Gabriel Silva

"Thank you for inviting me into your world and for being interested in my story. I was born in a village near Antigua. Guatemala, my father Domingo Silva was a bricklayer and my mother a homemaker. I grew up in a loving and numerous family - I had 11 siblings. Four of them have passed away, as well as my parents.<br><br>"I remember when I was 17 years old how much I admired the work that my brother, Pedro Silva ? a featured artisan ? was doing and how he was also succeeding financially. I admired the fact that, before he had to go from place to place on his bicycle, he was able to save enough to get a motorcycle. From working in an auto shop, he had started working at a jewelry workshop and was doing well. I told him I wanted to learn and he helped me get a job at the workshop.<br><br>"Thanks to the help of the workshop owner, the other artisans and especially of Pedro, little by little I learned more and developed my skills. I have fond memories of the time I made my first ring, gold with light green jade.<br><br>"After some years, constant training and a lot of effort, I decided to start my own workshop. Like with every new beginning, it was tough at first and I worked very hard to get ahead. But thanks to God, my parents and my wife, it all became possible. It is a constant struggle to keep a small business going, life is expensive and work is not always constant. Materials are expensive and competition is rife. One needs a lot of mental, physical and spiritual fortitude.<br><br>"That was in the early 1980s when I got started in handcrafted jewelry. Now that I'm over 60 is when I most treasure what I do, because it has allowed me to bring food to the table, provide my children with an education, and work in something I truly enjoy.<br><br>"I am very grateful to my brother Pedro, because he took it upon himself to teach and guide me as I took my first steps in the world of jewelry. Eventually my own imagination took over and I started designing my own creations. And as life would have it, now it's my turn to teach it too. I taught many of the people working with me, and that means they now have the same opportunity to provide for their families that I did.<br><br>"Creating new designs is one of the most beautiful aspects of what I do, because that's when I can give free reign to my imagination, and it comes with the challenge of conquering the shopper's preference.<br><br>"I have received several accolades for my work, like diplomas from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Cuba. <br><br>"I love spending my free time with my family, and having fun in a healthy way - I enjoy swimming and cycling. I've participated in several international races and I'm in the platinum category. I feel very happy to be able to do all these things and be an active person.<br><br>"I feel honored to meet you and show you my art - many thanks to everyone!"