork. Shirley’s beads are beautiful and I see she lives in my area – must seek her out! I think this book will soon be added to my collection! 🙂
What beautiful pieces! Michelle’s book sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win some great prizes!
What gorgeous designs! I can not wait to look through this book and add it to my collection!
karenra1@cox.net
Love your clever designs and congrats for being a contributor…the book is wonderful. Can’t way to see the whole book in my hands.
I absolutely love the Branching Out Necklace with that charming spacer bar used as a bail. All are beautifull and elegant pieces.
Ana
Love the spacer bar as a bailo – again a wonderfully simple but effective idea. thankyou.
Such wonderful pieces, and great ideas! Can’t wait to explore this awesome book! Thanks so much for the giveaway. Debra 🙂
Looks like the perfect book to spark some inspiration!
Pin… converters?! I had no idea there was such a thing. I must get some post haste! (kmp133@yahoo.com)
Your pieces are wonderful. It’s so fun to see great designs on the contributors’ blogs and know there are even more in the book!
The more I see in these blog book tour reveals, the more I love the whole concept and creativity. This book looks excellent!
The jewelry is beautiful. I really like the second one. You’ve really done a great job with the findings. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Such a great looking book! Love all the designs I’ve seen so far 🙂
Always looking for new inspiration and clever ideas. I am sure this book will be packed with them. Look forward to seeing what you have created. Congrats!
cevans.designs@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by everyone! I appreciate your comments and glad to hear you’re enjoying the blog book tour – I love seeing all of the inspiration along the way too.
Thankis for the sneak peek. I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on this book. What a great concept and from what I’ve seen filled with genius, inspirational ideas!
As I’m doing this hop, I’m just getting more and more excited about the book. So many wonderful designs and designers!
CraftyHope at gmail dot com
I love this website–its been a fun find! What a fun book idea! Love your clever tricks and I’m sure this is full of them! (jillimarsh at gmail dot com)
Thank you for showing some of the designs. I would love to win a copy of this book. I love your book The Missing Link. I got it as an ebook so I have it wherever I am and I am slowly working my way through it.
This looks like a great book! I love yours, by the way!
Love the layered looks! Just picked up the e-version of your Missing Link book and cannot wait to get some time to jump into some inspired projects! 🙂
Love what you did for the book. Congrats!
Love your pieces! This looks like a great book.
Great works!
Gorgeous! I’m loving this blog book tour and can’t wait to get this book!
Love these ideas and can’t wait to get my hands on this book! (All my favs seem to be in there)
Gorgeous designs, what a wonderful and inspiring book!