So much has been happening lately and we can barely keep up. Monday was Earth Day, a day for everyone to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Like many of you, we strive to practice good environmental habits whenever possible. And we could probably do better, I’m sure.

This year we decided to gift 30 eco-conscious celebrities with an up-cycled bracelet cuff from our new ‘green’ collection, Crash by Minabea. Here’s a list of those who received the bracelets: Hayden Panettiere, Ginnifer Goodwin, Edward Norton, Adrian Grenier, Kate Bosworth, P!nk, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rachel McAdams, Emily VanCamp, Woody Harrelson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Daryl Hannah, Malin Akerman, Ted Danson, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Courteney Cox, Cameron Diaz, Sheryl Crow, Mark Ruffalo, and Natalie Portman.

And these people really do get involved — some examples:

• Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone  are vegans and longtime supporters of animal rights.
• Cameron Diaz’s MTV show Trippin’ takes viewers on eco-adventures to endangered habitats worldwide, and she is active in the Environmental Media Association (EMA).
• Leonardo DiCaprio wrote the documentary The 11th Hour and has hosted Plant Green’s Eco-Town series; he even has an environmental blog on green living.
• Sting and his wife Trudie created the Rainforest Foundation.
  
• Orlando Bloom traveled to Antarctica with Global Green USA to study the effects of global warming.
• Woody Harrelson, a true environmental activist, lives in a sustainable community  and is actively involved with the Rainforest Action Network.

We don’t have to be famous to practice sound environmental tactics. But I do appreciate these celebs who use their status to help save Mother Earth, and for that they deserve a bracelet.

Check out our most recent Earth Day Press Release.

and our latest Crash by Minabea Earth Day Video http://youtu.be/D1X5mMi5lUg

Just two days prior to the Oscars Minabea Jewelry had the honor of participating in GBK’s Luxury Gift Lounge in honor of the 2013 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters. Lots of celebrities came through the suite including Penny Marshall, Rex Lee, Chris Tucker, Sarah Rafferty, Ashley Williams, Evan Handler,Sugar Ray Leonard, Bellamy Young, Camilla Luddington, and many, many more.

We were thrilled when two celebs chose our Pearl Crocheted Necklace as their favorite item. Here are some photos of  Brigid Brannagh http://tinyurl.com/7fa5wdg  from the Lifetime TV show Army Wives and Terry Crews http://tinyurl.com/aafndo8 of  The Newsroom, Expendables, Bridesmaid, and former NFL player w/ L.A. Rams, San Diego Chargers , Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles and his wife Rebecca wearing our necklace.

We also got a lot of thank- you tweets for our 24k gold and sterling silver “Gold Sun” necklace that was part of The Artisan Group’s celebrity swag http://nvy.gd/T3ThBk.  My favorite was from an actress that I adore – Wendi McLendon-Covey  http://tinyurl.com/2vwfb2 who played Deputy Clementine Johnson on Reno 911 and was in the movie Bridesmaids and a ton of other TV shows and movies. She is definitely a working actress!

You can see our Press Release Video here: http://animoto.com/play/tcJJdEDKPuAzaXstdCa1MA

Last weekend a team of talented and creative people got together at command central (the body shop) and had a lot of fun. It was the first photo shoot for Crash Jewelry — a new collection of eco-friendly jewelry by Minabea. Everything is made from scrap metal taken from late model luxury cars that have been in accidents. The designs are what I like to call ‘Geo-Modern’  and the finish is gorgeous since the paint on Mercedes-Benz, BMW’s, etc.is of the finest quality.  Our photographer (Jasmine Lord Photography) shot inside the garage and inside an E350 Cabriolet. The models had a great time pretending to fix the engine and drive inside the entrance bay!

Crash by Minabea is now available at http://minabea.storenvy.com/ with more merchandise being added everyday. We think the collection will be a big hit!

Our creative team consisted of the following: Designer: Christi Schimpke, Photography by Jasmine Lord, Make Up: Marlene Aguirre, Hair: Roe Mattar & Tobi Lyons,  Stylist: April Alexander, Assistant: Reuben Reynoso

Models: Madison Cook and Joy Green

Exciting News! Minabea will display its signature crochet “Circle” necklace and matching earrings at GBK’s Luxury Gift Lounge in honor of the 2013 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters. In addition, our 24k gold and sterling silver “Gold Sun” necklaces will be part of The Artisan Group’s sought after celebrity swag bags. We do have a few limited edition necklaces available for purchase at http://nvy.gd/T3ThBk. These are made using the Keum-boo technique of fusing 24k gold to sterling silver. On an adjustable cord so you can wear it long or short. Get yours while you can!

