TJ (Tommie Jane) Lane has been making Sterling silver and 18K gold jewelry and thimbles since the 1960s. TJ, her daughter Cynthia, and son-in-law Matthew Brammeier have a studio in their home in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Thimbles and sewing jewelry are sold through the secure website as well as by vendors in various parts of the world.
The thimbles and sewing tools are made from Sterling silver or 18K gold, sometimes in combination with special steel components such as needle threader wires, cutter blades, stiletto and crochet hook tips. The under-the-quilt thimble has a silver disk faced with stainless steel. Most of the thimbles and components for tools are cast with the lost wax method. Models to make molds may be first sculpted in wax or handmade directly in precious metal.
We practice a high degree of craftsmanship and guarantee our products. If a hole develops in one of our thimbles we can repair it. If a needle threader wire breaks, we can replace it. If unexpected damage happens, we can restore the piece. Currently there is no charge for repairs or replacements, however we request $10 to cover shipping and handling. For repairs sent from outside the USA, please send credit card information with authorization to pay applicable shipping charges to your address. Please see "Shipping" regarding packing and mailing items to us for repair or exchange.
A little about TJ:
TJ Lane learned metalworking at the University of Arizona in Tucson in the 1960's. She loved the class so much she repeated it three times! TJ was a public school teacher before she began making jewelry full time. She taught silversmithing privately and at community college and wrote articles for Lapidary Journal and other magazines on silversmithing techniques, including how to make a thimble.
When TJ started offering her thimbles for sale, quilters and collectors were immediately attracted to her beautiful, lightweight,comfortable thimbles and creative sewing tools.
TJ's calendar of events grew fast, and Cynthia joined full time in 2003. Her husband, Matthew, joined the team in 2006. The world-wide economic slow-down affected the thimble business, and Cynthia took a "day job" in 2009. TJ moved from Boone,North Carolina to join the family in Lincoln, Nebraska in July 2010. She attends to repairs, fills orders, and does a few events. Of course she continues to create new designs and do special orders. In her spare time TJ sews, using patterns she has designed for quilted garments and skirts with swirl hemlines.Our thimbles are made and finished entirely in the USA. Billanti Casting Company in New York makes our molds and casts our thimbles and jewelry components since 1970. Finishing and setting gems is done in our private home studio. We have never had a "brick and mortar" store front. Prices, as of March 2011, are based on silver market of $35. Prices subject to change without notice.
PO Box 83108
Lincoln, NE 68501-3108
402-477-5222
Toll Free in US & Canada 866-647-9673
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