MEW to You Designs Artisan Materials Index

Artisan Materials Index

All of MEW to You Designs are handcrafted with the finest materials available. The unique combination of colors, precious metal findings, new and vintage glass beads and other vintage components produce one of a kind designs made with you in mind.

Polymer Clay - VAN AKEN® Kato Polyclay and ©Polyform Product Co Premo!Sculpey, both of which provide a firm non-crumbly clay which does not become sticky with excessive handling, is used in all MEW polymer jewelry designs. The artist’s colors of both these brands not only provide a wide range of possibilities for mixing one’s own shades but the color-shift from raw to cured is minimized. The cured product is one of durability and strength.

Metallic Additives – Many sparkly mediums are available from metallic eye shadow and embossing powder, to plastic confetti and metallic glitter. If it’s sparkly and interesting I will experiment with it! Copper, gold and silver colored aluminum foils are available in very thin sheets and flakes and are used to create sparkle as well as faux organic elements found in semi precious stones.

Acrylic Paint & Alcohol Ink – These mediums which are commonly found in the fine arts department of any arts and crafts store provide many possibilities to create uncommon artistic results such as inclusions in faux stones as well as color enhancement to enameling mediums.

Varnish – MEW’s Jewels polymer beads and pendants are coated with Diamond Flecto® water based varathane varnish in semi-gloss or gloss which is considered to be the best for polymer clay jewelry. It is water proof and the resulting hard shiny surface can be cleaned and buffed. Besides adding shine, it also adds a layer of protection for the beads from scratches and nicks during normal use.

Beading Wire – Soft Flex® brand of beading wire is used in all MEW beading designs because it offers the best in strength, durability and flexibility. It is made of stainless steel micro wire, 7 strands, each made of 7 strands, for a 7x7 construction (49 strands strong!) and coated with nylon. The weight most commonly used in MEW designs is medium - all purpose which has a test strength of 26 lbs and is recommended for glass, mineral and metal beads.

Sterling Silver & 1/20th 14K GF Wire – MEW’s Jewels findings are handcrafted from sterling silver and gold filled wire.. Not only are these precious metals attractive but will serve to be more durable and less apt to be replaced over time than base metals or plated metals. Precious metal crimp beads and some clasps are used ready-made while most necklace clasps and earring wires are hand-crafted from 16 gauge and 20 gauge wire by MEW. The 20 gauge wire is most appropriate for earrings clasps as it is durable and eliminates the risk of cutting the ear with a heavy dangle attached. The 16 gauge wire is preferred for necklace and bracelet clasps also for its durability.
Seamless precious metal beads are used in some of the jewelry designs and are chosen as accents so as to not overpower the focal polymer beads, but give additional sparkle where desired.
Some precious metal findings on MEW’s designs have formerly been integral parts of vintage jewelry pieces that did not survive intact but provide interesting quality findings for new jewelry pieces. Antique buttons are sometimes used for button and loop type closures as well. All vintage parts are deemed durable before incorporating them into a new piece and duly noted in the listing descriptions as previously owned vintage or antique.

Brass, Aluminum & Copper - Occasionally copper is used for hand crafted findings and can be coated with polish to prevent tarnishing over time. Cuff bracelets and memory wire bracelets are constructed of brass or aluminum bases for flexibility and base metal wire pre-coiled at the factory to retain their shape.

Glass Beads - MEW to You Designs incorporates all sizes and shapes of new and vintage beads. Most of our designs incorporate high quality crystal beads by Swarovski® for the clear sparkling colors that Swarovski® is known for. Some of the glass beads utilized will have come from vintage strands used for their uniqueness and collectible value. All vintage or antique beads used will be noted in the new artisan jewelry listing.

Vintage Jewelry Components – Occasionally we will find interesting plastic or wood vintage beads or components which cry out to be used in a new beaded design! When applicable the type of plastic whether it be casein (Galalith ®), cellulose nitrate (Celluloid & Lumarith), phenolic (Bakelite), or acrylic (Lucite & Plexiglas) will be noted in the listing.

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