Summer in Monochrome

The other day, a customer pointed out to me that Flower Jem didn’t have any Natural Blue Pearl bracelets.
Since Natural Blue Pearls are actually my main product, I was a bit embarrassed to realize the bracelet had been out of stock for quite some time. So, I decided to make one right away.

Right now in Japan, it’s the Obon holiday—a time when it’s believed that the spirits of our ancestors return to visit their families. Obon falls around August 15 and is rooted in Buddhist traditions that came to Japan via India and China.

An Argentine customer once told me that in Argentina, the way people honor their ancestors is surprisingly similar to Japan. It’s not a festival like Halloween, but rather a quiet time to remember loved ones who have passed away.

In Japan, some households place four chopsticks into an eggplant to make a little “vehicle” for the ancestors to ride home on. When I was in elementary school, I remember looking at the four-legged eggplant on my family’s altar and thinking, “What an adorable ride!” The shape of the eggplant somehow reminded me of a little pig, which made it even cuter.

That’s the kind of season we’re in here in Japan right now. But as for the weather—ever since Obon began, the days have been nothing but rain or clouds, making it difficult to get laundry dry.

On the day I made this bracelet, it wasn’t raining, but the sky was still overcast. Personally, cloudy skies in summer always feel a little off to me—like attending make-up classes during summer vacation. It’s summer break, but you’re stuck in a classroom.

So, I named this bracelet “Summer in Monochrome.”
There’s no deep meaning behind the name—it’s more like a diary entry.
If I don’t write things down, the days just fade away. Up until now, I’d simply called it “Akoya Natural Blue Bracelet,” but then I realized: almost everything I make is Akoya Natural Blue, so the names didn’t help me remember which piece was which.

By naming a piece after the impression of the day I made it, I can look back and instantly remember that moment.

As for this “Summer in Monochrome” bracelet—my first attempt ended in complete failure. Just as I was tying off the last two pearls, the thread snapped. It was like stacking blocks three meters high and watching them suddenly collapse.

Still, I make mistakes all the time, so I wasn’t particularly rattled. I simply moved on to the second attempt.
Since I’d already failed once, my mind was calm—like a mirror, like a still lake. In that state of quiet focus, I actually finished the second attempt faster than usual—about 40 minutes.

The pearls themselves are baroque, with strong luster. They have an oriental glow that mixes blue and green, with a hint of red—absolutely beautiful.
If you’d like to see the quality for yourself, there’s a video without any fast-forwarding.

And… it’s hot.
Even the tap water comes out lukewarm. No matter how much ice I make, I can’t keep up with how quickly it disappears. I make iced coffee several times a day, and every time I do, the ice vanishes again.

…Anyway, I’ve forgotten what I was originally writing about.

Thank you again for visiting.

Right now, if you subscribe to Flower Jem’s site, you’ll receive a coupon for 30% off.
This discount can also be applied to items on Etsy—just let me know, and I’ll list the item on Flower Jem’s site so the coupon works. If you’re interested in Akoya pearls, please feel free to stop by.