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Mariana Llanes

"My designs reflect my search for beauty, harmony with the body and a sense of movement. Sometimes I like to explore a certain theme, others I just shape figures filled with expressive power.

"I spent most of my childhood in a small village within a beautiful valley not far from Mexico City, where I was born. Being surrounded by nature, I had the opportunity to grow up in great freedom and in contact with all things natural, which is why my husband and I decided to stay here permanently. I'm dedicated to my jewelry, he's dedicated to his painting.

"As a child I also enjoyed writing and I knew, even at that age, that I wanted to lead a life where I could explore my creativity and find different means through which I could express myself and feel materials in my hands.

"After high school I had the opportunity to travel and stay at a meditation center. When it was time to return and continue my studies, I kept having dreams of becoming a jeweler and I could even see the designs I had created. I decided to follow my dream and have loved it from the very first moment I began working with metal, gems, and fire.

"The first thing I made was a pair of hoop earrings which I gave to my mother, and it makes me feel very happy and proud to see her still wearing them!

"I learned the silversmith's craft in Mexico City, in the workshop of renowned Mexican designer Francisco Ortíz. Here I had the opportunity to meet, and learn from, other famous designers. I continued my training with different courses in several workshops both in Mexico City and in San Miguel Allende. I also went to India to train with a family of silversmiths, and in 2004 I began an online course with the Gemological Institute of America.

"I have also pursued my writing by taking several courses on narrative and drama at renowned cultural centers and institutes in Mexico, including a course with the highly revered Hugo Argüelles.

"I held my first jewelry exhibition in 1999 and I've done one every year ever since. In 2008 two of my pieces were selected for contest '21st Century Silver,' which were also included in an exhibition at Mexico City's Franz Meyer Museum.

"I enjoy traveling and meeting people of different cultures – that's how I can feel inspiration growing within me. I enjoy playing with symmetric and asymmetric designs, as well as combining geometric figures with organic shapes, contrasting textures, colors and, in some cases, metals.

"Mexico is a diverse and prolific country in its artistic expression, so I feel very fortunate to share my designs through Novica. I believe my creations have substance and integrity because they are the fruit of my experience in art as much as in life. They reflect my ideas and my desire to share a world that is creative and beautiful."