From the time I was hired, at age 19, to work at a bead shop while attending San Diego State University, I was hooked on beading. I fell in love with putting colors and textures in necklaces and earrings as a special gift for my friends and family.
My education and professional endeavors took me to practicing law for many years. I have a collection of hearts in my law office because I believe that representing clients has to be heartfelt and caring on so many levels. I often give a small heart to my clients and this always puts a smile on their faces.
In 2010, my interest in beading and jewelry design took another step forward. I wanted to create necklaces which were unique. Over the last seven years, my travels were rooted in searching for special beads at places including Italy, Spain, and the Mediterranean; Martha’s Vineyard, New York State and New England; and the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, and the Pacific Northwest. Always, I was drawn to hearts.
I have had shows at street fairs, craft fairs, at my church, and the Santa Cruz County Holiday Fair and at galleries in California and Washington.. But I wanted to learn more. I took classes on fabrication and casting at Revere Academy in San Francisco. I also learned glass fusion and bead making from the Bay Area Glass Institute in San Jose. I have completed numerous classes with Joe and Anat Silvera and master teachers at Silvera Jewelry School in Berkeley and at Pocosin Arts School.
After 40 years of practicing law, I retired in December 2022. This has allowed me to focus more on enameling, glass fusion and metalsmithing and other designs. Each design truly comes from my heart and I look forward to sharing them with you.
I have now moved from the Bay Area to beautiful Whidbey Island in Washington where I will design more jewelry and tiles from the heart as I enjoy the Pacific Northwest.
Enamels are fine particles of glass that are burned onto metal using a torch or a kiln. The mineral composition of enamel affects how the glass reacts to the heat and to the metal. The particles are heated until they soften and glow bringing each piece of metal to a brilliant finish.
1- 1.2 " copper heart with enamel, decals, sunshine colors and pen work with copper prongs and brown leather chain and magnetic clasp.
I “ x 1.75 “ Heart with pink leather cord 20” in length
2 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1 “ W
2.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1 “ H x .75 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W Heart
2 “ H x 1 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1 “ W Oval
1.25 “ Round
1.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.25 “ H x 1.25 “ W
2 “ H x 1 “ W
1.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
Crackle Enamel
1.5 “ H x 2 “ W Heart
1.25 “ Round
1.5 “ H x 1 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.25 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1 “ W
1.5 “ H x 2 “ W Heart
2 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1 “ H x 1” W
1- 1/5 “ heart with Apatite beads 22” in length
1.5 “ Round Fine Silver with gold foil, black leather cord 20” length
1- 1.5 “ Heart with beads 22 “ in length
2-1/4 " copper round with multiple layers of enamel, silver foil and pen work. The piece is made with sterling silver prongs with sterling silver backing, a 20" dark brown leather chain and a sterling silver toggle clasp.
1-1/2 " copper round with enamel, decal, gold foil and pen work. The piece is made with brass prongs and brass backing with 19 " black leather chain and gold-filled toggle clasp.
These tiles are displayed on a small easel (included) or are mounted in a 5 x 5 " shadowbox frame.
2 X 2 " enamel copper square with underglaze, sunshine colors and pen work, affixed to 3 X 3 " acrylic and attached to a 4 X 4 " repurposed tile. A small easel is included.
2 X 2 " enamel copper square with decals and pen work on 3 X 3" acrylic attached to a 4 X 4 " repurposed tile. This is displayed with a small easel
2 X 2 " enamel square using overglaze and sunshine colors and China paint, affixed to 3 X 3 " acrylic and attached to a repurposed 4 X 4 " tile
2 X 2 " enamel copper square with acrylic enamel paint affixed to 3 X 3 " and 4 X 4" acrylic plastic. A small easel is included.
3-1/2 X 3-1/2 " polymer clay square with decal affixed to a 4 X 4" ceramic repurposed tile. A small easel is included.
2 X 2 " copper tile with enamel and alcohol ink affixed to 3 X 3" acrylic and attached to a 4 X 4" repurposed tile. A small easel is included.
2 X 2 " copper square with multiple overlaid gold and other decals affixed to a 4 X 4" repurposed ceramic tile. A small easel is included.
