Amber Maya Jewellery
My designs are distinct, bold and perfect for every day wear or a night out on the town. They reflect my love for contrast in texture, shape and style. I manufacture my pieces by hand, playing with many techniques including carving pieces from wax, then casting and hand finishing them. I am most inspired by natural, architectural and industrial elements, but also draw from mythologies and traditional cultural shapes and patterns used in textiles. I incorporate these with aesthetics from the punk rock styles of my youth to create a contemporary, chic and timeless collection.
Jewellery is a powerful tool, an expressive outlet allowing others a glimpse into the many facets of ourselves. Enhancing a mood or transforming you into a fantasy. Jewellery can be whimsical, serious, romantic, bold and daring. The jewellery we choose is a very personal thing and I hope my designs will trigger emotions and memories unique to the wearer, creating a sentimental connection with their piece.
My journey began with the desire to make jewellery I love to wear, I didn’t expect to fall so in love with the process.
My Story
I grew up on the West Coast of the U.S., between Ashland OR and Berkeley CA, moving to Oakland CA in 1992, where, many years later, I met my husband. In 2011 his work brought us to Cape Town, South Africa.
In 2013, at the age of 38, I decided it was finally time to follow my dream and enrolled at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town. In 2016 I received my degree in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing, graduating with highest honours.
I now work out of my small studio in Cape Town, South Africa