In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story.
In a time when we’re all craving connection to the outside world, an act as small as dressing up in a beautiful bangle inspired by falling leaves or a sapling-shaped pendant necklace from Mai Solorzano can be surprisingly soothing for the soul. “We are all a part of nature, and I try to create jewelry that makes people feel that,” explains Mexico City-based designer María Solorzano, whose intricate work was recently recognized with an Etsy Design Award. Fashioned after real-life sticks, stems, and seeds that María hand-plucks from the Earth, each artfully executed piece is a wearable reminder that our lives—however isolated they may sometimes seem—are, at the root of it, all intertwined. “Sometimes we’re in such a hurry that we forget to appreciate those connections,” she says. “It can happen with our family and friends, and of course it happens with nature too.”
Explore the Mai Solorzano collection
Whether it’s a set of botanical post earrings or a sculptural cuff modeled on pine bark, each of María’s organically textured designs is the kind of signature piece that will become a meaningful mainstay of any jewelry lover’s collection—and that’s precisely the point. “Sometimes, people save their favorite jewelry for a ‘special’ occasion, but I think it should be worn whenever they want,” she says. “Often in life the most special occasions are small, and to me, the most special occasion of all is just to be alive.”
Read on to learn more about why María’s designs make thoughtful gifts for loved ones and valentines, and get misty-eyed over the pandemic proposal she helped a client personalize—then shop the Mai Solorzano collection.

How did nature come to be a key theme in your line?
I find a kind of peace in nature that I want to share with the world, so I try to draw attention to that through my work. I like my pieces to have a human imprint, to be perfect in a non-perfect way, with little flaws that make them pretty, like in nature. My goal is to highlight the link between human beings and nature and to raise awareness of the symbiosis in which we live and its importance. Wearing jewelry inspired by nature is a sign of that connection, and reminds us that this is our home.
Can you tell us a bit about the role art and creativity played in your upbringing?
I was raised in the southwest of Mexico in a city called Morelia, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and each little town nearby specializes in its own craft using ancestral techniques. There are masters of copper and ceramics, “ocumichos” and “catrinas,” and towns where they carve pink quartz. My father was director of the local “house of crafts,” so I spent my childhood visiting and learning from all of them.
I always knew I wanted to create something, and at university I chose to study industrial design, where I learned how to be conscious of ergonomics, production, waste impact—all the practical things. When I was ready to start creating with my own hands I didn’t have a big studio space, so I chose to work on a mini scale—in jewelry.








What have been some of your bestselling designs?
One is the Otto line, and I think it’s because the pieces are so simple and have a soft movement to them, like they’re being blown by the wind. They’re made of ash tree seeds that are everywhere in autumn. Also my Pina line. The bracelet and rings are made from pine bark, so it’s like covering your skin with the skin of trees, and getting a big hug from nature.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, what would you recommend to someone looking for a thoughtful gift?
One of my personal favorites for gifting is my “sea bracelet,” because almost everyone has special memories of exploring the sea with family and friends. There’s also my “little birds” ring: One morning I looked out the window and there were these two little birds just looking at each other. I found it so romantic that I chose to make a ring of it—so now it’s a wearable token of love. I also like “chain earrings” for a gift, because they can be worn with one or two hoops or even asymmetrically, and I like offering the possibility to choose how to wear things.








What’s your favorite part of working with your customers?
I especially love when something is a gift and the buyer adds a note for the recipient—it’s like a glimpse into their hearts. One recent customer wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a commitment ring. We chose stones and shapes together—it was so fun—and I was finishing the ring when the world went into lockdown. They ended up separated in different countries until everything was a little more calm, but in the end they had a happy ending, because when they were able to get together again, he gave it to her, and she said “yes.”
Your pieces are so wonderfully lifelike! How do you achieve that effect?
Sometimes I find a leaf or piece of wood that’s just waiting to be transformed into metal, and from that first piece I develop a line. Other times an idea comes to me and I have to sculpt or carve the piece from nothing. Then I make some samples to determine the weight, movement, and fit; it has to be comfortable. Once that’s OK, I look for the most efficient, least wasteful way to produce it.