You can read the press release here http://www.prweb.com/releases/MinabeaJewelry/Oscars2013/prweb10406234.htm Here’s a photo of our display jewelry. Hope you like it!

Happy New Year! Thank you for following Minabea Jewelry and keeping the faith. 2013 promises to be full of exciting new ventures — celebrity gifting at the Golden Globes, the Academy Awards, and Earth Day; a new upcycled jewelry collection created from crashed luxury cars, and a new showroom! Whew, I am exhausted.

Minabea created 100 pairs of Moroccan inspired earrings for celebrity swag as part of the gift lounge for the upcoming Golden Globes which takes place on Sunday, January 13th. A few of these very cool earrings can be purchased in advance from www.minabea.storenvy.com but supplies are limited.

If you have a moment please check out our press release and video at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10289902.htm

Here’s a sneak preview…

Thank you for visiting and liking Minabea Jewelry. Here’s hoping that 2013 is a year filled with good health, friends, family, and jewelry! xoxoxo

Finally!  I’ve completed the task of creating 100 pairs of Moroccan inspired hammered brass earrings to be gifted in a luxury celebrity gift lounge.  In association with  The Artisan Group, and hosted by GBK Productions, the 70th annual Golden Globes Awards will be held at an exclusive location in Beverly Hills, California on January 11-12, 2013.

Minabea will feature a small selection of these special edition earrings to the public very soon.  The main earring component is made from yellow brass and given a hammered finish; there are three types to choose from:  an olive green briolette drop, a dark navy blue briolette drop, or an elongated ‘dagger’ blue chalcedony faceted drop.  

Here are some images of the earrings and a behind the scenes preview.  For more information about the Golden Globes go to http://www.goldenglobes.org/golden-globe-awards/

Now, go see some movies!

On Sunday November 8th we did a photo shoot in Palm Springs at the Posh hotel.  The weather was perfect — sunny and not too hot.  Here are a couple of iPhone photos from the shoot since we are waiting for the final photos after editing.

It was a great team of creative and talented individuals:  Maëlle André (photographer), Madison Cook (model and event organizer extraordinaire), Madi MacQueen (model),  Jordan Anthony Swain (stylist), Jen Martens (hair stylist), Marlene Aguirre (stylist – makeup).

The setting, clothes and (ahem) jewelry lent a classic vintage 40′s-50′s feel to the shoot with some additional modern touches thrown in.  Vibrant colors, natural bright lighting, and the icy aqua blue pool provided a dynamic environment to make the jewelry pieces really ‘pop’.

I can’t wait to show you the final shots so stay tuned…

Wow, the holiday season is upon us and I’m still thinking of summer. Time to kick it into high gear!  Minabea Jewelry will be offering their wares at two events this year. The first is on Saturday, December 1st at Roosevelt Elementary School located at 801 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA.  The show hours are 9-4. This is really a great way of giving back to our public education system so try to stop by and say hello.

The second event is a juried show called Uptown Village Market in Long Beach. Minabea will be there on Saturday, December 8th from 10-4 pm.  There will be food, music and of course, lots of cool gift items. For more info go to www.uptownvillage.com 

Hope to see you there!

Minabea has a new press release about their updated shiny new website!  You can see it here http://tinyurl.com/avfufeq

And don’t forget to take a look at our latest video  minabea video

Minabea Jewelry has an item in the ‘featured product’ section of The Absinthe Dragon Daily which can be viewed at http://paper.li/Absinthe_Dragon

The featured product is a large Paraiba Blue Apatite gemstone that is set in a hand fabricated basket setting of sterling silver. I love the quadrilateral shape and of course the stone itself. I’m also fond of the rustic setting, especially the way it contrasts with the vintage multi-layered silver plated chain.

Anyway, here’s a photo and a link in case you want it for yourself! Shop it here: http://nvy.gd/SCeQ8T

I don’t think I even got a chance to advertise these really cool light blue and violet fluorite crystal octahedron earrings before they got snatched up!

They are intentionally mis-matched for that fashion forward individual who dares to be different.

Check ‘em out!

Artisan jewelry company Minabea Jewelry to participate in the Official Celebrity Gift Lounge in Honor of The 46th Annual CMA Awards by including special photo business cards in celebrity swag bags.

For the full press release please click on link below:
Minabea Jewelry to Participate in Official Celebrity Gift Lounge in Honor of the 46th Annual CMA Awards

And another: Minabea Jewelry to Participate in Official Celebrity Gift Lounge in Honor of the 46th Annual CMA Awards

http://newsblaze.com/story/2012110100000100001.pr/topstory.html

Just a quick note to let you know that this gorgeous beauty has been sold.  Hopefully the recipient will love it as much as I do!

