Bangkok Weekend Market

Ok, This is the shopping mecca, I know I said it before but today was a jewelry bonus. The young man who designed these pieces is so creative. I bought all Allan and I could carry and when we come back to Bangkok on the 27th I plan to visit his workshop!

Isn't she lovely, she makes clothing with lots of emblishment. I bought the cutest long dress. The first thing I've bought for myself all week! So much temptation... I've spent millions (baht that is) this week.

This was a poster (ad) in the taxi. These kind of ads are over the place, huge posters of magical women. Who cares what it says. I took this for Sue, she loves cats!

Isn't this truly amazing? This is one of the pieces I bought from the young man, Tan, at the weekend market. I know it's over the top but I just couldn't resist. It's made of all gemstones and silver. Since I've started making a few pieces of jewelry myself when I saw the workmanship that went into making this I realized there's a whole other level of jewlery design I'll never reach, so I'll buy it!! I plan to take pictures of all his pieces but for now, if you too can't live without this one it can be yours for $350. Call Sue at the shop toll free 877-435-6444 today and tell her to save it for you. I'll be sending it from Chaing Mai next week.  If you're interested in previewing our current collection we're at http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

More Favorites From Bangkok

Yes, it's a huge bronze buffalo! Proof that you can find anything at the Bangkok Weekend Market. 28 acres, 10,000 booths... needless to say I hardly made a dent. But the innovative arts and crafts blew me away. We're going back on Sunday.

I happened to mention to Nuen, our favorite deskclerk that I loved desserts. This evening he arrived at our door with a delicious concoction along with 2 bowls and spoons. It's made of coconut milk, sugar, taro and some kind of marble size jello like things (kinda gray colored) It looked awful but tasted delicious.  My favorite part was his thoughtfulness.

This is my empty plate! We ate at the most amazing Indian resturant tonight, Rang-Mahal. Not only was the food heavenly but was located on the 26th floor of the Rembrandt Hotel surrounded by a sea of highrises so the view was awesome too.

I bought these from a very sweet girl in the market. Woven cuff bracelets with colored gemstones. I also bought them with turquoise and coral (not shown). $35
I haven't shipped them yet, but call Sue toll free 877-435-6444 to reserve yours.


If you're interestd in previewing our entire collection go to http://www.dforsythepearls.com/
Our shop is located at:
1136 Loma Ave ste 203
Coronado, California 92118

My Three Favorite Things about Bangkok

Children are the same across the world! I'm not sure what this "peace" means to them but everytime I take young people's picture they do the V thing.

My favorite hourly pick me up is the Thai iced coffee. It's two shots of expresso, sweetened condensed milk blended with ice! Yum and a large is $1!(doesn't he look sorta like a young Michael Jackson?)

I know this may sound corny, but my most favorite of all favorites is my dear husband, Allan! We've been power shopping in crowded, hot markets where no one speaks English, and the currency changes daily for the past 8 days . And Allan has been right there, calculating the money, keeping me focused and always encouraging me!

Ok, let's talk outrageous jewelry! I just loved this piece. It's made of Howlite (white turquoise) and drapes to about 12 inches. I only bought one so if you want it call Sue toll free 877-435-6444 sorry I shipped it out yesterday and can't remember the retail price.Check out the current collection at: d Forsythe Pearls http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

Talent, Tranquility, Twinkle

These young women are amazing!
They have a small booth at the wholesale jewelry building. Aryana ( right) with her niece make amazing jewlery. I took a huge crystal pendant to them in the morning and within an hour they made a beautiful crystal and pearl necklace with my pendant.
Aryana is a university graduate. I'll continue to buy from her via email.

Ok, an hour Thai massage for $9! At the end of a hot, exhausting day this is a life saver.
This Spa is about three blocks from our hotel. I've been going here everyday while in Bangkok for four years.
Allan gets a 2 hour massage for $14!
They have a big sign at the desk:
"Strickly non sexual"!!








