bob blum . sequinologist

Most commonly asked questions:

            How did you get started?

            Where did you find all these sequins?

            How long have you been designing jewelry?

 

 

 

It all began in 2009 when Bob’s eye for the unique and obsession over details, drew him into an eccentric storefront/warehouse. Not looking for anything in particular and not knowing there was hidden in the eclectic storage of items, a U.S. dress manufacturer’s supply of European embellishments. The heirs had opened up the back room to the public to clear out the contents.  Bob was about to change his idea of retirement and put aside his creative painting pursuits....

 

In a back corner he found sequins pre-dating 1942, boxes that had not been opened since they were originally stored, during WWII. Most of them had not seen the light of day for 70 years, still on the original strings and wrapped with paper and the original tag. The shop owner remarked; “No customers had been interested in these for years, what were you going to do with them?. Bob had no idea at the time, but they reached an agreement and he walked out of the building with 9 large boxes of sequins!

 

Bob’s search continued and now the collection includes antique sequins from places as varied as the fashion district warehouse basements of San Francisco, Chicago and New York, to European manufacturers of fine dress embellishments from France, Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Germany. Today these same antique sequins with gorgeous deep color are hand strung to combine old-fashioned charm and modern flair as striking art jewelry. These little gems once considered useless, are now finally getting their chance to shine as wearable art.

 

“Sequinologist” Bob Blum skillfully blends sequins, glass, painted metal, copper and sterling silver in creations which are eye-catching and fun to wear. Tracing trails through time, remembering colors and texture, each has a story behind it. 

 

Bob divides his time between designing, making jewelry, learning new skills, exhibiting at shows, and of course hunting out treasures left behind by generations who did not throw out anything.