Hi there, Iʻm Melina!

I was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, and moved to the U.S. in 2001, where I first encountered jewelry design. It was then that I discovered my love for working with metals.

Over the years, I've explored many forms of creative expression, from graphic design and photography to pottery and mixed media sculpture. All of these influences continue to shape my work today. 

Along the way, I began teaching jewelry-making classes, where I share my passion for design and metals with others. It’s incredibly rewarding to help students discover their creative voice, and their work constantly inspires me. Seeing their growth and unique approaches reminds me of the endless possibilities of creative expression. 

I now live and work in lower Puna on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, right at the edge of the active Kīlauea volcano. Our off-grid home style keeps me grounded and in tune with the natural world around me.

Nature is my greatest inspiration, especially the raw power and untamed beauty of the flowing lava. To me, it’s a symbol of fierce, unapologetic creativity—traits I strive to embody in my own work.