July Design Challenge: Fond Memories

July 2nd, 2009 by Vintaj

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Take your interpretation of Fond Memories and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass! FYI, design challenges are not limited to jewelry – we are now excepting all altered art, journals, and scrapbooking projects that incorporate Vintaj too!

Submission are due by NOON Friday July 3. Voting will be open from NOON July 4 – MIDNIGHT July 10, with the challenge winner posted on Monday July 13.

*To plan ahead for our monthly challenges click here - and to read about how to submit, and the Design Challenge Submission Rules that apply to ALL monthly challenges click here.


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Sizzling Summer Spectacular!

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Wow! This is one of the hottest promos we’ve had! Starting July 1st, place your order and you could qualify for up to three promos of your choice in addition to the monthly promo giveaway! Hurry, this Summer offer is sizzling hot and ends July 15!

Here is what you could receive:

$500 =    Filigree Star Promo + 1 Promo of your choice
$1000 =  Filigree Star Promo + 2 Promos of your choice
$2000 = Filigree Star Promo + 3 Promos of your choice
Orders less than $500 = Filigree Star Promo

*Please indicate the product(s) of your choice in the comments field and enter promo code SIZZ09 in the promo field during checkout not on this post. Limit one per customer. Excludes tools, supplies, pre-packaged items, glass and stones, spooled chain, and start up packages. Please email info@vintaj.com with any questions.

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Featured Altered Art Project: Jul ‘09

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Collage and adorn your favorite art projects. Our Idea Gallery is packed full of creative ideas on how to use Vintaj natural brass in wonderful new ways! We used a Star Trellis to adorn this Rustic Flag Card.  A captured memory and an inspiring color palette are what we love about this project idea!

Posted in Altered Art having no comments »

Featured Project: Fond Memories, Jul ‘09

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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We design creative settings with Vintaj natural brass! Faded memories awaken with sparkling beads and filigree accents! Collage your favorite memory into a bezel and surround it with your favorite charms and drops for a picture perfect design. The possibilities are endless!

Posted in Featured Project having 1 comment »

Monthly Promo: Jul ‘09

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Receive a FREE* order of Filigree Stars with your next Vintaj purchase! Simply enter promo code—DP160—in the promo code field during checkout not on this post and we will ship this item to you FREE. *Order soon! Limited time offer while supplies last. One per customer. Expires 07/31/2009. Substitutions will be made with other product when necessary.

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Jul ‘09 Kit Giveaway

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Check out this months kit giveaway– a Stardust Earring kit could be yours!  The design includes etched star charms, and some round loop earwires. To win this kit all you have to do is leave a *comment on any post in the month of July and you are automatically entered into the drawing. How great is that?!  Start posting now for your chance to win! (*Please make sure to include a valid email at which you can be contacted at if your comment is chosen.)

Posted in Promos having 8 comments »

July Necklace Giveaway

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Designed around our Fond Memories theme, this necklace includes a filigree star and star charm amongst a clustering of red, white, & blue beads. Use as store display or wear it to your family gathering this Summer!  This necklace includes a filigree star, etched star charm, full droplet filigree, rustic rectangle charm, and figaro chain.

Posted in Promos having 2 comments »

Calling All Creativity!

June 29th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Dapping, dyeing, stamping, wrapping, linking, and stringing we’ve done it all… wait have we?

This is a call out to all creative minds! Is there an idea or technique you are dying to try but you just don’t know where to start or can’t seem to find the time to do so? Challenge us with your idea and we’ll try it out in our next creative session.

Email your idea to us : blog@vintaj.com and our design team will vote on which ideas we’ll embark upon in our next creative session. If your idea is chosen you will receive an exclusive Jewelry piece designed in the creative session and acknowledgement on our blog!

Posted in News, Promos having 3 comments »

New Glass Stones!

June 23rd, 2009 by Vintaj

New Glass Stones

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New Glass Stones

Fresh colorful beads just in time for Summer!! New Vintaj Glass Beads are now available to order from our online catalog. Each set contains 4 handmade lampwork artisan glass lentil beads. Each are uniquely hand worked by Vintaj master artisan Cathie Roberts.

