boo's pearl bracelets

[boo]

As I have stated before, the majority of my pearls come in earring form. I don't wear a lot of bracelets because I am a thin-blooded gal and wear long sleeves for 3/4 of the year, and because I worry that the pearls will get banged up, an issue which was recently discussed elsewhere on the forum.

However, bracelets do have a couple of things going for them: the ability to admire your own pearls while wearing them, and the fact that since there are fewer pearls than a necklace, they are more affordable.

I recently acquired 2 very pretty bracelets I thought folks might like to see. The first is a Tahitian from Pearl Paradise: mixed round and keshi. I had called PP because one of the bracelets they had on the site looked more blue than another and being a blues freak, I wanted to know if the color was true or just an artifact of my computer. Unfortunately, the bracelet I was interested in could not be found anywhere. Elia offered to try and make a similar bracelet for me of some of the bluer pearls they had on hand. The resulting bracelet is more navy than aqua but it is gorgeous - I just love it.

[boo]

The second bracelet is the product of several sources - Jeremy's baroque akoyas (Pearl Paradise), Terry's baroque FW (The Pearl Outlet), and Knotty Panda's skill and generosity (The Knottess of Panda ;)). I had purchased an extra strand of the baroque akoyas to break up and make into earrings and pendants for various friends and relatives, and when all was said and done, I was left with 8 extra pearls. I had also purchased a FW baroque bracelet from one of TPO's specials, but the bracelet was a bit too small for me (I prefer mine to be loose, despite the added risk to the pearls) and also I found the fishhook clasp to be difficult to use one-handed. Eventually it occurred to me that I had "2 great pearls that look great together" (to borrow from Reese's) and I enlisted the help of KP to construct the bracelet. My knotting skills are meager, and I am unfamiliar with using gimp, but I wanted the bracelet to have a nice finish. So, off went the pearls to Florida, and I just got them back today in finished form. The bracelet is alternating FW and akoya with the white gold ball clasp that came with the akoyas. Huge thanks to Knotty Panda for her kind assistance in creating the bracelet!!

[Casey.R]

Oooh, love those Tahitians. I like the mix of rounds and keishi. Looks like you got a good one to me :)
That second one is nice too. Very good use of the left over baroque akoyas in that design.
I also wear a lot of earrings and not many bracelets for the same reasons.

[pattye]

They both are gorgeous in their own way! The lighter one looks a bit more summery, but pearls really know no season, in my eyes! Great job, Knottess!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[knotty panda]

Wow! You got it already? I didn't even get my return receipt back from the P.O. yet! I'm glad you got it before you left for Florida. I'm tickled you like it. Wear it in the very best of pearly health!

[Sueki]

Boo,
They're both beautiful. I particularly love the akoya and freshwater together - if for no other reason than the colours are great and the fact that it's the result of co-operation between friends. :)
Congrats. to you both.

[GemGeek]

Wow, Boo! I love the pearls. ;) And the photographs turned out so well that I could use one as a monitor background... Hmmm... good idea!

Wait a minute -- is that a paper towel? Muah hah ha!!!:D

[knotty panda]

The pinks and purples in Boo's freshwater and akoya bracelet really play off each other. Both types of pearls display the colors on their own, but together its like they reflect each other's colors being next to each other. Really a pretty combination.

[smetzler]

And the photographs turned out so wellThree cheers for paper towels. Yes, that freshwater with glinting peacock is nice to look at.

Two wonderfully contrasting pieces with some very nice pearls, and well 'knotted.'

Am also a relatively reluctant bracelet acquirer but cracked for the rarity and quality of the pearls, (Cook Is. and Sea of Cortez keshi) unavailable or inappropriate in necklace quantities. Waiting for Springtime in Seattle for more frequent viewing.

[boo]

Wait a minute -- is that a paper towel? Muah hah ha!!!:D

Bounty to the rescue! (Geez - I have devolved into a slogan-spouting fool in this thread...) But yes, Blaire - I have you to thank for what are remarkably good photos compared to the fuzzy blobs I had been posting before.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. It is so fun to be able to share my treasures with folks who appreciate them!

[pernula]

Beautiful bracelets! Do you think with one hand the ball clasp is easier to use than the fishhook clasp ?

Thanks,
Pernula

[GemGeek]

Bounty to the rescue! (Geez - I have devolved into a slogan-spouting fool in this thread...) But yes, Blaire - I have you to thank for what are remarkably good photos compared to the fuzzy blobs I had been posting before.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. It is so fun to be able to share my treasures with folks who appreciate them!

Boo, my all-time favorite is your earring collection, but after a few weeks, the photos started cutting off on the right side, so I can't see all of them (and wish I still could). You have wonderful taste! ;)

[boo]

Beautiful bracelets! Do you think with one hand the ball clasp is easier to use than the fishhook clasp ?

Thanks,
Pernula

I think it is a bit easier to see the bar around which the clasp needs to hook on the ball clasp - on the fishhook, it is flush with the body of the clasp whereas on the ball it sticks out a tiny bit. To be truthful, however, the biggest difference comes from having the bracelet loose enough to give some maneuvering room. Magnetic clasps are my absolute favorite for bracelets because they literally close themselves, but the white ball echoed the alternating akoyas very well in the design (and fit in where an akoya would go if the bracelet were "endless") so I really wanted to use it for this piece.

