Meet Tanya Loureiro Lizarraga

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tanya Loureiro Lizarraga. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tanya, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose pretty unexpectedly. It actually emerged during a challenging time in my life when I really needed something to help silence my rampant thoughts and focus my energy.
The spark itself began many years ago. I have always been fascinated by the raw beauty of gemstones, a passion that extends back to when I was six years old and was gifted my first piece of raw amethyst. In 2022, after purchasing a few new crystals, I wanted to wear one, and that’s when my DIY nature kicked in.
I experimented with everything like crochet, macrame, and repurposing old jewelry but it wasn’t right. Then, using leftover wire from a floral arrangement and my husband’s utility pliers, I tried wire wrapping. A few hours later, I had created a cute little one-of-a-kind opalite pendant.
That moment was the true beginning. I discovered that the intricate, focused work of wire wrapping became my active form of meditation. It required total presence, which successfully quieted my mind and brought me an immense sense of peace and accomplishment.
Now, as a small business owner, my focus is taking that initial passion and sharing it. I strive to connect others to the natural world through a unique piece of wearable art they can cherish. I don’t want to just sell jewelry, I want to craft distinctive pieces that allow my customers to wear their own personal story and style.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name’s Tanya. I am a wire wrapped jewelry artist specializing in creating unique, handcrafted wearable art. My business centers on the ancient art of wire wrapping, where I take raw, naturally formed materials and meticulously hand-wrap them using various metals—typically copper, sterling silver, or gold-filled wire. Each piece, from intricate pendants to detailed rings and cuffs, is designed to be a one-of-a-kind sculpture that celebrates the unique piece it cradles.
What I find most exciting and special about my work is the transformative nature of the process. It feels like a genuine partnership between the earth’s treasures and my hands. Wire wrapping, for me, is an active form of meditation. The intense focus required to twist and shape the metal brings a deep sense of peace.
I don’t just secure stones, I custom design a flowing metal cage that both protects the centerpiece and amplifies its natural character. My pieces are for those who seek to wear something meaningful, distinctive, and entirely unique art that carries a story and connects them directly to the natural world.
Looking ahead, I am focused on several exciting projects for my growing small business.
I’ve been expanding my materials beyond traditional gemstones to include ethically sourced natural materials like bones and teeth, as well as incorporating vintage jewelry components. This fusion of new wire work with reclaimed treasures and natural elements creates distinctive, conversation starters.
I am deeply committed to the artistic community and have been collaborating more often with other artists, blending my wire wrapping with their unique art forms.
I am always open to custom orders! I especially love being given the creative freedom to bring a client’s vision to life, resulting in a truly personal and unique piece of wearable art. I encourage anyone with an idea for a special piece to reach out and commission a custom design.
You can follow my creative journey and see all the beautiful chaos I create next over on Instagram @createtostaysane

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I think about how I got here, it really comes down to three things. It’s having obsessive dedication, artistic instinct, and constantly teaching myself new things.
First up is just dedication to the craft and I want to be upfront. I am definitely still learning and I don’t claim to be a master but I show up for the process every day. The biggest game-changer for me was consistency. I’ve been wire wrapping nearly every single day since I started. That time spent is what gives me the precision to make a sturdy, beautiful piece, especially when I’m working with delicate things like bones or cool vintage components.
My advice for new folks is super simple, just practice, practice, practice. Grab some copper wire and drill those core techniques until they’re second nature. That foundation buys you the freedom to get really creative later.
Second is having your own unique artistic eye. This is the fun part. It’s how you take a raw material and turn it into something genuinely unique, a piece of wearable art. You have to build that gut feeling for how a piece of stone or an old piece of jewelry wants to be wrapped.
For improving this, my advice is to stop just looking at jewelry. Go soak up inspiration everywhere else. Check out cool architecture, spend time in the woods, or visit a gallery. Growing your visual library helps in having original ideas.
And finally, being a great problem-solver. Yeah…to be honest, I still struggle a lot with the whole business and marketing side of things. It’s a constant learning curve but whether it’s figuring out how to ethically prepare a found object or just navigating the best way to sell online, you have to be ready to take on problems head-on.
My advice is to be brave about failing. If something doesn’t work, don’t panic. Maybe panic a little then see it as a puzzle you need to solve. That resourcefulness is what ultimately keeps your art moving forward.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I struggle with overwhelm pretty often. The best thing I’ve been able to do is shed or delegate anything that isn’t absolutely critical for my business or my family right now. Sometimes shedding means saying no to a non-essential commitment or letting the dust bunnies win for a day. For my business, it often means setting aside the elaborate custom designs temporarily and focusing on batch-producing simpler, high-demand items to regain a sense of productivity.

My advice is to not be afraid to admit you’re struggling, and then borrow some wisdom from my favorite animated dog mom. Basically: ‘Have a little cry, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going! The show must go on!’ That single mindset is usually enough to break the paralyzing cycle of overwhelm and get your momentum back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://createtostaysane.square.site/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwOaFf1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAacr9Clng6hY0B_8UBkndzFoGGPMhOfnhKFQN8A0bpwQgXkAHAhJYKWDJrA_yQ_aem_F11skpvKEppBcuSncP2V-w
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createtostaysane?igsh=amJvYnpkN2ZxMnVv