This is a unique design: a fabricated sterling silver bezel holds a deep blue sparkly drusy agate.  I added a curly ‘bail’ atop the pear shaped bezel for visual interest and practicality.  A sterling silver chain slips quite easily through the curly bail and the pendant hangs beautifully.

But don’t despair.  There is one more, albeit slightly different, blue drusy in stock…just for you!  For sale at http://minabea.storenvy.com/products/396695-blue-drusy-necklace-2

Going to a good home….

This is my first time designing jewelry for a vampire, but I thought I’d take a stab at it (ha ha!) I could go on and on with tacky vampire jokes, but I’ll spare you…for now.

As a member of The Artisan Group, I and a lot of other very talented artisans, are submitting accessories to the wardrobe stylist of The Vampire Diaries in hopes that our piece will be selected and worn by a character on the show.

Not being a huge fan of vampire shows, I found watching the TV show kinda painful (sorry…) Seriously, I think I am getting squeamish in my old age. I did find myself paying particular attention to the jewelry worn by the characters and this further confused me as to what I should make. My niece was kind enough to fill me in on the last 3 seasons of The Vampire Diaries and from what I can deduce, almost any type of jewelry would fly (again, sorry.) There are lots of historical flashbacks, trendy parties, and high school formals which really opened things up design-wise. Finally I decided to go with a more literal look. I fashioned a spiral out of square sterling silver thick wire and soldered the circles together so that it resembled a swirling eddy. Not an easy thing to do, I might add. Then I added a dagger-like piece of turquoise colored howlite to hang vertically through the spiral and finished with ruby beads to give the piece some color and create the allusion of blood.

I think it’s pretty cool and it hangs nicely when worn. Here’s a photo of the necklace and the postcard I designed for PR purposes.

What do you think? Oh, and if you want to watch some of the show check it out here:
http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries Read More

Minabea is dipping their toe into the celebrity gift giving pool by participating in” The 46th Annual CMA Awards” gift bag.  No, we aren’t giving away any booty yet but we are offering a lovely new business card that offers recipients a healthy discount at our online shop http://minabea.storenvy.com/

The CMA Awards is “Country Music’s Biggest Night™” and we are hoping that our cards fall into some happy hands!

The Artisan Group is in no way associated with MTV, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association or The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

I’ve been up to my eyeballs in scrap metal these days.  My husband has a collision repair shop where he repairs and restores late model crashed Mercedes-Benz cars back to their original glory.  He is a true artist — I mean, you should see these cars, before and after.  They are beautiful objects, every detail is precise and the paint superb.  So when I see a piece of leftover metal with the original paint still intact I use it to create upcycled cool jewelry.  It is hard work.  These cars were built for safety and to withstand high forces so you can imagine what it is like trying to create a bracelet, ring or earrings from such tough metal.  But it’s working and the pieces are going to be amazing.

Crash by Minabea is my new line — a work in progress.

Below are some images:

Here’s Dan cutting up a door from a Mercedes-Benz AMG 63:

And some jewelry pieces created from two cars: the white Mercedes-Benz AMG 63 & a candy apple red E350

And the best part?  It’s GREEN!!! Read More

Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space?
Yes

Where is it located?
West Los Angeles, CA

Is it a large or small space?
Medium

What medium(s) do you work in?
Silver mostly/ some gold

Do you have a separate area for each?
No

What one word would you use to describe your studio?
Evolving

What do you think is the best feature of your studio?
The fact that I’ve finally found a space after 3 previous moves.

What would you change if you could?
I would have enclosed walls and no doors facing the street. Or really dark tinted windows!  Right now I look out onto an extremely busy street that is not in the best part of town.  The front part of my studio has two doors that are tinted so that people passing by on the sidewalk can see their reflection but not me inside unless they are very close.  Unfortunately, I can see them and they use the door’s reflective tinted glass as a mirror so you can imagine the things I see!  I’ve seen people brush their teeth just a foot away from me but separated by a glass door.  Not the best images when you are trying to concentrate on soldering or forging!

Can you share an organizational tip?
I am always trying to be better organized.  The best organizational tip I can offer if to have your most often used tools on pegboard where you can reach them.

Describe the usual state of your work table?
Yikes, pretty messy, I will admit.  But clean in the sense that the metal is clean.  I usually have my favorite tools scattered about in my catch drawers and that makes me crazy.

Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall?
Toward the wall.

