These were the earrings that inspired us to begin making jewellery. They were a gift from a dear husband and cost around $75. In their original form they comprised a rose quartz bead, an amethyst bead, a tiny silver spacer and stamped sterling silver hooks.Being a fuss-pot, I found the crooked hang of the earrings irritating. Knowing of the craft, 'beading', and being aware of a local bead supplier, I thought that I should be able to re-make the earrings so they hung properly. With some trepidation (after all, these were $75 earrings) I pulled them apart. I discovered that my earrings were strung on wire so fine, they could never hang without bending. I needed something more robust to hang the beads from. With that in mind, I visited the beading store. Several sets of headpins and the addition of Bali silver and a couple of onyx beads later, here they are.
The thing that bothers me about this experience is that my darling husband paid $75 for four beads that, if I were to be very generous, only cost the manufacturer $8. The sterling silver shepherd hooks cost around $2.50. The tiny piece of inferior wire might have been lying about the workshop. For a few dollars more, I transformed my earrings into something truly gorgeous. Beautiful, silver semi-precious and pearl jewellery that is well made and unique, need not cost much money. A pair of earrings like these, made with whichever currently available stone I choose, will cost me no more than five to ten dollars. I hope that this information will be useful and freeing to many women. We deserve better. Reasonable prices, higher quality and greater choice. Now, they are available to us.
