My "Pearling" Story...

MotherOfPearlTrumpet said:
One of my fellow congregants wanted to do something special for his wife for their anniversary. She is part of a very active sorority that are so committed to each other; they remain "sisters" for their whole lives! What a treasure, right. We did a funeral for one of their members and the church was packed FULL! Anyway, they, like most Greek Life groups, have a very specific logo and theme. This sorority has "pink pearls" with their Greek logo. Love it, right! So, when my friend saw my colored pearls he asked me about putting together a strand for his wife. He sent me the Sorority's Logo (paper version) and I was able to create with paper (using some special pearly thick paper, cut in circles, and pressed into the palm of my hand to make it appear "concave" like a pearl) their logo with all the bling (Swarovski crystals and all) and of course, the correct colors necessary for this sorority. It was really fun. I also secured a lovely strand of metallic pink FW pearls, a diamond/14KYG charm (her initial) and a 14KYG lobster clasp (all of these from Etsy shops). Fortunately it was around Valentine's Day so I got GREAT 1/2 price deals on the findings and was able to stay in his budget. He is so excited about giving this to his wife...too bad he has to wait till August!
See what you think of this gift.
For me, the wrapping/storage is as important as the strand itself when it is a gift. I have so much fun creating unique boxes/cards with my paper crafting supplies and skills. I did cardmaking for 10 years before getting into pearls.
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So lovely, what a great gift! I'm sure your friend is delighted and his wife is sure to love this.
 
So it looks like my additions to this thread will be more "monthly" than daily! I've been so busy with family and work.
I have been designing some lovely rings lately and found myself with extra small diamonds from the re-works. Being someone who doesn't like things to go to waste, I decided to have 6 of them set in some earrings that needed a bit more "bling." I purchased these earrings used on EBay.
They are 14K Gold Bow earrings (in "Mikimoto" style). There were no diamonds on the bows, only the pearl pegs. I removed the little diamond pearl pegs and will use those on another project. I had my jeweler install these larger gold fancy filagree 5mm pearl cups; I love the fancy decorative tops. I removed the smaller 8mm Akoyas from the tiny diamond pegs. These Akoyas were OK quality and will be used elsewhere. Instead, I added some lovely Coppery/Pink Edison FW Pink pearls to match another necklace. The pearls, 11.3mm, touch the bottoms of the bow a bit when they dangle, so they are somewhat "noisy" earrings, but I love how they turned out. Whimsical and girly fun.
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My last post was June 4th...it's been a summer. Active with Vacation Bible School at work, then off to Glacier National Park for hiking. Unfortunately I turned my ankle toward the end of St. Mary Falls Trail and something went crack! A painful 1/4 mile to the car and then a 3.5 hour drive through the mountains back to Kalispel, MT (the closest regional hospital). Yep, it was a broken fibula. I got so tired of telling people what happened I came up with an alliteration: Frustratingly Fractured my Fibula in the Forrest Foothills from Fumbled Footing. Try saying that 5 times fast.
It is healing nicely...I'm finally out of the boot and into a brace, working out the stiffness. Then took a short cruise with my girlfriend...giving her a nice 6 strand FW necklace on the trip. I just love making and gifting pearls. Even little FW's are so classy with a dinner dress.
Waiting for some relief from the Texas heat...so I can start wearing my heavier/bigger pearls again.
Wearing my multi colored ringed Tahitians today...silver blue all the way.
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Ooooh....so sorry to hear about your broken fibula! So sorry!...
Since I've suffered a few injuries...I really FEEL for you!
Anyway, it's GOOD to see you back here with us and sharing your lovely silver Tahitians with us!
 
Going through what I've worked on since my last "pearly" posts I realized that I had not posted this project. I found it "resale" for a very good price, but was unhappy with how it was put together and actually laid on one's neck. After taking it apart and working with the distance between the pearls/strands and then adding a super cool vintage pearl clasp that allows the 3 strands to float just a bit more, I finally got everything to lay correctly. This is an Aquamarine "Chip" necklace accented with some blue freshwater pearls. It is a very nice "watery" combination for this necklace. With the extra pearls/aquamarine chips I put together a bracelet using the original gold clasp. Initially all the strands were connected to this one clasp, which didn't work very well. I love the color combination of these pearls and the aquamarine chips. I've received lots of compliments on this necklace, I guess because it is so unusual. I did use 14K gold crimp beads with 14K gold bead covers and put everything on silicone covered wire for flow and stability.
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pattye said:
MOPTrumpet, So sorry to hear about your injury; I hope you are recovering well! Love the pearl and aquamarine combo! (And so many others, too!)
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Well Pattye, coming from such an experienced/professional jewelry maker, I am humbled. Thank you for your kind words. I know we all just share the joy of working with and making things out of nature's beauties. A small part of me wishes I'd been trained in the jewelry craft (metals, stones, etc.). Perhaps there is still time.
 
