Truth be told, the changes in economics and labor laws in the cloisonne manufacturing regions of China and Japan have created challenges in buying and maintaining good-quality cloisonne products. The manufacturing of cloisonne is very labor intensive, requiring steady highly trained hands, enamel-coloring expertise and consistent firing capabilities to produce top-notch colors and quality. Each cloisonne item spends over a year going through the screening process. Many manufacturers have migrated to making products larger than beads because of the higher dollar value associated with those sales. With that said, we were surprised to receive an offer of varying aged stock in beautiful-quality cloisonne beads and focal components from a retiring seller. These varied colors, sizes and shapes are glorious, and for the most part no longer available from manufacturers. This cloisonne collection has many different selections, mostly in small quantities. What does that mean to you? Get them while they are here. The cloisonne products will be gone fast, but for designers, not fast forgotten! |