Changes at d Forsythe Pearls, new beginnings

We have good news and sad news! I think most of you know, Sue Anderson, the woman in red... well, she's left for another position. I am forever in debt to her for helping me for the past three years, not only set up the shop but take care of all the details! Thank you Sue!        The good news... I have some wonderful new women supporting the tremendous growth of our business.     Far left, my dear friend Sue Welch is taking care of the books, Nicole Lucas next to her does everything from take care of the website to handling  marketing projects while she attends graduate school.  On the far right is Janet Sharif, who does everything else! Primarily focusing on you, our special customers. What a synergistic team we've become in such a short time. Sometimes, when we're all in the shop together you'd think there was a party going on, laughter, groans, and singing along to  favorite songs on the radio! Please help me make them feel welcome in their new home away from home!

Come see us and check out all the new pieces from Turkey and Bangkok.

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. ste 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211

http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

Warmly,

Dolores

My Favorite Women in Prague, Today Anyway!

Today we visited the castles and cathedral of Prague. The stories are more than I could ever record here. Over 1,000 years of history is preserved and displayed in this most beautiful setting. One huge castle was for thirty single noble women who had fallen on hard times. Pictured is one of them. Looks like a really tough life, of course this was painted before she lost her throne and money! But still isn't she stunning? Every portrait of a woman guess what they were always wearing?... Pearls, pearls and more pearls! Of course so were the guys! A real fashion statement then and now.

Did I mention there was lots of music in Prague? Everywhere we went we saw evidence of some musical performance. This young lady was typical of what we saw on the public transportation as we went to our second concert. We heard Pacobel, Bach, Vivaldi and some composers I'd never heard of. You could attend some musical performance every afternoon and evening here for a very reasonable price, say $30 for the back seats on benches!

More treasures from the European spring buying trip!

Call the shop today for details and prices.

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. suite 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444

My Favorite Men in Prague, today anyway!

Sometimes, I forget to thank my dear life partner, Allan for his good heart and patience as I search the world for jewelry. He is my guardian angle, as pictured here with a sculpture of  whale bones from the Pacific ocean. And the glow above his head is not his aura, though it looks like it! This was an unusually warm, sunny Sunday in Prague! We spent the day strolling in neighborhoods and parks, discovering its treasures.

We found this scrap metal sculpture on a small back street, just standing there rusting! Such a cocky guy, literally! Though he had a smug demeanor, he had a candle in a glass box in his tummy, maybe to warm his heart? And don't you just love the dog face? It so fits him!

This was a very touching monument. I'm not sure the effect is as strong in this picture, I tried capturing it from all angles. It is six 7 foot bronze nude men.The closest is in tact yet it seems to be sleepwalking, and progressively up the stairs each depiction of the same man begins to crack and disappear, until the last sculpture at the top of the stairs is just a few bronze sticks. Below explains it's message better than I could.

On a Happier Note, how 'bout these new pieces of jewelry!

These Turkish Pieces are arriving daily at our shop in Coronado!

Call Sue to receive a more complete description, believe they are very special and once they're gone, they're gone!

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. ste 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444

Favorites from Prague, with Dolores

Yes, I had to buy a new camera on this trip, but I can assure you this is as beautiful as the original scene was. Prague is awesome! I had no idea it would be such a sophisticated well preserved city. After a day with our tour guide I learned Prague was one of the few major European cities not destroyed during WW2, therefore the buildings are very old. The architecture is some of the most ornate, detailed I've ever seen. Every building is covered with carvings! I won't bore you with the hundreds of pictures I've already taken of buildings. The St. Charles bridge, pictured here is one of the three oldest and best preserved in Europe. It's closed to motor traffic so it's great for a moonlight stroll. Did I say how romantic this city is?

So far, I haven't really found any great jewelry! I'm sorry to report, just tons of ugly garnet and amber pieces, I just can't get into. But, there are such fun things here, like the cute puppets pictured here. I was so tempted to buy one, the cleaning lady in the beads, (4th in on the left) was my favorite. I still may go back for her! The other great thing here is the music, there are concerts everywhere of all sorts. It seems there were some great composers here, and they love music!

Favorite buys this week!  Since I haven't found anything to buy in Prague yet, I thought I'd show you a few more of my favorites from Istanbul. This gold plated and oxidized silver pendant is unique in all the world, in fact it looks like an old world piece. Enhanced with faceted crystals, rubies & emeralds make this one-of-a-kind piece a real find.I just loved the design.. It's about 1 1/2 inches long and comes with a gold plated 18 inch chain. $95 (matching earrings are also available)

Have you ever known me not to find pearls where ever I go? I'm going to start a new line of jewelry called "Not your mother's pearls" and this piece will be included. It's a real show stopper, pearls, emeralds, and rubies set in 22k gold plating and of course we must have our silk tassels! (sorry I don't remember the price, call Sue at the shop she'll know)

I waited two weeks to buy these fun bracelets! Each one is unique but all are hand sewn on a silk or tapestry background. I bought 10 pieces so call if you want to see the selection. They are too much fun and a great price! $55

If you're interested in more information on any of the pieces shown, please call Sue at the shop and she'll give you a complete description. I hope you know we guarantee everything, therefore if you order something and it doesn't meet your expectation, we'll be happy to take it back for 30days after receipt! NO worries. No hassels.

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. ste 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444

http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

I'm BACK...in the Grand Bazaar shopping!

