I met Marta when I was working on a very beautiful project in Tenerife called CANARY ESSENCE . A charming smile, sun-kissed skin and joyfully sparkling eyes – that’s how I remember this girl. Only later I found out that she was not only a very nice person inside-out, great surfer, passionate climber but also had her own unique brand named PUA PUA. So let me take you today on a journey across the deep blue waters of Atlantic Ocean to Canary Islands, where a girl from Tenerife is making necklaces from sea urchins…
Could you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Marta. I’m 36, I was born in Tenerife, Canary Islands, and I am passionate about art, the ocean and the mountains.
I love creating for my PUA PUA brand, surfing and climbing sports.
When did you start PUA PUA? How did you come up with such idea?
I started my brand in December of 2017. It all has started when I traveled to Indonesia for surfing. I spotted those shells there on the shores and on the reef from different places. Magical places!!
These shells, which nature gave me, became a very important part of my life. Now I’m making necklaces and earrings for all those who love the ocean no less than I do.
What was the biggest challenge starting your own business?
Perhaps a great challenge at the beginning was the lack of confidence in me, yet my willingness was much stronger as well as understanding that there’s nothing to lose.
This was a completely new project for me, I didn’t know anything about this, I didn’t know how to advertise my brand, how to transmit my concept to the people. Big thanks to all of my friends who helped me in this situation by making publicity and encouraging me to not give up. Now seeing so many people who are interested in my brand really warms my heart up.
Why did you name it PUA PUA, what does it mean?
I’m creating necklaces and earrings from the sea urchin spikes and in Spanish language sea urchin spike is PUA. These specific shells belong to the type of sea urchin called pencil urchin.
What inspires you and your artworks?
I’ve started creating for myself, then for my friends… but little by little more and more people wanted to have PUA PUA and that inspired me to continue growing and creating my own brand.
I guess my strong connection with the ocean and all the clients are the biggest inspiration to me.
How would you describe PUA PUA for those who have never heard about your brand before?
PUA PUA is a brand of handmade necklaces and earrings, handcrafted with sea urchin spikes from Indonesia. My creations are an expression of my love for the ocean and art.
Could you tell some of your favourite artists / brands and what do you like about them?
I have to mention two artists and friends from Canary Islands:
Berenic @madera.azul
Marina @salty_freedom
Thanks to them, PUA PUA exists. It’s impossible to not like their art, because there’s always so much dedication and love in their artworks.
What do you love the most about living on the island?
I grew up on an island and I have always felt that this is where I belong. In Tenerife nature is so unique and diverse: on the same day you can be climbing in the mountains or walking in the forest, discovering the wild landscape of volcano or just calmly enjoying sunbeams on the beach. Here, in Tenerife, we always have a good weather and I’m definitely a huge lover of the sun. I appreciate simple life.
What are your favourite spots in Tenerife and why?
My favourite spot in Tenerife is Anaga. Anaga is beautiful. It is a rural park in the northeast part of the island. It has a perfect combination of forests and amazing beaches – all with such wild nature! Almáciga is one of the Anaga’s beaches where I go for surfing really often. This beach usually is just with few people and strong ocean. I love it.
What does the ocean mean to you and your brand?
Since I was on the island, I always had a very strong connection with the ocean. The ocean is the biggest source of inspiration for my creativity. For me the ocean is life, peace, a place where I can always “recharge” myself with positive energy. The connection I have is inseparable – the ocean lives within me.
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