What’s one drawback of your studio/artistic space?
As I described earlier, the tinted glass to my left that allows me to see the sea of humankind that flows by and that can be distracting.

Do you have any studio mascots (pets, mannequin whatever)?
Aside from the ants, no.

Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board?
Sort of

Do you listen to music in your studio? What kind?
Yes, usually internet radio, KCRW, an alternative station.

Do you display your own work in your studio?
Only if I’m stuck then I put it out there to look at in hopes that on a subliminal level I will figure it out.  Other artists’ work?  Yes, but only in print.

What’s one quirk or unusual feature of your studio?
I am in a body shop garage!!

Thank you so much Christi! 

One of the most difficult and frustrating things about starting your own business is trying to get attention in the sea of plenty. As a jewelry artist I find that I am but a nano-second in time. There are millions of other talented artisans out there who are making a living doing what they love. How do they get there? Seriously, I’d like to know!

I am not the most patient of people (I can hear my husband snigger) and I can’t stand to just ‘sit and wait.’ But one thing I am learning in this process is that I have limited control over a desired outcome. I cannot force it. Take a deep breath and learn to let things be. Why is this so hard?

If I am honest with myself I think I have made tremendous progress in the last two years But (always a ‘but’) shouldn’t I be further along by now? I guess I will get there albeit at a slower pace than I prefer but it beats the alternative.

Minabea will be gifting 100 lucky celebrities and VIPS in the 2013 Golden Globes Celebrity Lounge!! Woo hoo! Now the hard part — I’ve got to make all the gifts, oi vey! I’m thinking of doing a Keum boo necklace which is an ancient Korean jewelry technique whereby 24 karat thin gold is fused with sterling silver metal. Unfortunately this is a costly and timely project but I thought something ‘golden’ and ‘globe-like’ might be appropriate!

Stay tuned for updates!

I love the show Portlandia and recently a fellow jeweler posted this on Facebook. It’s really funny in so many ways. As someone who had a ‘professional career’ earlier in life, my decision to make jewelry has presented more trials than triumphs. Don’t get me wrong — I love it and it’s what I want to do but starting one’s own business is tough. You have to wear many hats and produce products when all you want to do is create.

But the reason I relate to the video is because I’m sure my friends and family have felt that I was going through a mid-life crisis or a personality disorder! They probably thought, “Just give her some time, she’ll come around” or “OMG, really? What’s it going to be next week, circus performer?”

It’s so cliché — “making jewelry.” Gotta love it or you’ll go insane.

Read More

Recently I’ve really been into crystals. I’ve collected fluorite, kyanite, amethyst and all types of quartz. As you probably know, crystals have many metaphysical properties and I’ve noticed that when wearing some of my crystal pieces interesting things occur. For example — a fateful moment with someone I haven’t seen in a while or an intense dream that heralds the future.

This necklace is made from natural raw crystal quartz and blue kyanite points.

Metaphysical Properties:

Clear quartz crystal is the universal stone and a pure and powerful energy source. It receives, activates, stores, transmits, and amplifies energy, stimulates brain functions and activates all levels of consciousness. It is excellent for meditation and brings harmony to the soul. Quartz crystals are often used for protection and modifying bad vibrations.

Kyanite is a stone of attunement and good for communication, mental and psychic awareness. It enhances telepathic communication and assists in lucid dreaming.

So…stay tuned for more crystal musings and jewelry!

I sold this necklace recently and although I was glad to have a sale I was sad to see it go as it is one of my favorite pieces.  I found the antique keyhole at Liz’s Loft on La Brea Ave. and added some blue briolette drops on 14k gold chain.  The blue gems really compliment  the patina and I love the decorative scrolling vine pattern.  A lovely woman purchased it the Redondo Beach Fine Jewelry & Antiques Show in July.

Check out Minabea’s new Lookbook.

http://issuu.com/christischimpke/docs/minabealookbookv-1.3

You can shop for all jewelry online at http://minabea.storenvy.com/

There is a large selection to choose from — necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings — all unique and meticulously handcrafted.

Our new lookbook can be viewed here

 Join Minabea Jewelry at Bloomfest 2012!  July 21st from 2-10 pm.  For more info go to www.bloomfestla.com

My grandmother passed recently at the age of 93.  She lived a long, fruitful life.  Here is an old picture that my aunt came across.

Simply click on the storefront below to be taken to my new e-commerce site where you can purchase items with ease.

Join Minabea at the 25th Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair on June 9 & 10!

Go to www.pvstreetfair.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Presented at 3rd Street and Traction Avenue in the Downtown Arts District, BloomfestLA offers live indie music, local artisan wares, and good food amidst a rotating outdoor gallery of street art by renowned artists.

