About Our Materials

Alexandra Freeman

<img src='http://static.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9307/files/AboutOurMaterials.JPG?1255142141' alt='' /> OUR PRODUCTS ARE HANDCRAFTED: All Polka Luka products are made by hand. Moulds for all beads, bangles, and rings are hand cast and then taken out of the mold by hand, then beveled, polished, and, for necklaces, strung by hand. Your may therefore see some small individual variation in shape and sometimes colour in the pieces. Sometimes you can see were the piece has been crafted by human hands in the sanding or where the colour is mixed. This is a result of their handmade nature and can be celebrated as . WORKING WITH RESIN: When working with resin, you can use a number of different techniques- primarily with the dyeing and the finishing stages. Polka Luka primarily use two different techniques: A Matt finish with transparent dye (such as the Bauhaus necklace style), or a polished finish with an opaque dye (such as the pebble necklace style). Pieces originally come out of the mold in matt condition, and are then buffed slightly to make them smooth. To make them polished requires extra hand polishing with fine grained sand paper. CARING FOR RESIN: Resin is a sturdy material, but can be fragile against hard surfaces so be careful not to knock or drop your Polka Luka piece against these surfaces. Over time, resin can become dry (this occurs with all resin). When resin becomes dry, you will notice it becomes slightly white on the outside. This is simply a case of the air drying the resin out, and the pieces’ original sheen can be restored by rubbing a baby oil, a natural oil, or even a moisturizer such as Sorbolene, and then rubbing with dry cloth. Maintain sheen on a longer term basis by rubbing a few drops of oil every now and then. If your resin piece becomes dirty (which will occur primarily with the white resin pieces), simply wash with gumption or dishwash. Resin is sturdy and washing it with these materials will not effect it. NECKLACE STRINGING: Satin Cord: The satin cord is hand dyed to ensure the colour is custom matched to the bead. Stretch Elastic: Durable ‘Stretch magic’ elastic is used for light weight beads which also need to be protected around edges, or where there is a gap in the middle of the bead where any thread used would be visible. For those necklaces using stretch magic, it is best, when lifting over the head, to pull the front part of the necklace, rather than where the elastic has been tied at the back. Wire: Polka Luka uses “softflex” non-kink 49 strand stainless steel nylon coated jewellery wire. Polka Luka uses silver plated findings- crimps, crimp covers, and clasps. Necklaces strung on wire are always the most delicate. When not wearing necklaces, it is best to lay them flat, and never bend or ‘scrunch’ the necklace. Earrings: Earring hooks are all sterling silver. Rings: Ring sizes are around American sizing 8. Bangles: Bangles vary in size from diameter 6.5-6.8. If you have a bangle that fits you at home, measure the diameter (the inside of the bangle, from internal edge to internal edge) to see if our bangles are the right size for you. Happy wearing and please contact us with any feedback or product suggestions! Alexandra Polka Luka

2009-05-23T21:01:27+10:00

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2009-05-23T21:01:27+10:00

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About Our Materials 2009-10-23T21:24:28+11:00 <img src='http://static.shopify.com/s/files/1/0000/9307/files/AboutOurMaterials.JPG?1255142141' alt='' /> *OUR PRODUCTS ARE HANDCRAFTED*: All Polka Luka products are made by hand. Moulds for all beads, bangles, and rings are hand cast and then taken out of the mold by hand, then beveled, polished, and, for necklaces, strung by hand. Your may therefore see some small individual variation in shape and sometimes colour in the pieces. Sometimes you can see were the piece has been crafted by human hands in the sanding or where the colour is mixed. This is a result of their handmade nature and can be celebrated as . *WORKING WITH RESIN*: When working with resin, you can use a number of different techniques- primarily with the dyeing and the finishing stages. Polka Luka primarily use two different techniques: A Matt finish with transparent dye (such as the Bauhaus necklace style), or a polished finish with an opaque dye (such as the pebble necklace style). Pieces originally come out of the mold in matt condition, and are then buffed slightly to make them smooth. To make them polished requires extra hand polishing with fine grained sand paper. *CARING FOR RESIN*: Resin is a sturdy material, but can be fragile against hard surfaces so be careful not to knock or drop your Polka Luka piece against these surfaces. Over time, resin can become dry (this occurs with all resin). When resin becomes dry, you will notice it becomes slightly white on the outside. This is simply a case of the air drying the resin out, and the pieces' original sheen can be restored by rubbing a baby oil, a natural oil, or even a moisturizer such as Sorbolene, and then rubbing with dry cloth. Maintain sheen on a longer term basis by rubbing a few drops of oil every now and then. If your resin piece becomes dirty (which will occur primarily with the white resin pieces), simply wash with gumption or dishwash. Resin is sturdy and washing it with these materials will not effect it. *NECKLACE STRINGING*: Satin Cord: The satin cord is hand dyed to ensure the colour is custom matched to the bead. Stretch Elastic: Durable ‘Stretch magic’ elastic is used for light weight beads which also need to be protected around edges, or where there is a gap in the middle of the bead where any thread used would be visible. For those necklaces using stretch magic, it is best, when lifting over the head, to pull the front part of the necklace, rather than where the elastic has been tied at the back. *Wire*: Polka Luka uses “softflex” non-kink 49 strand stainless steel nylon coated jewellery wire. Polka Luka uses silver plated findings- crimps, crimp covers, and clasps. Necklaces strung on wire are always the most delicate. When not wearing necklaces, it is best to lay them flat, and never bend or ‘scrunch’ the necklace. *Earrings*: Earring hooks are all sterling silver. Rings: Ring sizes are around American sizing 8. Bangles: Bangles vary in size from diameter 6.5-6.8. If you have a bangle that fits you at home, measure the diameter (the inside of the bangle, from internal edge to internal edge) to see if our bangles are the right size for you. Happy wearing and please contact us with any feedback or product suggestions! Alexandra Polka Luka