prologue...

  finally!  i've finished what i'm calling the "prologue pearls" line, spent all day yesterday photographing and editing, til well past dinnertime into dusk, as you can see above.  i love these pearls - they feel to me like prayer beads, in a way, because i counted and fingered and threaded each pearl one by one by one onto silk cord, then measured and added lengths of sterling chain, assorted gemstones, a silverplate watch fob clasp.  they are meant to be worn with the clasp in the front, so that a charm can be either tied on or hooked onto the clasp, after hooking the sterling chain. 
 easy to add, easy to remove and interchange.  lovely with my charms, lovely with your own findings (think of an antique ring... another charm... a tiny cup with a handle...) or lovely on its own as a lariat, with a lovely gemstone dangle.
  i am wild about this idea, will be making more of them when time permits.  it is a quiet pleasure, very zen-like, to sit in the evenings on the sofa with a tray in my lap, threading pearls and knotting them one by one.  sometimes i have to make myself stop, to go on to bed.  after all, a woman needs time to curl up with a book, before turning out the light.  it was the beauty of the written word that triggered this whole new line - the tiny little bits of poetry that i clipped from a pitiful little 1844 book that fits in the palm of my hand. 
with the book falling apart, i've given the words new life - and the pearls are the prologue, stories without words, just waiting to be told.    for my mother's day gift for mama (shh):
it's overcast here, after a lovely overnight rain that sounded delicious from the bed under an open window.  just as i was swimming upwards to the surface from the water of sleep, i heard a hummingbird buzzing right outside the screen.  it occurred to me that he or she was attracted to the red tulip in the stained glass, a gift from daddy many years ago.  hello, daddy.  hello, little bird.  hello.  xo
(note - for those of you who purchased jewelry earlier this week, i've held off shipping til tomorrow, in case you wanted to add to your order and shipping charges would be combined.  i'll adjust, accordingly.  a link to my little shop is here.)

Comments

[Tina in McLeansville]

such a bowlful of deliciousness, those lovelies are...and with that dewdrop hanging off, it makes me want to reach out and pluck one! the piece for your mom is stunningly, achingly beautiful. and the next time your dad flies in, tell him i said hello. ;) good job, sweetie, of persevering to treat all of us. thank you! hugs...xo

[sandra]

these are making me cry...so zen, so peaceful...and it all started from the "word"...

[Fi]

What gorgeous offerings you are sharing today! I am in awe. You are a poet, Nina, both with words and with your jewelry. Your new creations are just stunning. I could spend hours gazing at them. Thank you for sharing.

[susan]

Your poetry jewelry is simply beautiful, Nina! And I love the clasp idea.
Such a precious gift for your mama (how lucky she is to have you - and you, her).

xo dusan

[donna joy]

stunning as usual!

[Lynn in Tucson]

You are a treasure.

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

Gorgeous and I love the words that you've chosen to accompany your jewelry.

[Leigh]

Your pictures are incredible. Thank you so much for your artful touch. I so appreciate reading your blog.

[Vickie]

I love your knotty pearls and snippets, Daddy's humming tulip
and the surprise for Ma!

[Jillayne]

I love your latest creations. I went straight to your shop and they were gone - I knew they would be, they are so beautiful.
The background behind the art is always so interesting to me, knowing the words came from your tiny little book; it does change how I look at things, though they were already beautiful to me.

[rachelle]

sigh x