Comments on: Boho; Bohemian Jewelry Supplies: Where Can I Find Them?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:25:03 +0000

Many of the boho looking brass findings are available from easternfindings.com .
They can be waxed with colored patina waxes, alcohol paints from Vintaj which can be purchased on Etsy, local craft stores.

Local thrift shops, Goodwill, Salvation Army can also be great sources for finding vintage jewelry, bits and bobs.

By: Linda Herd

Linda Herd — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:26:20 +0000

You should check out CJS in New York City. It’s a jam-packed, overwhelming place with tons of funky stuff. Vintage beads, jewelry components, and chain are among the things you’ll find. Most everything is sold weight, i.e., the pound. It’s worth the trip, believe me. The owner is Carl Schimmel. You can Google him and his daughter, Elise Schimmel. She’s on FB, too, and you can follow her for online sales. Going there is a true experience. It’s one of Denise Peck’s favorite places to find treasures. In case you don’t know Denise, she is the author of several jewelry books, an instructor, silversmith, former editor, and an amazing person.

By: Judithanne

Judithanne — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:24:54 +0000

Also at thrift stores, see if they have bottles or vases full of jewelry. These are usually between $15 and $20 but can be higher. You can see what is inside, at least partly. Go for the one that don’t have the glued-together mardi gras beads and are heavier. The heavier ones indicate metal and/or glass beads instead of plastic. I have found lots of goodies in these for jewelry making but also a Movado Museum watch.

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:51:30 +0000

Hi Carolyn. I also do boho jewelry, and all the replies you’ve received are wonderful suggestions. I do estate and garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores — sometimes purchasing a necklace for ONE particular bead or component only. I have hit the motherlode with a local shop in a Chicago suburb. This woman buys and sells high end estate jewelry, but also buys good costume jewelry in bulk. It’s piled high on tables in her shop and I spend literally hours going through the stash. So much fun.

Just wanted to add one suggestion — don’t overlook hardware stores. They contain all kinds of metal components that can be incorporated in jewelry. Good luck and have fun!

By: Michelle Maple

Michelle Maple — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:21:09 +0000

In reply to Moogie.

Thanks for the info Moogie!!
I have already placed my orders! 🙂
Michelle

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:18:27 +0000

I have found my best bohemian supplies at flea markets and community tag sales. Since I live in the Northeast, the best seasons for these markets is spring, summer, and fall. Sometimes I have to pick through a lot of plastic junk to find a couple of treasures, but I have hit upon bulk buys where even the vendor doesn’t know what’s there. Also, church and community thrift shops can be a good source of this stuff. Someone out there is throwing out jewelry and components from the 1960’s (my era!!) which will be your treasure. Best of luck hunting!

By: Moogie

Moogie — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:21:12 +0000

Here are 2 shops I have purchased metal components from that are reasonably priced. I love the look of filigree, any kind of brass, antique silver, actually all the metal finishes. Along with the other great ideas, you might find pieces here to work for your jewelry. Send Rena pics of your finished work!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageBrassShop?ref=pr2018_faveshops

https://vintagejewelrysupplies.com

By: Svetla

Svetla — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:27:35 +0000

Hello!
And I like this style BOHO 🙂
And crafted leather accessories in this style.
Welcome!
Svetla

By: Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:04:53 +0000

Wow, thanks for posting all your great suggestions, Tamara. This resurgence of Bohemian style is a real boon to jewelry designers. A little of this and a little of that. Seems to be lots of mixing leather, fabric, chain, metals, and other stringing materials. Let your own design eye be your guide.

There are some wonderful designers out there who have a definite gift for this style. I’d do a google search for Boho style jewelry and study them. See what you like and go for it. Also, google asymmetry jewelry design and see what you get. If you study them, you’ll begin to see some guidelines about odds, balance of ‘weight’, and unique, interesting color palettes.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:38:54 +0000

Hi Carolyn,

I have a few suggestions for you because I do that style as well (actually, more to the point, I am that style) and absolutely love it! First, look in your own home. For instance, this past weekend I cleaned out my closet, and ended up with a pile of garments that had elements that I could use for jewellery – lace, cool or pretty buttons, appliques, ribbons or ties, etc. The recycling element to that is so cool, too – the jewellery you make will probably pay you back the price of the garment, or you have jewellery instead of a top.

Also, look for bits of pretty paper from magazines, unwanted books, wallpaper, cards, etc. Maybe elements from another interest you might have. For example, I’m a floral designer as well, and floral supplies end up incorporated in my jewellery. These are just a few examples, to get you looking creatively around your house.

Look outside as well. Maybe there’s a nature element you’d like to incorporate – you could dry a flower, or wrap a pretty stone, or a shell from the beach. These are all free supplies, and the bohemian style really lends itself to that.

Next, I would recommend scouting secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, and the like. That’s where I buy most of my supplies, unless there’s something particular that I need, or a store has a really good sale.

I know there are websites that sell cool bohemian elements, and you could do a search for that if you wanted to. I can’t recommend any in particular because I just get my supplies locally.

Also, look in different kinds of stores for goodies – fabric stores, hardware stores, dept. stores, etc. Just keep your eyes open as you shop for other things. You never know what you’ll find, and often at a very good price.

The boho style is mostly about mixing elements that you love in a fun, carefree, creative and casual way. It’s very individual. I like to combine natural elements (wooden beads, semi-precious stones) with textile elements (lace, ribbon), and then the piece is usually never finished for me unless there is a bit of shine or sparkle, maybe a few crystals thrown in for good measure. That’s my style. Maybe yours would be more rustic, or use different elements than I’ve suggested. Maybe you would like to incorporate wirework into your pieces.

I hope I’ve given you some suggestions to get you started, and some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

I’d love to see what you come up with, if you’d like to share it here. Have fun!