LEARN ABOUT THE JOLENE BIRD BELOW!!

THE NECKLACE:

Traditionally designed while having a contemporary vibe, this is made in a 5 circular-mosaic inlaid panel design, where Jolene cut & shaped each of the materials that are then mosaic inlaid atop of a silver backing. The circular panels alternate in between little round cuts of turquoise.

On both ends of the panels leading to the closure, are 4 strands of hand cut black Jet beads that have a 'matte' finish & are capped off by cones. The cones closest to the panels are made with the same silver material as the backside, whereas the cones closest to the hook & eye are sterling, including the 2" long extender chain. . On the backside of the panels are silver plated & not sterling. Jolene believes it might have been nickel silver she used, but wasn't sure.

After trying this on, I was amazed at how comfortable it was on the neckline! I personally believe it's because everything is well balanced & in proportion.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

There's a reason why that with every Native American juried/judged event that Jolene attends, she will usually win either in "Best of Show, the big Grand Prize or comes in 1st place & when you see the unique type of work she puts out, you'll understand why! She has gone on to win awards for her amazing mosaic pots/vases & I have been honored at carrying many, which have all sold out.

Incorporating what has been passed down through oral history & from generation after generation, Jolene puts her own unique twists on things & pours her heart & soul into everything she puts her hands on & the judges for these Native American events are always left in disbelief because the items she brings to the table, are something you'll never see among other Puebloan artists when it comes to the "Art of Mosaic or for "Puebloan Jewelry".

I believe with Jolene, it's not about just being another Puebloan mosaic artist, but it's the way & WHAT she decides to mosaic! She has even gone on to making a chess set, mosaic sunglasses, mosaic chairs, a mini sized mosaic inlaid Volkswagen Beetle car and even went as far as fully mosaic inlaying a Gibson guitar!! You name it, Jolene will mosaic it!

The young Jolene learned this art from her grandparents (who were also mosaic artists) but lucky for Jolene, because it was her Grandmother Anita, who told her to "seek a new direction" & that is when she went from 'traditional' & took a more "contemporary' approach by starting to design these very high end quality pieces, while gaining the respect of many Native American scholars. Moving forward, she has surpassed 100's of artists from the pueblo.

Jolene lives on the Kewa Pueblo with her immediate family, who she is now passing on everything she knows about this Ancestral Puebloan art form & works very closely with her artisan son Charles Bird, whose jewelry you can find in my listings !

Jolene's work is highly collectible & gives us a historical ancestral Puebloan past,but with a contemporary edginess !