Blessings for my golden Elephant God

I bought a golden Elephant God from this beautiful Thai woman on the street in Bangkok. I just loved how glittery it was. I didn't realize it would come with a blessing. Not only did she pray over it she sprinkled yellow flower petals over it as she gave him a blessing. She also filled my purse with petals.

Everything is blooming here. It's hot, humid and rains frequently, so go figure-the city is in bloom! They've even attached ferns to the sides of the trees which are thriving on every street.

Gekkos are everywhere. This one was above us in the resturant. They are so delicate and surreal. I've seen them in our bathroom, the massage house... mostly indoors. Good for mosquito control!

 Ok, so this piece is not for everyone, but it's my pick for today's favorite. This picture doesn't really give it justice. It's all gemstones and lays flat. It looks really Egyptian to me. $195. If you love it as much as I do, (there is only one) call Sue at the shop today. Toll free 877-435-6444 or 619-435-9211. Or visit our website to check out the entire collection. http://www.dforsythepearls.com/.

More Thai culture, architecture and of course...jewelry!

The peacefulness of the monks make every job look like a meditation...even sweeping the streets. They come out very early each morning for the people to give them food. It's a blessing for both the giver and receiver.

All that glitters isn't gold, but it sure looks like it when the afternoon sun makes these temples sparkle! Wouldn't you love to wake up and see this beautiful monument?

We had dinner at Harmonique, this lovely woman's resturant in Bangkok. It was one of the best Thai resturants we've eaten at. And the service was amazing. The entire meal, including gin&tonic and all we could eat was $30!

 It may be difficult to see the details of this amazing necklace I bought today, but it is truly one of a kind. It's made of blue agate, carnelian and black onyx. If you want it, call Sue at the shop today! $200. Phone# 619-435-9211 or toll free 877-435-6444. We are beginning to update our website with all the new purchases so check it out http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

Unforgetable experiences, great finds

Least we forget there is a cultural difference, and of course a language barrier! Funny story: We stopped at this cafe for something cold to drink, it was a very hot muggy evening. We asked the waitress to make iced tea from English Breakfast tea.  She nodded agreement and repeated the order. We waited so long we began to wonder if they were growing the tea leaves. Suddenly the waitress appeared with a "full english breakfast"...fried eggs, bacon, toast and grilled tomatoes!

I bought this amazing Hill Tribe jacket on the street. Handmade with incredible details both back and front. It was expensive... $60!!! It is not for sale

Cooking breakfast at home will never be the same. Each morning we were greeted by this lovely smiling woman. She knew we liked our coffee hot and strong. She always brought me a beautifully ripe mango with homemade yogurt. The cook prepared Allan perfect 4 minute eggs. And fresh squeezed watermellon juice... all included in the cost of the hotel room!

I know you're thinking... Not more rings! But, yes I couldn't resist this one. It is very contempory, light weight and looks great. I bought 6 pieces, $75. I sent it to Sue at the shop yesterday. Sooo, the good sizes go fast call her today toll free 877-435-6444. Or check out our entire collection at http://www.dforsythpearls.com/ or drop by the shop at 1136 Loma Ave. ste 203, Coronado, Ca.

Wonderful People of Chaing Mai

Today I wandered into a Buddhist Temple. The young man pictured had just taken his first step to becoming a monk. He had just had his head shaved and the family behind him had brought food to the temple to celebrate. They invited me to join them for lunch. The food looked delicious, but I didn't want to intrude. He seemed so happy, but he looks like a new Marine recruit!

These beautiful young girls work at our hotel. Today was a special day, the owner was having an antique car show in front of the hotel. I'm not sure what their costumes had to do with cars, the guys were taking more pictures of them than the cars! Go figure...

This guy was so much fun! He didn't speak English and of course I don't speak Thai. But we laughed together 'til we cried. I liked this skirt but I told him I was too hot to try it on...so he did! He pranced around saying in his broken English "Paris fashion show". Of course I bought it.

I found these necklaces at the Sunday Night Market. It was a zoo, the usual, hot, crowded and chaotic. It all began to look alike until I found these crocheted necklaces and bracelets. The workmanship is perfect. They are made of sturdy cord with silver and gemstone emblishment. I bought 12 pieces - $45-$55 each.
I'm sending them to Sue today so call her at the shop toll free 877-435-6444 to order them. Pictures will be available soon. Check the website: http://www.dforsythepearls.com/ for a preview of our collection

The markets of Chaing Mai

The big deal here used to be the Sunday Night Market. Now Chaing Mai has a Saturday  market, which is just as crazy. Of course that doesn't mean we won't go to the Sunday Market!  We shopped all day Saturday. Then we went to the "Silver Street" to walk the new market. I bought a huge straw handbag with leather trim for $15! I also bought leather woven bracelets with glass beads that will make great holiday gifts for young girls. Then it started raining!

There are hundreds of little shops like this one with such creative flaire! The Thai people are very innovative and love color.

Everyone here eats from street vendors. They cook full course meals right there on a small coal hibachi. So far we've been too chicken to try it. Getting touristas right here at the end of our trip is not an option!

This was my favorite purchase of the day. It's simple elegance charmed me. I bought five similar pieces at a great price. They are 925 silver = $125 I'll be sending them to the shop on Monday, so call Sue toll free 877-435-6444 to reserve one or all! Also check out our full collection at http://www.dforsythepearls.com/

Dolores in Chaing Mai

We took a few days off from the manic shopping and went to a remote island for 4 days.

 Today we arrived in one of our favorite Asian cities, Chaing Mai. This is the entrance to our hotel, Yaang Come Village. We stayed here last year and loved the idea of the quiet peacefulness of Yaang Come in the middle of the city across from the Night Market.

365 days a year at 5:00PM the vendors  display their wares for the Night Market. It closes at 11:00PM. You can buy any knock off designer item as well as hill tribe handicrafts and much much more. It goes on for miles. It's hot, crowded and so diverse. I love it!

On every corner, in the middle of all the Starbucks and noodle shops there are golden Buddhist altars. They are laden with fresh flowers and fruit daily and often there is someone kneeling in prayer. It reminds me there is more to life than jewelry...

 Speaking of which, Chaing Mai is the place to buy silver. It is pure silver, not 9.25 and is sold in grams, which is very confusing! This beautiful turquoise necklace has one large exquisite hand-carved silver bead. It took over a week to carve. They are very rare. I'm sending it back to the shop today.

If you'd like to see the entire collection please click on: http://www.dforsythepearls.com/ or call Sue at the shop toll free 877-435-6444.

I have one more week of shopping so stay connected to my blog for daily updates http://dforsythepearls.blogspot.com/

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!!!