Digging Through the Jewels of the Past to Bring Customers a Morsel of Nostalgia

One morning several weeks ago, Libby Diament prowled through the CJS Sales warehouse, in New York’s garment center, a cardboard box tucked under her arm. Ms. Diament, a jewelry designer based in Washington, D.C., uses vintage parts in her Diament Jewelry line, and she was at CJS Sales, a wholesale liquidator, looking for inspiration in the cartons crammed with closeout crystals, cameos and other components acquired from companies that had gone out of business.

A Treasure Trove for the Vintage and the Unusual

Carl and Elyse Schimel specialize in the vintage and the unusual. Their warehouse, CJS Sales, is stacked floor to ceiling with boxes of vintage deadstock jewelry and accessory making components. The father and daughter team opened the business in 2002 and is called a treasure trove by many designers not only because of their magnificent finds but because they literally must dig for their wares.

Baubles, Bangles & Beads: CJS Sales, A Designers Kismet

All those “baubles, bangles, bright, shiny beads, sparkles, spangles” that make designers’ hearts sing to likely come from one of New York’s best-kept secrets, CJS Sales.

*(Photo by Peter Sakas)

Bauble Heads

For Their New Jewelry Collection, Chris Benz And Lisa Salzer Play Finders, Keepers

Great minds think alike, especially when it comes to collaborations. When Chris Benz, the fledgling New York designer who, in just one year, has garnered much praise for his flair for color, met Lisa Salzer, the mind behind the reworked vintage jewelry label, Lulu Frost, it was apparent that the two had plenty in common. Both are in their mid-twenties, on the verge of major success, and, as children of the ‘80s, they share an unapologetic love of neon.

A Jewelry Designer’s Paradise In New York City

CJS Sales… I had been warned to expect the unexpected… As owners Carl Schimel and his daughter Elyse guided us through 5,000 square feet of crystals, beads, chain, findings, filigree, buttons, jewelry molds, Venetian glass, and even finished vintage jewelry pieces, I saw that, indeed, glittering bits and bobs were sprinkled about the floor.

Jewelry Making Supplies: Treasure Hunting for Vintage Metal Stampings, Crystals, Chain & More in NYC

After Bead Fest Summer in Philly back in August, Beading Daily editor Tammy Honaman and I had a very special invitation to visit CJS Sales in New York City for the ultimate shopping spree for jewelry making supplies.

CJS Sales In New York City A Designers Quarry

Imagine chatting about the history and future of jewelry design while sitting in a warehouse stacked floor to ceiling with boxes upon boxes of mostly vintage beads and jewelry making components. What an astounding wonderland of inspiration! I met with Carl and Elyse Schimel, co-owners of CJS Sales in New York City, one of my favorite places to head for a creative boost.

THE NEW CJS IS OPEN! MUST SEE WHOLESALE VINTAGE JEWELRY SUPPLY WAREHOUSE

CJS is my very favorite to visit, because they specialize in buying out entire closeout businesses, meaning the majority of what you’ll find isn’t being manufactured anymore and comes in limited quantities. This is why buying in a bulk, wholesale format makes sense…There is usually a mix of both new and old, but the vintage stock is what keeps me coming back. I know I can count on boxes of vintage beads, lockets, and chains on any given visit, and there’s always something new to find…here’s a virtual trip to what I consider one of New York’s best-kept secrets for creatives…