[smetzler]

Magnetic clasps are my absolute favorite for bracelets because they literally close themselvesBoo, the Cook Islands keshi bracelet I gave my wife recently has a wonderful, strong 18kWG magnetic clasp. But my wife is scared to death to wear it for fear of it catching and falling off her wrist (it's happened once already, removing a coat). I believe there are safety chains which would provide a higher level of confidence?

[boo]

Boo, the Cook Islands keshi bracelet I gave my wife recently has a wonderful, strong 18kWG magnetic clasp. But my wife is scared to death to wear it for fear of it catching and falling off her wrist (it's happened once already, removing a coat). I believe there are safety chains which would provide a higher level of confidence?

Yes, any small piece of chain (or a chain extender piece) can be used for that purpose. I shudder to think of that particular bracelet being lost!! :eek: The end links of the chain are just strung onto the bracelet before the clasp or to the split ring that attaches the clasp (depending on how the bracelet is strung: silk or beadalon-type wire)

[knotty panda]

Wow! That magnetic clasp thing scares me! The bracelet with the clasp undone and the safety chain should not be able to slip over the wrist. If it does, it's too large.

[smetzler]

The bracelet with the clasp undone and the safety chain should not be able to slip over the wrist. If it does, it's too large.The final piece to our puzzle, thanks!

[salem]

Hi Boo,

Gorgeous bracelets! I love the akoyas and baroque freshwaters together. The colors just play off each other so well. I agree with pattye that it seems like the more summery one. I guess the blue and white together just remind me of a summer sky.

BTW, the little package I have for you is STILL sitting here. lol I am trying to get it out this weekend. I have been so scatter-brained recently it is unreal.

I suppose here is a good place to make my announcement. I received a few emails from people wondering where I had disappeared to in the fall...Well, in October I finally found out I was pregnant. YAY!! We had been trying for several years and I was about to give up. Anyway, to keep it pearl related...my baby is due on June 17th, which we all know has pearl as it's birthstone. So I feel extra blessed because now I have more reasons to buy more wonderful pearls. lol Like we need excuses. hahaha

[Sueki]

Oh, very many congatualtions, Salem. And a June baby, too !
My best wishes to you all. :)

[boo]

Hooray! Congratulations, Jen! How fitting that you should have a pearl baby :D

[knotty panda]

I suppose here is a good place to make my announcement. I received a few emails from people wondering where I had disappeared to in the fall...Well, in October I finally found out I was pregnant. YAY!! We had been trying for several years and I was about to give up. Anyway, to keep it pearl related...my baby is due on June 17th, which we all know has pearl as it's birthstone. So I feel extra blessed because now I have more reasons to buy more wonderful pearls. lol Like we need excuses. hahaha

OH SALEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You really are a good secret keeper. You didn't let on at all! So tickled for you. I wish you nothing but the best health, happiness, oh, just so so much. Let's see, name suggestions for our little one ... Knotty Boo Slraep; or if he's a boy Cortez! Then when he runs for President his signs will read, "Cortez for Prez!" I'm getting carried way. Salem, all my best. We will need a baby pic thread, you realize. :)

[nlerner]

MAZALTOV from Israel.

Wishing you all the best.

[Casey.R]

Thats wonderful news! Congratulations :)
June is a great month to be born, ( I'm a gemini too ) and yes a very good reason for more pearls.

[smetzler]

An honor to be a participant in such a newsworthy thread! Congratulations, Salem. Yes, pearls are definitely in your little one's future…

[GemGeek]

What a wonderful blessing! I am soooo happy for you. ;)

[pernula]

That's great news! Congratulations! Best wishes for a healthy and happy baby.:)

Pernula

[Nicole]

Salem,

Although I don't know you, I just wanted to add my congratulations, as well. This is truly wonderful news!

Nicole

[Raisondetre]

Dear Salem,

Omedetto!

[salem]

AWWW...thanks everyone.:o It was hard not mentioning it for so long. But at least it is a good excuse for my absence. lol...Morning sickness..yipee.. Thank god that is over. You know, when I first found out the due date I took it as a good sign. Of course, I don't think my huband took it that way.."Hey, guess what, the baby's birthstone is PEARL!!" I could just read the amused "Oh no!!!" passing through his head. I will certainly post a pic soon after the birth.

And Knotty, lol, the names...not so sure about the whole Cortez thing. My last name is Kato, so I am not sure if I like the sound together. Now I have a nephew Josh, so maybe Jeremy? Oh wait, my mom has banned me from using a J.

Her brother is John, I am Jennifer, and among my nieces and nephews are Josh, Jake, Jordain(a girl), and Justin. :eek: I think a new letter is needed. I do think of the baby as my "little pearl" though.

[jerin]

Jen,

congratulations also from Sweden to Your baby. She/he perhaps will become a real pearl lover with having it as the birth stone.:)

[salem]

Jen,

congratulations also from Sweden to Your baby. She/he perhaps will become a real pearl lover with having it as the birth stone.:)

Hi Jerin,

Thanks, although I don't think the poor kid will stand a chance. It is kinda like my love of bears..my child MUST love them. lol