Agate and Glass Bead Waterfall Earrings from Mexico 'Sweet Tradition' Item ID: 2677075301

“I have more than twelve years dedicating myself to jewelry. It has allowed me to grow a lot as a person, and has helped me to know myself.

“I try to find inspiration for my pieces in pre-Hispanic cultures, those that have left a beautiful legacy in our country. The elaboration of each one is very personal; since I really like to imagine how they will look and how they will mark the personality of those who will use it.

“When making my jewelry I feel a powerful woman, and it is thanks to the trends of social networks and technology that you can grow in many ways. It was through jewelry that I found a way to also provide support for my daughters' education.

“I have participated in various expositions; one of them allowed me to create a piece full of the elements of the earth. I like to give that sculptural approach to my designs.

“NOVICA has been a box of surprises for me. It has taught me finesse in my work, giving everything in the creative process. Thank you so much.”

Original Artisan Story

"I remember when I was only nine years old, my mother and I went to a store selling craft supplies. What caught my eye was the array of tiny, colorful seed beads. We bought some and I began to experiment with them. I'd string them into bracelets for myself and my friends. But it wasn't until I was 15 or 16 that one of my brothers taught me to weave them into more complex designs. Eventually, he taught me the craft and shared helpful tips I didn't know. It was a dream come true.

"After that, I never stopped.

"When I was 18, a friend taught me how to set gemstones and I have an uncle who is a jeweler with a workshop in his home. With these new skills, my designs became more sophisticated.

"I began selling my jewelry in 2009 when a distributor came across my work through a friend. He bought everything I made.

"In 2013, I won a spot to exhibit my work in Expo Joya on two occasions and realized I could begin working on my own.

"In 2014, my uncle and I created a silver collection that fused our two techniques. It was a such hit that we expanded the collection with new designs. I won an international jewelry contest in 2015, which opened many doors, including an exhibition in the Museo de Las Artes Populares.

"I use seed beads, silver and natural gemstones. My uncle crafts my silver designs. For the beadwork, the most difficult part is weaving them in such a way that the jewelry is neither too tight, two loose or wrinkled. It took a lot of practice, and also requires a harmonious combination of colors to create a balanced contrast.

"My husband is a photographer, and he takes photos of my designs. Today, I'm able to give work to women who need to work from home. They're able to take care of their children and still earn an income.

"My inspiration mainly comes from nature and the color of the gemstones I use. I love rock climbing, and this has taken me to some incredible places. They've opened my eyes to new ranges of color that I bring to life in my jewelry. One day I'd love to travel around the world.

"Having majored in art helps greatly and I apply this knowledge in a technical way, such as the design, composition and complementary colors. My jewelry is neo-impressionist, as can be seen in the way I use light and color. This is what I enjoy most — the interplay of design elements with the technique and color to create a strong design with unique authenticity.

"In 2007, we were in Oaxaca and had an accident on the road there. My car landed upside down over a cliff and, fortunately, a tree stopped us from falling further. After miraculously surviving that accident, I came to value life even more."