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.
What a feast for the eyes, Cindy! Thanks for sharing these lovely designs, and I can hardly wait for the new issue to arrive!
Cindy! I love your wrap bracelets. Absolutely amazing how you have repurposed the vintage mesh. I’m going to have to hunt this magazine down!
Oh Cindy, these are just so pretty! Excited that your bracelets made the cover – very deserving!! Of course I love all the pearls you added into the mix – makes them perfect! (in my opinion – LOL!!) I cannot wait to look through the entire magazine and see all the fabulous designs by so many wonderfully creative people!! Congrats and I hope you have a fantastic 2014!
These wrap bracelets are so pretty, Cindy! I love the idea of using the vintage mesh as a wrap.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2014.
Maryanne
Congratulations Cindy! Love the mix of mesh and vintage – these definitely have your signature on them. And your photo styling is just perfect.
You’ve had a memorable year – here’s wishing you all the best in 2014!
Congratulations on your cover photo! That’s quite an honor. I can’t wait for my issue to arrive in the mail. I love how you used the vintage mesh pieces to make these unique pieces. And that necklace is gorgeous.
Wishing you a Happy and Successful New Year!
Congrats on being published! I was published in the same issue with etched brass pieces! I love that mesh chain and have picked up a couple of pieces too. I never thought to use it as a wrap bracelet but love that idea. I have used a piece as one side of an asymmetrical necklace too.
I also have your book, which is awesome!!!!
Happy New Year.
Marcy Antle
Congrats Cindy – these bracelets are terrific and I loved getting a chance to see more images and more info about them!
Love your Cashmere & Cocoa – wonderful links in that one too!
Glad I got to see more pictures of these. Love the wire mesh bracelet with the blue/jewel-tone beads. All of them are so pretty. Very clever use of these vintage finds!
Congratulations, Cindy! And a Cover Girl, to boot! 🙂 These bracelets are so beautiful with the vintage components and oh yes…the pearls! Love the wire mesh – would never have thought of that! But I have to say, Cashmere and Cocoa is my favorite – love the unique way that you wrapped the stones! Happy New Year!!
Wow, those bracelets are stunning! Congrats on being published 🙂 I received your Missing Links book for Christmas and I look forward to experimenting with your designs.
What an honor for you and well deserved! These mesh designs are fabulous.
Thanks for a great year of jewelry. I’ve loved reading about your jewelry adventures!
Happy New Year!
Lynda
Cindy…they did such a beautiful job of showcasing your bracelets..congratulations on the cover, and I hope you are having a lovely holiday season with your gorgeous family!!xo!!
They are stunning, Cindy! Beautiful!
I really love the vintage, romantic feel of these bracelets! that mesh chain is fantastic! congrats on featuring your work on the cover! And the monochromatic piece is stunning! I love the wire connectors you’ve created here! what a perfectly lovely necklace!
Wishing you as bountiful a 2014 as 2013 has been! congratulations to much accomplished!
Happy New Year Cindy! How wonderful to see your work on the cover of a magazine – you are creating amazing art! Here’s to another year filled with creativity and fun!
Wow, that “Cashmerer & Cocoa”– elegant and yet wearable with any outfit. I love what you do with wirework and neutrals, which are so often overlooked. Your imagination really took those repurposed mesh items and made them something special and congrats on the cover too! A great way to end/begin the years!
Congratulations on having your bracelets featured on the cover! They are absolutely stunning. The designs you created are innovative and unique. I really like the variety of materials such as suede and wire wrapping that you incorporated; they ad an intriguing dimension to the the bracelets. Congrats also on winning the wire work category at Beadazzled-that piece also is a real stunner! You are very talented Cindy and such an inspiration to the beading community. 2013 was indeed a spectacular year for you and I look forward to seeing what you accomplished in 2014!