Tomorrow I begin the project 88 Pearls. The concept is derived from the idea that humans themselves are like pearls, each different, but contributing to one common thread. I have 1 year to unite 88 people (from my closest family members to complete strangers) in one project to help expand their knowledge of themselves and of others by asking them to share their views and life experiences. The goal is to help each person take a closer look at his or her own life, and in doing so, to look into the lives of other participants in the project. I hope that this will help each individual to understand the other individuals better. The project will shed new light on various subjects and will, hopefully, shatter stereotypes and prejudices while offering a sense of acceptance and compassion towards the self and others. Each person will participate in an interview and (as this originally began in my mind as a photo project) will also have a photo shoot with me in order to further illustrate his or her life, personality, and story. I expect to learn a great deal over the course of this journey, and I hope that the 88 amazing people who opt to let me in on their lives will obtain knowledge as well.

I am currently still accepting people into the project. There are no boundaries as far as age, sex, ethnicity, religion, etc. The only stipulation is that you must be in or around the New England area sometime before July 2010 so that I will have the chance to meet with you. If interested, please e-mail me for further information: jessica@jessicalynne.net

88 people. 88 stories. 1 year. 1 young girl on a mission.

The website 88pearls.com (brought to you by jessicalynne.net) will be up and running this week and will document the entire project. The project will also be documented at blogger.com: [link]