Artisan Sawanee was born in the town of Mae Sariang in northwestern Thailand, which is located close to the border with Myanmar. Her parents were farmers who owned their own plot of land. Sawanee loved the time she spent on the farm, especially with the animals that they raised. As she got older, Sawanee began to discover her artistic side, she found a love for painting and drawing. She new she had to express herself creatively, so she began experimenting with jewelry design. She spent allot of time with her aunt Vanida, who owned a silver jewelry shop near her home. This is where Sawanee honed her craft. She loves using native stones and sterling silver in her designs. Her pieces feature a mix of tradition with current style trends. A mix of old and new, which we love here at AeraVida.

“I think often of what is stylish and of pieces that I would like to wear. This is what inspires me to create my designs, I select designs that appeal to me. Sterling silver jewelry and colorful stones have been part of my culture for many centuries, it goes way back. This is why I use silver and stone now, because it was what I have always worn. I could have never reached my full potential if not for my aunt Vanida. She has passed on now and I continue carry her teachings with me. I am grateful for her wisdom and I will be sure to pass on what I have learned to my daughter Vanawee. It brings me great joy and happiness to create jewelry and AeraVida provides access to a large marketplace for me to sell my designs.

-Sawanee