A Moment of Clarity is a literal reference to Van Gogh's last months at Saint Paul-de-Mausole, where he felt that only by continuing to paint he could stave off the mental illness that was stealing away his ability to work.  The pendant and chain are made from copper, with ribbon and metal embellishment.  The piece was created in answer to ISGB's call for exhibit entries based on a work of art, be it music, visual, or cinematic.  The iris has always captured my imagination and stymied my attempts to represent it in either two or three dimensions.  Searching the web finally yielded a photograph that captured the inside of the bloom and that helped me understand how the flower is formed.  This piece can be seen at the Convergence III exhibit at the ISGB Gathering in Louisville, KY July 28-31, 2011; it is not for sale.  
  The first of my new neckwire series, Promise Kept is a life-like arrangement of irises and poppies, flowers that bloom at the same time and present a brilliant contrast between cool and hot colors.  On oxidized sterling silver, this neckwire has been donated to the ISGB's 2011 Live Auction.  The retail value of the piece is $250.
The flowers in Just Peachy were inspired by a photograph of beautiful carved alabaster roses in just this color.  Bullseye Glass had a short run of Peach Glaze a couple of years ago and I've really enjoyed using it--woe to the day when it runs out!  Mounted on an oxidized copper neckwire, this piece has plenty of "give" to make putting it on easy.  $125 retail.    
 4am Ramble is a sterling wire & glass neckpiece that highlights the beauty and structure of flowers without the color that sometimes distracts the viewer.  An idea that was born while I stood among the flower pots that my daughter lovingly planted this spring, waiting for my dog to return from a pre-dawn patrol of the backyard, I was intrigued to see how the notion would play out.  This picture doesn't do the piece justice, but I wanted to show how handsomely the wirework wraps the neck and carries the focal to rest gently against the breast.  $160 retail.
Flowers & Fiber is a 2011 project that combined the vibrant color of my handmixed raspberry glass with a selection from my overflowing ribbon box.  Finished with matching glass bud caps and completed with matching earrings, Flowers & Fiber has been donated to the National Liberty Museum's 2011 Glass Auction.  The retail for this set is $280. 

Everlasting White was a finalist in the 2008 Bead Dreams competition.  It was donated to the ISGB's live auction that year and was sold to raise funds for ISGB's educational programs.  

This design makes a fabulous bridal adornment either in its full array or scaled down.  $700 as pictured. 

 

These fun pendants are made from my glass disks--so colorful!--and acrylic flower elements.  I love the acrylic because it adds dimension and motion with virtually no weight.  $30 

 
  

Spring and summer colors and lots of fun with my glass disks and acryic embellishment.  $30/pr. 

 

I use seed bead ropes a lot in my jewelry design; I like the drape and I enjoy the needle & thread work.  This piece is representative of my flower necklace designs; it was sold at the National Liberty Museum's annual glass auction for $190.

 Mariana's flower
  

Glass is such a great medium because it does so many interesting things.  In this example, the metal in the glass is brought to the surface to create beads that have great contrast and character.  This and similar pieces retail for $160.

 

My pendants are priced between $30-60.  I use beautiful Greek leather for both strung pendants and individual cords retailing for $6.

 
 

My functional objects are useful bits of art that decorate everyday life.  A beautiful bead is a happy thing whether you wear it or hold it while you make the coffee.  I have letter openers, pens, wine toppers, cake knives and servers, coffee scoops, jelly spoons, canape spreaders and forks.  Prices range from $16-100.