Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2019

PEOPLE custom creativity
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Suzette Carlson
t fore shadowed the future when at age 5, Mimi Parker Thomas, owner of Parkers in Pass Christian, received a jewelry making kit from her grandmother.
Through the years she has made many customers happy with her custom designed jewelry creations. “I
just love it and even at a young age I would cut up glass Mardi Gras beads and re-string them,” she recalls.
She recently had a pleasant surprise when a former customer contacted her after recognizing Thomas in the Women in Business section of South Mississippi Living’s September edition. “More than 30 years ago I made a ring for her sister from parts of their deceased mother’s antique bracelet,” Thomas said. “Now this Biloxi lady wants me to make rings from the remaining bracelet links for her daughter and granddaughter.”
Pearls may be Thomas’ main calling card. She is a walking encyclopedia of information on choosing and caring for pearls; she even gives
talks on pearls. “Most women don’t know to put on their pearls after they’ve finished applying makeup and hairspray. The pearls don’t need to be coated with those substances,” she said. “After wearing pearls, they should be wiped off and dried before putting away. And, do not store them next to any other jewelry.”
The pearl jewelry she designs is so
recognizable that two strangers in
a ladies room in Atlanta struck up
a conversation when they realized they were both wearing blister pearl earrings designed by Thomas. Since everyone is somehow related in the South, the strangers also discovered they have cousins who’re married!
Thomas says her designs are inspired by color and the pearls themselves. “No two are alike. They’re classic
and elegant and have such luster,”
she said. “They brighten up anyone’s face.”
Thomas is appreciative of customer loyalty, such as the out-of-state customer who’s been sending swatches of dress fabric for Thomas to design matching jewelry since the 1970s.
Although Thomas grew up in New Orleans and had her first shop there, she and her family have a long history in Pass Christian. She often visited her grandparents’ home in the Pass. Her great grandfather, who
was governor of Louisiana, hosted President Theodore Roosevelt in Pass Christian and was with the president on the famous bear hunt that resulted in stuffed bears being called Teddy Bears.
Thomas permanently moved to Mississippi and opened Parkers in 1991. Following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, she re-opened in 2011. In addition to jewelry, including her Silver Rabbit line of baby jewelry, the shop features home accessories and the works of local artists.
Est. 1991
34 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2019 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
116 Davis Ave., Suite A PASS CHRISTIAN
228-452-7979
parkersinthepass.com
Mimi Parker Thomas
THE PEARL OF PASS CHRISTIAN