María and Mercedes smile as they recall anecdotes and wonder who will be answering our questions—though it hardly matters, as they interrupt each other with the easy complicity of sisters who get along effortlessly. In their workshop, which they share with Artisteo and Biznaga Atelier, they admit the interview has helped them revisit their beginnings: María—trained in Fine Arts and jewelry at the Massana School—and Mercedes—with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations—decided to combine their talents to escape “a stressful world” and start a project together.
In fact, María—restless and dreamy—was already creating her own jewelry back then, influenced by a contemporary vision connected to art. Meanwhile, Mercedes—thoughtful and organized—helped her put together a portfolio, find the right words, and take photographs because, as she says, she has “always kept her feet on the ground.” Still, professionally, something didn’t quite fit.
Determined to face the situation, Mercedes trained for three years, traded her computer for the workshop, and together they founded Mamalula—a handcrafted jewelry brand that transforms abstraction—memory, inner resilience, the inner journey—into minimalist, timeless pieces. “We are shy, introverted, and observant; our surroundings and everyday life inspire us. A shadow cast on a wall while we’re having coffee, a book, a poem… for us, these are driving forces,” María explains.
That curious mindset, attentive to detail, is reflected in their jewelry—a subtle exercise, seemingly simple yet full of character—which has led them to collaborate three times with the Hauser & Wirth gallery and once with the Chillida Leku Museum. “A gift in every sense. Life connects you with things you would never have imagined.”
“We are shy, introverted, and observant; our surroundings and everyday life inspire us. A shadow cast on a wall while we’re having coffee, a book, a poem… for us, these are driving forces”
The development of their collections coexists with the creation of custom pieces, which they approach through dialogue and empathy. “You end up building a really beautiful bond with people, and some even become our friends because sometimes they come with clear ideas and sometimes they don’t—and then you end up having a conversation,” María says.
Faithful to the philosophy with which the brand was born—designing and producing locally and by hand with the aim of fostering a circular economy—they have built “a small family” with their trusted suppliers. Still, they are aware that generational renewal in trades such as engraving or soldering is not going through its best moment, despite the boom the sector is experiencing. “It used to be a craft passed down from parents to children, and it was very male-dominated. When I studied, almost all of us were women, and now there’s been a boom.”
The volatility of the raw materials market is another challenge they face—recently, they have been forced to update their prices—but the Saura sisters look for alternatives. “Silver and gold are enduring; they can be inherited and transformed, so we invite clients to recover an inherited piece because it’s not only sustainable, it also holds sentimental value, a symbolic character.”
Between concept and design, they also make time to organize and lead workshops designed to “show the artisanal side and highlight the process,” offering more than technique or training—a space to gather, share, and create with their own hands. “A creative experience with the excitement of taking home a piece you made yourself,” Mercedes emphasizes.
“We’ve met people from Iceland, New Zealand, Australia… when they come to meet you and tell you your work has touched them, it’s an incredible feeling—that is when you tell yourself you must be doing something right.”
Aligned with their way of understanding jewelry, much of Mamalula’s audience is local to the island, though they also enjoy the trust of visitors. Interestingly, many arrive via Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art, where their pieces are exhibited and sold. “We’ve met people from Iceland, New Zealand, Australia… when they come to meet you and tell you your work has touched them, it’s an incredible feeling—that is when you tell yourself you must be doing something right.”
María came to Mallorca for love thirteen years ago—and stayed for love of the island. Mercedes used to spend long periods at her sister’s home before becoming a mother, and now, whenever she can, she hops on a plane. Here, they say, they’ve found the rhythm that allows them to create and live with the calm they need. And that shows, both in their jewelry and in their warm and welcoming hospitality, among the plants and acrylics of their shared space. “This workshop is resistance,” they say. “We support each other so much, we feed off one another. Here you can enjoy, get messy and play. Coming here was the right decision,” María concludes.
