Sparkling pearl jewelry made by hand
Created: 2022-12-15, 2:30 p.m
By: Carina Ottillinger
Hildegard Bauer (71) has been making pearl stars for over 30 years and selling them at hobby artist markets.
© gerald förtsch
Every day until December 24th, we present people who provide enlightening moments or bring light into the darkness under the motto "Rays of light in Advent".
Today a pearl star crafter.
Unterföhring – At home, Hildegard Bauer decorated the Advent wreath with pearl stars.
With those who were still there.
"I've sold so many stars this year that there's almost nothing left," she says, laughing.
She even had to rework this year for the following markets.
Perhaps the hobby craftswoman will make a few stars for her own Christmas tree shortly before Christmas Eve.
Hildegard Bauer (71) has been making pearl stars for over 30 years and selling them at hobby artist markets.
© gerald förtsch
Hildegard Bauer (71) from Unterföhring has been making pearl stars for over 30 years.
Her repertoire now includes over 60 models.
Back then, handicrafts were a good balance to work in the office.
Today it is a hobby and part-time job.
Bauer sells the pearl stars at various hobby artist markets.
This year she was already at the markets in Obermenzing, Garching and Unterschleißheim and also in Munich, in Feldmoching.
"I just really enjoy crafting," says Bauer.
She not only exhibits her stars at the artist markets.
“I work at the booth sometimes so people can see that everything is really homemade.” Everyone is invited to watch and maybe learn how bead making works.
Per star between 80 cents and 8 euros
With a little help, Bauer also teaches her grandchildren how to make pearl stars.
On a voluntary basis, she does handicrafts with older women at the Feringahaus senior citizens’ meeting place.
"I prepare everything at home so that the senior women have it easier," says Bauer.
"Then everything works wonderfully."
Bauer has many regular customers who have been shopping with her for over 20 years.
The smallest stars cost 80 cents, the most expensive is 8 euros.
Bauer tells enthusiastically about her customers, who are always happy about new colors and shapes.
"You develop yourself further and try new things again and again."
Almost four decades ago, Bauer started making the pearl stars.
"I saw it somewhere and thought I could try it." In the first few years, the hobbyist read up on the subject.
It was an evolution.
Bauer never took a course.
She acquired all her knowledge herself.
"I bought books.
A pattern star at a market.
I recreated it and partly changed it,” says Bauer.
"You develop yourself further and try new things again and again."
A pearl star does not need many materials.
Good beads, sturdy wire, scissors - and time.
Bauer needs half an hour for small pearl angels.
The hobbyist spends an hour and a half making large, three-dimensional stars.
Bauer can only produce the pearl stars during daylight.
The tiny pearl holes are only visible in good light.
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Hildegard Bauer (71) has been making pearl stars for over 30 years and selling them at hobby artist markets.
© gerald förtsch
There is a specific technique behind the pearl stars.
Each model has its own structure.
"You absolutely have to counterthread the wire in order to get a point with a stable stand," explains Bauer.
"Then you can thread the wire through the beads again."
Sometimes it happens that Bauer doesn't get any further.
Then it's time to put it down and start again later.
The best ideas come during a short tea break anyway.
About the series:
Every day until December 24th, the Münchner Merkur will open a little Advent door under the motto "Glimmers of Light in Advent".
People are presented who provide enlightening moments or bring light into the darkness.
