Pearls on Abalone Shell

Pearls on a Shell....the center of the "shell" is a silver flower motif with silvery grey pearls. I happened to find silver pearls that perfectly matched. I know it is a little fussy for some jewelry lovers but it just seemed to "speak" to me that it just had to be done in this fashion. I found, in my stash, grey Swarvoski crystals that were from a broken necklace that belonged to my Momma. Walla! This necklace was born.....
First I encased the round abalone shell with tiny teal delicas then I just started adding the pearls where ever they wanted to go. Next came the cluster of pearls to make four beads. I did peyote stitch beads over a piece of tubing then added the crystals and larger and smaller pearls in between.
Someone left a comment that the projects that I make "must take hours", yes, they truly do take numerous hours for each piece. This one took me over 22 hours! A while back my hubby and I figured out, if I sold a piece for $85.00 then I would be getting paid (something near) $.08 cents an hour. If I did not love this process so much then it would not be worth it but I loose track of time when I am beading. One can not charge for anything that they love to do.
I hope you like this piece as much as I do. Now on to another new project that I just came up with tonight and I am anxious to get started....
Don't forget to turn in your ideas for my dollies name so that you too might receive one of my creations!!
Blessings to each one of you, Sharon