twentytwo: pearls!

i have been working on making more sophisticated jewelry lately. these are my first two classier pieces. i think my favorite of the two is the one made with the funny-shaped pearls (i am not sure what their proper name is). i tried to make the necklace very simple, in order to feature the shapes of the pearls more.
i made this other necklace with a piece of paua shell that a friend from new zealand gave me a few years ago. my mom bought the grey pearls in Tennessee for me a few years ago.
i am going to make miriam's sister a pair of earrings as a wedding present, so i have been trying to look at earrings in magazines, on tv, etc. miriam's sister has just spent the past few years in new york, so i feel like the earrings have to be new york funky. i think i am going to make a few different kinds and then give farrah (miriam's sister) or miriam the task of choosing which pair is best.
job update: starting another temp job on thursday and am having awkward informational phone conversations with people i don't know.