Posted in New Product having 2 comments »

Creative Session Follow Up

June 23rd, 2009 by Vintaj

Follow Up

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Pendants & blanks created during our Creative Session

It has been a little while since our Creative Session post and we thought we would share with you the projects we made that in incorporate the pendants we created at the session. If you haven’t checked out the gallery in awhile you should now. The images above are only a few examples of what can be done with our altered blanks and new bezels. We are busy planning our next Creative Session and working on more fun ways to incorporate your ideas into our designs. Details to come soon, but for now enjoy the gallery!

Posted in News having 4 comments »

Making Jewellery: July 2009

June 17th, 2009 by Vintaj

Making Jewellery

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Making Jewellery July 2009

Issue three of this UK publication is here. Vintaj findings, including jumprings, melon beads, and headpins were used on the cover! This cover bracelet design can be found on page 30. Artist Beverly Hicklin (a familiar MJ designer) lays out the nine step process it takes to make these gorgeous lampwork beads. Visit Beverly’s site for more inspiration. Also click here to see a 16 page sample of issue 3 and order you copy of Making Jewellery here.

Posted in Publications having 1 comment »

Stringing: Summer 2009

June 17th, 2009 by Vintaj

Stringing

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Stringing Summer 2009

YAY! Vintaj filigree bead caps can be found on the newest issue of Stringing magazine. Even more exciting are the nine featured projects that incorporate Vintaj and our filigree cones featured in the Cone Zone beads to buy section! Okay, are you ready for all of this?

Let’s start with page 10. Stringing writes about cones as being “A versatile finding…” that “…can be used as pendants, charms, bead caps, and more.” Our filigree cones make the cut, check out number 10.

Next on page 38 & 39 you’ll find 33 earring designs! #9 designed by Denise Yezbak Moore, #11 & #13 designed by Kelly Angeley, and #18 designed by Jan Kezta ALL use Vintaj. Great earrings ladies!

Moving on to page 47. Cherry Blossom Jubilee, a necklace design by Molly Schaller, uses Vintaj crimp beads, clasp, jumprings, and a filigree drop. This nature inspired necklace is just lovely.

Next on page 58 & 59 you’ll find 18 bracelet designs!  #2 designed by Margaret Sherman and #6 designed by Donna Ditges both use Vitnaj components.  What do you think of their designs? Leave a comment and let us know. (we love ‘em)

Moving on to page 67.  Belinda’s Flight, a necklace design by Denise Yezbak Moore, uses Vintaj beadcaps, wire, chain, clasp, headpins, and jumprings. This is also one of the necklaces featured on the cover! Check out those awesome lampwork beads by Kerri Fuhr.

Finally on page 71 you’ll find Fluttering Links, a necklace design by Heather Trudeau.  Heather uses a dragonfly pendant and dragonfly connector along with some beautiful lampwork beads. This necklace is perfect for summer!

Order your copy of this publication through our online catalog HERE.

Posted in Publications having 2 comments »

Step by Step Beads: July/Aug ‘09

June 17th, 2009 by Vintaj

SBS BEads

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SBS Beads 2009

It seems like everyone loves Lorelie Eurto. From her cute magazine profile pic to the amazing designs posted daily on her blog, we just can’t get enough of her.  It’s no wonder why SBS Beads featured another Eurto original in their July issue. Check out page 44 to see After the Rain. With 7 simple step-by-steps Lorelei combines Vintaj jumprings, crimp beads, and a hook-and-eye clasp with beaded earthy goodness.  Visit her blog to see more beautiful work, like this one! Order your copy if this pub HERE.

Posted in Publications having 3 comments »

Lingering Sunset Winner!

