In 2006, I went on a trip from Mexico City through Oaxaca and Chiapas and then into Guatemala. In the San Cristobal market, after some heavy bargaining, I purchased two amber necklaces, and in the Guatemala city market I bought some old coins, ‘reales’ and an antique silver locket.
amber, reales and silver from our Mexican-Guatemalan trip
Later, I cut up the poorly made necklaces, and used the amber pieces, along with the coins and a silver locket from Guatemala to make this ‘Mayan Journey’ necklace and earrings.
Chiapas amber and Guatemalan silver
The donkey and chicken charms are from Oaxaca and the chain from México D.F., and I used them to make a charm bracelet that represents this part of the journey.
Sterling silver charm bracelet
I don’t think I have ever made a charm bracelet before. Originally I was thinking I could add one bird charm, one donkey charm and a few pieces of amber and then use the others for earrings. But, it appears that in order to look good there must be a charm on every other link…