Jewelry Artists

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Ioanna Tejeda

Machu Picchu
 Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Chicago, Illinois

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by my faith, my family, architecture, cities and geography.

What medium do you work with mostly?
I love working with Swarovski crystals, pearls, gemstones and pewter and have started working with Apoxie® Sculpt to make my own focal pieces, pendants and charms.

Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I love to make jewelry that reminds me of the special people, places and times in life.

Where and How do you sell your jewelry?
I sell my jewelry on my website--ioannatejeda.com. I also sell at local boutique nights.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Machu Picchu

What inspired this design?
I was asked to create and donate a piece of jewelry to Light and Leadership Initiative for their Art and Experience Auction. It is an organization that provides educational programs for women and children in Peru. I was inspired to create a piece that embodied Peru.

How did it come together?
The design started to come together as I was looking for materials. I chose green opal chalcedony from Peru for the material. I was inspired by Machu Picchu and saw a similarity between the faceted focal bead and the mountain, and a similarity in the rondelles to the stones in the ruins.

What inspired you to donate your bead(s) to Circle of Hope?


My cousin Calliope, who was a sister to me, lost her five year battle to Breast Cancer in 2011. Her attitude and grace during her illness was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. I have created this bead in her honor and donate it in her memory. I hope it brings Hope, Comfort and Grace to whomever wears it.