This post isn't about pearls specifically, but IS part of my Pearling Story. As I mentioned in another thread, I am helping my local jeweler "redo" her display cases. She has had the original cases for 17 years, since the store opened. Display cases are so expensive so she had some built. They are definitely a local cabinet maker grade, but they do the trick. However, they need to be freshened up. They currently have the original laminate covered sides and bases, including inside where the jewelry is displayed. Because she doesn't like the laminate design, she has put plastic tablecloth material on them; reminds me of the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" couch covered with plastic to keep it from getting stained.
The cases are supported with exposed metal shelf standards! So, to cover those up, she wrapped them with glitter edged ribbon and stuck silk flower bunches in the ribbon wrapped supports. Yikes! A glitter mess, and 17-year old faded fake flowers (you can sort of see the flowers in the 3rd photo). Definitely NOT what I want to look at when deciding on a $1,000 to $3,000 ring. But, her prices are outstanding!!! So perhaps her customers don't mind the display because they are getting such a good deal.
She helped me so much with my mother-in-law's jewelry authentications an has also been a huge help with authenticating clasps/diamond/gold on the items I regularly re-work. This amazing Vietnamese woman has become a true friend. Wanting to help her and her business I offered to take on this challenging and sizeable task. She's buying all the materials, I'm just donating the labor and design.
I probably wouldn't have taken this on, but I found some fantastic bonded leather in white at JoAnns craft online and it was top grade. Originally $50/yard and I was able to snag 20 yards for $14/yard! As I said, I don't think I would have taken this "gift job" on without this fantastic deal. The leather is so incredibly beautiful.
My husband has all the saws/tools necessary as well as the skills to cut the wood I needed. He is a former cabinet builder and learned from his grandfather. He was so sweet to both support me and help me with this project. What a good soul, no complaining whatsoever. Last night we cut all the wood needed for the bases. The supports you see in the "BEFORE" photo he cut so that I could remove the shelf standards and cover them and the cases would have support in the meantime.
I tested the project by completing 2 cases to make sure she liked the finished result.
BEFORE PHOTOS: (Sorry, I guess I didn't get the fake flowers in the picture...maybe that's a good thing...) In the first photo you can see the platform displays that I have already recovered with the leather.
