Hi all ~ I wanted to update you on what ended up happening with Miss Miriam.
We picked out a larger slide-in clasp that appeared easy to manuever. She took it home to practice and returned it, saying she just couldn't manage it and would I just string the necklace on a traditional fish-hook like we started with. So that's what I did.
I know she wanted the pearls on something traditional, even though it meant she most likely wasn't going to be able to work it.
And sadly to say, within the month, she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer that had spread. My guess is that she has put the pearls away for one of her grandaughters.
I'm tempted to go buy a sterling silver magnetic clasp at Hobby Lobby, string up some of my fattest shiniest pearls and give her a beautiful necklace to wear right now, one she can manage and not give a hoot over the miki-moto-ness.
Bless her heart. She's such a strong woman and independent as all get-out, with a backbone strong as steel. I feel so sad for her right now. Yes, I think I will make her a necklace and tell her to never take it off. She'll look like a queen day and night.