Behind the design: Emily and the creative heart of Mayana

Every Mayana piece begins with a person, not a product

At the center of our design process is Emily, our founder and lead designer—the creative mind behind the bold colors, intricate patterns, and expressive spirit that define the brand.

Emily’s journey into design wasn’t linear. Before Mayana, her path included work as a social worker, running a small retail store, and traveling through places like Ghana and Nicaragua. Those experiences shaped her deep appreciation for artisan-made products and the stories carried by handmade objects. More than aesthetics, she was drawn to the human connection behind craftsmanship. That perspective continues to guide everything we create today.

Inspiration rooted in culture, color, and craft

Mayana’s design language is often described as exotic and bohemian and that feels right. Emily draws inspiration from textiles, traditional crafts, and different forms of art from around the world. Sometimes a color combination sparks a new idea; other times it’s a pattern seen in fabric, architecture, or everyday life.

Our jewelry is bold by design

We love playful, sometimes unexpected color pairings and patterns that feel alive. These are not pieces meant to fade into the background. Each design is created to be the focal point of your outfit—something that invites attention and expresses personality. The wearer completes the story, bringing movement and life to every piece.

From idea to pattern: the design process

The design process always starts the same way: with a concept. Emily begins by imagining a shape, a rhythm, or a pattern she wants to explore. From there, she creates a digital pattern and carefully selects bead colors from a palette of more than 5,000 Japanese Miyuki glass bead shades.

Because of the precision of Miyuki beads, complex patterns can be woven with balance and detail—but getting it right takes time. Most designs go through multiple prototypes, experimenting with color placement, scale, and different bead-weaving techniques. This is a slow, intentional process where each bead is woven by hand, one at a time, often over several hours.

Collections that evolve with the seasons

Rather than following fast trends, Mayana works through two main collections each year. This rhythm allows space for creativity, thoughtful design, and meaningful production. Each collection reflects a season not just in color, but in mood, texture, and energy.

This approach gives our designs longevity. They’re meant to be worn now, revisited later, and styled differently as seasons change. Mayana pieces are versatile companions, not one-time statements.

A creative life beyond the studio

When Emily isn’t designing or running Mayana, she’s fully immersed in life—raising three young children, baking sweet treats for her family, and exploring Medellín and everything Colombia has to offer. That balance between creativity, family, and place is part of what makes Mayana feel real, warm, and human.

At its core, Mayana is about more than jewelry. It’s about stories, people, and the beauty that happens when intention, craft, and color come together—one bead at a time.