What makes Ana tick? Where does she get her inspiration?

Ana was recently asked a little about herself and her jewellery and it turned out to be quite a good overview of what makes her tick, so we've reproduced it here for you:

Describe your jewellery design in three words.

Tasteful, elegant, fun.

Which of your designs are your favourites?

My long Botanica pendant with my classic acorn and eucalyptus seeds charms

How long does each design take from inception to finished piece?

It all depends.... Could take a few weeks, months or even years.

Describe the space where you design.

In my head, wishes and visual inspiration in my surroundings. City life and fashion trends. I've constantly got ideas in my head, I've got a busy mind! Anything around me could be a trigger for inspiration into a design.

What is your favourite film?

I love cinema and they are quite a few good films from classics to moderns so it's difficult to name one as The One, but at the moment I find myself thinking back to Thelma & Louise by Ridley Scott.

Where does your inspiration come from, describe the process?

All my surroundings, city style and love for antiques and fashion trends are the start of my ideas and inspiration. My passion for elegance and the beauty of aesthetics.

Who would be your dream person to design for?

Someone with a free spirit who has an eye for good taste and elegance. I find very difficult to get inspired by vulgar or grotesque styles.

Favourite book and what are you reading right now?

I love many but one favourite classic is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I find it very inspirational in many ways.

When did you design your first piece?

When I was 12 for a friend in a school play who was dressing up as a lady and needed a tiara! I made her a wonderful one and took her and myself by surprise!

How would you spend your perfect day off?

On a terrace by the sea on a sunny day with my husband and children having a lovely glass of rosé wine. With my sketch book by my side of course.

What led you into jewellery design?

I got started as a teenager as an extra-curricular activity. I grew up in a very creative environment, my mother is an illustrator, my father an author. My mum always made sure we focused on something creative, and pointed out that I was always intrigued by the jewellery her friends were wearing. So, I opted for jewellery making. I did classes once a week and pretty soon it was my favourite day of the week. The workshop was in a beautiful little area in the mountains outside Caracas in Venezuela and it was incredibly inspiring.

How do you want the wearer to feel when wearing your jewellery?

Happier and more beautiful than before, confident and proud with a strong sense of attachment to the piece of jewellery, like a feeling of "I can't live without it!"

If you could own any piece of jewellery what would it be and by whom?

More than owning a piece of jewellery I often think of owning a lovely rare gemstone! Then I dream of the design process around it to make a piece of jewellery.

Who is your typical customer?

Ladies and gentlemen with free spirits and attracted to something different or unusual with good taste!

What advice would you give to other people who are keen to start up their own business?

Love what you do as a first thing if it is a creative business.

If you look back in ten years time, what do you hope to have achieved?

Worldwide recognition of my work and brand!

Who, so far, has been the best client to design for?

I have many good clients for whom I have enjoyed and made lovely pieces so it's difficult to give credit just to one. But so far one of my best commissions was to design and make in copper all the displays for a major exhibition of Pre-Hispanic Art at the National Gallery in Caracas, Venezuela, my country of origin. It was a very successful exhibition and my work was credited nationwide.

Did ever think when you started that you would be where you are now?

Not at all, I didn't really plan to run a business so it's all new, exciting and challenging at all times...

What are your most popular pieces in your collection?

My acorn earrings and my beaten Roman-Greek "Paper" rings from my Botanica Collection.

What is the best and worst thing about being a jeweller?

The best thing is the possibility of having a medium of expression for my designs and the worst is that the jewellery industry isn't very environmentally-friendly. That's a major concern. I try my best to recycle as much as I can and help in any way, for example supporting the ethical gold industry.

Favourite piece of art?

I love the art of Icons - they somehow have a way of keeping my attention and admiration of them. I love going to the Temple Gallery at Clarendon. Also I could always spend hours at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

You have £50 to spend on jewellery, what do you buy from whom? You have £500 to spend on jewellery, what do you buy from whom? You have £5000 to spend on jewellery, what do you buy from whom?

Wow! I think I would make myself a fan of the antique auctions and research all those treasures that are on offer.

If you weren't a jeweller what would you be?

A designer of another kind.