Fossilized Coral and stellar pearls, 14K, gold filled, Vermeer components.

Good Evening. 

   This is that represents a time when nothing mattered but the purity of design. No rushing to create enough to cater to a large event. No producing to hit a quota so I would not sell out at a show when I am contracted for the time. Just, me and my design. I made this necklace about 10 years ago in the height of many things. The future was wide open and I had lots of possibilities. I had just graduated jewelry school, and with a degree and a grant I won, I had lots to work with. I rarely, rarely kept any of my work. This was an exception. The strand of pearls, as imperfect as they were, happened to be one of the more pricey strands I purchased that year at the bead show in Philly. I had a jewelry store in town, or more accurately, two jewelers, a husband and wife team, that took me under their wing and taught me pearl tying. They gave me more than skills; they believed in me. A young girl with a big love for creating beautiful things. They challenged me when I was still figuring out the basics. (Tho, I had a strong desire to succeed) I think they saw that and are certainly one of just a few people that got me to where I am today. They are retired these days. I hope they are doing well and enjoying life. I am still running my business, but part time. I moved back in w/ my folks to care for their needs. So, I no longer make the trek to far gone locations to sell at art shows all over the East coast. But, I have been truly blessed with my needs met and many surprises along the way. This necklace is made in the 'old school' style. Traditional pearl tying and hand formed metal for the 'bumpers', aka, the parts where metal meets metal. I wound the metal wire around a needle since all the metal forms I had were too thick. On my old computer I had pictures, but that computer is at my brothers, awaiting the time when it gets de-bugged enough to go in and retrieve the pics. I did wear this a few times, after all, it was the one that did not get away :) I have a picture of me at 'Nicks Boat House" in the Poconos, Pa in 2008? 09? I rented a room during off season and paraded around like a queen armed with my imagination. I looked so solid,...in the pictures. But wow, life comes so fast. So much has changed since then. If I knew this was going to be my future years ago, I would have been miserably disappointed. But, knowing what I know now (yes, I know how cliche that sounds) I have a happiness and 'solidness' that I never had before. So, I'm passing this along. It's someone else's turn to wear something that says, "I am truly unique, I must be adored, this is a very fancy piece I have on" I, or someone that cares for me put some time and thought into this one. I am appreciated. Granted no piece of jewelry gives you your worth, you do. But, us ladies know how it can feel when the clasp is closed and the weight of something amazing slides onto our chest and our breath draws in. I've felt that, I've seen that. I would like to think this is one of those pieces. Naturally I had many large, wild, awesome pieces that I made over the years that may be more deserving of the title of stunning. But I remember keeping this after seeing an exhibit at the Met in NY where a dainty lil' thing won first prize among large, statement pieces. The little guy......or more accurate, the unassuming beauty took the prize. You see at the time, I had such a love for the large and elaborate. So, keeping, holding on to a classy, *almost* understated necklace was not the norm. All being said, I have decided that the money I make from this will not go to bills. It will not buy groceries or gas, pay for insurance or the cell phone. I intend to save this money to do something special. What that is, I don't know just yet. but I suppose that when it sells, I'll have an idea. It won't be renting an off season cabin in a tourist town, I want to reach people this time. It's not going to be about me. I feel I have a lot to offer and that can't happen in my living room. While things are so fleeting these days, I thank you for your time to read this, my tale of what feels like two lives. After all, our time and our good name are the only things we really own. let us continue on with strength, truth and courage -Annecatette