1-1/2 X 2-1/2 " copper square with multi-colored sifted enamels, then stoned and fired with liquid enamel and sgraffito. The square is affixed on 4 X 4" acrylic and a small easel is included.
3 X 3" steel with liquid enamel and sunshine colors and pen work, affixed to 5 X 5 " acrylic inside a white 5 X 5" shadowbox.
3 X 3" steel with textured liquid enamel and finished with sunshine colors on 5 X 5 " acrylic inside a white 5 X 5" shadowbox.
3 X 3" steel with liquid enamel and sunshine colors affixed to 5 X 5" acrylic inside a 5 X 5" white shadowbox
3 X 3" steel with textured liquid enamel finished with sunshine colors affixed to 5 X 5 " acrylic inside a 5 X 5" green shadowbox.
Glass fusion is a technique used to join glass pieces together by partially heating them in a kiln. Different kinds of glass produce different results and glass pieces can be fired over and over again. I use dichroic glass, frit and stringers to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
1.5 “ H x 1.5 W
1.75 “ H x 1.25” W
2” H x 1.25” W
1.75 “ H x 1” W
2.25 “ H x 1” W
1.75 “ H x 1.25” W
2” H x 2” W
1.75 “ H x 1” W
1.5 “ H x 1” W
2” H x .75” W
1.5 “ H x 1.5” W
1.75 “ H x 1.25” W
2” H x 1” W
1.5” H x 1” W
2.25 “ H x 1.75 “ W
2” H x 1” W
2” H x 1” W
3” H x 1.5” W
1.75 “ H x 1”
1.5 “ H x 1.5” W
1.75 “ H x 1.5 “ W
2.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.25” H x 1.25” W
1.25” round
2” H x 1.5 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1” W
1.75 “ H x 1” W
2” H x 1” W
1.75 “ H x 1.5 “ W
2.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.5 “ H x 2 “ W
1.5 “ H x 2 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.25 “ H x 1.25 “ W
2 “ H x 1” W
1.25 “ H x 1 “ W
2” H x 1.25 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1.75 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1.75 “ W
2 “ H x 2 “ W
2 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1 “ X 1.5 “ with 20 “ white leather cord
1-1/4 X 1" fused glass pendant with frit, burnt orange cotton chain with toggle clasp.
Glass fused plates and wall hangings using various glass, frit and oxides to illustrate my joyful inspirations.
6 X 6" fused glass using two glasses with fine frit over a decal
8 X 6 " wall hanging with branches and leaves in between green and clear glass
9-1/2 X 8" glass fused mosaic.
5-1/2 X 6" fused glass wall hanging
8 X 8" plate with multi-colored stringers and bubbles
5 X 5-1/2 " glass fused plate with three glasses and stringers.
4-1/2 X 4-1/2 " fused glass with reactive glass and frit.
9 X 8" black, orange and teal fused glass with glass squares around the perimeter.
4-1/2 X 4-1/2 " green plate with fused yellow daisy glass
Alcohol ink creations are made from isopropyl alcohol, resin and pigment to create fast-drying, fluid, and vibrant abstract art. My pieces are applied on Yupo paper or on repurposed ceramic tiles.
6 X 6" repurposed tile with multiple layers of alcohol ink
4 - 1/4 X 4-1/4 " repurposed tile with multiple layers of alcohol ink
6 X 6" repurposed tile with alcohol ink.
5 X 5" repurposed tile with alcohol ink
9 X 7" alcohol ink on Yupo paper in glass frame
5 X 7" alcohol ink on Yupo paper in glass frame
5 X 7" alcohol ink on Yupo paper in glass frame.
8 x 8" alcohol ink on Yupo paper with rainbow heart in glass frame.
5 X 7" alcohol ink on Yupo paper in glass frame.
8 X 8" alcohol ink on clay board with multiple layers.
8 X 8" alcohol ink on Yupo paper with bronze ink.
12 X 4 " multiple layers of alcohol ink on repurposed tile.
8 X 8 " alcohol ink on Yupo paper with rainbow heart attached on glass frame
8 X 8" repurposed tile with multiple layers of alcohol ink
8-3/4 X 2-3/4 " alcohol ink on repurposed tile
Polymer clay is a type of clay capable of being hardened, based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It typically contains no clay minerals, but like mineral clay, a liquid is added to dry particles until it achieves gel-like working properties, and similarly, the part is put into an oven to harden, hence its colloquial designation as clay.