Bangkok is truly a shopper's paradise.
You can find anything you can imagine in this city! This shop specializes in sequins. I loved looking at the creativity of these one -of-a- kind costumes. I just wonder who buys these and where in the world do they wear them...they don't Halloween here.

These are my favorite purchase today...It was very difficult to choose just one because I bought over 500 pieces of jewlery in the wholesale jewelry mart today. What amazingly innovative and beautiful designs I found.


These pendants feature a snake skin, feathers and gemstones tassle on silver and black braided leather. They can be worn  as a short or long necklace, as a belt or a purse fab. Purple/gold and red/pink $95.


Contact Sue at the shop if you'd like to purchase one:
http://www.dforsythepearls.com/
877-435-6444 (toll free)

Thai Beauty Comes in Many Forms

Today is my birthday! Since I've stayed here several times and made friends with the staff - somehow they knew it was my birthday (from my passport). This lovely woman, Jeab, not only arranged a birthday cake but later in the evening invited me to her home (in an alley) and gave me a wonderful facial and even painted my fingernails!  She also made me a crocheted tolet paper cover. I loved it!

The Thai people SMILE! And when they greet you they bow their head and put their palms together in a prayer position. This was my cab driver, what a brilliant smile! And the cabs are soooooo cheap (so what they're pink)





I love the weather here! It's warm (90's) and very humid. Of course it's chaotic and the gridlock is forever, but I was sitting in my cab, looked out the window and this is what I saw, a moment of green peace, I exhaled!

This coral and gemstone necklace was my favorite selection today, I also bought it's partner in a longer version. The workmanship and the gems are perfect! If you're interested in purchasing it. I just shipped it off to Sue in the shop, so call her, it won't last. $250
                      

Dolores in Bangkok

We arrived this morning in Bangkok, Thailand in a driving downpour. While sitting on the plane waiting to begin our next adventure I started thinking about the things I like best about Thailand.

I decided while we're here for the next six days I would focus on my three favorite things of the day and my favorite purchase for the shop that day.... so here goes:

October 13, 2009

I love the hot neon pink taxicabs, with matching interior... I just wonder how those tough taxi drivers feel about driving a "Barbie" car! By the way they drive on the opposite side of the street.

We always stay at the coolest hotel, Triple Two Silom. I love the lemongrass essential oil defusers they have in the hallways. After a hot sweaty day of shopping it's such a pleasure to walk down the hall to our room with this refreshing frangrance in the air.

I have never in all my life seen so many beautiful gemstones! We found this shop today and couldn't believe the selection of Labrodite, Smoky Topaz, Citrine, Amethyst and a new one for me Green Amethyst. These natural gemstones are God's gift to us. Now if I can just get home and start making jewelry from what I bought.

This is my favorite purchase of the day.

Sterling bracelet with gold vermeil enhancement. They only had two!

 $110 (nice weight)

Vietnam Treasures from Dolores' travels

What a magical time we've had in Hanoi this trip.
It's been three years since my husband, Allan
and I have visited this shopping mecca!

This is a picture of the wholesale market, it's open 365 days a year from 4AM till 9PM and it's non stop shopping, you can buy anything from pots and pans, luggage, any fabric you could imagine and of course clothes, shoes and every designer knock off!

I used to love it, now it's hot, crowded and just not my venue any longer. But I still love watching the people! And sampling the exotic foods.

My best shopping this trip was with the woman who I started the business with ten years ago, Huong. Every year I ask for bigger pearls and this year she was finally able to find affordable huge pearls I just couldn't resist!

This is Huong's Pearl shop (Huong's on my right). She's been in this tiny location in the old city since 1990.

Here one of my best finds:

Huge 12mm pearls! These are perfectly matched and handknotted! Normally these would cost thousands of dollars. Since I get them direct our customers get a deal... 16" or 18" = $425

I ordered 6 strands and will have them sent to the shop once our signature clasp has been attached.

If you're interested in purchasing a strand please visit our website http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

or call our toll free # 877-435-6444.

Tomorrow we leave for Bangkok, more later!!!