Caroline Mead
Caroline Mead is the founder of Moona Custom, specializing in handmade clay jewelry. The business was born when founder Mead was left empty handed hunting for the perfect pair of bold but lightweight statement earrings. Recalling polymer clay as a familiar medium, she turned to her upbringing for stylistic inspiration. She was immediately drawn to memories of her mother, who wore colorful, geometric headscarves while undergoing chemotherapy. Mead remembered feeling a sense of pride for how boldly her mom wore the scarves and how she contended with her cancer in general. Moona Custom became a brand inspired by these vivid, deep colored, geometric scarves and her mom's bold spirit.
Mead's process for crafting her jewelry starts with creating custom colors from basic shades of polymer clay. After the clay is conditioned and rolled to the desired thickness, Mead cuts the geometric shapes that make up each earring style. The pieces are hardened and then sanded to achieve a smooth and uniform finish. Finally, the jewelry is assembled using gold-plated metal.
Each earring style is inspired by an artist, founder or change agent in the local community. The styles are designed with the input of these individuals as a tribute to their work and a means to share their story.
