Silver and Cultured Pearl Skull Dangle Earrings from Mexico 'Skull Pearls' Item ID: 2671808367

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"I have worked in silver since the late 1990s. We have worked with you only since 2018 but you have offered us a great apprenticeship.

"One of the details I love most about you is your focus on artisans and their creative processes. It's common for artisans to focus on sales. Here, I feel right at home — you have given me support for my designs and helped us to improve our vision. You have also helped increase my self-respect and appreciation for my work.

"I have complete confidence that this is a very wonderful medium to share our work through new technological innovations."

Original Artisan Story

"I'm a great admirer of Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures and the legacy they left us. The figurines of animals such as the jaguar, a sacred animal for Mesoamerican cultures. The snail, a symbol of the infinite universe. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Or the birds such as the quetzaltototl. I depict all of these in the way our ancient Mexican ancestors did. Their magic, their symbology, their archetypes all bring the lucidity to create my jewelry designs.

"I'm Rosa Padillas Solis. I was born in Guadalajara. For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed crafting things by hand. I have a special preference for handcrafted items in silver. I see magic in them — the material, the gemstones. Each one motivates me to create a special design, as special as the people who wear them.

"I discovered my passion by buying and reselling jewelry and gemstones that I found fascinating, such as pearls, agates and hematite. This is when I decided to create my own designs and Rosa Rojo was born.

"My family tells me I'm very creative and a perfectionist. Perhaps that's because I love what I do. I have fun creating every design that I imagine. As I begin to work, I visualize the gemstones that will go best with each design.

"My husband helps me with the sketching until we are able to depict the design we have in mind.

"My jewelry is meticulously crafted by hand using the lost wax technique. This complex method permits a great deal of creative freedom and makes each piece of jewelry special. It was used in the pre-Hispanic world to create ornamental objects that still impress us with their intricate designs and the skill of the people who crafted them.

"It's interesting. When I observe the pearls or gems I plan to use, it's as though they 'tell' me where they want to be placed until I achieve a wonderful design.

"When someone acquires one of my designs and tells me she likes it, I feel more sure of my creativity and sensitivity. For me, each of my creations is a challenge. I want to feel them in my heart and transmit this perspective to others. Jewelry has let me become self-supporting and has given me a feeling of fulfillment.

"I hope to continue expanding my collection and, in this way, pay tribute to my roots."

Over the past few years, Rosa Rojo's work has taken first and second place in the prestigious ENART annual competition and artisan showcase sponsored by the Tlaquepaque Chamber of Commerce, beginning in 2015.