Joy Fueled Jewelry
Craft has a funny way of slowing down time. As you sit and twiddle your thumbs creating your next masterpiece, it seems as if you blink and somehow hours have passed. While the sensation is difficult to explain to those who haven’t experienced it, it’s one that Maria Amado da Silva knows well.
Maria, originally from Lisbon and now based in Barcelona, haphazardly discovered her love for craft while on vacation with her family. “We had gone on a walk down the beach collecting seashells. Later that afternoon, we all sat together creating shell necklaces,” Maria said of her early jewelry-making days.
What started as a family craft day slowly became a larger passion-project fueled by travel. “My mom had gone on a trip to South Africa, and when she returned she brought back with her hundreds of beads.” With what seemed like an endless supply of new materials, Maria dove in head first, losing herself to countless hours of craft. Hundreds of necklaces later, the theme of vacation-inspired craft became the foundation for what Maria now calls Holidaze.
The jewelry brand, inspired by the carefree nature of vacation, is an outlet for Maria to transfer the joy of travel into every day life. “When you put on a Holidaze piece, it brings with it the freedom of holiday,” Maria explained. From star themed chokers to flower adorned belly-chains, Holidaze invites customers to adopt a vacation-like mindset regardless of where they are.
While playful in nature, Holidaze isn’t vacation-wear. Maria meticulously crafts each piece by hand and intentionally selects colors that are easy to style, regardless of the outfit. “Beads are not just for the beach,” she explained, “I often style my pieces with formal outfits. For weddings or a night out, I like to add a pop of color.” Featuring 925 sterling silver clasps and fireline wire, Holidaze pieces are as durable as they are playful.
The vibrant products, each of which are named in Portuguese out of respect to Maria’s native tongue, contribute to what makes Holidaze special. More than a jewel brand, Holidaze is an homage to Maria’s childhood and a love letter to the family that endlessly supports her exploration of craft. Her husband, who is the photographer behind the brand’s iconic imagery, has been by Maria’s side every step of the way. “When my husband proposed, I was wearing one of the necklaces we had made together. Now, every time I wear it, it brings me back to that moment,” Maria shared.
Jewelry, like all craft, brings with it an energy that can’t be replicated. By wearing a handcrafted piece, we’re holding the love it was made with. Memories and moments may get lost in our day to day lives, but through craft, the joy of holiday can last a lifetime.