Haute Style
The organic forms of Cocoa Vintage ceramic jewelry bring life to your look.
Design DNA
“Growing up, I was a ‘draw on the walls, paint on my clothes, don’t like math’ kind of kid. Luckily, my parents recognized my aptitude for art and helped me develop it. As an adult, I got into graphic design and became an art director at one of the top advertising agencies in Trinidad. But I never wanted to be behind a desk all my life and I craved more creative freedom. So I left graphic design to pursue another form of design: jewelry making. I had no formal training, just a passion to create.”
Pieces of Me
“Living in Trinidad, I have inspiration at my fingertips every day. I need only to leave the house. Watch, listen, touch ... it’s all around. Everything in nature inspires me. How things grow, their metamorphoses, their colors, and how they change with time. I must make everything I design myself. This is my work, my vision, and my love that I’m sharing with the world. And I want my customers to know that each of my pieces was made by me alone.”
Earthy Matters
“Working with ceramics gives me the opportunity to truly start from scratch with a design. Really, it’s just raw mud, and working with it makes me feel like I’m one with the earth. The process is long and there are many steps but, in the end, it’s so gratifying. I also enjoy incorporating metal into my porcelain ceramic pieces because it adds a beautiful texture and a rich look. I believe that art should always be surprising, and using different mediums allows me to achieve that.”
Sketchy Start
“My process starts with an idea and then a sketch. I have to put it on paper because even though the idea may be lovely, I need to know that the final piece is practical and will be comfortable to wear. Then I use raw clay to make a prototype. A simple piece can be made and fired in a kiln in four days. More complex pieces take about a week.”
Cocoa A-Go-Go
“I was working on a project for our sister island of Tobago when I was inspired to use the cocoa pod in my jewelry. Cocoa really is a magnificent fruit, and the journey it goes through from a flower to becoming a pod and the way it changes shape and color reminded me of myself and my own life journey. As far as I know, when I started making cocoa pod– inspired jewelry, no one else was. But now I’m inspiring other artists to create their own versions.”
Island Style
“My typical customer loves the Caribbean aesthetic. They appreciate art and handmade things and love to wear statement pieces. When someone wears my jewelry, I want them to feel comfortable, inspired, colorful, confident, and happy. And when they walk into a room, I want heads to turn!”
Next Steps
“I’ve always thought of delving into creating large sculptural art, like large wall hangings for the home. I think that would take me to a new level of artistic fulfillment. And I’m always trying to connect with new audiences and with the international artistic community. Beyond where I live lies a whole new world!”