From Sleeping in My Gallery to New York Fashion Week: Maralkunst's Journey of Art, Resilience, and Empowerment
Introduction: A Story of Reinvention
There was a time when I had nowhere to live after my separation. I slept in my own gallery, using the space I had built as my sanctuary because I had no other choice. I had endured abusive, manipulative relationships, struggled as a single mother, and had to start from zero in a country where I didn’t know the language or have a network. But deep inside, I knew that I was meant for something more.
I transformed my pain into art. My jewelry, my paintings—each piece became a reflection of my journey, a story of resilience, vulnerability, and transformation. Today, I stand as an independent woman, an entrepreneur, and an artist. From sleeping in my gallery to showcasing my work at New York Fashion Week, my story is proof that we have the power to rise, no matter how difficult the past has been.
Jewelry and Art as a Metaphor for Transformation
I don’t just create jewelry—I create stories in wearable form. Every piece in Maralkunst is a symbol of strength, rebirth, and individuality. Just like a raw stone is shaped into something beautiful, we, too, go through challenges that shape us into who we are meant to be.
The same goes for my paintings. My art is deeply personal; it is my life journey on canvas. I draw vulnerability, transformation, and the raw emotions of my past—the struggles, the growth, the power of starting over. Every brushstroke carries a piece of my soul, and through my art, I hope to remind others that their pain does not define them—it transforms them.
The Importance of Supporting Local Artists
My journey started at a local market in Oslo, standing every Sunday at Søndagsmarked på Blå, selling my handmade jewelry. I know what it feels like to create something from the heart and struggle to be seen. That’s why, no matter where I travel, I make it my mission to support local artisans and craftsmanship.
From Mexico to India, Istanbul to France, I collect pieces of artistry and history, bringing them together into my work. Every gemstone, every material has a story, and I take pride in honoring the hands that create them. Because I know firsthand the power of someone believing in your work when you’re just starting out.
From Local Market to Global Recognition
What started as a humble jewelry stand has grown into an internationally recognized brand, with over 300+ five-star reviews and customers from around the world. The journey has led me to New York Fashion Week, magazine features, and collaborations with incredible artists. But the greatest success isn’t in these achievements—it’s in the women who come to my workshops, wear my jewelry, or connect with my art and say:
“You’ve inspired me to believe in myself.”
My Mission: Empowering Women Through Art
At the heart of Maralkunst is one mission: to inspire and uplift women. To remind them that they are stronger than they know, that they deserve to be seen, and that they have the power to rewrite their stories.
Through my jewelry, my paintings, and my workshops, I use art as a metaphor for transformation. Every woman who walks through my gallery, creates a piece at my workshop, or wears my jewelry is carrying a reminder: She is powerful. She is capable. She is worthy.
Because if I could rise from the darkest moments of my life to create something meaningful, so can you.
A Message to Every Dreamer
If you are struggling, if you feel unseen, if you are standing in a place where the future feels uncertain—keep going. Your story is not over. The challenges you face today will become the foundation of something greater.
Let your pain become your art. Let your journey become your strength. And most of all, never stop believing in yourself.
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize that every struggle was shaping you into the person you were meant to become.
Author Bio:
Maral Jafarian is the founder of Maralkunst, a jewelry and art brand that blends storytelling, culture, and craftsmanship. An Iranian immigrant and single mother, she transformed her life from hardship to entrepreneurship, growing her business from a small market stand to an internationally recognized brand featured at New York Fashion Week. Through her work, she empowers women to embrace their creativity, resilience, and inner strength.