Originally posted on vickymetzgerbarcelona (Thanks Vicky!)

For those lucky enough to go to NYC soon, I show you a paradise to which I, by profession, I love going …

Para aquellos afortunados que vayan a ir pronto, os muestro un paraiso al que a mi, por profesión, me encanta ir…

CJS Sales Ltd: Crafts, Jewelry, Supplies (Specializing In Vintage)

16 West 36th Street, 2nd floor, Between 5th and 6th ave, NY, NY 10018

elyse@cjssales.com

www.cjssales.com

5.000 square feet of vintage closeout craft and jewelry supplies: rhinestones, seed beads, cameos, beads, stones, findings, filigree, wood, plastic beads/parts (Lucite/Bakelite), chain, Swarovski, etc.

5.000 metros cuadrados de liquidación de época y suministros de joyería: pedrería, granos de semilla, camafeos, perlas, piedras, hallazgos, filigrana, madera, cuentas de plástico (Lucite / baquelita), cadena, Swarovski, etc.

Leaving NY and returning to Barcelona, also these weeks I found things that I liked.

Dejando NY y regresando a Barcelona, también estas semanas he descubierto cosas que me han gustado.

CJS Sales: A JEWELERS PARADISE IS IN MIDTOWN…This Is Part Of Our “Under-The-Radar Craft Shops” Series, To Help Vendors Find Supplies by RidgewoodMarket

Feb 5, 2014

A JEWELERS PARADISE IS IN MIDTOWN

By RidgewoodMarket | 1 Comment

This Is Part Of Our “Under-The-Radar Craft Shops” Series, To Help Vendors Find Supplies.

“Ah, so you have been here!” Elyse says. She is a lovely woman with dark hair. She noticed the necklace I was wearing. I made the necklace from parts bought from CJS Sales. It has become my favorite piece.

That was my second time to CJS Sales, (Craft Jewelry Supplies). I discovered them through word of mouth from one of my vendors, Jennifer, owner ofHey Dollface. She was at my last market. During the market, I marveled at one of Jennifer’s necklaces. I was telling her how frustrating it is to find quality vintage parts.

Jennifer leaned across the table and whispered, ”I know of this secret vintage warehouse in Midtown…”

She emails me the address and I Google their name and information. Lo and behold, I believe I found heaven! This place was a 5,000 square foot sanctuary of:

Vintage closeout bead, craft and jewelry part supplies: rhinestones, pressed glass cabochons and stones, findings, filigree, wood, plastic beads/parts, bakelite chips, chain, nailheads, lucite, Swarovski, cameos, seed beads (even 17^0’s), Venetian one hole beads/cabs, chandelier parts, etc. We specialize in liquidating vintage items/components (we also have some finished vintage costume jewelry/accessories from the 60′s-early 90′s).

The photos I found on the internet were spectacular! There was floor to ceiling vintage dead-stock brimming over boxes as though it was pirate treasure.

That night, I dreamed the most beautiful dreams of just digging through those boxes and finding the most marvelous items. I couldn’t believe a place like this existed so close.

Sometimes jet-setters come into their warehouse with a suitcase. These clientele are from all over the world and work for well known artists and designers. They basically buy a bunch of goods and have them shipped to somewhere like Los Angeles.

I didn’t have much time to talk to them the first time I was there, but the next time I visited, I was able to get a better idea about the place.

At first glance, it seems rather chaotic, but you start to realize that there is an amazing ebb an flow to the place. They give you an empty shipping box and you are supposed to fill it up like a shopping basket.

Going back to my second time, I told Elyse what I like to make, and she asked me to follow her to the room where they keep plastic jewelry pieces. To my surprise, she leapt onto a high tier of boxes and just started handing me things. (Top Photo)

How does a place like this work? It must seem overwhelming at first! Luckily, each room is full of products categorized by glass, beads, plastic, metal, vintage jewelry, and more! The room which Elyse was climbing boxes on, was in the “plastic room”, which was my favorite!

After you walk past the plastic room, you see to your left, an enchanted room full of chains piled on the floor.

On the right side of the “chain room” are boxes and boxes full of gorgeous glass beads. A few of the other rooms contain boxes full of already-made vintage jewelry, as well as a small room made out of “natural” materials, meaning clay, glass, stone, etc.

I think everyone’s most favorite room is the room full of everything metal. You can find metal charms, pins, stampings, vintage connectors, ear hooks, etc. etc. I found a ton of vintage birdcages, and bags full of copper studs from the 60′s ready to be enameled , styled mushrooms, turtles, daisies, and more.

There are so many metal jewelry parts that you have to climb over piles of it on the floor. They even have pieces hanging on the windowsill!

The front room, which you enter first, is full of more of the high-end quality types of vintage goods. I was enamored of all the vintage cameos. The quality was astounding. They also had shelves full of Swarovski crystals, Australian crystal, rhinestones, chandelier crystals, vintage high-end jewelry, and beautiful beads. They also had a few odds and ends that weren’t even jewelry at all, such as vases, purses, and headpieces.

If you are a jeweler, or even a crafter, you need to go to this place! My creativity has soared from all the innumerable options. An assemblage artist would love diving into this place.

There are a few things you need to know if you come here:

You MUST have a Tax ID!
Ask for a tour of the place. It will be worth your while!
Wear boots and clothes to get dirty, there are sharp objects on the floor.
Bring a bottle of water and a snack.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are feeing overwhelmed.
If you are not into diving into the unknown, this place is not for you.
Bring a few canvas totes with you to haul your stuff home.
If your purchases total under $100, bring cash.
Make sure you have enough time in your day to go there. My last trip was over 3 hours spent there!

Contact Info:

Their website: http://www.cjssales.com/
Facebook: fb.com/CJS.Crafts.Jewelry.Supplies.VintageWarehouse
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJS_Sales
CJS Sales Ltd.
16 West 36th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave)
2nd Floor New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 244-1400
Email: elyse@cjssales.com
Hours: M-F 9am-5pm

So what did I purchase last time I was there?

Well…you will find out at the next market!