Our Inspiration
Exotic and bohemian at its core, our jewelry is bold and colorful. We love to experiment with fun and sometimes unexpected color combinations and patterns often inspired by textiles, other art forms and artisan crafts found around the world. Our jewelry is meant to be the focal point of your outfit - to be more than just an accesory. We want you to turn heads and receive the attention you deserve, as you will bring our jewelry to life!
Our Artisans
Our Process
Mayana's pieces highlight the beauty of Japanese Miyuki glass beads, which are renowned for their precise cut and color variety allowing them to be woven together perfectly to form complex patterns.
The design process begins with our designer Emily conceptualizing a pattern and shape. Then she creates a digital pattern and chooses bead colors from the over 1000 Miyuki bead colors available. Our pieces often require working up several prototypes and experimenting with different bead stitch techniques. This is a slow and creative process in which each bead is handwoven one at a time, often over several hours. Finally, Emily and her artisan team transform these tiny beads into wearable pieces of art.
Emily Wancier
Originally from the US, I have lived abroad since 2010 with my family in several countries including Ghana and Nicaragua. My travels have inspired my love for artisan handmade products and the stories of the people behind them. My previous careers as a social worker and as a small retail store owner also continue to inform what I do today.
After moving to Medellin, Colombia with our three young children, and soon after being in the throws of the COVID lockdown, I taught myself bead weaving to keep my hands occupied and explore my creativity. What began as a hobby, eventually grew into a small business. From my start on Etsy, to attending craft fairs around the US, to working with our retail partners around the world, I have enjoyed every part!
When not designing and operating Mayana, I am running after our three kids, baking up sweet treats for my family, or exploring what Medellin and Colombia have to offer.
Jewelry That Impact Lives
Our jewelry is handwoven in small batches by talented women artisans living in Medellin, Colombia. We are committed to offering bead weaving training and stable work opportunities to women living in vulnerable communities. Many of our artisans are single mothers and members of the displaced indigenous Embera community who have faced innumerable challenges.
Our mission is to foster each artisan in such a way that they can continue to grow and thrive within our team over the long-term while maximizing their earning potential.