1-1/2 " round polymer clay pendant with 18" gold-filled chain with lobster clasp.
1.75” H x 1.5 “ W
22” black leather cord (can be shortened)
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
20 “ black leather cord (can be shortened)
1.5 “ Round
22” black leather cord (can be shortened)
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
22 “ black leather cord (can be shortened)
1.75 “ H x 1” W
22 “ black leather cord with sterling silver magnetic clasp
1-1/5 “ Heart with beads 26 “ in length
1-1/2 " round pendant with leaf from Whidbey Island, etched with alcohol ink, with prongs and copper backing on bronze leather chain and magnetic clasp
1-1/2 " oval pendant with polymer clay and 18# gold-filled chain with lobster clasp.
2 X 1 " pendant with bottlebrush decal with glossy finish. The piece is made with a 21" white leather chain and sterling silver toggle clasp.
Thank you for visiting my website!
It’s Holiday Season! I will be at the 2024 Holiday Market in Clinton, Washington on Whidbey Island December 7 and December 8. I have new holiday earrings and more glass plates and enamel tiles. I would love to see you there!
Also, at the Hub Gallery November 2024 to January 2025, I will be showing a small glass hanging and alcohol ink hanging just looking for a space on your wall!
Come join me for the 2024 Whidbey Women and Art show at Dancing Fish Vineyards in Freeland, Washington from August 31 to September 1, 11 am to 5 pm. I have added more pendants and earrings made of enamel, glass and polymer clay. Also, I have had a lot of fun painting with alcohol ink - the colors are so vibrant! Finally, I have been fusing glass wall hangings and glass plates. There is something for everyone!
Stay tuned for the holiday exhibit at the Hub Gallery in November 2023 through January 2024, where I will exhibit my holiday jewelry.
Come join me at the membership Arts Exhibit sponsored by the Whidbey Island Arts Council October 20, 2023 to October 22, 2023.
In September 2023, my necklaces won first and second prize in the professional category at the Santa Cruz County Fair.
Two of my necklaces were at the Hub Gallery June 2023 and July 2023 for the Summer on Whidbey show, where 25% of the proceeds benefited the charity of our choice on Whidbey Island.
I showed a fold formed enamel necklace at a juried show entitled Seashell in the Sand at an exhibit, Out of the Fire, at Pajaro Valley Arts Center in Watsonville, California in August 2023 and September 2023.
Open Studios in Sunnyvale in May 2023 was fabulous. I saw many of my friends and met new friends during this post-pandemic show and many people came to celebrate on this beautiful sunny weekend.
Two of my pieces were shown at the ZFoilio Gallery in Monterey on Cannery Row through January 10, 2022.
I did not participate in any fairs or festivals in 2020, regrettably, because of the pandemic. However, in 2021, I had the pleasure of showing my pendants and enamel wall hangings in the Pajaro Valley Art Center in Watsonville and the Santa Cruz County Fair. See my pieces below from the Watsonville exhibition and the Santa Cruz County Fair.
I look forward to seeing you at festivals in the Bay Area as public gatherings became more comfortable for all of us.
I have added many new designs and I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them and sharing them with you. I am always available via e-mail. Hope to see you soon!
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Prior Festival Details:
Come join me at the 2019 Mountain View Art and Wine Festival September 7 and September 8 on Castro Street. Look at my unique necklaces - a favorite for summer birthdays and gifts or purchase a special treat for yourself!
I entered two glass pieces in a competition at the Santa Cruz County Fair in September 2018.
I won first prize for this patterned glass piece - one of my favorites!
This was my first competition and there were so many other talented jewelry artists.
I felt honored to receive this award!
I won second prize for this checkerboard dichroic glass piece.in fall colors.
I’m so honored that the judges liked my work.
For more information, email Cynthia: FromTheHeartNecklaces@gmail.com