Handcrafted Signed Sterling Silver Earrings, "Filigree Wave"

"I was born in Mexico City, in the historic Coyoacan neighborhood where artists of all kinds have lived. Our home was filled with creativity. My mother was a painter and restoration artist, an extremely creative woman. Her motto was 'we should be different and original,' and that was the watchword in our home. People close to her recognize her as imaginative and very orderly woman.

"I'm the ninth of ten children, and there wasn't a moment that Mother didn't have us busy with paintbrushes, crayons, clay, paper and scissors. There was constant creative activity in every corner of our home. Our parents instilled in us a great love for our roots and our Mexican identity.

"My father was a businessman, but he was always with us, encouraging us to do research and read, and he gave us our love for books. This furthered my desire for art and creativity. It was a joy to have been born in a family like mine, where there was always a great diversity of opinions as well as originality.

"I inherited my mother's love for orderliness, and my brothers and sisters would pay me to organize their closets. I enjoyed it. And I began creating jewelry with the things I found, like a piece from an earring, a broken chain, or whatever they'd give me. I'd sit down and craft something for myself, and now my sisters tell people I started my jewelry line when I was seven. I still have those pieces!

"When I was 21, I decided to become a jeweler but it wasn't until I entered the School of Fine Arts that I absolutely fell in love with my craft. It was fascinating to discover an infinity of ancestral techniques that were no longer in use. As I became aware of them, I incorporated them into my designs to create very original collections with a Mexican identity. I like to sign my pieces.

"For me, each collection is carefully planned and researched, and I love every one of them. My first was a real challenge. I created a set of earrings, necklace and earrings that involved joining different pieces, and I had to learn to solder. I still enjoy this technique, and I still have that jewelry set. It's a kind of trophy for me.

"Today, I use a number of unconventional techniques for a wide variety of collections. I want my designs to be truly original. Other Mexican artisans assist me in my workshop.

"My work is the language of modern jewelry that rescues ideas from everyday life to exalt Mexico's culture. Thus, each piece is a work of art that reveals my passion for the duality in gold and silver — its innate strength and its delicate spirit. This permits these precious metals to become unique pieces of jewelry.

"Life has brought me many challenges, but the one I most respect has been achieving my children's dreams, teaching them to be self assured and to enjoy life, to make goals, and to admire their country.

"I enjoy spending my spare time playing with my grandchildren. I also like to dance, design, teach jewelry classes, paint in a number of techniques, and get together with friends."

Leticia Llera's jewelry has been recognized in a number of competitions in Mexico and internationally. In 2012, she was distinguished as a jewelry designer.