Tribe: San Felipe Pueblo

“I think about the colors and designs for pieces I want to make and then I go out and find the materials to bring my ideas together. When people see our pieces they notice that they are unique. It is a pleasant feeling to create a piece that people would cherish.”

Charlene Reano is a lifelong resident of San Felipe Pueblo whose passion for jewelry making has been expressed through decades of artistic work. Early in her career, she studied art at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, before joining a jewelry company in Albuquerque where she learned and refined techniques in mosaic inlay, stone cutting, bezel setting, and precious metals work.

Charlene met her husband, Frank Reano of Santo Domingo Pueblo, while they were in high school. With encouragement from her late mother-in-law, Clara L. Reano, and her sister-in-law, Angie Reano Owen, Charlene and Frank began creating jewelry together in the early 1980s. Over the years, they mastered a variety of techniques and developed a distinctive style of mosaic inlay. Charlene credits much of her artistic influence to Frank’s family, who are widely respected for their exceptional mosaic jewelry.

Today, Charlene’s work is recognized for its precision, color, and craftsmanship. Her jewelry has received numerous awards and has been featured in galleries throughout the Southwest as well as on the East and West Coasts. Through her thoughtful use of natural materials and meticulous attention to detail, Charlene continues to create jewelry that reflects both her artistic vision and the rich traditions of Pueblo craftsmanship.