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| The
Mercantile is pleased to carry the following products: |
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Toho
Beads
Toho Co., LTD is the finest manufacture of glass beads in
Japan and they pride themselves on the high quality of their
beads. TOHO means 'Eastern Treasure' in English. Features
of TOHO beads include a larger hole than other companies,
allowing for multiple passes of cording and threading, giving
you more flexibility on the uses for these beads. The large
hole also makes for a lighter bead, resulting in lighter weight
finished works. |
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Miyuki
Beads
Japanese production of glass seed beads began at the beginning
of the Showa Period (1940s). In 1949, Miyuki was founded in
Hiroshima, and quickly became a renowned glass seed bead manufacturer.
Since then, Miyuki has continued to strive for increased quality
and improved artistry through innovation and state of the
art technology. Their highly respected name, excellent reputation,
and the introduction of fantastic new products like Delica
Beads are all testimonies to their dedication to beads and
to bead lovers. |
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Delicas
Delica beads by Miyuki are cylindrical in shape and are
very thin walled as opposed to the rounder, thick-walled
seed bead. They line up perfectly in off-loom stitches such
as brick or Peyote and the thin walls allow for multiple
thread passes through each bead. Delicas give curved stitches
such as a Spiral or Rosette a more angular shape and give
a good definition to Herringbone weave projects. Delicas
are an excellent choice in any Peyote or Brick project because
they are so precise. They make any pattern line up perfectly
and give a clean, crisp finish to any project. The beads
are usually of excellent quality, creating fewer culls when
you are working and therefore are cost effective.
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Swarovski
Crystals
Swarovski beads are made in a factory in Wattens, Austria.
Swarovski crystal beads are created using a formula perfected
by Daniel Swarovski and his three sons at the turn of the
20th century. All Swarovski crystal beads are fired using
a combination of quartz sand and natural minerals, then cooled
slowly to avoid causing stress to the crystals. The high percentage
of lead in all Swarovski crystal beads (32% compared to competitors
24%) as well as the secret manufacturing process produces
high quality Swarovski crystal beads with a diamond like brilliance.
We carry the finest selection and price of bicones in the
area. 4mm, 6mm and 8mm, shapes available, too. We order weekly
- always happy to special order! |
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Czech
Glass Beads
While glass beads have been produced in different parts of
the world for over 9,000 years, the glass beads from the Czech
Republic, previously known as Bohemia, are famous for their
clarity and richness of color. Czech glass beads come in a
wide variety of shapes, finishes and colors. Praised by jewelry
designers for their versatility, Czech glass beads are generally
softer in appearance than Austrian leaded crystal. |
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Art
Clay Silver™
Art Clay Silver™ is pure silver powder combined with
non-toxic binders and water. When kiln, torch or gas stovetop
fired, the binders burn away, leaving pure, 99.9% silver.
Art Clay Silver™ can be added to a variety of media:
glass, ceramics, porcelain and polymer clay to name a few.
It can be rolled, sculpted, stamped, sanded, filed, engraved,
drilled and pre-polished, all prior to firing. Once fired,
it is pure silver and can be treated like any other pure silver. |
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