Elena Martin-Asin

Elena Martin-Asin

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' 2010
Jewelry-Making Contest
featuring Gemstones
Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Madrid, Spain.

Describe your artistic style.
I have never thought about my style, but I imagine it is an eclectic one. This word that comes from the Greek language, ''eklegein,'' means ''to choose.'' That's what I do: I choose between different styles, colors and designs.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I find my inspiration everywhere: in nature, in art, from ancient to modern times; painting, stained glass windows, pre-Columbian and Egyptian jewelry... Anything may be the engine of my inspiration.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I like to mix different gemstones and sterling silver with different colors, sizes and shapes.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Breakfast at Tiffany's

What inspired this design?
This necklace was created for an exhibition dedicated to Opera World in the best silk store in Madrid. There was a mannequin wearing beautiful black and white fabric and an elaborate fancy hat inspired in XIX century Amazon clothing. Her long naked neck was missing something. And, like that, I thought about the necklace worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

How did it come together?
I put together all my white and black beads and the sterling silver jumprings, headpins and wire. Then I imagined seven big round white balls in line framed by little round black beads. On the white bead in the middle of the line, I immediately saw a myriad of crystal chips falling all around it, like little drops of water, suggesting Holly's tears by the rain.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I began two years ago when a shop dedicated to jewelry-making was opened near my house. Since I grew up in an artists' home, the courses I took woke up my old childhood interests in the creation of beautiful things.

Who introduced you to beading?
Since I can remember, I have always been in contact with art. My parents have always been very active in it: watercolor, oil painting, drawing, elaboration of icons, enamel, and, even a few times, beading!

Do you have an artistic background?
I am an Art and History graduate from the University of Madrid, and I have worked many years in cultural management: cinema, opera, dance and music.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Searching websites related to jewelry on the Internet.

What other hobbies do you have?
I like traveling, reading, practicing sports and socializing.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Not yet, but I am very interested in sharing experiences. Fire Mountain Gems has offered me the opportunity of having access to a lot of information very useful about gemstones.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
At the moment, jewelry-making is a hobby which is taking more and more place in my mind and in my time. In the future, I would like to dedicate myself full-time to this fascinating activity.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I am starting to enjoy a little network for promotion through designers both in the fashion world and in the cinema and theatre world. Recently I have been asked for a couple of interviews in Spanish magazines. I have a web site (www.mas-gems.es) and, of course, I am participating in the Fire Mountain contest!

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I have not had the chance yet, but this is an idea that I have considered, and I am open to any opportunity.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Since all aspiring artists have a dream, I would give the same advice as Steve Jobs did in his speech at Stanford University: ''Stay hungry, stay foolish.''