A bizarrely perfect bracelet project

[lovedogs]

As is the case with many of us here, I am continuously inspired by @yssie s pearl collection (and taste in general). When I saw her SoC bracelet that she made with her favorite pearls, I was inspired to make my own "favorites" bracelet--with a twist.

I decided to try and find my "favorites" of all different kinds of pearls so I could make a bracelet where each one (or each pair) was a "favorite", but all were different.

I'm not quite sure this will be the final line up, but I know I'm getting darn close so wanted to share.

Without further ado, here is my "favorites" bracelet.

Outside in sun:











If anyone is curious about where/what the Pearl's are, from the middle we have:
1 gloriously shaped pearl from our very own @katbran. Sourced from paspaley farms and my personal version of perfect.
To the left of center is a SoC pearl from @yssie
To the right of center is the amazing golden multicolor pearl I got from @molinePDG
2nd from center (on both sides) is a pair of akoya from Takahashi. I asked for their highest quality pair between 8-9.5mm.
3rd from center (on both sides) is an incredible pair of blue/multicolor pearls from @molinePDG who was kind enough to keep an eye out for anything intensely blue or multicolored.
4th from center (both sides) is part of a lot I bought from CMN pearls. I told them the types of colors I liked and asked for their best quality.
5th from center (both sides) are a pair of blue pearls from Takahashi. Again I asked for their highest quality blue pearls in this size range (with color being the priority).
The rest of both sides are from the CMN lot, as are the "extras" in the middle of the design board.

I still may tweak the ends of the bracelet a bit (mulling over options now), but am very happy with the center and surrounding 5 on each side. I'm still not 100% sure how many pearls I need, so I may not end up using all of the ones on the ends. Once I am more sure about how I want the ends to look I will work with pearl paradise for drilling/setting the bracelet and will ask them about measurement specifics.

Edit. Insane things are happening with attaching pics via mobile right now. Looks like all of them uploaded, but I can't insert more than a few into the thread. Sorry!

 

[lissyflo]

I love the idea of a favourites bracelet! I was going to ask if you could post some pics of the pearls strung on elastic or thread, unknotted, so we could see them on the wrist, but then read that they’re not yet drilled. Can’t wait to see how this ends up.

 

[lovedogs]

I love the idea of a favourites bracelet! I was going to ask if you could post some pics of the pearls strung on elastic or thread, unknotted, so we could see them on the wrist, but then read that they’re not yet drilled. Can’t wait to see how this ends up.

Thanks! Yes, not drilled yet (except the one I bought from @yssie ), so sadly I can't string them to see.

I'm also playing with the idea of a tin cup style so I can make sure each pearl is exactly what I want and not feel like there are any "fillers" at the ends.

 

[lissyflo]

Oooh, a tin cup would be amazing too. Less visible for you to enjoy while you wear it than a bracelet, but each pearl could stand distinct. Both would be lovely! I’ve always liked MakingTheGrade’s medley strand.

 

[lovedogs]

Oooh, a tin cup would be amazing too. Less visible for you to enjoy while you wear it than a bracelet, but each pearl could stand distinct. Both would be lovely! I’ve always liked MakingTheGrade’s medley strand.

Oh whoops, I meant a tin cup style bracelet where the pearls are on a chain and a bit separated so they can stand on their own. That way I can still appreciate it

 

[marymm]

Love your "favorites" lineup -- I think it will be a beautiful bracelet!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks! Yes, not drilled yet (except the one I bought from @yssie ), so sadly I can't string them to see.

I'm also playing with the idea of a tin cup style so I can make sure each pearl is exactly what I want and not feel like there are any "fillers" at the ends.

Mmmmmm that sounds more like a necklace

 

[katbran]

There's my big baby ! I was hoping he'd pop his little head up at some point ! He is a true beauty. Love where you plan is taking you ! Keep us all posted and give him a hug from his mom !

 

[lovedogs]

There's my big baby ! I was hoping he'd pop his little head up at some point ! He is a true beauty. Love where you plan is taking you ! Keep us all posted and give him a hug from his mom !

Haha will do! Thank you again for finding him. He is perfection

 

[lovedogs]

Ps. If anyone has suggestions about order of pearls or thinks there's a different/better way to order them, definitely let me know! I am admittedly not the best with color. I know I want the large pearl in the center, but beyond that I am open to suggestions for which pearls are in which "position". I was trying to make sure that each one stands out, so I avoided putting ones with similar colors next to each other.

 

[springerspaniel]

Wow, @lovedogs this is a lovely line up of pearly goodness!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Ps. If anyone has suggestions about order of pearls or thinks there's a different/better way to order them, definitely let me know! I am admittedly not the best with color. I know I want the large pearl in the center, but beyond that I am open to suggestions for which pearls are in which "position". I was trying to make sure that each one stands out, so I avoided putting ones with similar colors next to each other.

