Funny u said that because that’s what I was thinking. Lol

I think whether or not you use acrylic component depends on you and your customers.

I started out thinking that everything I made had to be gemstones and sterling or gold-filled – but that quickly became stifling to me, because there are so many other wonderful jewelry materials to work with!

I was astonished when my customers gravitated to brilliantly dyed gemstones over the natural ones, and weren’t concerned about what the metal was.

You might make a few attractive test pieces with acrylic beads, tell customers you’re testing some new materials and designs, and ask them what they think of these new designs. That might be a good way to find out what your particular customers think, before you invest much time or money in a new direction.

I love the fact that you can create a bold, chunky piece that is actually very light weight. I also use natural beads, Swarovski, sterling, etc. etc. but I think the acrylics really add something special. I always attach a tag identifying the materials used in my pieces so people are aware there are acrylics in the piece.

Some of my most beautiful beads are made out of acrylic, and my customers love them!

I know when my mother bought them, we had very little money and she would have been frugal so I cannot imagine they cost her much so we are not talking about the kind of pieces rich people buy to allow them to keep the “real” stuff in their safes. They are lovely and have stood the test of time and increased in value. Who’s to say what’s right or what’s wrong. I had no idea acrylic beads were “not allowed”.

If they enhance the piece and give you the desired results, do it. Except for practical and fair practices having to do with strength or turning skin green, true artists follow their hearts, not some set of arbitrary rules.

You mentioned a purpose for using them, lightness of weight, which is a valid reason. And I know watch faces can be a bit expensive, so this would keep the price down as well. If customers are loving and buying them, go ahead and use them. If they are commenting on the acrylic and not buying because they would prefer stone or glass, then listen to what they are saying and experiment with other beads as well. You could have a line of each, maybe for different markets.

I understand the mentality you’re speaking of. Some people only like or will buy the natural elements, for various reasons. But mixed media jewellery is really in as well right now, and that allows just about anything to be included in a piece, as long as the piece looks good when it’s completed.

A personal example – I fell in love with peridot chips a couple of years back. I just loved the shade of green, and the way those tiny little chips looked together. I collected up enough to make a long necklace for myself. I also found some beautiful, large, faceted apple green acrylic beads, which I was drawn to because of the colour. And they were very pretty acrylic (there’s good-looking acrylic, and then there’s cheap-looking acrylic). I added a few into my necklace for the added pop of colour, and the size. I’ve gotten compliments on that necklace, and I love it.

It’s your business, and your art. If you like incorporating them, and the pieces are selling, go for it. You’re allowed to be a rule-breaker! That’s what art is all about a lot of the time – colouring outside the lines. And if some of your customers want other materials, have some for them too. Have fun with it!