Mariana VillarReal

OWNER & HEAD DESIGNER, SANGRE DE MI SANGRE

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

Mariana is a visionary jewelry designer with over a decade of experience in metal working and gemstone sourcing. She owns the Mexican jewelry brand Sangre de mi Sangre, where she works as the Lead Designer coming up with expressive collections that excite her imagination.

She is also a mom, and tried to balance her work and personal life as much as possible. She takes off every July to travel somewhere new, get one-on-one quality time with her son, and find inspiration for her next series of designs.

On our Mexico City experiences, Mariana gives Wild Terrains groups a private tour of her studio and leads us through a necklace designing workshop. Our travelers get to take home their necklaces, and get to shop Mariana’s private jewelry collection!

Follow Sangre de mi Sangre here.

1.WHAT DOES SANGRE DE MI SANGRE MEAN TO YOU, IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR BUSINESS AND OF MEXICO IN GENERAL?

Sangre de mi Sangre is a representation of me; I believe I express myself with my jewelry. I love Mexico, it is a beautiful country that is so vibrant and gives you the feeling that anything is possible. I love to live in a city where inspiration is everywhere and where I'm able to find so many different artisan techniques.

2.WHERE DO YOU FIND THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR JEWELRY?

I find inspiration everyday. I love to travel, meet new people and new cultures. I love to stop and smell the roses and be able to see details that are not that visible.

3. WHAT HELPS YOU SHAKE FREE FROM ARTIST’S BLOCK?

Traveling! I think it is the best way to get out of your comfort zone and be able to create.

4. WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU EVER MADE? DID YOU KNOW IT WOULD BE THE FIRST OF MANY?

My first piece was a beautiful ring made with purple amethyst. As soon as I finished this first piece I knew I would be doing this forever.

5. ARE THE GEMSTONES AND METALS YOU USE FROM MEXICO OR ARE THEY IMPORTED? IN OTHER WORDS, HOW DOES SANGRE GET THE MATERIALS YOU WORK WITH?

All the metal we use in Sangre de mi Sangre is Mexican and recuperated, one-hundred percent recycled. Our stones come from all over the world.

6. WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECTS TO WORK ON? WHAT WAS SO INTERESTING OR FUN ABOUT IT?

It changes with time. I am obssesed with my new collection that will be for sale November 6. It’s a very special collection because we are experimenting with new tecniques.