MotherOfPearlTrumpet said:
Well Pattye, coming from such an experienced/professional jewelry maker, I am humbled. Thank you for your kind words. I know we all just share the joy of working with and making things out of nature's beauties. A small part of me wishes I'd been trained in the jewelry craft (metals, stones, etc.). Perhaps there is still time.
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We're all just playing in the pearls and loving it, aren't we??!! It's never too late ~ I didn't even learn to knot until I was in my 60's.
 
Thank you for sharing all your finds and projects. It’s very encouraging. I have a ton of beading projects waiting for me to finish but I’m sort of nervous about getting the clasps finished correctly. I know I need to just get over my anxiety and do it. I’m reworking a Tahitian pearl necklace right now that I purchased on eBay so maybe I will post it soon. Keep up the good work!
 
treasurefixation said:
Thank you for sharing all your finds and projects. It’s very encouraging. I have a ton of beading projects waiting for me to finish but I’m sort of nervous about getting the clasps finished correctly. I know I need to just get over my anxiety and do it. I’m reworking a Tahitian pearl necklace right now that I purchased on eBay so maybe I will post it soon. Keep up the good work!
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It's just plain fun, right! Thanks for your kind comment and I look forward to seeing your Tahitian strand from EBay. Three truly are treasures on EBay but you need to be careful and discerning. I've been pretty fortunate being able to spot the real thing after taking the Pearls as One course, but I have also received a few fakes...fortunately all but 2 I was able to get a refund. The other 2 were so cheap it wasn't worth all the effort of trying to return them.
 
Well, it's Monday again. That seems to be my best day to check the forum. It's mid-September and Fall is officially here (on the calendar anyway), but it's still HOT in Texas. Here is a really fun strand that makes me at least feel Fall is in the air. Zebra stone beads (3mm and 12mm) coupled with white vintage Akoya pearls (3mm) and some cool Mother of Pearl carved leaves. I love the veining in the Zebra stone and on the pearl leaves. I just really enjoy working with unusual stones coupled with pearls. I have some Picasso Agate disk beads that are just crying out for some older Akoya pearls...more to come on that strand.
Hope everyone has a GREAT week.
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Love the black & white combination :)
Happy start of the week!
 
Oh those diamond clasps...I'm so proud of this one, as I had to design a rework, creating a supporting bar inside the side clips in order to use it with pearls...it was originally on a gold chain. It's just so beautiful with these lovely Tahitian Gray pearls. Who would have thought that gray could be such a lovely color for pearls! Earrings to mach.
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Here is my "greenish gray" Tahitian pearl. I was so amazed how it morphed to match my green shirt. Pearls are chameleons sometimes!
Have a great Monday everyone. You can even see my computer monitor reflected in this pearl!
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LIttle blue/purple/mauve freshwater pearls (so nice and round) with a 14KWG Diamond pendant/7mm round iridescent blue pearl. Little earrings to mach. Love how it has so many nice tones in the little pearls. Like the last one, you can even see my computer monitor reflected in this pearl!
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So I took my Monday picture but got too busy to post it. So here is Happy Monday and Happy Wednesday!
I'm enjoying reading threads about the "possibly natural double strand" as well as the "possible Mikimoto brooch." So interesting! Wonder if someone will be going through my necklaces like this someday. Makes me wish I had time to treasure hunt.
The peach pearls are high luster 100% round with 14K gold accent beads.
The blacks are high-end dyed Akoya pearls 100% round 8mm with diamond rondel spacers. These are from the 1970's loose pearls I discussed earlier in this thread. I wish the photos could capture the different shades of purple/dark green/dark blue in these pearls. So amazing.
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