If you’ve ever been to Florida, chances are you went to see the manatees. Well, that is if you were there at the right time of year. Going along with the manatees themselves are all kinds of kitschy manatee souvenirs. I don’t like that sort of thing myself. Me, I prefer unique manatee pendants made by an actual artist. And wouldn’t you know it; this particular artist lives in Florida. Figures, eh?

I’ve always collected cool silver pendants, starting back when I was a child. I’m not kidding; I have over 1,000 pendants tucked away! Some of the ones from childhood I still wear today on occasion. Others I give away from time to time to my children and now grandchildren. I guess you could say I’m a bit of a pack-rat.

But all that pendant collecting has developed a good eye for the really wonderful ones. I have examples now from all over the world. But some of my favorite necklaces were made right here in the good old USA, a fact I’m rather proud of.