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Senorita Silver's inspiring story |
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Written by Alice
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Monday, 28 April 2008 |
Cape Chat Advertiser – Mary Myrdal aka "Senorita Silver" – has a very special story to share. Read her full story below.
The Señorita Silver Story
Mary Myrdal writes …I started selling Mexican Silver Jewellery as a result of a series of life changing events. In 1994 my husband died, leaving me with no clear direction in my life. The following year, my son, who lives in the United States, invited me to join him and his wife on a surf camping trip down the coast of Mexico. He is a surfer and I was probably the first surfer’s mother to spend time in some of the camps! I had to learn to sleep in a small one-person tent for weeks on end. I was exposed to mud and mosquitoes, sand and heat but also to many new ideas and cultures. (Remember I had come to Mexico from a South Africa just celebrating the end of apartheid). Altogether it was an exciting time. There were amazing new foods to sample and different types of music to explore. Near the end of our adventure – and the whole trip was an adventure – I met an American man who lived in Mexico and sold hammocks. We became good friends and the following year I returned to Mexico for another holiday with him where I learnt more about this fascinating country and the hardworking, creative people. People who love colour and noise and fireworks and music and creative design. In 1997, I invited him to come to SA to discover the beauty of the Cape. After a few months he suggested we return to Mexico together and purchase a considerable amount of the beautiful silver jewellery which is made there, as he said he hadn’t seen anything comparable in the shops here. Each jewellery piece is individual and hand-made. Now the next part of the adventure began to unfold and it was a huge leap of faith. My friend exposed me to all the knowledge I would need to travel in Mexico. I learnt about taxis and buses, where to stay, how much to pay, including bartering for the jewellery and how to develop an eye for styles and designs. Of course I had to improve my Spanish. When we returned to Cape Town we began to sell the unique silver jewellery in stores in and around the city. In 2000 my friend returned to Mexico after I bought him out. Now the real learning began, because now I was on my own. However, because the jewellery is so very special and because I quickly developed an eye for the unusual creations, I never looked back. My policy is always to buy unique pieces and my by-line is the fact that all the jewellery is personally selected by me. I have learnt to listen to my customers, both retailers and private ones, seeking out the unusual and spectacular, without forgetting the simpler pieces for the more conservative buyer. I have jewellery for both men and women and prices to suit all pockets. Mary can be emailed directly at myrdalonsea@xsinet.co.za.
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View Senorita Silver's personal photo's from her Mexican travels ...
Senorita's Advert as it appears in Cape Chat
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 June 2008 )
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