Introducing the Bohemian Pearl Collection: A Journey 30 Years in the making!
Sometimes creating the most beautiful things takes time. As I sit in my studio today, surrounded by pearls and silver treasures I’ve been collecting since the 1990s, I’m excited to share my Bohemian Pearl Collection with you! After 40+ years of making jewelry, I’ve learned the most meaningful pieces carry stories within them. This collection embodies that free-spirited feeling that comes with wearing jewelry that has a history, something with soul, something that can’t be replicated.
A Story That Began Long Ago
Back in the early 1990s, when I was still discovering my artistic voice, I fell in love with the traditional silver beads being crafted by master artisans in Indonesia, Bali, and India. Each time I found these treasures - whether at a gem show, through trusted vendors, or at vintage markets I would tuck my favorite pieces away, knowing that someday they would become part of something very special. Little did I know then how precious these pieces would become even more precious.
Luminous freshwater pearls mixed with moonstones, quartz crystals, and collectable silver beads from Indonesia, Bali, and India.
Why These Pieces Are Truly Irreplaceable
Here's something that makes my heart both heavy and grateful: the traditional silver beads in this collection are becoming increasingly scarce. The pandemic brought upheaval to these artisan communities, and perhaps more poignantly, the younger generation of artisans is choosing different paths than their parents and grandparents. The ancient techniques of granulation, the patient handwork of creating intricate filigree, the knowledge passed down through generations—these skills are quietly disappearing.
What this means is that the silver beads I've been safeguarding for decades—these Indonesian treasures with their distinctive patterns, the Balinese pieces with their intricate traditional designs, the Indian metalwork showcasing centuries-old techniques—they cannot be replaced. When I say this collection is one-of-a-kind, I mean it in the deepest sense. These aren't just unique designs; they're pieces of cultural history.
A double strand of freshwater pearls with unique silver beads, brought together with a mandala-shaped centerpiece.
Bringing it all Together
This year, something told me that it was time - time to bring these treasures out into the world and let them shine. I have combined them with:
Luminous white freshwater pearls in a mix of shapes and sizes, because nature’s variety is what makes life beautiful
Clear quartz nuggets that catch the light like pieces of stars
Unique centerpiece beads featuring traditional granulation, dots, and filigree
Each silver bead is sterling silver or .925 pure silver from Indonesia, Bali, and India
The result is a collection that is both worldly and personal, elegant and free-spirited, timeless and completely of the moment.
A Journey of Discovery
Creating the Bohemian Pearl Collection has reminded me why I fell in love with jewelry making all those years ago. It’s not just about creating beautiful things. (Though I do love that part!) It’s about the joy on your face when you find the perfect piece, the confidence you feel when you wear something special, and the stories these treasures whisper to you.
Thank you for being part of this creative journey with me! Your support and enthusiasm keep me inspired every day.
Wear Your Happy! with love and sparkles, Julie
Fun lantern-shaped beads and freshwater pearls swing with polish and shine. A pyramid of dots hangs from the bottom.
