In a world that often celebrates the extraordinary, Nussa finds beauty in the ordinary.
Founded by Andrea Centol, the Spanish creative space brings together jewelry, accessories, illustration, and textile under one poetic philosophy: to capture the essence of everyday life and translate it into timeless design.
Each Nussa piece tells a quiet story of nature, art, and the people who inspire it. Andrea’s muses aren’t distant or mythological, but real; friends, artists, and dreamers who embody the rhythm of contemporary culture. Through her eyes, the mundane becomes meaningful, and design becomes a form of observation, reflection, and connection.
In this conversation, Andrea shares the origins of Nussa, her approach to creating, and how she finds inspiration in the people and moments that surround her every day.
How did Nussa come to life? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea?
Nussa was born as my final university project. Although it’s quite different from what it has become today, that was the starting point: creating the visual identity for a sustainable jewelry brand. The exact moment and place where the idea first appeared was a year earlier, during my Erasmus exchange in Milan.
After years of working in digital design, I realized I wanted to create with my hands again, something tangible that would connect creativity and craft. I had spent too much time behind a screen and wanted to experiment with my own ideas freely. That was when I understood I could channel my creativity into something truly my own.
One of the first turning points came with the Echoes of the Sea collection. It was the first time I brought fashion and silver jewelry together, planting the seed for the goals and direction that Nussa aims to pursue in the future.
What does the name Nussa mean to you?
Nussa is a made-up name that emerged from a branding process. I wanted a name that would spark curiosity and carry a meaning connected to art. Just as muses were the source of inspiration in the classical era, nussas are the inspiration of the contemporary one.
What inspired you to blend different disciplines under one creative space?
I love creating and art in all its forms. Limiting myself to a single discipline felt like the opposite of what the project needed. Even if it might seem a bit chaotic, I believe Nussa reflects the essence of the creative process: experimenting, making mistakes, and finding your own path. It also connects deeply to the moment you’re living. Sometimes I feel like making jewelry, and other times I’m drawn to designing patterns.
You often talk about finding beauty in everyday life. How do you translate that philosophy into design?
For me, finding beauty in everyday life means paying attention. I’m inspired by gestures, textures, conversations, and the little details that often go unnoticed. In design, I try to capture that essence, turning something simple into something with emotional value. I’m not searching for perfection, but for the feeling that each piece holds a moment or a story.
Inspiration usually comes to me when I slow down. It might sound simple, but in a world full of stress and constant noise, taking time to think calmly about how to approach a project really helps ideas flow. I often find inspiration when I go to the beach, visit museums, or simply sit in a park and give myself that quiet time.
Can you describe your creative process, from the first spark of an idea to the finished piece?
I always start with the concept, what I want to express. From that idea, I develop everything else, finding the best way to convey it. That’s why Nussa’s pieces are so different; sometimes the right form is a piece of jewelry, other times an illustration, or even a new technique. The beauty of having a personal project is that I can let myself flow freely with creativity.
I’d also love to return to 3D printing. When I did my final degree project, it was for a sustainable jewelry brand made with this technique. Because of budget limitations, I haven’t been able to continue using it, but revisiting that process would feel like reconnecting with Nussa’s beginnings.
© Karlota Photo
© Karlota Photo
I love how you redefine the idea of a muse: not mythological figures, but real people. How did this idea come about?
I felt it was a great opportunity to connect and give creativity back to this contemporary era. I was looking for a kind of storytelling that would let me create freely. If my slogan referred specifically to “jewelry” or “clothing,” it would have limited me, so I wanted it to be an open, creative space.
Who are some of your real-life muses, and what draws you to them?
Without a doubt, my sister. She’s an actress, and being older than me, she helped me grow up unafraid to pursue whatever I wanted. She broke that cultural barrier of only choosing a career with “practical” outcomes. My grandmother also played a big role. She had a pullover business here in Gran Canaria and sold the sweaters she made to different boutiques. She loved fashion and passed that passion on to me from a very young age.
I don’t draw inspiration directly from people themselves, but from what they represent or the energy they transmit in a particular moment. Sometimes a conversation, an emotion, or a way of seeing the world can spark an idea. Rather than portraying someone, I try to capture a feeling or a story that comes from that human connection.