The Downtown Arts District consists of artist studios, coffeehouses such as Urth Caffé and Novel Café, restaurants such as Wurstküche and Café Metropol, creative entrepreneurs, art galleries, nonprofits such as Cornerstone Theater Company and Art Share Los Angeles, industrial businesses, and government agencies anchored by the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). It is in the heart of the City of Los Angeles CleanTech Corridor, which is building a new business center and campus for developing clean and sustainable technologies scheduled to open in 2013. The boundaries of the Downtown Arts District are Alameda Street on the west, the Los Angeles River on the east, the 101 Freeway on the north, and 7th Street on the south.

The community event is organized in partnership with the Los Angeles River Artist & Business Association (LARABA), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the Downtown Arts District.
www.bloomfestla.com

Join us for a Craft & Vintage Holiday sale! It’s the last weekend before Christmas, so you can do all your last minute shopping AND support local artists! This is an indoor space, so sale is happening Rain or Shine!! **Most vendors are CASH ONLY!

Mystic Pizza will be serving up fresh, handmade, artisan pizza, so come hungry!
Read More

The CAFAM global bazaar was great fun. It was wonderful seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Here is a photo of my set-up. I got a lot of comments on the mung beans placed in yellow plates for display purposes. Adults and children alike seemed to love them!

The day was very cold (for LA) but overall we did o.k. Not a lot of traffic but it was steady.

Please visit the gift shop at the CAFAM for last minute gifts. They have an assortment of cool items from all over the world. And they subscribe to fair trade practices which always makes one feel good!

Wow, I just received a big shipment of gorgeous stones from a wonderful stone-cutter who lives in Wisconsin. He’s very nice, reputable and knowledgeable.

I have chrysocolla, variscite, picture jasper, fossilized agate, Montana agate, rhodochrosite, Burmese jadite, malachite, wavelite, stitchtite serpentine, Wyoming jade, zeozite, different types of feldspar, drusy agate and more.

I will be getting some faceted gemstones in today, so stay tuned.

You can choose any stone you like and together we can design a custom piece just for you.

I would like to invite you to an event at the Craft and Folk Art Museum on December 4th. They are offering a global holiday bazaar featuring local artisanal items. They have a terrific gift shop and you can always find something unusual for the holiday season or even yourself! I will be showing my jewelry and would love it if you could stop by and say hello. Details below:

SHOP@CAFAM – “Best Gift Shop in the Land”

by LA Weekly
5814 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
…

Holiday Global Bazaar

Saturday | December 4
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Educate kids while browsing at our Shopping Safari event from 10:30 am-12:00 pm!

Join the Shop@CAFAM for a festive Global Bazaar, featuring one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts and exquisite fair-trade goods by local and global artisans! Meet the artists and find unique gifts for everyone on your list! Don’t miss out on hand-picked items from around the world and around the block.

Craft and Folk Art Museum (cafam.org)

The Craft and Folk Art museum has three of my necklaces for purchase in their amazing gift shop. Currently on sale is the ‘Circle Necklace’: sterling silver hand fabricated circles crocheted with sterling silver wire and freshwater pearls and crystals. Also featured is my ‘Geo-Peridot’ necklace and a sterling silver oval necklace crocheted with raw rubies — gorgeous!! Here’s some info about the Craft and Folk Art Museum:

WORLDLY GOODS
Visit a splendid global bazaar, with no flying required! Shop around the world, without leaving Los Angeles!

Mirroring CAFAM’s mission for cultural understanding, the Shop@CAFAM is a perfect supplement to the museum. With a wide variety for sale, there’s something for every budget and taste. From works by local artists to pieces by Murano craftspeople, the Shop features one-of-a-kind jewelry, stationary, books, prints, scarves, housewares, plus more – perfect and unique gifts for any occasion!

10% MEMBER DISCOUNT
Remember, all museum members get a discount at the award-winning shop. Become a member today and start saving!

5814 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours:

Mon: Closed
Tues – Fri: 11 am – 5 pm
Sat & Sun: 12 pm – 6 pm

Shop now for Christmas! And members receive a 10% discount.

I made this necklace for a charity auction for the LAPD: Celebrating 100 years of women in law enforcement. I sawed two pieces of sterling silver into bars, soldered them together, drilled holes and hammered away. Then I used 28 gauge sterling silver wire and an assortment of pearls and crystals to fill in the negative space. I wanted it to look a bit off center and I think it worked! Perfect for a little black dress or nothing at all!

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