Ahead of her wax carving workshop this Saturday, we sat down with Maya Detiger for a visual interview that offers a glimpse into the stories and inspirations behind her work. From heirloom pieces to the natural world, her practice is shaped by memory, emotion, and a deep sense of connection — all of which come through in the pieces she creates.
Intertwined, the upcoming workshop of our collaboratve series with, invites participants to explore that same sense of connection through wax carving. You’ll create a piece that splits in two, one half to keep, one to give, before it’s cast in silver.
Keep on reading for a glimpse into Maya’s world.
a place that inspires you
I’m inspired by such a wide range of places, but the first that comes to mind is New York. I think in regards to any creative field, it’s a place that facilitates a lot of experimentation. Any time you leave the house you’re exposed to such an incredible range of people, experiences and stories. As intense as it can be, I find that the high energy level can be super energizing. Of course, it’s also home to me which creates an interesting contrast between comfort and chaos.
something that is dear to you
I always say that jewelry holds a lot of meaning and power. When something is made with care and the right materials, it can last generations. In that sense it also becomes a sort of time capsule. This necklace was given to me by my grandmother, and I often think about how it’s lived so many lives and that it will continue to live many more. There’s something really moving about that continuity. This idea of permanence is also what draws me to making jewelry, and why I insist on only making things in solid silver or gold.
something you love
Always my family. I was just home visiting them which always is such a blessing. Being there really makes me slow down and appreciate a lot of the routine-like things that I used to gloss over. Saying bye is always really hard for me but I feel really lucky that despite being so far from them, I am still able to visit them a few times a year. I love that whenever I go back home I’m welcomed with a warm meal and everyone sat at the dinner table, no matter the hour. It’s a moment that is full of love <3
something that makes you smile
This picture makes me smile but also tear up. She was our family dog who I grew up with since I was about 10 years old. She passed away about a year ago and I still think about her all the time. I have to say I never really understood how much her death would affect me until it actually happened. She really was part of our family and had been present through every phase of my life so far. I’ve been wanting to create a piece of jewlery to honor her, something that can capture the joy and love she brought us, but it hasn’t exactly come together the way I want yet.
your biggest inspiration
Mother nature has always been one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I’ve always felt a strong pull towards her but it’s especially apparent when I’m making jewelry. I often find that I’m inspired by her shapes and formations. I want my pieces to feel as though they could have also been shaped by time, wind, water and other forces of nature. That’s also why I tend to make more organic-looking pieces that capture that honest and raw essence.
your most cherished piece of jewelry
Very tough to find a singular answer for that, but I’d say my Sol de Mayo necklace is my most cherished piece. My mom made it for me, which already makes it super special, but it also carries another layer of meaning because it’s the symbol of Uruguay. The Sol de Mayo appears on the flag and wearing it is also a reminder of my roots and serves as a symbol of connection to my family. When I say that jewelry serves a similar purpose to tattoos, this is a great example of that as it’s tied to my identity in multiple ways. Not only does it have a personal significance, because my mom made it, but also carries cultural significance.
a piece you wear everyday
This bangle! Another piece made by my mom, and it’s actually my parents’ engagement ring reimagined as a bracelet so that I can also wear a token of their love ❤️ They were living in Nepal at the time of their engagement, so not only is it a symbol of their connection, but also captures that period in their life. Again, another beautiful reminder that jewelry can continue into a new life while still holding the meaning of where it began.
your work-in-progress
Something I’m currently working on is this bracelet. It was my first attempt at making a chain, which has been a fun new challenge. There’s something really satisfying about figuring out how to connect the links in a way that’s both functional but still visually pleasing. It’s also a more repetitive process than what I typically do, but practicing that patience has also been peaceful. It’ll be fun to incorporate these techniques I’m practicing into future pieces!
the first piece of jewelry you made
These earrings were the first piece of jewelry i made using silversmithing technqiues. They’re quite simple, but that’s also what made them a great starting point. It was a way for me to really focus on the basics and build confidence with the material and understand how metal responds. Looking back, it’s also fun to see the progression of my work since then, but I also love that even in these early pieces, I can already see elements of my style taking shape. They’re a good indication of where I started, but also serve as a foundation for everything I’ve made since.
the latest piece of jewelry you made
I have a lot of pieces I’m simultaneously working on, but my last fully finished piece is this pair of Ruby earrings. They were a bit of an experiment, I wanted to practice making cleaner, more precise bezels using wax wire, which was a pretty delicate process. It took some patience and a steady hand to get the shape perfect. I really enjoyed the combination of technicacl focus and creativity in this piece. I also love the way the light plays with the stones. I’m really happy with how they turned out. They feel balanced and simple, but still have a lot of character.
a piece you crafted for a person you love
About two years ago, I made matching pendants for me and my sister. The design also ties directly into the concept of the workshop, being intertwined. Even though we’re separated by an ocean, these peices are a reminder of our continued connection. She’s not only my sister but also my best friend, and making this pendant was such a joyful process for me in that sense. It’s symbolic of our strong relationship and our love for each other.
This Saturday, Maya will open up her practice through Intertwined — a workshop that turns shared stories into something you can hold onto.
