In this interview, we hear from Carle Finnigan, master crafter and founder of Pestana Jewelry. Her story is one of growth, artistry, and unexpected inspiration, beginning with a single metal smithing class and blossoming into a thriving jewelry business. It’s a conversation about much more than jewelry—it’s about the stories we carry with us, the beauty of creation, and the power of connecting through art.
What’s the story behind the first piece of jewelry you ever designed?
In 2017 I moved to Spain for love. Happy to report we’ve been together ever since and are about to celebrate our daughter's first birthday. Where does the time go?! Anyways, moving was a total leap of faith but I had nothing holding me back, it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Right before I left the states I took my first and only in-person metal-smithing class and I knew immediately “this is it”. A few months later I’m living in the heart of the artist district of Barcelona, El Borne, without a job but surrounded by some of the most talented painters, clothing designers and jewelers that I have ever seen.
So, with the tools I packed in my suitcase and a kids desk we picked up at the corner store, I set up shop in our flat and got to work practicing those skills I had just learned. The first pieces I ever designed and felt confident about were a set of rings. They were a labor of love, young looking, rough around the edges, uneven bezels and maybe not so perfect bands, but I could see the potential and I was really excited about making progress.
I spent the next year honing my craft and being inspired by the beautiful city. Looking back it's amazing to see how far I've come as an artist and now a business owner. My designs these days are more thought out and meticulous, some inspired by nature and the world around me but those pieces I made behind my first bench in that beautiful city were pivotal to my start as a jeweler and I’m grateful every day for that.
If you could only wear one piece from your collection for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?
One of the many reasons I got into making jewelry was because I’ve always been in love with rings. Every trip I took as a kid I would make it a point to buy a ring to remind me of the experiences, the people and the places that I got to visit. To this day you won't find me without a chunky ring (or two) on my finger and that’s how it’s going to be for the rest of my life.
What's the most unique or unexpected material you've worked with?
Love this question! Right now, I'm in the process of teaching myself about lost wax casting, which is a really unique and ancient technique that has been used for thousands of years to create intricate metal pieces. For me, it opens up so many possibilities for more natural hand sculpted designs that I couldn't achieve with other metalsmithing techniques. It will also give me the chance to work with more precious gemstones which I'm excited about!
With years of experience working with clay, it feels quite instinctive to me, like I was supposed to try this. Actually, just this past week I successfully casted my first rings and they came out better than expected so that was cool! There is still so much to practice but I’m enjoying learning something new and I’m hopeful it can bring a whole new dimension to my work!
Jewelry often holds sentimental value—do you have a favorite customer story or experience?
Ahh, yes. While there have been many customers who’ve decided to wear my work for their wedding day or gift it for big life moments, there is one that hits a little different. A customer reached out to me with a message that her son had recently passed and that she wanted to honor his memory by purchasing a piece of my jewelry that features his birthstone, turquoise. In that moment as I read her message, I felt sadness for her loss yet at the same time felt deeply honored and humbled that she had chosen my work to help carry such an important sentiment. It reminded me of why I love what I do and that jewelry can be more than just an accessory- it can hold profound meaning.
What’s your favorite part of the jewelry-making process—design, crafting, or seeing the final product on a customer?
Honestly, I love every part of the jewelry-making process. I don’t think I can pick just one! Designing allows me to explore my creativity and bring new ideas and drawings to life. I love to sort through my metals and let my stones inspire new pieces. Crafting is where I get to really connect with the materials and the hands-on work which I find to be extremely meditative. Then of course, sending out the final product or seeing it worn by a customer, knowing that it’s become part of their personal style is the most rewarding feeling! Each stage has its own magic!
Do you have any rituals or routines that inspire your creativity before designing?
Since having my daughter my rituals and routines are different every day however the one thing I’ve been making sure of doing lately is giving myself “me” time before I hop into the studio. That normally looks like a quick yoga session out on our deck with a cup of coffee and some fresh air. Just makes me feel good. If I know I have the time I’ll make my way to the bench, turn on some music or plug in a podcast and start on whatever is in front of me. Sometimes that’s a project I started the day before and other times it’s looking through my trays of stones to design something new.
Your Instagram has such an artistic vibe! What role does social media play in sharing your brand and connecting with your audience?
Thank you! Social media plays a crucial role for Pestana Jewelry. It’s the primary way I connect personally with my customers, allowing me to share my latest collections and designs while offering behind-the-scenes glimpses that help tell the story of my brand. It’s become a platform for inspiration, and I’m fortunate to work with an amazing photographer who helps me capture the essence of my work, how it can be worn and styled, and who is behind it all.
It’s important to me that my brand feels relatable to my customers, and I believe the effort I’ve put into this connection through social media has helped my business thrive. Over the last six years, I feel like I’ve built an incredible following where people engage with and respond to my work in such a positive way. That support makes it easy for me to show up and share my passion of making jewelry with them.
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Head over to Carle's site Pestana Jewelry or check her out on Instagram to explore more of her offerings.