It's difficult convincing people buying jewelry in the Grand Bazaar is really hard work. Especially when I send pictures to over 2,000 of our customers of me clowning around with cute guys like this one! No, I didn't buy this costume but, I did buy other fun things for our Turkish Nights party in early June (date to follow). For you not living nearby, try to make an excuse to fly into Coronado for the party. It's going to be such fun, Turkish food, music, costumes and prizes to celebrate lots of news I'll share with you all later!!!

I can't begin to tell you how delicious the Turkish food is! It's not just the kabobs but eggplant, lamb, homemade yogurt, and melons to die for. This wonderful woman and her family have owned a tiny 5 table cafe in the Bazaar for generations. Each day she serves fresh gourmet food for less than $6 per plate. And she has espresso. That may not seem like a big deal, but have you ever had dirt in your coffee? That's what Turkish coffee tastes like to me, yuck! So finding a good cup of java isn't easy! (pictured is her homemade chocolate cheesecake with sour cherry sauce)

TODAY'S FAVORITE BUYS!

I bought similar Turkish bracelets during my last visit and sold out of them so of course I found even better ones this trip. They are all 22k gold plated silver with all sorts of gemstones, pearls, druzes and the last bracelet on the right is a cameo mother of pearl with chalcedony. They have double strand leather claps. $65ea.

This is truly a stunning ring. I wanted to keep it for myself, but I have already bought myself a few too many "little souvenirs" this trip. Sooo here it is a huge green cabochon tourmaline set between two smaller garnets bezel set in gold. The silver band is a smooth beautiful oval shape. Size 7 $125

Are these not the most elegant earrings you've ever seen? They are brushed 22k gold plated over silver surrounded by oxidized silver handset with sparkly crystals. They are about one and a half inches long. $75

So you know the drill, if you want any of these picks, call Sue at the shop right away. It seems you have been calling, because many of the items featured on previous blogs have already been sold!

We're off to cold rainy Prague tomorrow, to buy czech crystal jewelry... so check my blog tomorrow for first finds!

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. ste 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444

LAST DAY'S FAVORITES IN ANATALY, TURKEY!

I never thought I was much of a textile person until I saw these beautiful handmade ancient pieces. I'm not sure you can tell by the picture but, it's covered in silver charms, each one hand sown. The background fabric is strips of different colored velvet. Further embellishments are white shells, glass seed beads and silk tassels. It's actually a child's garment worn during special ceremonies. It's about 3 feet long and 2 feet wide. I bought two. The second is equally amazing yet completely different. They are $200 each. I'm not sure what one would do with it, but it is so wonderful just to look at, even the underside... so much work!

After settling into a city for five days one begins to see the fine details more clearly, thus the intricate work of the local pottery. I just love the bright colors, from this orange, I'd never seen elsewhere to the traditional cobalt blue. Each piece is hand decorated and they are so inexpensive...trouble is, getting them back home without breaking, last year I took 6 home, bubble wrapped . Three broke, it seems the terracotta clay is more fragile than it looks.

My favorite purchase is this amethyst pendant. I love how the setting so matches the texture of the gemstone. There is a small gold leaf on the left side and the oxidized silver blends perfectly. It's about 1 1/2 inches long. $150

I'm not sure you'll be able to see what this ring actually looks like. It is so organic and has such beautiful thick silver curves. It's the most comfortable ring I've ever tried on. There is only one piece and it's size 7. $85

This classic set stole the day.

 This picture hardly captures the clear sparkle of these handset faceted crystals. Each is individually set in silver prongs. It's a stunning set but may be purchased separately. Pendant $95 earrings $125.

This group left with a shipment today from Antayla, due to arrive in about 7 days.

As always if you're interested in previewing any item before it's in the showroom please contact Sue today to hold it for you.

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. ste 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444

Anatalya, Turkey Favorites

It seemed so strange to hear Turkish spoken by this little guy! It's such a difficult language, I can hardly say "thank you" and that's after two weeks of hearing it everywhere! Thank heavens most people speak some English. Everywhere we go people seem surprised we're from America.  They always ask us about Obama. The love him!  Mostly the tourist are German, Danish or English.

Even though some the buildings in the old city look like the one picturedon the right, many look like the one on the

left. Two years ago there was a law passed that didn't allow old buildings to be restored.

I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time, but unfortunately, they are beginning to crumble. Of course I loved seeing these 300 year old homes as they were. In addition to them falling apart they have become very valuable. The old one shown here is for sale for $300,000 US dollars!  Eat your heart out Donald Trump!

And now a preview of my purchases today!  

This is a RING! It's a style I've seen often in Turkey, but never in the US. The two pieces are not joined together, this make it a one-size-fits-all ring. A luscious green agate cabochon is matched with handset pronged crystals. It's set in 22k gold plate over sterling - $95

This pair of carnelian earrings are hand engraved. They are set in 22k gold plating over sterling. The actual stone size is about 1/2 inch. $95

This is my most favorite of the day. Of course, everyone loves moonstone and this is so beautifully set in heavy spun silver. The matched set was the first I've ever found. Ring:$250, pendant:$195, earrings:$95.

I'm sorry to say each piece shown is one-of-a-kind. I can't seem to buy in multiples very well, since I look for "unique jewelry from around the world"!!

All of these pieces are still with me and won't ship to my shop in Coronado until Thursday. But, you can call Sue now to reserve any pieces you'd like to preview before she puts it out.

Or visit our shop at:

d Forsythe Pearls

1136 Loma Ave. suite 203

Coronado, Ca. 92118

691-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444