Alexandra Amaro is a jewelry artist based in Point Richmond, California who creates fusion designs inspired by the cultures, colors and characters encountered on her extensive travels and residencies abroad. Working primarily with antique African trade beads, precious hardwoods, gemstones and fine metals, she sources many of her materials directly from community artisans and is committed to fair trade practices. Alexandra is currently pursuing a BFA in Jewelry and Metal Arts at the California College of the Arts and plans to launch new collections with increased metalsmithing and lapidary work as a result of the course.

Prior to becoming a full-time jewelry artist, Alexandra was an international development consultant based in Mozambique where she lived for nearly five years. There she used her background in Marketing to help local businesses and nonprofit organizations conduct fundraising, write project proposals and develop business and strategic plans. In late 2009, Alexandra decided to follow her passion for jewelry – a hobby she’d maintained since childhood – and opened her own business upon relocating to the US.

Originally from New Mexico but hailing from an international family, Alexandra has lived in Brazil, Italy and Austin, Texas (in addition to Mozambique) . She enjoys writing, dancing, cooking and gardening as complementary creative pursuits.

Education

Candidate for BFA in Jewelry and Metal Arts, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, 2012.

MBA in Marketing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 2003.

International student exchange at IBMEC Business School, Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, 2000-2001.

BA with highest honors in Latin American Studies and Portuguese, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 2002.

Shows & Expositions

2010 Sprung Show, Refined by Fire Art Gallery, Point Richmond, California.

2008 Mozambican National Crafts Fair (as Mãos), Maputo, Mozambique.

2007 Mozambican National Crafts Fair (as Mãos), Maputo, Mozambique.

2006 Café com Letras Crafts Fair, Maputo, Mozambique.