How is the jewelry made?
Each piece is hand-crafted by Carleen, that's me, in my home studio. I use a mixture of metalsmithing, ceramics, fusing and wire wrapping techniques to craft each piece.

Will you customize pieces?
Certainly. THe beauty of buying artisan made jewelry is that you can work directly with me, the artist,
to customize a piece with your favorite stones, words, symbols or whatever inspires you. I welcome
the chance to begin a dialogue with my clients that will hopefully last for many years to come.

Do you do bridal jewelry?
Absolutely. I find great joy in helping make someone's special day even more meaningful with jewelry
that reflects the spirit of the individuals and the occasion. I work hand-in-hand with the bride and
bridal party to create personal treasures.

What is the background behind the Eco-Silver line?
As my journey progresses more deeply into the world of jewelry design, I have become acutely aware of the environmental toll that destructive mining practices are having on our earth,
as well as human rights issues involved with the communities who work in the trade.

The eco-silver line was introduced in fall 2008. In an effort to reduce Mantra Gem’s environmental footprint and promote socially responsible business practices, my eco-silver line proudly uses a mix of recycled silver and fair trade certified components and stones.

Jewelry bags - Our custom silk jewelry bags are handmade by a fair trade co-op in Bali.
Fine silver (99.9% pure silver) - Photographic film is manufactured with silver compounds. During photo processing, a substantial amount is recovered for recycling and made into a a new medium called Precious Metal Clay. The "clay" transforms into pure silver once it's fires in the kiln upwards of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sterling silver wire - 100% recycled sterling silver is purchased from an environmentally conscious refiner in Virginia
Sterling silver chain - hand-made by skilled silversmiths in Bali at a fair trade certified workshop
Business cards and point of sale literature is made with recycled paper and soy-based ink.

Do you do home parties?
Yes! If you live in the Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Baltimore or DC areas, then we can set something up!
Home parties are a great excuse to get the gals together and enjoy artisan-made jewelry. That's a close to perfect evening in my mind! Between 15-20 guests is a great number. Email or call me and we'll determine the date, time and location. I will arrive at least an hour ahead of time to set up, which includes the jewelry displays, linens, and mirrors. As guests arrive, they will be treated to a wonderful array of designs and have the ability to interact directly with the artist throughout the evening. The host will receive a jewelry credit that equals 10% of the party sales, which they can use that night. Credit cards are accepted.