In
my searches for traditional rebozos and jewelry in Mexico I couldn't
help but admire some of the contemporary work that I found there.
I decided to create a new page for new pieces that excite me.
BELOW IS A GROUP OF PIECES created by GABRIELA SANCHEZ of GUADALAJARA, MEXICO.
I
was very happy to meet Gabriela Sanchez on my last trip to Mexico, talk
with her about the inspirations for her jewelry, feel her impossible
energy, and take in the beam of her constant smiles. Her work is
inspired by Mexican cultural history which she re-interprets and
carries into today's world. Every piece is different with an
unpredictable and eclectic variety of gemstones, amber and pearls,
fascinating imagery, and all inspired by the events of her own life.
The work is excellent, the silver is sterling, and many of the
pieces include her signature. If you open the display card you
will see a list inside of the names of the gemstones included in the
pieces.
The note she wrote regarding the sense of her pieces is this:
Tu lo vas a sentir, tu lo vas a descubrir.
Esta pieza tiene una energia especial para ti.
Feel it... enjoy it... discover it...
This piece has a special energy just for you.
NOW-001. Gabriela makes great use of images of loteria
cards - a traditional game in Mexico rather like BINGO but played with
cards with images on them (and title beneath), rather than with letters
or numbers. The silver pendant of this loteria card "la Corona"
(the crown) is 1 inch tall, and hung with gemstones. The bracelet
has some amazingly wild shaped pearls with gemstones as well. The
clasp is made of a pair of legs which hook through a ring - quite
wonderful. About over 7 1/2 inches long when closed.
$110.US. (sold)
NOW-004. The Virgin of Guadalupe is a saint very
important to those in Mexico. She has huge protective powers like
a mother watching over her children. This is a sweet little
pendant of the Virgin standing on a heart. The silver part
is just over an inch tall, and the entire pendant (including lapiz and
turquoise) is 2 1/2 inches tall. You can wind the soft blue
ribbon twice around your neck and knot it in the front for a gentle
look - always with a very individualistic sensibility. $65.US. (sold)
NOW-005. What delicate little fish, bringing back
memories of those in the waters of el lago de Patzcuaro.
Patzcuaro Lake in the state of Michoacan. This would be
beautiful either on an adult or a child. The pendant on the
necklace (made up of narrow strips of suedine in pink and blue) is 1
1/2 inches long. The stud earrings are each 7/8 inches long with
the most delicate little fish. $45.US.
NOW-006 This necklace of a combination of four colourful
strands is 16 inches long. The typical and humorous loteria card
of "el Borracho" (the Drunk) is the pendant card - 1 inch tall hung
with gemstones and a nice lightly faceted amber bead from the Gulf of
Mexico. The stud earrings are topped with tiny little crowns.
They measure 1 1/8 inches tall and feature turquoise and
amethyst. $68.US.
NOW-010. What marvellous earrings! Although
thoroughly Mexican they did make me think of the song "Closing Time" by
Montrealer Leonard Cohen. In the video you can see chairs slowly
tumbling through the air above Cohen's head in the Toronto bar that he
sang about. The chairs are impeccably made and decorated with
floral designs on seat and back. They are an inch tall, and when
measured from the top of the ear hoop to the bottom of the gemstone
& pearl dangles they are 3 3/8 inches tall. What a wonder
they are! $125.US.
NOW-011. These stud earrings feature the traditional tree
of life "Arbol de Vida" of Mexico. All life on earth is related
to all other life. One is never alone and the best life is one
that respects and assists the community around us. The entire
earrings are 3 inches tall and have wonderful circular pieces of amber
from the Gulf of Mexico hanging. Attached are garnets.
$75.US. (sold)
NOW-012. Here is another pair of earrings (this time with
a hanging loop) that feature the traditional tree of life "Arbol de
Vida" of Mexico. The trees tell a story for the viewer to
interpret. This pair of earrings is quite heavy, so do have
strong ear lobes to support them. They measure 3 inches tall and
hold a heavy tear drop of turquoise. $85.US. (sold)
NOW-013. These earrings are quite brilliant and full of
humour as they will swing like the pinatas that they are, when you move
swiftly or dance. The typical burro and the star pinatas can be
found in most markets. They are hung with gemstones that make me
thing of the candies that go flying when the pinata is broken.
The studs are like flowers with a center of amethyst. The
earrings are 3 inches from top to bottom. $85.US. (sold)
NOW-016. These are the sweetest stud earrings with
graceful little butterflies and chunks of amber from the Gulf of
Mexico. They measure slightly under an inch tall. $45.US. (sold)
NOW-018. Here is a pair of agave earrings.
Blue agave is used for making tequila and mezcal. Agave is
also used for a sugary nectar, and branches are roasted to eat.
The flowers are edible too. At the same time, they are
admired for their beauty and their decorative nature on the landscape.
These earrings are 2 inches tall and have diamonds of amber
hanging from them. $75.US.
NOW-020. This is the only pair of cuff links that I have.
The loteria cards are "la Dama" (the woman) and "el Catrin" (the
man who is a bit of a dandy. The loteria cards are 1 inch tall
and are backed with a curve of silver and a back part to lock
them into the buttonholes. They would be rather wonderful for an
engagement party I think - with my sense of humour engaged.
$105.US.
NOW-021. What a playful silver ring - Gabriela has a
sense of the importance of games and toys in our lives. They are
not to be left behind but still enjoyed in this all too serious world.
The rocking horse is perfectly made with every detail and stands
5/8 inch tall. It looks real from all directions. The
entire ring is 1 1/2 inches tall and a size 6.5. $95.US.
