Learn more about Mary Carmen Epifanio
My Story
My name is Mary Carmen Epifanio and I am a jewelry design student at Savannah College of Art and Design. I am born, raised, and proudly Panamanian. Since I was a little girl I can remember being in love with art and culture, but I never imagined mixing it with a tradition so close to me. My great-grandfather Nicola Epifanio, is a man who immigrated with his family from Italy in search of a better life. When he moved he brought his resilience, ambition, and a love of jewelry sales which he passed on to his son, Pablo Epifanio. My grandfather lived a simple life as a child and despite all his economic shortcomings he created an unmatched legacy in the Panamanian jewelry business. “Grano de Oro” was not only my home every summer where I played with the goldsmiths’ tools without permission, but it is also the jewelry store that my grandfather and his family founded over 100 years ago. There I was taught that jewelry is not just a business, it is a way of creating art, a tool to create clients that become family, a service that connects artists, and above all, a way to create immortal pieces. My family taught me that quality will always speak for itself, and this is what made my grandfather great. I am the fourth generation of jewelers in my family, and with that I carry great responsibilities and, above all, pride in continuing to enhance my family's name, and creating my own.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
Expected Graduation Spring 2026
Skills
Hand rendering
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Rhinoceros 3D design software
Jewelry Hand fabrication
Induction Jewelry Casting Machine
Neutec Jewelry Casting Machine
Laser Jewelry Welding
Jewelry Enameling
KeyShot rendering Program
Work experience
Jewelry Designer and Bench Master for Grano de Oro
2017-present
-Creating new designs following the trend patterns of the season.
-Creating Custom made pieces for clients.
-Hand rendering designs for approval of the client.
-Making design boards with elaborated illustrator rendering, materials, and time estimate for making the piece.
-Sourcing the best and most luxurious materials that fit the design agreed upon, and stay within the budget of the client.
-Cast, Hand Fabricate, and polish a design piece given by client.
-Oversee Jewelry workshop to ensure all safety and precaution guidelines are being followed.
-Document Jewelry pieces in a way that highlights the metal and stones.
-Share and market the pieces for new clients.
Founder of MACAE Jewelry
2020-present
-Created a Jewelry brand that takes inspiration from my latin background and use that to create timeless contemporary pieces.
-Created a running online Website and store to Market the collections.
-Designed new collections regularly taking into account the trend forecasting for the season.
-Studied the jewelry market to make sure I found a Niche I could grow my Brand on.
-Study trends to make mood boards used for inspiration in new collections.
-Hand render initial designs to select a solid piece to fabricate.
-3D render and print Chosen pieces to make a collection.
-Hand fabricate and polish luxurious pieces while making sure to stay within budget.
-Hiring photographers and personnel to create a campaign for jewelry pieces.
-Publishing and Marketing Jewelry collections on social media.