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.
2 “ H x 1.5 “ W
2 “ H x 1/25 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
2” H x 1.5” W
1.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
2 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.75 “ H x 1.5 “ W Oval
1.75 “ H x 1 “ W
2.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.25 “ Round
1 “ H x .75 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.5 “ W Heart
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
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
2.25 “ H x 1.5 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.5 “ Round
1.5 “ H x 1 “ W
1 “ H x 1” W
1.25 “ H x 1.25 “ W
1.5 “ H x 1.5” W
23” beaded chain made with 24 K seed beads and turquoise and glass beads
1- 1/5 “ heart with Apatite beads 22” in length
I “ x 1.75 “ Heart with pink leather cord 20” in length
1.5 “ Round Fine Silver with gold foil, black leather cord 20” length
1- 1.5 “ Heart with beads 22 “ in length
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
1” 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
1” 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
1.5 “ H x 1” W
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
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.
1.75” 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 24” in length
1-1/5 “ Heart with beads 26 “ in length
I have had the pleasure of taking many different jewelry classes to further my education but two teachers have made a tremendous impact on my art and designs.
My education blossomed when I found Silvera Jewelry School in Berkeley, California where I have completed many classes in metalsmithing and enameling. The Silvera Jewelry School is almost my second home! Joe and Anat Silvera are incredible teachers and fantastic artists and I will be forever grateful for the hours of instruction I received and am still receiving at this outstanding jewelry school.
Also, my glass teachers at Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) in San Jose, California have devoted many hours teaching me some of the creative ways to fuse glass and make beads. The teachers at BAGI are very skilled and are devoted to developing a space of learning and artistic growth.
Thank you for visiting my website!
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