Reckless Beading: NOVEMBER BEAD ADVENTURE - CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse) www.cjssales.com

Reckless Beading: NOVEMBER BEAD ADVENTURE: I am supposed to be packing for my classes at the Innovative Beads Expo in Fishkill, NY this weekend, but I had to tell you about part of ou…

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

NOVEMBER BEAD ADVENTURE

I am supposed to be packing for my classes at the Innovative Beads Expo in Fishkill, NY this weekend, but I had to tell you about part of our visit with our friend Stephney Hornblow last week.

First stop was CJS Sales, where Stephney found a lovely Judith Lieber clutch bag and a few Czech beads.

Stephney digging through the plethora of boxes.


After that, we stopped for lunch and looked at the Christmas windows at Lord & Taylor.  I will take photos later--no spoilers for our annual window tour.  We had our photo taken by one of L&T's windows; yes, you read that right.  Lord & Taylor has an interactive window that takes your photo and texts you a link to it online.

The photo of us taken by the L&T window.

After that fun, we stopped at York Beads to visit (another word for shopping) with Perry Bookstein.  Imagine my surprise when Maureen Chin tapped me on the elbow!  She was visiting her family and just happened to be shopping in York, as well.

Me, Stephney, Perry, and Maureen at York Beads

Stepheny had fun shopping for beads that she can't get in England.  Having just placed a wholesale order, I didn't get much but we both walked out with some of the lovely aged stripe beads...

Aged stripe bead


...and a new dvd with 3 patterns by Kerrie Slade that use beads from York Beads.

Dvd with 3 of Kerrie Slade's fun designs

     On Wednesday, we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the Jewels by JAR exhibit.  If you are in NYC, run--do not walk-- to see this exhibit.  Unfortunately, you can't take photos of the jewelry and the one catalogue that you really want is $1400.  Well, it is 2 volumes.  The pieces in this exhibit are so stunning that our visit to Tiffany's on Friday was terrible disappointing in comparison.

I did take a few photos of the Met's annual Christmas tree with the baroque angels and nativity figures.  Too bad, you couldn't get any closer.

 Our bead adventure continued on the weekend when we drove up to the Corning Museum of Glass, but that story is for another day.  Now I must get back to packing.

THE TOP SECRET WAREHOUSE WHERE VENESSA ARIZAGA FINDS INSPIRATION - OPENING CEREMONY

THE TOP SECRET WAREHOUSE WHERE VENESSA ARIZAGA FINDS INSPIRATION - OPENING CEREMONY

Venessa rummaging through CJS: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)SO. AMAZING.All. Gold. Everything. Patricia digs for buried treasures 

Mon, December 9, 2013

OCA LA MODE

The Top Secret Warehouse Where Venessa Arizaga Finds Inspiration

by ALICE NEWELL-HANSON

The mission: to find inspiration pieces for VENESSA ARIZAGA's Fall/Winter 2014 collection. The destination: CJS, a wholesale vintage jewelry warehouse in New York's garment district, whose owners' only requirement for entry is that you know what the hell you're doing (and "wholesale to the trade only!").

Looking at the place, however, "open sesame" seems like a more appropriate password. Gold chains drip from the walls, glittering beads spill out of boxes stacked in heaping mounds, and in some rooms you actually have to walk over a crunchy carpet of metal trinkets, rings, and more that have spilled onto the floor. The whole place was separated into rooms, with one of the best being the metal rooms, which looked like scenes from Aladdin.

Venessa has been frequenting this bejeweled spot for around five years to find unique pieces for her collections. "It's amazing what you can find here," she said, referring to CJS's massive collection of vintage Swarovski stones (Venessa's favorite) or the bundles of plastic pieces from former West Germany. "You can find things that are a hundred years old." In addition to this wonderland of vintage, Venessa sources materials from all over the globe: the ceramic charms are custom-made for her in Mexico and Peru, while her chains come from Massachusetts. Although she does pick up bulk jewels to use in her collections, not everything will make it into production. She said of some pieces she found, "I'm not going to do anything with this but it's cool for inspiration, to see the mix of textures and the things they would produce in the 70s. Even when you don't have a direction, it's good to come here and find color, shapes, or different metals."

So what's happening in the upcoming seasons? Venessa's decided to change it up a bit: "I've done years of bright, fun colors, and I wanted to do a neutral palette. My goal is to stay strict and create a neutral-toned world, while still incorporating charms, crochet, and sewing. And it's about creating the perfect price point for gifts." Her creative director Patricia Hermogenes, a recent Parsons graduate, has a similar mindset which will help keep Venessa to her word. When asked about her aesthetic, Patricia said, "I want to make sure I design things that people can wear everyday. Simple, not over the top." An admirable goal, given how hard it is not overdose on the amazing, vintage pieces in the labyrinth of CJS stock.

