Harvest the power of your hands
Questions, with their activating force, are the perfect tools for gaining knowledge. The more we engage with our questions, the more we learn and the deeper we explore. I love being asked questions; it's in that exchange that I remember something forgotten and even discover more about myself. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and answer questions from my dear friend and fellow designer, Marina Micanovic of Uniukiyo.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Where does one begin with such a question? It’s always a challenge to condense a life story into a few words. The only way I know how to approach this is by trying to capture what resonates with my inner truth. A few things stand out as most important to my background, all rooted in my lifelong thirst for learning. Since childhood, I've been a seeker, explorer, and investigator. I was born in the former Yugoslavia, witnessed the collapse of my world, and then left for the United States with nothing but a dream to pursue my art career and education. This is the external framework of my story, enriched with touches of jazz and the self-empowering solitude of the city that never sleeps.
What inspired you to start designing jewelry?
I've always been fascinated by the process of change and transformation—how one thing becomes another. My favorite class in school was chemistry, where I could experiment with solutions, identifying compounds through various tests. It's amazing we were even allowed to do that in school! The most rapid and enduring change is the kind you create in metal with fire. In other words, I was initially drawn to jewelry for the metallurgy and chemical processes that manifest in the objects I create.
How did you develop your vision for luxury jewelry?
The vision for my brand and the pieces I create is a direct reflection of how I live my life and what I believe in. I believe that everything is connected and, ultimately, that all is one. I honor this belief through the beauty, refinement, dedication, resilience, persistence, and care I pour into everything I do and every piece I create. For me, true luxury isn't about money; it's about a deep awareness of things and trusting in the right path for the benefit of all sentient beings. The right moment, the right amount, the right fit. I always begin with a sense of inner empowerment, which comes from the inner awareness cultivated through care and mastery in everything I do.
What does luxury mean to you in the context of jewelry design?
Ultimately, true luxury is about intention—how connected, self-aware, measured, refined, caring, and knowledgeable you are. When you follow that path, others perceive luxury in the refined, thoughtfully considered forms, precision in execution, and materials that can be traced back to their origins.
Can you describe the core values that drive your designs?
AUTHENTICITY. COURAGE. BEAUTY. FREEDOM
For me, everything begins with a question: What can we experience that we haven’t before? This doesn’t have to be something epic or entirely new; it’s more about subtle yet deeply penetrating and liberating notions of self-awareness. The question I constantly ask myself is: How can I tap into myself more, know myself more, and support myself on this journey of healing from ancestral trauma and societal conditioning? My pieces are encoded with this intention, and that intention is shared with everyone who wears them. They can feel they’ve found a lifelong ally. My pieces are here to remind you that, yes, you have depths within yourself to explore, and it’s going to be a life-altering heroic journey.
Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your journey?
I believe my greatest ally and driving force behind my work has always been curiosity. I’ve always wanted to understand the world around me and engage with it through the act of creation. One of my greatest teachers has always been Nature herself. Her forms, her connections, the way she solves functional tasks and creates organisms of unmatched beauty and precision—I honor her in everything I do.
How do you stay inspired and creative?
I stay inspired by reconnecting with myself daily through morning rituals like meditation, journaling, and drawing. I travel, visit museums, and immerse myself in the work of other artists—painters, architects, poets, choreographers. But ultimately, it’s in the space of silence, inner rejuvenation, and connecting to the Source, or Muses, that I find my true inspiration and the urge to create.
Can you share a significant milestone in your career that shaped your path?
I’m celebrating my 10th anniversary this year! This is a significant personal and professional milestone, and I am deeply grateful for everything that has happened to lead me to this moment.
What challenges did you face when starting out, and how did you overcome them?
When I left my design director position to create my own work, I imagined I would grow quickly and build a company with a hundred employees right out of the gate. When that expectation wasn’t met, I had to reassess my ideas about growth and the type of impact I wanted to create. I overcame these challenges by looking deeper into my motivations and reasons for doing what I love, staying dedicated to the truth of my work, and believing in it.
How does your personal life influence your professional work?
My personal life is deeply interconnected with my work; in fact, my work is a direct expression of how I live and what I believe in. My ideas and values inspire my collections, and how I communicate in real life forms the foundation for all my marketing and communication.
Can you share a personal story that had an impact on your designs?
This may seem like an insignificant story, but it had a profound impact on me. While standing on a subway platform in New York City, I glanced at my wrist and was struck by a deep, visceral feeling of what I wanted to create—almost as if I wanted to imprint it onto my arm. In that moment, I realized how much of my design process involves listening to the messages and urges of my own body. I could sense how it wanted to feel—supported, fortified, empowered, and connected to the universal flow of energy. Since then, I always listen closely to what my body tells me it needs and strive to respond to those requests.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
My professional and personal lives are almost one and the same, and they seem to balance each other out. The key for me is always listening to my body. When I feel tired or stressed, I try to discern what I need in that moment and give it to myself. One of the simplest ways to reset is by taking a 15-minute lay-down rest.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of jewelry design?
