Pearls by the Bay 2024

I am incredibly Happy to announce that this year's Pearls by the Bay event is officially set to happen on May 18th! Save the Date!

The information right from Kojima's website:

PEARLS BY THE BAY * SATURDAY MAY 18th 2024 *
TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE IN MARCH 2024! ​

• Each year in May, we gather at the Casa Madrona Hotel in Sausalito, California.
• We start at 10am with a light breakfast and coffee/ tea service prepared for the group.
• Next we hear from a hand chosen group of pearl farmers, historians and pearl professionals from around the world. This lecture series is a fantastic way to not just learn about different varieties of pearls, but to meet the people who study and cultivate these gems. There is a heavy focus on ecology and the marine harmony which is VITAL to the health and existence of both farming and natural pearl existence.
• We have a gorgeous buffet lunch catered by Poggio's Restaurant, and a cocktail reception at sunset.
• Last but not least: We play PEARL BINGO for PRIZES, and trust me you will WANT TO PLAY WITH US. Every year, this is by far the funniest part of the day!
• There is plenty of time for show and tell, and catching up with your pearl friends.
• This is the only seminar of its kind .. dedicated solely to pearls.. and it is our honor to host this event.

 

It will be so much fun to relive the Lake Kasumi ga Ura and other Live Events and share treasures ... counting the days till Pearls By The Bay!

 

Almudena and I look forward to meeting everyone!

Tips please: Just went on Amazon to see about a roll/bag to carry a few of our treasures safely and comfortably. Too many choices! Any practical recommendations?

 

Almudena and I look forward to meeting everyone!

Tips please: Just went on Amazon to see about a roll/bag to carry a few of our treasures safely and comfortably. Too many choices! Any practical recommendations?

You know those rubber mats that you line drawers with? I use one of those. I cut it to the size I want, then I lay my jewelry out on it, and then roll it up and tie a few bands around it so it doesn't unroll. Ridiculously inexpensive, and the jewelry doesn't shift around. I also put the roll inside something like a shoe sock, or a sock, of any kind of stuff sack or packing cube that's long and narrow, just in case something escapes.

 

You know those rubber mats that you line drawers with?

Definitely qualifies as practical! Thanks.

 

At my first Ruckus, someone had a roll made from one of these rubber mats. It was sewn to some fabric and had the ties attached. I always intended to sew a proper jewelry roll with it, but found that just using the mat by itself worked fine, so I've never bothered to make the "real" jewelry roll.

 

Almudena and I look forward to meeting everyone!

Tips please: Just went on Amazon to see about a roll/bag to carry a few of our treasures safely and comfortably. Too many choices! Any practical recommendations?

We are planning to hand out custom made "totes" this year, I can't say that they will be safest way to carry your treasures but they will be readily available. There is a luggage store on 4th street in San Rafael, I just looked them up and the prices are WOW, mmm I couldn't recommend. For something easy, there is always a target near by, if you'd prefer to buy one after landing.

 

I own 2 of those handmade rubber mats from an early Ruckus too; they work very well. Mine have the rubber mat inside, and quilted fabric outside, with a ribbon tie. Open, it's the size of a placemat, holds everything secure although I always tuck into another bag for travel, in case. There were some on Etsy in the past, I don't see any like that now, but BWeaves has figured out a good sub. Hmmmm, I need to ask my quilting master sister to make some; she's used to my strange requests My only other tip is whatever roller/carryon/purse/backpack the jewelry bag is in NEVER leaves the designated person's hands except if TSA inspects ...occasionally they are quite puzzled by strands (nucleii?) and even more puzzled why anyone would have more than one ...

 

One day .....

 

One day .....

Indeed... And in one of my favorite places in the world too...

 

We are planning to hand out custom made "totes" this year, I can't say that they will be safest way to carry your treasures but they will be readily available. There is a luggage store on 4th street in San Rafael, I just looked them up and the prices are WOW, mmm I couldn't recommend. For something easy, there is always a target near by, if you'd prefer to buy one after landing.

I used skills honed over the years by searching for the perfect shave/travel kit to zero in on this bag after returning a couple of others. Works well for what we intend to bring, including loose pearls and mabes, but quite limited in terms of multiple strands. Really compact. But I had to promise to 'give back' everything I've appropriated for the day!

Sarah, how are things looking for Saturday?

 

The prelude-

The party is growing-

Looking forward to tomorrow!

 

So many familiar faces. Enjoy!!!!

This was fabulous. Thank you for live streaming PBTB. Thank you Sarah for putting this on. Thank you Jeremy for having PP live stream it. Congratulations Jeremy on Pearls as One and the Pearl Association!!!! Douglas, great talk, as always. And I loved the talk by the natural pearl lady.

Although I do take offense at the Berne virus.

(I had to go Google "Berne virus" while Jeremy was talking, because I couldn't believe he kept saying "Berna" virus. For those of you who don't know, my name is Berna.)

 

Great 2nd half.. Watched the entire live stream.

 

Yes, thank you for the live streams. I enjoyed them immensely.
Sarah may need to find a larger venue for 2025.

 

G'day!
Finally made it back
Arrived late last night from a long trip from SFO...but very happy and grateful for this great event!

I will add a couple of photos I was able of shooting during the PBTB event!

 

Hisano, Adry, @CathyKeshi and I had a special presentation on natural pearls by Fuji Voll!

 

Sarah @kojimapearl inspecting 3 unique Horseconch natural pearls that were brought over by our friend Edgar, the "Baja Pearl Hunter"

 

Betty Sue King, Adry, Jaime & Ingrid...from the Atacama Pearls project in Chile. Those abalone cultured pearls are getting better and prettier each year!

 

It was a full venue!

 

Jeremy & Wheez chilling out!

Notice Jeremy wearing an exquisite Kasumi pearl pendant. And Wheez...well...layering it down.