Hello, this is Flower Jem.
Today, I listed a new pair of earrings on Etsy named Blue Lake.
Last weekend was truly special — I had the opportunity to meet two overseas customers in person. At the same time, a flat tire on my motorcycle turned into quite an incident, and I couldn’t make much progress on product listings.
This week, I had to work on Saturday at my weekday job, so Sunday was my only day to focus on pearls.
But even today, I had to travel from Kobe to Kyoto to replace my motorcycle tire.
I left Kobe at 11:00, arrived in Kyoto at 13:00, finished the replacement around 14:20, and returned to Kobe at 17:30.
After that, I did housework, laundry, made some jewelry, and finally listed Blue Lake on Etsy.
It’s now just before 10:00 PM.
I have to head to Osaka tonight to prepare for work tomorrow.
I also want to list this piece on my website, but it’s hard to find the time.
I haven’t sent out my newsletter for a while either.
However, even if a piece like Blue Lake is only available on Etsy, newsletter subscribers can still use their coupons.
In the product description, I’ve shared a bit about the history of the place where these pearls were born.
Some of you might have already guessed — it’s the pearl farm of the company I used to work for.
I plan to write more about the fascinating history of that pearl farm in a future newsletter-only article.
Until now, I’ve avoided talking publicly about my former workplace, but sharing it with subscribers feels more personal and free.
Of course, it won’t be anything that exposes company secrets.
The story begins with the company’s founder leaving Mie Prefecture — the birthplace of Mikimoto — and sailing to an island near Korea to start pearl cultivation in a new land.
I heard this story directly from the founder’s relatives over the course of six years.
It includes details that even the current family has forgotten.
As I was writing this update, I suddenly realized, “Yes, I can write about this freely for subscribers.”
There are many pearl pieces I want to make and stories I want to write.
My pace is slow, but like an Akoya oyster slowly forming its nacre, I hope you’ll wait patiently and enjoy this journey with me.
