In her memoir, Strand of Pearls, author Deborah Livingston recounts her journey from childhood abuse, frequent tragedy, and adult addiction to a spiritual transformation that brought her an inner peace and joy available to us all. Deborah was the first of three children born to a Canadian father and a New England motherparents who were worlds apart in their own upbringings and views of the world. From two to sixteen, when she was finally able to break free, Deborah suffered abuse at the hands of her father. Her freedom from that abuse took her to abuse at the hands of others and to a tragic accident that cost the life of a friend. Her misfortunes early in life and her inability to see them as the pearls they actually were led to serious addiction in her early forties. And yet this addiction saved her life, preparing her for the inner transformation she would experience. In Strand of Pearls, Livingston invites the reader into the most painful, raw moments of her past so that the light of the present might shine brighteras an invitation to others to embrace hope, faith, and gratitude in their lives.

Inspirational / Psychology How could a loving God allow a child to be sexually abused? How can I teach sexual abuse prevention to my child? Can a sexually assaulted victim really experience complete recovery? Is there supreme forgiveness available for a victimizer? Does the Bible contain pearls of wisdom regarding sexual demoralization? In her emotionally charged book, A Strand of Pearls, author Theresa Westbrook will help you explore these questions and guide you to the answers you seek. She will give you a very intimate glimpse into her own personal story of childhood sexual abuse and how she triumphed over the traumatic pain.

A warm hello to all! Come on in and sit a spell. Are you thirsty--hungry? We have living water, the milk of the word, veggies, meat, and a delightful array of treats. Enjoy all the savory dishes for there's something here for everyone. Th ere are poems to fi ll the hungriest of souls and some to satisfy even the most discerning tastes. Before you eat, please permit me to ask God's blessings upon the "food" and to bless and nourish you as only HE can do. May we thank Him for all His love and care, (physically and spiritually). As we feast on more assorted stories found in God's Word, we'll also savor the experiences of those who've shared our world, and those who have touched me and mine personally. Until then, dive in, while your spirits are good and hot! Bon Appetite! Delores

Whether you prefer a classic single strand or a funky combination of pearls and semi-precious materials, Simply Pearls shows you how to create necklaces that are easy to make yet look both expensive and professionally made. No longer the extravagance they used to be, pearls come in a variety of types - from freshwater to faux - that make these beautiful gems an affordable and elegant option. With projects designed for beginners and intermediate crafters - with a few more challenging designs for good measure - Simply Pearls is a volume that people will consult again and again for basic stringing, knotting and wire-work techniques; to find inspiration and project ideas, including tips on refreshing heirloom jewellery; and as a materials reference. Whether your look is modern and edgy or classic Chanel, Simply Pearls offers great how-to-wear-it ideas and beautiful projects that will give you the Tiffany s look at budget prices.

A round, luminescent pearl is the simplest and most perfect gem. Columbus sought—and found—this precious jewel coveted by his Spanish sovereigns, sparking popularity throughout Europe. Fashion icons Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Grace, and Michelle Obama cherished them, making them iconic. And designer Coco Chanel raised them to new heights, bringing pearls— fake and real—to women everywhere. In Tears of Mermaids, Stephen G. Bloom travels 30,000 miles in an effort to trace a single pearl—from the moment a diver off the coast of Australia scoops an oyster containing a single luminescent pearl from the ocean floor to the instant a woman fastens the clasp of a strand containing the same orb. Bloom chronicles the never-before-told saga of the global pearl trade by gaining access to clandestine outposts in China, the Philippines, French Polynesia and Australia. He infiltrates high-tech pearl farms guarded by gun-toting sentries, farms for pearls in rural China, and even goes backstage at Christie's for a fast and furious auction of the most expensive pearl ever sold. Teeming with rogue humor and uncanny intelligence, Tears of Mermaids weaves a nonstop detective story whose main character is the world's most enduring jewel.

Fourth in the Fred Ward Gem Book Series, PEARLS, REVISED, has new color photographs with the latest most accurate information. Everything you need to know about pearls: culturing, buying, and caring for them. The history and lore of pearls covers natural, cultured, saltwater, freshwater, mother-of-pearl and imitation.

Contrary to a generally held view that pearls are found by chance in oysters, almost all are now produced from farms. This book is a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the biology of pearl oysters, their anatomy, reproduction, genetics, diseases, etc. It considers how they are farmed from spawning and culturing larvae in hatcheries to adults in the ocean; how various environmental factors, including pollution affect them; and how modern techniques are successfully producing large numbers of cultured pearls. This is the ultimate reference source on pearl oysters and the culture of pearls, written and edited by a number of scientists who are world experts in their fields. - Comprehensive treatment of pearl oyster biology and pearl culture - Written by the top world authorities - Highly illustrated and figured - Of practical relevance to a broad readership, from professional biologists to those involved in the practicalities and practice of pearl production

"Michele Lowe's radiant new play explores the possibilities that open up in the lives of an array of women as they come into contact with a certain strand of pearls. While the pearls are stolen, bought, bestowed, unstrung and nearly lost, four actresses play 27 characters in this deeply moving drama that is as fresh as it is funny. On the eve of her granddaughter Amy's wedding, Beth asks to see the pearls she gave Amy's mother long ago. When Amy cannot produce them Beth determines to find the pearls. She takes us back to the time when she received them and then gave them to her daughter, who passed them on to her dearest friend Ela who lost them one Sunday morning. Spanning 35 years, the pearls touch the lives of mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, even husbands and wives as they weave a deeply affecting story of love and loss."--Publisher's website.

A beautiful pearl necklace has passed from mother to daughter for seven generations on each daughter's wedding day.