June 15th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Congratulations Dee! The results are in and after 232 votes these earrings are the winner of our Lingering Sunset design challenge!  She will receive her choice of 2 FREE sampler packs! Dee Gallimore-Perry is a scrapbooker, papercrafter who only recently discovered her love of Vintaj Natural Brass products and beading supplies. “Although it seems to me that buying and hoarding beading supplies is THE most fun part of designing jewelry…  I also really do love the process of creating pieces.” -Dee

You can see more of her jewelry designs in her etsy shop rockology3
or feel free, if you’d like, to stop by her blog A Dash of Dee and say ‘hello’.

Dee’s necklace includes Vintaj etched jump rings, headpins, bronze wire, and filigree bead caps.
Other matreials include:
8mm blue quartz (rainbow) faceted rondelles
4mm red aventurine rounds
4mm pacific opal Swarovski crystal bicones
8mm rock crystal faceted rounds
12 x 22mm amazonite flat pear briolettes

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this challenge, and make sure to check out our upcoming design themes, located in the “Enter Today” side bar button link!

Posted in Challenges having 7 comments »

Gorgeous Altered Blanks

June 13th, 2009 by Vintaj

Designer Highlight, Heather Powers

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Wow! Don't you love these?!

Heather Powers over at Humble Beads has created some absolutely gorgeous alterd blanks. She stamped them at our make & take at Bead&Button and then went on and dapted them, added some ink, AND of course added some of her beautiful polymer clayart on the inside.  You have to check out what else this lady is up to, her blog is a great source of inspiration – bookmark it!

Thanks Heather for the beautiful designs!

Posted in News having 6 comments »

Vintaj Designer Featured on Scrapblog!

June 13th, 2009 by Vintaj

YAY! Jeanne Holland’s Vacation spread was featured on Scrapblog’s Friday Five!
Here’s what they had to say about it: “This scrapblog sort of breaks my theme of photo journaling, but I fell in love with the colors and the pictures of this family trip to the zoo.

Again here is Jeanne’s lovely design

CLICK HERE to see the rest of the Friday Five post including “Working on Elizabeth’s Book” which features Vintaj designed pages!  You can also click on the Scrapblog logo in the lower right corner of the slideshow to see to more of Jeanne’s beautiful pages!

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Bead&Button Show ‘09 ~ We’re back!

June 10th, 2009 by Vintaj

We are glad to be back from the busyness that is Bead&Button, what a great show! It was so fun demoing some of our newest techniques, at our, what seemed to be very popular, Make & Take. We also gathered a ton of inspiration from our fellow exhibitors and were happy to see many people etching and stamping away at their booths. As always it was great catching up with our buddies, the time spent with them is never long enough. Thanks to all who stopped by and visited, we hope you enjoy the photos!

links mentioned in slide show: CF Originals, Lisa KanEarthenwood StudioSea of GlassSpecialty BeadsAntelope BeadsBello Modo, Heather Powers.
Learn more about Scrapblog HERE and click on the Scrapblog logo in the lower right corner of the slideshow enlarge the pages!

Posted in News, Shows having 2 comments »

Lingering Sunset ~ Let’s Vote

June 8th, 2009 by Vintaj

Click Thumbnails to enlarge!

Vote for your favorite by selecting your favorite ‘number’ on the poll listed below and clicking VOTE in the lower right corner! If you do not vote through the polling system your vote will not be counted. Voting ends midnight June 14, and the challenge winner will receive 2 FREE sampler packs of their choice, a posting on our blog with a link to their site/blog, a chance for their winning design to be featured in our Project Gallery and will be entered into a year end Challenge contest! We will post the winning design on Monday June 15, so be sure to check back. Good luck!!

Posted in Challenges having 3 comments »

June Design Challenge: Lingering Sunset

June 5th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Take your interpretation of Lingering Sunset and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass! FYI, design challenges are not limited to jewelry – we are now excepting all altered art, journals, and scrapbooking projects that incorporate Vintaj too!

Submission are due by NOON Friday June 5. Voting will be open from NOON June 8 – MIDNIGHT June 14, with the challenge winner posted on Monday June 15.

