Antonio, Our Master of Metal (AKA El Crazy)

Antonio, known affectionately as "El Crazy," is a legend in the world of jewelry making, with a career spanning 35 years—24 of them with VSA. Specializing in handcrafted metal elements, Antonio is a master craftsman who turns visions into reality with extraordinary skill. His creations aren’t just beautiful; they carry the weight of his expertise and creativity. Often, I turn to him for original samples of new designs, knowing he’ll bring fresh ideas and refinements to each piece. Antonio's commitment to quality and his intuitive artistry elevate every design, making him indispensable to our team.

For Antonio, working with VSA is a “dream come true.” A ranchero at heart, he finds joy not only in his art but also on his ranch outside San Miguel, where he rides horses and grows his own vegetables. Antonio’s green thumb spills over into the workshop, where he cares for our plants, scattering seeds that have yielded surprise patches of corn, tomatoes, sunflowers, and zucchini blossoms. Antonio’s talent and warmth have made him a treasured part of our VSA family.

Mari Cruz, Our Bead Assembly Expert

With six years of dedicated service, Mari Cruz is our resident bead assembly expert. Known for her speed and accuracy, she can complete a Magdalena necklace in under 10 minutes—an impressive feat that no one else in the workshop can match. 

Mari Cruz came to VSA without prior experience, yet her natural talent with beads was evident from day one. Her love for beadwork is apparent in every piece she creates, and she lights up with pride when shown photos of celebrities like Lady Gaga wearing a necklace she assembled. “I touched that piece!” she’ll exclaim, and her joy is infectious.

Three years ago, Mari Cruz blessed our workshop with the birth of her son, little Juan, who became our unofficial “good luck charm.” We were overjoyed when she brought him to the workshop during those first few months. Despite her one-hour commute from her ranch home, Mari Cruz finds great satisfaction in her work at VSA, calling the journey a small price for the fulfillment she experiences.

Celebrating the Heart of VSA

Antonio and Mari Cruz are more than skilled artisans—they are the heart of our workshop. Their dedication, artistry, and joy infuse each piece with a story, a soul, and a bit of magic. As we honor their contributions, we also celebrate the passion and craftsmanship they bring to our team, reminding us every day of the beauty in handmade art. Here’s to Antonio, Mari Cruz, and all the artisans who make VSA jewelry a true labor of love.

Stay tuned for upcoming blogs, where we’ll introduce more of our talented workshop team! Each member brings unique skills and passion to VSA, making every piece of jewelry a masterpiece with a story to tell.

We can’t wait for you to meet them all!

The story of Virgins Saints & Angels begins with a loft in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It was more than just an office; it was home to our founder, Finn, and her baby Tallulah. The space was modest—a single large window and a sturdy black metal door—but it was alive with creativity. Every piece of jewelry that left this office was imbued with the spirit of innovation and community that defined those early days.

As VSA grew, so did the need for space. The life-work balance that once filled the loft shifted, and Finn and Tallulah eventually moved out to make room for the growing number of women joining the VSA family. That’s when local designer Theresa Wachter transformed the loft into something extraordinary—a cathedral-esque shrine to the brand and its values. Every detail was carefully crafted, from the desks to the floors, which were hand-stenciled by a local artist with our iconic logo.

What was once a simple work area became filled with personal altars, created by employees to reflect their connection to the work and each other. The space grew richer in meaning as customers and local artists contributed gifts, further enhancing the energy that filled the room.

Word spread about our unique office, and before long, we welcomed shoppers, fans, and even celebrities. Hidden behind a nondescript black metal door, the only clue to the magic inside was a rusted tin hot air balloon hanging above. Our shopping kiosk was a humble setup—drawers filled with overruns and seconds. Yet, fans would rummage through them with excitement, hoping to find that one special piece.

This office wasn't just where VSA’s creative energy blossomed; it was the heartbeat of our operations. From this space, orders were shipped out, and brainstorming sessions ignited the next wave of design innovation. But as all things do, the time came for us to move.

