Meet the Mermaid

Born in the Desert. Called by the Sea.

I’m Tanya — resident mermaid, dog mom, silversmith, and the creative mind behind Yemaya Mermaids.

A first-generation Mexican American woman from Southern California, I’ve always been drawn to two worlds: the rugged beauty of the desert and the freedom of the ocean. When I’m not holding it down full-time at a busy plastic surgery practice, I’m usually creating, hanging out with my pups Penelope and Tank, somewhere near the water — or dreaming about my next seaside escape.

At the heart of Yemaya Mermaids is my love for creating with my hands. I silversmith jewelry using sterling silver and hand-selected natural stones, choosing stones for their individuality, character, and beautiful imperfections. I love creating pieces that are bold, a little unexpected, and never meant to blend in.

But creativity doesn’t have to stay in one lane.

I love traveling and discovering talented artists and makers along the way, and part of my vision for Yemaya is sharing those finds with you. I want this little corner of the world to be a place where my own creations live alongside unique pieces from artists and artisans I discover around the globe.

And sometimes, I just want to make something fun — bedazzling something that clearly needed more sparkle, creating a one-of-a-kind trucker hat, or turning an ordinary find into something with a whole lot more personality.

The name Yemaya Mermaids reflects so much of what inspires me. Yemaya, goddess of the ocean, represents strength, protection, nurturing, and the sea. And the mermaid part? That’s easy. Give me sunshine, saltwater, a paddleboard, my dogs, family, good tequila, and an ocean breeze, and I’m home.

Yemaya Mermaids is a little bit of everything I love — heritage, artistry, adventure, individuality, and a salty soul.

Western Grit • Mermaid Heart • Saltwater Soul • Wild Spirit

Thank you for being here, supporting my art, supporting other artists, and coming along for whatever I create or discover next.