Originally from San Felipe Pueblo, Charlene married Fred Reano of Santo Domingo Pueblo and learned to do mosaic work from her sister-in-law Angie Reano (who works with her husband Joe and whose work appears on this website). As with most Santo Domingo couples who work together, Fred prepares the materials (cutting, grinding and polishing) and Charlene assembles the pieces and creates the design patterns.

These perfectly-executed mosaic inlay earrings consist of small, hand-cut tiles laid on a shell foundation. Traditional jet paste matrix is used as grout between the tiles and the whole teardrop shape is impeccably polished to a nice lustrous finish. A Sterling wire passes through each earring and is anchored by a head on the wire (like the head on a straight pin). This allows the earring to swivel on the wire and follow the movements of the body.

Charlene and Fred won the first place ribbon for inlay work at the 2007 Indian Arts & Crafts Association Spring Show in Albuquerque for their necklace entry.

Dimensions of each earring: 1 7/8" x 11/16"

Materials: Kingman turquoise, red spiny oyster, mother of pearl, lapis & melon shell

Total hang: 2 1/8"