Hello.
Today, I listed a pair of earrings called Shizuka, which I photographed yesterday, on Etsy and my website.
They are round, free from wounds, and have a strong luster—very close to what most people probably imagine when they think of pearls.
For better or worse, they do not have much personality.
But they are beautiful pearls.
As a pearl shop, having pearls like these somehow makes Flower Jem feel a little more like a proper pearl shop.
I made them into earrings, although they are the kind of pearls I would almost rather keep somewhere I could always see them.
They may not have much individuality, but they are simply beautiful.
I once heard that the more refined and perfect something becomes, the less individuality it has.
Perhaps these pearls are a good example of that.
While I was working on tonight’s listings, AI was working behind the scenes collecting and analyzing my articles.
Recently, I have been asking AI to review the articles on this website. But this time, I also had it collect and analyze the writing from my YouTube descriptions, as well as the product stories from items currently listed on Etsy, items already sold, and even listings that I had taken down.
There were more than 500 pieces of writing on YouTube and around 400 from Etsy.
AI is now sorting them into several themes, including technical information about pearls, diary entries, and stories about making pearl jewelry.
The purpose of this work is to organize the articles on this website more systematically, so visitors can move smoothly from one article to another depending on what interests them.
AI also suggested that, since I have accumulated so many articles, perhaps I should eventually create a library on the website.
The idea is to make shelves, almost like a real library, and organize articles about basic pearl knowledge, pearl cultivation, nacre, Akoya oysters, and many other subjects.
I liked the idea, so that is what I am working toward now.
Although, to be precise, AI is the one checking and classifying the articles one by one.
AI is certainly convenient, but it is also true that the number of things I can do has increased because of it.
After several days of not getting enough sleep, my battery finally ran out today. When I got home, I slept for about two hours before starting work again.
If this were work I disliked, I would probably stop at a reasonable hour every day.
But when it comes to pearls, I find it very difficult to stop working.
It may not be the best thing for my health, but I am able to spend my time doing work I genuinely enjoy, so for now, I will consider that a good thing.
The photos between the paragraphs in this article are of Lulu, sent to me by my mother tonight.
The week after next, Japan has several national holidays close together, creating a short holiday break.
I suspect my mother may have been trying to find out whether I was planning to come home during that break.
My mother asked,
“Are you still working with pearls?”
I replied,
“Yes.”
And after that, she simply sent me photos of Lulu.
I took it as her way of cheering me on with Lulu’s photos without interrupting my work.
So, please take another look at my new Shizuka earrings.
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