NOW-022. Here is a ring of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the
famous saint of Mexico. Her shrine is the most visited place for
Catholic pilgrims in all of the world. Guadalupe is standing on a
heart and surrounded by rhodocrosite cabochons. The image on the
front is 1 1/5 inches tall and the ring is a size 6. The ring is
made so that it can be pulled larger to a size 6.5 or 7. $120.US.
NOW-023. I was amazed when I saw the rings that Gabriela
Sanchez created - such exuberant, energetic, and colourful pieces
absolutely full of ideas. This ring has a loteria card of "la
Dama" (the woman) with a pink gemstone heart above her head.
Around her is a variety of colours of gemstones. Below is
an oval of rich purple amethyst. The top measures 1 7/8 inches
long and the ring size is 6.5. The ring is made to adjust so that
it can be pulled to be a little larger - a size 7 or 7.5.
$160.US.
NOW-024. I fell in love with one ring after another when
looking at the work of Gabriela Sanchez. The image of a crown is
always appealing to me - this loteria card is "la Corona".
Underneath la Corona is an oval of an unusual stone - it has a
rough surface that glitters with tiny reflections. Beneath that
are three facet amethysts. The top of the ring is 1 5/8 inches
long. The ring is a size 7. It was made so that it can be
comfortably adjusted to a size 7.5 or 8. $160.US. (sold)
NOW-025. The silver loteria card here is "las Jaras" (the
Arrows). There are rhymes that go with each loteria card: Las jaras del indio Adán, donde pegan, dan.
You can see the arrows with different symbolisms in Mexico.
Since they are tied together with a ribbon I think that it means
a coming together. The top of the ring is just under 1 1/2 inches
long. The size is 6.5. The ring was manufactured so that it
could comfortably be changed to a 7 or 7.5. $160.US. (sold)
NOW-026. These are delicate and tiny silver and pearl post
earrings - blossoms ready to open. They are 5/8 inch tall.
$48.US.
NOW-027. These earrings are a little over 1 1/4 inches
tall. They are like an agave with a fruit - made of a tiny
gemstone. $68.US. (sold)
NOW-028. These pearl earrings are 1 5/8 inches tall. Very sweet. $60.US.
NOW-029. More from the garden. These earrings are 1
3/4 inches tall, include amber and a gemstone. $68.US.
NOW-030. These pearl earrings are a portrayal of silver
papel picado. The earrings are a little over 1 3/8 inches tall.
(sold)
NOW-031. These gemstone earrings are a portrayal of silver papel picado, one floral and one with a bird. They are 1 5/8 inches tall. $68.US.
NOW-032. These
gemstone earrings are a portrayal of silver papel picado with
calaveras. They are 2 1/8 inches tall. .
(sold)
NOW-033. These gemstone earrings show one piece of papel picado with a bird, and a piñata. They measure 1 3/4 inches tall. $68.US.
NOW-034. The triple papel picados (with pearls) shimmer
nicely when walking. They measure 2 5/8 inches tall.
$125.US
NOW-035. The triple papel picados (with gemstones) shimmer
nicely when walking. They measure 2 5/8 inches tall.
$125.US.
NOW-036. These earrings portray images from the popular Mexican
board game called Loteria. La Dama and el Catrin. they are
2 1/4 inches tall. $95.US.
NOW-037. Here is a royal combo with the corona/crown on the
necklace and tiny crowns on the post earrings. They are all
decorated with gemstones. $110.US. (sold)
NOW-038. I wonder if this is a humorous statement with a
devil on the necklace and shoes for the earrings. Did the
devil/el diablo make you buy them? The devil is on a satin cord
but could be hung on a chain. The earrings are on posts.
$110.US.
NOW-039. This is a solid silver muñeca or doll. She
is just like the traditional papier mache ones with moving arms and
legs. She is quite heavy and has a loop at the back of her head
so she can be worn on the silk ribbon or strung onto a chain or a
necklace. 2 inches tall. $160.US. (sold)
NOW-040. This silver calavera is hinged at the neck,
shoulders and hips. It measures 2 inches tall. A very
traditional image. $110.US. (sold)
NOW-041. This
silver calavera is hinged at the neck, shoulders and hips. It
measures 2 inches tall. A very traditional image. $110.US. (sold)
NOW-042. This is a very sweet bracelet full of silver
versions of papel picados all adorned with a variety of
gemstones. It has a piñata in the center. This is
definitely a piece for a celebration. It hooks shut with a pair
of legs that fit into a ring. (sold)
NOW-043. This silver papel picado ring is 3/4 by 7/8 inch
in the front, is a size 6. it can be gently adusted a size or so
in either direction. $85.US.
NOW-044. This Virgin of Guadalupe silver
papel picado ring is 3/4 by 7/8 inch in the front, is a size 6. it can
be gently adusted a size or so in either direction.$85.US.
NOW-045. Here is a very ornate ring with an image of the
Virgin of Guadalupe. The image is over 1 1/2 inches tall.
The ring is a size 7. It can be gently adjusted a size or so in
either direction. $155.US. (sold)
NOW-046. This pendant is 1 5/16 inches tall including the
hanging loop on an 18 inch long chain. (sold)
NOW-047. This pendant is 1 5/16 inches tall including the hanging loop on an 18 inch long chain. (sold)
to
place an order please click here.
return
to "Contents" page
.....Ancient beads
.....Eastern beads and ornaments
.....Southeast Asia
.....India
.....Africa
.....African trade beads
.....North Africa
.....the Americas including preColumbian
.... ..Collections
.........Mexico
- traditional rebozos and market shopping
......Mexico Silver jewelry