*To plan ahead for our monthly challenges click here - and to read about how to submit, and the Design Challenge Submission Rules that apply to ALL monthly challenges click here.

Posted in Challenges having 4 comments »

Scrapblog your vacation!

June 3rd, 2009 by Vintaj

Another fun and fabulous Scrapblog designed by Jeanne Holland.  Jeanne uses Vintaj digital embellishments to frame pics from a recent family trip. Learn more about Scrapblog HERE and click on the Scrapblog logo in the lower right corner of the slideshow to see to more of Jeanne’s beautiful pages!

Posted in Digital Designing having 1 comment »

Enchantment Necklace Winners!

June 2nd, 2009 by Vintaj

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We randomly drew names from our 117 May comments and are posting a ‘Congratulations’ to our five lucky winners! These are the winning comments that will be receiving an Enchantment Necklace Kit :

June Kit Giveaway Post : Joyce Becker – Great color combo – in time for the 4th of July? Would love to wear these!

May Kit Giveaway Post : Shay Williams – I just love the colors. It would be perfect with one of my sarongs.

May Kit Giveaway Post : Jacqueline – Your items have brought my designs to an entirely new level and I love it!!!

May Kit Giveaway Post : Debbie Brown – Lovely! I love the peachy browns with a hint of blue for additional color.

May Kit Giveaway Post : Arti Rikard – I think this necklace is something every girl could use in her accessory cabinet. I LOVE IT!!

Posted in Promos having 7 comments »

Vintaj Earth Special Discount! 20% OFF!

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Now Online!! The Vintaj Earth website is here and to celebrate we are offering 20% OFF your next jewelry purchase!

To receive this special discount simply enter promo code VE0201 in the promo field during check out, when ordering online. Or print this flyer out and use towards handmade jewelry designs in our brick and mortar store.

*Offer valid June 1–15. Please note your discount will not be reflected on your internet confirmation but will be applied when your credit card is processed. This offer is good towards jewelry only, all other items are excluded. Limit one per customer

Posted in News, Promos, Vintaj Earth having no comments »

Monthly Promo: Jun ‘09

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

monthlypromo

Receive a FREE* order of Sand Dollar Pendants with your next Vintaj purchase! Simply enter promo code—P80—in the promo code field during checkout and we will ship this item to you FREE. *Order soon! Limited time offer while supplies last. One per customer. Expires 06/30/2009. Substitutions will be made with other product when necessary.

Posted in Promos having 3 comments »

June Kit Giveaway

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Check out this months kit giveaway– an Dew Drop Earring kit could be yours!  The design includes hammered rings, tear drop filigree, and some round loop earwires. To win this kit all you have to do is leave a *comment on any post in the month of June and you are automatically entered into the drawing. How great is that?!  Start posting now for your chance to win! *(Please make sure to include a valid email at which you can be contacted at if your comment is chosen.)

Posted in Promos having 59 comments »

Aquatic Treasures

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Place your order! The first 10 orders placed in June over $500- will receive over 70 pieces of Vintaj findings! Longing for an ocean getaway? Here’s the next best thing! Our selection of beautiful aquatic findings will carry you away to a land of brass covered beaches and inspiring marine life. Get ready to set sail because your treasure awaits!

Posted in Promos having 4 comments »

Featured Project: Lingering Sunset, Jun ‘09

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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We design creative settings with Vintaj natural brass! Take the amazing colors of a lingering sunset where ever you go! Create a fantastic bracelet with a burst of inspiring crystals and gemstones with some great Vintaj focal pieces. The possibilities are endless!

Posted in Featured Project having 2 comments »

Featured Altered Art Project: Jun ‘09

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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Collage and adorn your favorite art projects. Our Idea Gallery is packed full of creative ideas on how to use Vintaj natural brass in wonderful new ways! We used ocean charms and delicate chain to adorn our Message in a Bottle.  Beautifully clustered brass and an inspiring color palette are what we love about this project idea!

Posted in Altered Art, Featured Art Project having 4 comments »

New June Products!