Shop all Venessa Arizaga HERE.

Photos by James Parker III.

FILED UNDER: VENESSA ARIZAGA , PATRICIA HERMOGENES ,CJS , STUDIO VISIT , JAMES PARKER

We started off by taking them to our little known treasure trove in NYC called CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)

http://suzeweinberg.typepad.com/suzeblogz/2013/10/a-day-in-the-life.html
A Day in the Life....
of Cheryl and Suze (and Ken and The Lenster !)

Where do I start....is there even enough room to go into any detail?



So, Cheryl (Darrow, for those who might live under a rock....co-owner of Ten Seconds Studio, Dallas, TX !), was coming to NYC for hers and Kens anniversary...for a week.

The Lenster and I met up with them for a day of schlepping, shopping and eating.

**************

We started off by taking them to our little known treasure trove in NYC called CJS Sales. You'd never find it unless you KNOW about it. I KNOW THESE THINGS !!! I learned it from my Aussie friend Jen Crossley!!

Well....Cheryl nearly fell on her face when the elevator door opened and she saw THIS



YES...you walk through and over and into piles & piles and piles of F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S STUFF !

Chain, beads, rhinestones, purses, pearls, buttons, lucite, plastic, connectors, OH..what the hey...everything is there...



you just have to weed through it. That is half the fun. That is ALL the fun...come prepared...last time we went we brought a suitcase with us, BUT, they will ship !!

When you arrive David gives you the guided tour...pay attention to it..



and you'll get boxes you can fill up, as if this would ever be a problem!



then...you're OFF & running !





and climbing..



and searching and digging and sneezing (oh yes, dust) , but having the BEST time.



and, when you're all done you just wanna die from all the excitment you've had and the hours of fun moving boxes and sorting through stuff. Like a kid in a giant candy store. Thank you Elyse for another great experience at CJS !



**********

Orion's Rose: Shopping in New York City

Orion's Rose: Shopping in New York City: Last week I hopped on a train, the Amtrack Carolinan 80, and went up to New York City for my first ever trip to the Big Apple..I found this bead shopping in New York article, which told me where to look--

the bead places in the big apple are on 36th, 37th, and 38th streets, between 6th and 6th Ave.

I went to a ten-story warehouse owned by Carl on 38th ave.

According to the article, he owns the entire building and has been in the bead business

since he was 16.

I got off the 2nd floor elevator and saw this...

Are you completely amazed?

I was.

I've read about this place--stacks of VINTAGE glass beads five feet high and five feet deep.

Carl met us at the door and gave us a brief tour.

There were rooms of metal chain and findings, pearls, semi-precious gemstones, and two rooms for vintage glass beads--one is very pricey, one is not so expensive.

Here you buy by the pound.

Carl's daughter and "grandma" were there working, packing up orders and weighing beads.

Carl handed me a cardboard box, smiled, and said, "Enjoy".

I spent alot of time in this corner, which had the less expensive vintage beads.

Of course, I started in the most EXPENSIVE Vintage glass beads pile...

Carl handed me this and I died...

Then he handed me this, clear glass crystals from Austria!

I helped myself to more vintage beads in the high cost pile. Who could resist? As you can see, I'm a bit nuts over purple and green beads...

So, I wandered next into the PEARL room.  I found these delicious button shaped pearls.

Most of the strands are very long!

Finally, in a remote corner, I went exploring for more vintage glass beads and found these gems.

The beads come packaged already in small to medium clear packages.

This makes them easy to toss inside your cardboard box!

Most beads came assembled in large hanks. Trust me, you get your moneys worth. However, some bead treasures are loose inside the packages. I took these home with me. I'm a bit nuts over the dark green ones!

When I came home, my ragdoll cat Abigail was waiting. She loves beads.

So, if you are going to NEW YORK CITY any time soon AND if you have a wholesale business license for your bead habit, visit CJS Sales Warehouse. Ask for Carl.

Wear old clothes.

Be ready to get dirty... and very happy.

Bead Shop Shopping Spree - Bead&Button Magazine

Bead Shop Shopping Spree - Bead&Button Magazine

Bead Shop Shopping Spree

Got to www.BeadAndButton.com/CJS during September and October and tell us the name and location of your favorite bead shop. At the end of October, we will randomly select one store from all the entries to win a $5000 shopping spree at CJS Sales: Craft, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse) in New York City! The winning store will also receive a travel voucher from Kalmbach Publishing for up to $500 to defray the cost of transportation. Please read the official rules below.

Published: August 23, 2013

.: Brooklyn. (& a little Manhattan)

.: Brooklyn. (& a little Manhattan): So happy to be participating in multiple  Renegade Craft Fairs this summer (LA, SF & Chicago com...

