Crystal and Stainless Steel Beaded Stretch Bracelet, "Glittering Love"

“Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to introduce myself. My name is Carolina Gonzalez. I was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. My dad was an auto mechanic. He always used his hands to work and was very creative when making something that he had in mind. He drew and fabricated all kinds of electric appliances and furnishings. My mom was a homemaker. She took care of us at home, was a good cook, and was very intelligent. Even though my parents have passed away, my stepfather has also been a paternal figure in my life. He has been around ever since I was eight years old, and I love him with all my heart. I grew up with seven siblings, and two of my brothers love to draw and paint. I am the only one who has been inclined to make jewelry.

“I had a normal childhood. From a young age, I pretended that I had my own businesses. For example, I collected fruit from the patio of my house and I sat on the stoop with a sign to sell them to whoever passed in front of our house. I have lived through tough losses, such as my parents’ divorce when I was eight years old, and the loss of my grandmother to breast cancer. She was like a mother to me.

“When I entered the world of design and jewelry, I was very young. I was about 20 years old, and together with my boyfriend (who is now my husband) I learned to make jewelry pieces. We did this primarily as a way to generate income; we did not think it would turn into a full-time job. In that moment, I fell in love with this art, and to this day I continue creating jewelry. Mostly I love the bracelets, as well as the semiprecious gems with their varied forms and colors. I have always been a very meticulous and hands-on person, which is why I am so passionate about this craft.

“Since I discovered that I had the talent to create jewelry, my goal has always been to start my own business. I have been creating my own jewelry pieces for 17 years, and each time that I thought that my business was going to grow and expand, something outside of my control would happen, slowing my progress. One of these times was when I tried to register my products, and two years later I was rejected. This was a huge disappointment for me, because I wanted it with all my heart.

“Later, I was given the tremendous opportunity to show my creations to Novica. I could not believe it! I no longer had any hope at that point, but this time my dream was made reality. Many thanks to Novica for believing in me. It has taken great strength and a lot of patience in order to arrive where I am today.

“I create my pieces with a lot of love, strength, and hope so that in some part of the world, someone will be able to appreciate my work and know that it is made entirely by hand by someone who has strived so that they can have a unique and quality piece of jewelry.”