The beauty of a braclete is its shorter if you change your mind and need to reknot
Look how much fun @MakingTheGrade has redoing her creations till she is 100% happy

 

[yssie]

Oh that’s lovely!! I wondered what else you were collecting for this piece

I like the order you have!! But… Just one but… Your favourites deserve other favourites I say collect just a few more, I don’t think you need many more!! So you don’t need any “filler” pearls and each one has a story like the first eleven you’ve shared

 

[yssie]

Way too late to edit but came back here for another lookie loo

So you've got
- WSS
- GSS
- White akoya
- Blue akoya
- SoC
- Tahitians

A few ideas for other types that you might like to add
- FW! Some Chinese FW are really spectacular!!
- Natural pearls - one or two keshi maybe?
- A non-nacreous pearl
- I also would love to see another gold on the opposite arm - maybe a light champagne, to differentiate from the deep gold you've already got?

 

[lovedogs]

Way too late to edit but came back here for another lookie loo

So you've got
- WSS
- GSS
- White akoya
- Blue akoya
- SoC
- Tahitians

A few ideas for other types that you might like to add
- FW! Some Chinese FW are really spectacular!!
- Natural pearls - one or two keshi maybe?
- A non-nacreous pearl
- I also would love to see another gold on the opposite arm - maybe a light champagne, to differentiate from the deep gold you've already got?

Yay, I was just going to ask you what would be a good edition. I really like the idea of a light champagne.

 

[lovedogs]

I took @yssie 's advice and reached out to pearl paradise to see what metallic or freshadama options they had. Their customer service is great, and after describing colors I liked, she SA recommended the circled ones in this pic.




I decided to buy 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. For some reason the darker colors (7, weren't speaking to me, but I loooove the ones I decided on. Hoping these can complete the bracelet so that each pearl is one I absolutely love.

 

[lovedogs]

Wow, PP ships fast!

These are impossible to take pics of. But they have lovely overtones IRL. 2 of them are more "champagne", and 3 are more metallic.

 

[Pearlescence]

Your bracelet is shaping up to be around 50cm long!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This is getting sooopoo excitting

 

[lovedogs]

Lol yeah, it's way too long right now. Planning to cull the pearls I'm not 100% in love with and then measure it so I can message PP about what they think would work. Omfg I'm going to have so many leftover pearls.

 

[oceanblue]

Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[lovedogs]

Oh that’s lovely!! I wondered what else you were collecting for this piece

I like the order you have!! But… Just one but… Your favourites deserve other favourites I say collect just a few more, I don’t think you need many more!! So you don’t need any “filler” pearls and each one has a story like the first eleven you’ve shared

You are wise, as always!!! Here is my new order, including the PP pearls. I now dont feel like any are "extras". Likely too long, so I'll reach out to PP and try to figure out the right number of pearls/right length.
Mix of indoor and outside pics.

 

[yssie]

You are wise, as always!!! Here is my new order, including the PP pearls. I now dont feel like any are "extras". Likely too long, so I'll reach out to PP and try to figure out the right number of pearls/right length.
Mix of indoor and outside pics.

I love this!!

The ordering looks very different now - much more random. Even more “I put these pearls together because they mean something to me. Not because I wanted a specific pattern.” It begs you to ask what those stories are

I def agree that it’s still too long for you though, d’you know what order you’ll cull pearls in?

 

[lovedogs]

I love this!!

The ordering looks very different now - much more random. Even more “I put these pearls together because they mean something to me. Not because I wanted a specific pattern.” It begs you to ask what those stories are

I def agree that it’s still too long for you though, d’you know what order you’ll cull pearls in?

I would likely start culling w some of the CMN pearls because those are the ones I have the least strong feelings about. The one issue is that they provide needed contrast since they're the darker tahetians (they dont look "dark" IRL, but darker than the akoyas).

 

[lovedogs]

Also the takahashi blue pair are very nice, but pale in comparison (literally, haha) to the rainbow blue pair from @molinePDG , so those could be culled as well and potentially used as earrings.

 

[yssie]

You might be into second bracelet territory now

 

[lovedogs]

You might be into second bracelet territory now

 

[katbran]

If you want to make more bracelets..I think bead smith also make a bracelet board with different size circles that could help .

 

[lovedogs]

Fun fact, I'm still working on this project because I want it to feel 100% "right". I now suspect I'll have enough for 2 bracelets, which is fun.

I just bought these 3 from @katbran and cant wait to get them! The biggest one might need to be a pendant bc its huge, but I love them.

Pearl 1


Pearl 2


Pearl 3 (the epic giant)

 

[lovedogs]

They are on their way!!