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

Now available in our online catalog: three new clasps, five bezels, and three connectors!

Including:

Standard Flat Hook   Standard Hook   Hammered Ring Clasp Set   Bamboo Bezel Large   Circle Bezel   Oval Bezel   Bamboo Bezel Small   Rectangle Bezel   Wide Blank Connector   Square Blank Connector   Rectangle Blank Connector

Posted in New Product having 5 comments »

Creative Session Madness!

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

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We held our very own Creative Session earlier this month inside the creative quarters of Vintaj Earth. Besides having a blast hanging out and munching on some goodies the main reason we gathered was to experiment with new techniques to share with you! Each new idea sparked another as we learned etching, embossing and resin techniques. You are gonna love the new things you can do with our product and we encourage you to send us pics of your own designs! Check out the Idea Gallery to learn innovative ways to incorporate these techniques into your designs and then email us at blog@vintaj.com and show us your masterpiece.

(*Note, click the small Scrapblog logo on the bottom right corner of the slide show for a larger view!)

Jess was anxious to share the Metal Etching techniques she learned in the “Lasting Impressions” workshop she took with the talented found-object jeweller and sculptor, Keith Lo Bue (Keith’s blog). The two-day workshop was held at the beautiful Valley Ridge Art Studio in Muscoda, WI.

Vintaj Altered Blanks & our new Blank Connectors are perfect for etching! They are already cut to shape and have a hole drilled for a pendant, charm or cuff. The design possibilities are endless! First choose an image to photocopy and transfer or create a hand drawn image yourself using the Sharpie marker technique. The results are breathtaking! Once your pieces are etched you can either leave them as is, OR… patina, paint, ink, polish, wax or embellish them! We tried it all and couldn’t be happier with the stunning pieces we created.

Here are a few sites explaining the etching process in detail:

DIY Metal Etching INSTRUCTIONS

GANOKSIN Metal Etching INSTRUCTIONS

Metal Etching TIPS from artists

List of products we used in the Creative Session:

* RANGER products:

Tim Holtz® Adirondack® Alcohol Inks by Ranger~ Perfect for adding a splash of color to metal. They work beautifully with Vintaj blanks, findings and embellishments!

Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabber by Ranger ~ Available in a variety of colors and work great with rubber stamps for applying images to Vintaj Altered Blanks!

Adirondack® Embossing Powders by Ranger ~ Great for adding color and texture to your designs!

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium Ranger ~ Art quality gel medium used for gluing, image transfers, sealing art, creating glazes and extending paints.

Inkssentials™ Glossy Accents™, Crackle Accents™, Matte Accents™, and Sepia Accents™ by Ranger ~ Used to seal/protect your designs leaving a beautiful finish over metal and paper projects.

*Vintaj supplies:

Renaissance Wax ~ For an added protection, we recommend Renaissance Wax. It forms a durable, lustrous protective coating which guards against humidity, heat, dust and ordinary wear.

Posted in Design Tips, News having 1 comment »

From the Girls, June 09

May 30th, 2009 by Vintaj

Summer is the perfect inspiration for creative energy. Recently we held our very own Creative Session experimenting with new techniques to share with you. Each new idea sparked another as we learned etching, embossing and resin techniques. Check out the Idea Gallery to learn innovative ways to incorporate these techniques into your designs. Also new on our creative palette is the launch of our Vintaj Earth website where we showcase jewelry and art featuring Vintaj natural brass. Visit for inspiration or to purchase shop models for your store. See our blog for a special discount just for you!

Happy Designing!

Posted in From the Girls at Vintaj having 3 comments »

About Vintaj Blog

This valuable and inspiring site is a great way to keep up to date with Vintaj as our company grows. With weekly postings this blog extends a personal look inside Vintaj. Here you will find monthly featured projects and designers, publications featuring Vintaj, company updates, new products and inspiring links. Our Vintaj blog is available as a resource for public viewing but as always wholesale information is available only to registered wholesale users. Be inspired, ask questions and be the first to know what's new with Vintaj.