Blue and white wares

This elaborate concoction of blue and white beads is fit for a summer of flitting about a Greek island, robed in an empire-line gown and delicate leather sandals.

Alas that adventure is not on my horizon!

I strung this necklace together, inspired by the blue and white Chinese porcelain beads. The heart-shaped focal bead features two peacocks, tails spread and touching beaks. Lapis lazuli; both blue and white pearls in varying shapes; dumortierite and sodalite (both of which are cheaper substitutes for lapis lazuli); blue crystal quartz, and Indian bone beads make up the rest of the necklace. The beads on the earrings are suspended from sterling silver chandelier findings.

There is something luxurious
in wearing beads that are
so fragile.

There is something luxurious in wearing beads that are so fragile: there is the danger of destruction if it should slip from my fingers; a weight round my neck in more ways than one.