I sing, meditate, do ceramics, and take flamenco classes—these activities nurture essential parts of my soul and being.
How do you stay motivated and focused?
I’m at my best in work and life when I follow through on my commitments, dedicate my time, create space for my tasks, and work through my lists. The more focused I am, the more I stay focused; it’s a self-perpetuating magic of being in the creative space, whether that’s carving wax or answering emails. I remain motivated and focused when I make space for work, allowing it to flow naturally without forcing it. Taking fifteen-minute breaks to lay down and listen to classical music also helps refresh my system.
What does a typical day look like for you as a jewelry designer?
Running a business these days is a bit more complex than being just a jewelry designer. I always begin with my morning practice, which includes movement, meditation, and journaling. After that, I typically have a team meeting with my partner to review pending issues and schedules. My work includes dedicated time blocks for designing new collections, managing the production of samples, handling PR requests and samples, and engaging in customer care because I love being in direct communication with my clients.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from idea to finished piece?
I take several different paths when creating. Sometimes, I start with a single piece of jewelry, focusing on a shape I want to explore. I begin by carving it directly into a piece of green jeweler’s wax. Once the model is complete, I cast it in silver or bronze. I then polish and finish it so I can wear the prototype, assess how it feels, and determine the next step. Often, that piece becomes a seed for a new collection, leading me to further develop the idea. Other times I start with the drawing that takes me on the journey of deeper exploration first in the realm of the line and the gesture.
What materials do you prefer to work with, and why?
With my background in sculpture, I particularly enjoy working with bronze. Its hardness and lovely deep earth-pink color are captivating. Since bronze is less costly, I can work on a larger scale and be more gestural with it. For finalizing my jewelry pieces, I prefer using both sterling silver and 18K yellow gold. I love silver for its gentle, moody, delicate, and fresh qualities, and its ease of working. Gold, on the other hand, appeals to me for its robust solar energy. I love the way it makes me feel and how life-affirming it is.
How do you ensure the quality and uniqueness of your designs?
The only thing you can truly ensure is to be true to yourself. Is this work an authentic expression of how you feel and what you want to see in the world? Does it resonate with you as your hand carves the wax and shapes it? Do you love what you are creating?
These are the questions that always occupy my mind as I create. I have no interest in pretending to be something I'm not or lying to myself. This is how I ensure I stay true to myself. What happens next—whether people respond to and love it—is beyond my control. Quality, however, is about the standard you set; you know when something is done right.
Can you share a favorite piece you’ve designed?
My favorite piece that I designed is probably the Horus N2 ring. It captures the essence of my curves and proportions. When I look at it, I am imbued with a sense of freedom.
Who inspired you to design this kind of jewelry, and how have they impacted your career?
My jewelry is a direct expression of my being, a sort of personal download. No one directly inspired my work; rather, I respond to the world around me. My creations align with modernist thought, as I, too, seek new ways to connect with the world through a respect for our interconnectedness.
How has the luxury jewelry market evolved since you started, and how have you adapted?
We know the world has changed significantly since COVID, with a heightened awareness of what truly matters in life. Many people are now more open to embracing these new values. They value experiences over products, which I find incredibly exciting. People are eager to learn more about the process behind the creations. I have expanded my work to include education and jewelry-making for underprivileged kids, and I hope to extend this to adults as well. For me, this is the true luxury—offering opportunities to be involved and learn, rather than just consume."
How do you see the future of luxury jewelry design?
Looking ahead, I see the future of luxury jewelry design evolving towards more sustainable practices and deeper connections with consumers. There is a growing demand for transparency, craftsmanship, and ethical sourcing. I aim to lead by example, ensuring my designs reflect these values while pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?
I am expanding my collaborations with major retailers in the United States, and some exciting projects are soon to be revealed.
How do you hope your jewelry makes people feel?
I hope people feel more in touch with their core primordial self—the part of us that is untouched and unpolluted, which we sometimes need to remember. It is my intention that my jewelry helps bring back that deeper sense of self.
What legacy do you want to leave in the world of jewelry design?
I believe my shapes and my commitment to beauty and refinement are my legacy. Some of my creations, cast in metal, will endure long after I am gone. Other deeds and thoughts might be fleeting and ephemeral, like a cloud drifting across sunny skies, and those too are part of my legacy. It doesn’t need to be monumental; it just needs to be truthful.
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