Thanks Arlie! "walking on metal jewelry findings - CJS Sales is an overflowing (and overwhelming) supply store in Manhattan"

Bead and Button August 2013 CJS...A Jewelry Designer's Paradise in NYC!

Click to read article

Brought in truck load! Come Dig!...Vintage Stones, Art Deco Rhinestones, Nouveau Cabochons, Vintage Cameos, Antique Beads, Found Objects, Rare Chain, Unusual Components, Old Swarovski and more! (Venetian, Japan, Austrian, Etc)...www.cjssales.com

Brought in truck load! Come Dig!...Vintage Stones, Art Deco Rhinestones, Nouveau Cabochons, Vintage Cameos,
Antique Beads, Found Objects,
Rare Chain, Unusual Components, Old Swarovski
and more! (Venetian, Japan, Austrian, Etc)...www.cjssales.com

CNN The Next List films at CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)!!

CNN The Next List films at CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)!! Airs this Sunday at 2:30pm ET only on CNN. Diana Eng is a fashion designer (Project Runway 2nd season) who gets her inspiration from shopping at CJS! http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/high-tech-meets-high-fashion/   Please watch! Thank you, Elyse

CNN The Next List films at CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)!!  Airs this Sunday at 2:30pm ET only on CNN. Diana Eng is a fashion designer (Project Runway 2nd season) who gets her inspiration from shopping at CJS! http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/high-tech-meets-high-fashion/
Please watch!  Thanks, Elyse
www.cjssales.com

Hoarders of the Glittery Kind

http://suzeweinberg.typepad.com/suzeblogz/2013/02/hoarders-of-the-glittery-kind.html

you know the lyrics….

“All my bags are packed I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door…..”

and I’m excitedly waiting to take the elevator to the 2nd floor..

***********

The minute you step off the elevator you’re in the HEADQUARTERS of CJS Importers, wholesale distributor of all things metal, glittery and vintage owned by father/daughter
Carl Schimel * Elyse Schimel

and…. you’re in the land of boxes…floor to ceiling boxes…

are you looking for pearls? Swarovski crystals? chain? brass?metal ?…it’s all there…you have all day to look through the boxes and navigate your way around all the clutter but you can’t get in without a wholesale/resale tax ID, so don’t rush there without these.

also….be prepared to get dirty & dusty and step over all sorts of glittery stuff !

cause it’s EVERYWHERE !!!!

what would I do without my trusty helper/schlepper !!
The Lenster could reach all those hard to get to places

the staff is packin’ up and getting our order ready for purchase…

you buy by either the gross or the pound..I took home a ton of vintage crystals…it took my breath away !

and, because we were clever enough to bring along a small suitcase, we didn’t have to lug the 30 pounds of “STUFF” around Manhattan !

we got back on the train

and began unpacking it all when we got home

I only showed you a tiny portion…It’ll take days to sort it all out.

Life is such a GLITTERY hardship !!!

CJS Sales: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Vintage Warehouse)

www.cjssales.com

17 Apart: Secret New York City Jewelry Supply Warehouse: CJS...

Mary and Tim...I loved your blog post!
17 Apart: Secret New York City Jewelry Supply Warehouse: CJS...: I promised a post about one of my go-to wholesale jewelry supply warehouses in NYC and today I'm giving you the full run down! Some of my ...

Katie + Janet Go Vintage Sourcing

Katie + Janet Go Vintage Sourcing
https://www.forthemakers.com/posts/katie-janet-go-vintage-sourcing-at-cjs
Katie + Janet Go Vintage Sourcing
Sometimes people ask us if we really mean vintage when we say something in the box is vintage. We really do! Today we're taking you behind the scenes to one of our favorite (sort of secret) spots, to find vintage components for projects.

CJS is owned by the hilarious and helpful father/daughter team of Carl Schimel and Elyse Schimel. It's only open for wholesale and it's literally 5,000sq ft of boxes stacked 5ft high but if you can get past that, this place is a serious gem. Some of our favorite jewelry designers come here to pick up components for collections that will end up in Barney's and even Vogue. Our typical experience at CJS goes about like this:

1. Work up the courage to go up there.

2. Have lunch. Buy a giant coffee and usually a giant cookie to go with it.

3. Start poking around in boxes. Elyse shows us 150 things she thinks we'd like.

4. Find one of something we love and spend an hour trying to find more only to give up.

5. Find 8 things that could work and plead our case with each other about why our favorite is the prettiest. We hunt for a few thousand of the winning piece while sitting on the floor eating our cookies that we're super glad we brought about now.

6. Leave when they're closing up for the night.

7. Find a pub and have a beer while we look at our loot.

Then Elyse usually calls us about two weeks later saying she found more of the original component we were looking for.https://www.forthemakers.com/posts/katie-janet-go-vintage-sourcing-at-cjs

Katie + Janet Go Vintage Sourcing

Katie + Janet Go Vintage Sourcing