Does your love of nature come through in your process as well?
Yes, of course. I try to make my designs timeless; I’m not interested in fast fashion, I’m interested in pieces with meaning. And because I care about the environment, I don’t use acids in any production process, and I use the material just like it is, without plating. Brass is like silver in a way, it can oxidize with time, but if you don’t like that you can clean it and it will be just like new.
What’s your favorite part of what you do?
I love to observe nature and find new shapes or patterns, and to sit in my studio and transform materials into jewels. And I really enjoy making pieces that have a special meaning to people—to make them happy by wearing little objects that they love.
Follow Mai Solorzano on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Studio photography by Fiore Liverotti. Product photography courtesy of Mai Solorzano.
46 comments
Mariya from MagicArtForYou said 39 days ago
Very unusual, even some original, ethnic jewelry!
Maeva from MaevaDraws said 39 days ago
Those are so pretty and it's such a great original idea! I especially the bangles and the big chain necklace!
Talia from Stitchdyenz said 39 days ago
It it wonderful to see such elegant and beautiful jewelry that is truely inspired by mother nature. Great work Mai!
Olga Kaplina from FunnyLoopsFinds said 39 days ago
What an amazing shop! Congrats on the feature! I wish you and your shop much prosperity!
Tanya from YashchirkaClothes said 39 days ago
The parts of nature created by Mai in metal look wonderful. Nature always looks wonderful, but such items I see at first!🌿 Thanks for sharing this wonderful jewelry article🙏 This inspires me to create new pendants and earrings with real flowers.
Anna from LissiKids said 39 days ago
Very beautiful jewelry! Organic-shaped bangles - is my love❤
Odelia Stones from OdeliaStonesArt said 38 days ago
Stunning work ! I love to learn about the process of creation.
AlexaMamas from BoringThingsShop said 38 days ago
Gorgeous jewelry! reading the article, several times looked into this store, but it is very difficult to choose something, so many beautiful things! but my favorite jewelry is rings, so I would love to buy them! very beautiful work, thanks for the inspiration!
Amanda N. from FlowerAndEarthSoaps said 38 days ago
Love the elegance of these nature-inspired designs. Very free-flowing, but balanced with lots of structure that will complement any look. Definitely bookmarking this shop!
Kendra said 37 days ago
awesome, i love these!!
Ana C. Gomez from MixBerryDesignsShop said 37 days ago
Every piece is wonderful. I loved it! So original and inspiring. Congrats!!!
Giannis Dendrinos from Artyianni said 37 days ago
Fantastic products! Great article!
Anna Anagno from OneHappyLeaf said 37 days ago
Very impressive! I'm also a jewellery artist and can appreciate the design elements that these jewellery pieces display. Well done! :)
Oriaku Onuoha-Bean from JewelryByOri said 37 days ago
wow. I really love the rustic, bohemian vibe. Very chic
ciaffi from ciaffi said 36 days ago
Lovely work!!! Congrats!!! :-) :-)
branda Moreno from branda said 36 days ago
Great!!! Compliments!!!
Ana Paula from macraMe said 36 days ago
Hermosos diseños!!! Felicitaciones por tu linda biju!!!
Maria A from MARARTEworkshop said 36 days ago
Excellent products! Nice article!
Gordana from 3Dprintum said 36 days ago
Gorgeous jewelry and beautiful photos! Love it!
Olga Gadach from EmbroideryByGadach said 35 days ago
That rare case when jewelry is remembered ...
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 35 days ago
Lovely work.
mari from frighten said 35 days ago
Congratulations on the feature, Mai! Your work is gorgeous!
KATERINA AMPRIKIDOU from ThroughTheStitch said 34 days ago
Unusual and impressive and yet so chic! Amazing work!!
Narsha from Narshastudio said 34 days ago
Love it! Gorgeous jewelry.
Rosita from pillowlink said 34 days ago
Every piece looks really authentic. Cozy story as well!
olga shcheblykina from OlgaShcheblykinaArt said 33 days ago
I want it all! Amazing combination of rough raw material and the tenderness of the plants.
Mom and Son Family Sales from MomandSonFamilySales said 33 days ago
WOW! You can see the Love you put into your work! Beautiful items :)
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 33 days ago
Very interesting designs. Congratulations on your feature. I wish you the very best on your future endeavors.
Julianne Noel from TheLetteredPlace said 31 days ago
Captures a beautiful essence of the earth - Congrats on the feature !
Sharon from YearsAfter said 31 days ago
Gorgeous Nature Jewelry! She's so talented! Congrats!
Richard from FlagSigns4Honor said 31 days ago
Every piece is wonderful. I loved it! So original and inspiring. It it wonderful to see such elegant and beautiful jewelry that is truely inspired by mother nature. Great work!
Ilene from ileneandco said 30 days ago
Being able to wear nature on you is so amazing!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 30 days ago
Beautiful inside and out ~!~
LoveHerHugHer from LoveHerHugHer said 30 days ago
Beautiful! Your work is amazing.
Carol from MasCollected said 28 days ago
Maria is living one of my favorite day dreams, honoring the beauty of nature in her jewelry designs and leaving the least ecological footprint. Wonderful. Thank you for this feature, Jackie. Best wishes, Marie. May each of you enjoy life and good health throughout 2021.
Deepthi from IndianJewelByDeepthi said 28 days ago
Excellent designs!
Gina from GinaBogomolArt said 28 days ago
Wow... this jewelry is so cool! I love the style very much! Super cool idea and very stylish design. Definitely will buy a few things from this store! Thanks for sharing!
Razan from AyaandZaina said 24 days ago
They are so pretty , I love them
Natalya from natalexdolls said 22 days ago
Unusually beautiful!
crosswordqueen2 from JewelrybyGillian said 21 days ago
Love thee designs and it is nice to see other peoples journeys. (Mine is just beginning!)
Vadim Panicerschi from CanvasDecorStudio said 19 days ago
Amazing jewelry, real talent. Looks very bright and modern!
Kendra Dyson from FromTheHearthStore said 18 days ago
I literally would purchase any of these pieces! Loving the Cyprus branch earrings. The sea salt bangle and stack rings are divine! Favoriting today!
Оксана Орловская from Uralberry said 15 days ago
Wonderful warm decorations! Breathes the warmth and soul of the master!
Mary-Ellen from ArtMaryEllen said 13 days ago
It's just amazing! I fell in love
Elizabeth Schultz from ElliesHandcrafted said 12 days ago
These pieces are simply gorgeous! I have great admiration for jewelry makers who take so much inspiration from the world around them!
Light Mandala from SacredLightMandala said 4 days ago
Wow!!! Amazing works!!!! So natural and so feminine✨