Manya & Roumen Jewelry began literally as a labor of love, when artist and illustrator Manya Tessler made her first foray into jewelry design to create a wedding ring for her 2006 marriage to Roumen Vragov. After studying wax carving with leading New York City jewelry instructor Alan Brodsky, she found that her work so well reflected the couple’s passion for art and nature – Roumen’s ring depicted intertwined buffalos – the newlyweds soon launched their own line of jewelry. Manya’s intricate, sculptural carvings are cast in either 18k gold or sterling silver before diamonds and gemstones are added. Each piece is hand polished and given a subtle, textured finish. Manya and Roumen, who maintain a studio in Union, NJ, strive to produce designs that capture not just the movement, details and traits of a bird, fish or lion, but a personality, too. Although some of their animal and plant motifs are familiar from fables, fairy tales, and astrology, they are open to interpretation and meaning. “Each piece tells a story, but each wearer interprets the story differently,” says Manya.
Manya, a native of Philadelphia, studied printmaking and illustration, earning her MFA at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her interest in researching a wide range of fine art through travel to Italy, Japan, Mexico and Canada, serves as a source for her inspiration. She is especially drawn to Bernini’s baroque sculptures and traditional Japanese arts.
Roumen, a former professor who was born in Bulgaria, studied economics and information systems and earned a PhD from the University of Arizona. In addition to his role as the business manager of Manya & Roumen, he contributes ideas and concepts to the pair’s nature-inspired collaborations.
