More Info and IMHO:

Completely self taught, I hand knotted this years ago and just finished the rest of the set this past week. If it's easy I get bored and can't be part of it. Every square millimeter of sterling was hand fabricated/ wrought by my two hands. No imported prefab metal components were used.

Please note the chain that I made myself as the necklace's extension, the earrings' stations and the bracelet's stations. Rare is the artist who makes each link themselves as it is too time consuming and hard on the hands. PS, who handknots these days? All others run their beads on a cablewire, yet I must continue with the old ways: knots between each bead to provide security against breakage and loss.

It would be much easier to use imported lovely little tribesmen silver beads/material from faraway lands, but my conscience just won't let me. Let's say that I purchased 1/2 foot of imported chain @ $19.35. The vendor/importer selling to me would have paid 1/6th that or less, which means some poor man toiled a 8-10 hour day for ~3.22/dollars or less. I will not be part of taking advantage of a third world worker.

Let us for a moment forget the geopolitical view and look at what this really means: by acquiring this here, you will be the proud owner of a signed 4 pc parure collectible made by an artist you know, who will guarantee her work and you will own the only one. That's another point: I buy just enough product, these beads are eight years old, to one piece create, but not to duplicate.

Aesthetics and just for fun: Oh glorious lucky red coral, the color of blood and symbol of the life force, used in ancient times on amulets to "ward off the evil eye".