Manuel Fredebrecht

Gold, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry in Central America

"This is what is satisfying about this jewelry making: that there's no reason for the things that I imagine to stay in my mind – I can materialize them."

I am a Nicaraguan man in love with the silver arts. I was born in Chile in 1971 but life's reasons led me to make Nicaragua my home. My friends refer to me as pelón because I am bald, and they see me as a creative and innovative person.

My art makes me very happy and I am very grateful to my mother, Monika Fredebrecht, for teaching me with so much patience and love. My mother is a silversmith and I grew up in a jewelry workshop. I've always loved this art form because it allows my imagination to run free. I can imagine a design, then craft it and therefore touch it. This is what is satisfying about this jewelry making. There's no reason for the things that I imagine to stay in my mind – I can materialize them.

With time, I came to understand how much I love this art form and decided to dedicate my life to it, so I had to drop out of school because, in Nicaragua, becoming a silversmith is not part of the academic curriculum.

It's not easy being an independent artist and not having a steady income to count on. But it is an adventure, an adventure with many challenges, especially financial and bureaucratic. But freedom compensates for it, and that's what is important.

What I love most about what I do is seeing people wearing my jewelry designs. It's something I am passionate about though it is also a constant challenge, because it's important that the jewelry adapts to the person wearing it without causing discomfort.

My other personal challenge is feeling completely satisfied with each new piece – this is rather difficult for us artists as we tend to constantly find details that others might not perceive. However that's what makes each day different – it's a roller coaster of emotions and inspiration.

Making jewelry is a very personal and interesting art form. It provides work to those who wish to learn it and lets them be self-employed. Jewelry allows us to preserve this millenary art form, which hasn't changed in terms of the creative and crafting processes.

Thank you, dear friends, for your interest in my story and in my designs.

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15 items by Manuel Fredebrecht

Customer Reviews

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Evelyn

Verified Reviewer

07/18/2020

"Great style and quality"

I love these earrings. I have had them now for years and they have lasted and look wonderful. Well made too!

Purchased Item:

Two Moons, Modern Geometric Sterling Silver and Onyx Hook Earrings

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Joan

Verified Reviewer

12/10/2018

"Disappointed"

I ordered these unusual earrings for a friend and Im going to return them. The silver bottoms are extremely thin and have a weird shadow near the bottom. I thought they might need polish but that didnt help. I wanted to love them but sadly theyre going back.

Purchased Item:

Dark Eclipse, Onyx and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Nicaragua

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Mile high

From Denver, Colorado

Verified Reviewer

11/12/2018

"Modern Holes dangle earrings, Not real Opal"

These are very pretty earrings but, dont appear to be real opal. It looks like opaline (I dont if I spelled that correctly). I thought I would be getting white opal stones but,looks like opaline instead which luckily I like. I was hoping to add to my opal collection but, it was not to be. I will keep them because, I think they are well made and I like the design and small size and like I said I do like opaline. Even though not real opal I will wear very often. If you want real opal these are not the earrings for you. But, if youre like me you will like the opaline and its neutral enough to go with everything.

Purchased Item:

Modern Holes, Modern Circular Opal Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

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Chris

Verified Reviewer

10/24/2018

"Fun and beautiful!"

I love the peek-through onyx on the silver. They are just the right size/length. I know these will be my go to earrings for years to come.

Purchased Item:

Modern Holes, Modern Circular Onyx Dangle Earrings from Nicaragua

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Wendy

Verified Reviewer

07/30/2018

"Stunning earrings!"

They have great movement and the opals in them are beautiful, Very unique and so glad I purchased. My husband even commented, which is unusual! Great artistry.

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