When the office was sold, it was bittersweet. Our beautifully designed furnishings found their new home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where VSA is now based, while the San Miguel de Allende office became part of our workshop. Driving past the loft one last time, watching the hand-painted floors being sanded away, felt like the end of an era. Yet, the spirit of that original space continues to inspire everything we do.

Our journey from that small loft to the bustling creative hubs we now occupy is a testament to the soul of VSA—an ever-evolving sanctuary for art, community, and timeless beauty.

Our Santa Fe office is more than just a workspace—it's where the magic of VSA continues to thrive! Nestled in the heart of New Mexico, it’s filled with the same spirit that started it all. Our favorite part? When fans, friends, and visitors stop by to experience the essence of VSA firsthand, sharing stories and leaving with treasures that connect them to our journey. There's nothing quite like meeting the people who bring our pieces to life. Come visit us—we can’t wait to welcome you!

 It all started with a woven plastic bag.

I didn’t know at the time that this bag would lead me down the path of founding Virgins Saints & Angels, but sometimes the smallest things have the greatest impact. 

The story goes like this: I had a bulky plastic woven bag from Mexico that needed branding. Due to the nature of the plastic, attaching a label wasn't an option, so I decided to create a metal key fob with a logo and hang it from a loop woven into the bag. It seemed like a simple solution to a branding issue. But as fate would have it, that small keychain would soon take on a life of its own. 

The woven bags were tricky to ship from Mexico to the U.S. due to their size and weight, but I had clients who were intrigued by them—one of them being Fred Segal in Santa Monica, a hotspot for fashion-forward shoppers. One day, the buyer called and told me their customers were more interested in the key fob than the bag itself. Had I thought about selling the key fobs separately? In a heartbeat, I said, “Absolutely!” 

The idea of selling a small, sleek keychain instead of a bulky bag was a lightbulb moment. The fob was metal with a logo under resin, but I soon started to play with designs—adding crystals and kitschy taglines, like my favorite, featuring the classic Adam & Eve image and the line “They always look better than they taste.” 

In those early days, I was creating each keychain myself. I'd go to the workshop to pick them up, bring them home, cut out the images, paint the bezels, and place crystals by hand. I even dusted them with what I called “magic fairy dust”—a little extra gold sparkle that made them pop. To top it off, I sprinkled each order with holy water from the church across the street from my apartment. Something about the whole process worked, and soon, the orders started rolling in. 

 Then came the turning point. I loved religious imagery and was drawn to the symbolism all around me in San Miguel de Allende. One day, I decided to turn one of my keychains into a belt buckle for myself, inspired by my fascination with Guadalupe. On a trip to LA, a woman stopped me on Robertson Blvd, asking where I got my buckle. I told her I made it, and right there on the street, I sold her the one I was wearing. When I got back to Mexico, I made two more, and that was the start of the VSA buckle.

 Before long, religious references were everywhere in pop culture—The Da Vinci Code and The Passion of the Christ were huge, and my designs tapped into that energy. Soon, celebrities like Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus were wearing VSA, and my pieces were gracing the covers of magazines. The phone didn’t stop ringing, and I knew I was onto something special. 

I started hiring incredible women in San Miguel de Allende, brought on a sales rep in LA, and set up a distribution center in Arkansas, run by my sister. But the real “I’ve made it” moment? When John Galliano wore a VSA buckle down the runway during his second couture show for Dior. That’s when I knew this brand was destined for more than just keychains. 

Now, after 24 years, VSA has evolved into a global brand, creating dozens of styles each season. We’ve stayed true to our handmade roots, creating statement pieces that are loved by celebrities and customers alike. 

This story is a glimpse into the unexpected journey that started with a simple plastic bag and blossomed into a celebrated jewelry brand. Looking back, it was the key fob that opened the door, but it was the belief in the beauty of what we were creating—and the amazing people we connected with—that kept it growing