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Claudia Mercado

Claudia Mercado is a talented Bolivian jewelry designer who draws from traditional Bolivian themes to create modern jewelry designs. She integrates the motifs from the 18th century Jesuit Mission District -- mermaids, organic ornaments, church columns -- with natural materials such as wood, seeds and metals. The results are stunning and unique.

After studying in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, Ms. Mercado received a prestigious scholarship to study in the United States at the Parsons School of Design. Upon completion, she worked at the design house of Calvin Klein in New York City. However, yearning for her family and the natural beauty of the regions of the Beni and Santa Cruz brought her back to Bolivia. She had the opportunity of experimenting in various fields of design, including fashion, costume design, furniture design and jewelry design. After working for a year in Minerals and Metals of Eastern Bolivia for the jewelry maker Anahí, Ms. Mercado decided to begin a line of jewelry for women. Ms. Mercado says "I realized that I wanted to continue making beautiful jewelry with exclusive designs that women would not just want to use, but also collect. The beauty of jewelry can transform your image, attitude and sense of vitality."