He has a thing for rings

From celebrity chef to ring designer

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

September 24, 2007

Barry Wine. (Photo by Karen Tina Harrison / September 24, 2007)

The Big Career Switch: From celebrity chef to ring designer

Who Pulled It Off: Barry Wine, 64

What He Does: Wine creates one-of-a-kind rings from vintage costume jewelry. (www.butterandbling.com)

What He Used To Do: Wine, originally a securities lawyer, was the chef-owner of The Quilted Giraffe, a legendary four-star New York restaurant. Open from 1975 to 1992, it launched the careers of top local chefs like Tom Colicchio, Wayne Nish, Katy Sparks and Peter Hoffman.

Why He Switched: "I love the restaurant world and am still involved as a consultant. But I missed the creativity of being a chef. I found that making my rings is like cooking. You take what's there and come up with something completely new."

How He Did It: "I was buying vintage costume jewelry at auctions and wondering what to do with it. Last year I started making rings using various parts of it. Now I can't stop."

What A Ring Designer Does: "I take apart the jewelry and combine bits and pieces on silver bands. I don't use a blueprint or design. What happens happens. I handle my own sales, and now some of New York and Tokyo's best-dressed ladies wear my rings."

Who Does This Job Best? "A ring designer has to think like a chef. You must sense what ingredients work together and when to stop. You need an eye for presentation, a sense of humor, a willingness to take risks and a strong individual streak. What's the point of doing what everyone else does?"

How's The Dough? "You may struggle at first. But if people like your designs and you promote yourself, you can do very well. A sure sign of success is movie stars asking you for jewelry."

What About Perks? "I never have to shop for gifts."

What Else You Should Know: "Rings announce that a woman loves life. My collection is called 'Come Talk To Me' rings."