For me, nussas are people who have a genuine interest in art and creativity. Even if that part of them has been dormant, they make the effort to awaken it. They’re curious souls who find inspiration in the everyday, who value what’s different, and who surround themselves with things that have meaning. They represent an attitude toward life: one of observing, creating, and connecting with what moves them.
Are there any artists, designers, or cultural movements that have shaped your visual language?
Italian art and the Renaissance inspire me deeply. I admire the sensitivity of artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, their way of understanding beauty, proportion, and emotion in every detail. Florence is my favorite place in the world; every time I visit, it feels like everything there breathes art, history, and harmony.
That connection with the classical coexists in me with a contemporary vision. I’m drawn to modern aesthetics that embrace the natural, the imperfect, and the emotional. I’m also inspired by artists and designers who create with honesty while preserving the sensitivity of the past.
How do you approach slow creation in a fast-paced world?
It’s definitely challenging, especially living in the Canary Islands. Everything here feels more isolated and slower, from shipping to production. But in a way, that has taught me patience and helped me understand the value of time. Creating slowly allows me to enjoy the process and stay connected to what I do. I don’t want Nussa to follow the rhythm of fast consumption; I want it to grow at its own pace, with coherence and meaning.
© Karlota Photo
What challenges have you faced while trying to stay true to your values?
In the Canary Islands, it can be difficult for people to truly value craftsmanship, especially with so much price-driven competition. That makes staying true to my values a constant challenge. There were moments when I gave in to what was “easy to sell,” introducing pieces that didn’t fully represent Nussa’s essence. But those experiences helped me reaffirm what I really want: to create with integrity, even if it means growing more slowly.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting Nussa?
I’ve learned that your foundation and purpose must be very solid, and that’s exactly what I’m working on. Building a strong brand means not losing direction, staying consistent, and creating with clarity. When you’re sure of your “why,” everything else falls into place.
It’s also about balance, learning to manage the artistic and business sides of the brand. I try to separate creative moments from management tasks, even though they often overlap. Balance means remembering why I started and not letting the business side overshadow the artistic one.
How do you see Nussa evolving in the next few years?
I’d like Nussa to grow organically, expanding into new products and collaborations while staying true to its artisanal essence. I dream of it becoming a space to create, learn, and connect — a place where art, design, and community come together. My ultimate goal is for Nussa to become my full-time focus. For now, I still combine it with graphic design and digital marketing projects, but I hope it will eventually become my main dedication.
How does Spanish and global culture influence your creative identity?
Culture is a constant source of inspiration for me. I feel very connected to the Mediterranean way of life, the calmness, the light, the colors. But I’m also influenced by the global mix of ideas, styles, and artistic perspectives. Seeing how other young creatives in Spain are exploring new and unconventional ways of expressing themselves motivates me to do things differently.
Nussa is born from that blend: a Mediterranean soul with a contemporary, open outlook. I hope it inspires people to see creativity as something they can live, not just consume — an experience that invites them to observe, feel, and reconnect with simplicity.
How do you define beauty?
For me, beauty lies in sensitivity, in the way something makes you feel rather than how it looks. It’s what moves you, what has soul, and what doesn’t need to be explained.
Lately, I find inspiration in small, everyday things: the sunset light, the sound of the sea, and conversations with friends. Those moments remind me why I create and what I want Nussa to stand for.
What advice would you give to other young designers who want to create with purpose?
Trust your vision, and learn about business before starting — it’ll save you many headaches. Try without fear and stay consistent. Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster; there will be tough moments, but if your motivation is genuine, you’ll always find a way to keep going.
As our conversation ends, it’s clear that Nussa is more than a brand. It’s a way of seeing. In Andrea’s hands, beauty is not a distant ideal but something that lives in gestures, textures, and emotions. Her work reminds us that inspiration doesn’t always strike from above; sometimes, it’s found in the soft light of a studio, a walk through the city, or the people who quietly shape our days.
Join the Club
Like this story? You’ll love our monthly newsletter.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.
Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.
