Meet Anna Danilova | Designer/ Small Business Owner/ Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Danilova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my career has taught me is to trust the timing of life and embrace each phase of the journey. As a multidisciplinary artist, I’ve woven diverse paths—from designing art jewelry inspired by our modern relationships with nature to crafting spaces inviting people to connect in meaningful ways. Every experience has deepened my understanding of what I want my work to stand for.

Creating my jewelry line, for instance, taught me that design can carry a more profound purpose beyond aesthetics. Each piece I make is meant to celebrate the beauty and style of the wearer while grounding us in values like sustainability and intentionality. I’ve come to believe that great design should remind us of our connection to nature and each other. It’s about creating something lasting that resonates and carries meaning through generations and time past.

My path hasn’t been a straight line, and along the way, I took on jobs I never imagined, including making corn dogs at a Texas carnival early in my career. It seems worlds away from what I do now, yet each of these experiences shaped me in meaningful ways. They taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of finding meaning in every setting and interaction.

Ultimately, I’ve learned that the journey itself is a teacher, and our values can be the compass guiding us forward. Even when the destination is unclear, embracing each step and trusting its timing can help your story unfold in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is inspired by nature—particularly the wild beauty of the West Coast and my native Eastern Europe. I’m drawn to organic, often discarded materials, using plant-based dyes, ethically sourced horsehair, and vintage and unusual stones, which make each piece a unique sensory experience. But my ultimate goal goes beyond creating objects; I want my work to tell stories and to feel like an extension of the person wearing it, empowering them to be themselves in the world and to show up fully. I’m proud to create pieces that connect people to their values in a tangible way, serving as personal talismans and reflections of sustainability, craftsmanship, and care.

Another one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of building a community with people who appreciate your work. For me, this community is composed of clients and includes a circle of individuals who inspire me, and I, in turn, inspire them. Early in my career, the support of clients who believed in my work through their purchases was instrumental in motivating me to keep going. Even when the path ahead was uncertain, having this support was invaluable. Creative careers often come with moments of self-doubt and setbacks, making it easy to feel isolated. However, every time I faced a challenge, there was someone there to remind me of the meaning of my work and encourage me to keep going. They have demonstrated that trust and belief can create something solid and enduring, and it is a beautiful gift I always carry with me. I try to pay it back as much as possible by supporting the work of my local community and uplifting others.

I want people to take away from my story that my work is dedicated to awakening their senses. I hope to encourage contemplation about our relationship with the Earth and its resources because I believe that having an awareness and understanding of the subtle intentionality behind the objects we own can enhance our overall sense of well-being. This is what I strive for in every piece I create, whether it’s art, interiors, or jewelry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends were visiting, I’d want to give them a week that captures everything I love about the Bay Area. This place has been such a muse for me—its art, landscape, and unapologetic creativity and energy. We’d start in San Francisco, and I’d take them right to Corona Heights to admire the views of the city from an important Native American site and to pay respects to the original people of the land we will set an intention for a smooth journey on Ramaytush Ohlone land. After that, we will head to the Mission to enjoy local food and shopping on the way to my metalsmithing studio. We’d grab pastries at Tartine Bakery, probably ending up with way too many.

We’d skip the usual spots for art and head to the Hunters Point Art Studios—a whole community of local artists in one building. You can wander from studio to studio, seeing the work up close and chatting with the artists. This place is special, and you feel like you’re getting a peek at the city’s creative heartbeat.

Afterward, we’d cross the Golden Gate for a different view and head to Sausalito’s ICB Artists studios, hidden in this massive building with the most beautiful sunlight. It’s filled with artists who work with everything from textiles to sculpture, and you can feel how much they love what they do. We’d round off the day with a sunset picnic in the Marin Headlands, watching the sun drop over the ocean cliffs. That view never gets old.

From there, we’d spend a day in Berkeley. I’d take them to Pacific Film Archives to see a unique exhibition; we’d visit the UC Berkeley campus for a picnic. No visit is complete without a stop at my favorite salvage yard in the area – Urban Ore – you never know what treasures you can find there. After, we’d settle in for dinner at Chez Panisse. There’s something so special about Alice Waters’ approach to food—rooted, fresh, local. Sharing a meal like that, focused on local flavors and community of farmers and chefs, feels like such a pure California experience.

Then, to Oakland. We’d start at ShopRelove for some vintage shopping. Later, maybe a show at the Fox Theater—the architecture is an incredible mix of Art Deco with moody, vintage vibes, and it’s hands-down one of the best spots for live music in the area.

By mid-week, we’d need a break from the city. I’d take us up the coast to Sea Ranch. It’s a bit of a pilgrimage for me—a place where the land feels sacred. There, we’d stay in one of those modernist cabins overlooking the cliffs, hiking the coast and letting the ocean air reset everything. On the way back, a detour through Pacifica would be perfect for a quiet morning walk by the ocean. It’s one of those unassuming places that still feels like the California of another time.

Our last day would be back in San Francisco. We would wrap it up at the Ferry Building with fresh oysters and local wine.

California is magic. It celebrates beauty and adventure through art, food, the land, and its stories. I can’t imagine a better place to share with someone I love.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the talented local photographer, Marko Knezevic, who beautifully captured the images for this interview. My collaboration with Marko dates back to when I worked as a stylist for a local tech-fashion startup, and it has been inspiring to witness the evolution of his photography practice. Marko’s work is deeply rooted in his core values and showcases the vibrant characteristics of the Bay Area, from its stunning landscapes to its diverse culture. He can see the world through a unique lens, translating everyday moments into compelling visual narratives. His enthusiasm for photography and visuals is infectious, igniting a similar passion in those around him.

Website: https://www.annamonetjewelry.com/

Instagram: @annamonetjewelry

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-danilova-00362346/

Image Credits
all images by Marko Knezevic