I don’t normally spend a lot of time ogling pearls at stores and beads shows. After all, I’m a metalsmith. I’m trying to be a metalsmith. Someday, I’ll be a metalsmith. At any rate, one of my customers wants pearls and I try to oblige my customers. They (the customers) are pretty valuable! I was getting ready to send a pick box out of state and called the customer to see what she needed. She told me that she always does well in the summer with pearls and gemstones. “But what about something copper?” I asked. Again, she said, “I really like pearls and gemstones.” Finally, I got it. The woman wants pearls and gemstones; so who am I to disagree?She knows what she can sell at her boutique and I don’t live in her shoes. So . . . I went to Magpie Gemstones (www.magpiegemstones.com) and I bought pearls!

I do have to admit that I’ve been more interested in pearls lately. I recently finished a research article on pearls (http://www.magpiegemstones.com/about_pearls.html) and learned about how they come from an uncomfortable mollusk. I guess it just goes to show that good things can come from irritants.

I was completely astounded to see what I’d been missing in the pearl department. There were the traditional white and ecru pearls in a beautiful array of sizes and hues, but there were also pink, purple, blue, teal and green pearls. Who knew? This would-be metalsmith had not clue! I bought pearls!

I started stringing these night before last and learned that I really like pearls. They work up very fast, look good with almost anything and make a good statement in designs. I felt like an ostrich with it head . . . well you know. Below are just a few of the pieces I strung with the newly purchased pearls. They obviously are very simple, but I’m hoping my customer will like them.

The first rather fuzzy photo, displays white stick pearls with peach oval pearls. The stone is a white turquoise cabachon that I wrapped with sterling silver. It has earrings in the same style.

     

The two pictures above display very plain necklaces. The first has a lovely mother of pearl pendant and the second is a double strand of tiny peachy pearls. My customer often purchases gemstone pendants that could hang on these pearls.

The piece below sports a picture jasper pendant hanging from shell beads. I was fascinated by the shape of the latter and wish you could see the swirls in them. Rather than being flat, the jasper bead has a nice wave to it. I have an entire strand of these to play with.

I was so excited about my pearl purchases that I strung them all and will need to go back for more. (What a shame! – ha!) Until I get more pearls, I guess I will have to back to trying to be metalsmith; but you know, it’s good to get out once in a while!