The catalog section of my website is currently under construction. If you are interested in my ceramic work please contact me using the information on the About Us page.

News -- I have opened a store at Etsy!

I'm still in the process of adding items to my on-line catalog at Etsy. My on-line shop is at http://marysmaiolica.etsy.com

My Etsy store already has a small selection of my hand painted "Motto" bead pendant necklaces. These hand painted, colorful beads are a wearable conversation piece and make wonderful gifts. Each "Motto" bead pendant has a special phrase in Latin or Italian. I totally hand make my clay beads starting from a ball of raw clay. Each bead is hand painted and fired twice in a kiln. I string my beads into pendants using sterling silver wire with sterling silver beads. Some of the pendants also include a sterling silver charm (heart, butterfly, cross, or bee). The pendant hangs on a polished cotton cord tied with a double slip knot which allows the pendant to hang as a choker or a long pendant. The pendant length converts from approximately 16 inches to 26 inches. Most of my beads are approximately 3/4 inches in diameter.

My beads are based on ones made in 16th century Italy. Hand painted beads were often given as small love tokens for a girl getting married. They were frequently inscribed with the word "Bella" which means "beautiful". During the Renaissance the beads were used as spinning weights.

I have additional bead pendants in stock and available for purchase. I also make custom beads. A list of the phrases I use is available here.