Our Story: Faith, Family, and Handmade Jewelry
At AKTUAL we believe that every jewel holds a soul.
Not only because it is handmade, piece by piece, with care and dedication, but because behind each creation there is a story, an origin, a family and a faith that sustains us.
Our story begins in Barquisimeto, Venezuela , a city full of music, tradition, and crafts. There we grew up, Katy and María Isabel , two dreamy sisters, daughters of a seamstress mother who, with needle and thread, taught us the value of details, and of a tirelessly entrepreneurial father who instilled in us a passion for creating and never giving up.
We are a large family of nine siblings, deeply close-knit, with nephews and nieces who are also part of this journey and this shared dream. Their support has been, and continues to be, a fundamental pillar.
Life took us down different paths: we both studied journalism, but while Katy dedicated herself to pastry, María Isabel found her deepest calling in handcrafted jewelry. And although they seemed like different routes, we always knew there was something bigger we wanted to build together: a project with purpose, faith, and made with our own hands.
With immense enthusiasm and a deep faith in God, we opened our first workshop in Madrid, at Calle Fomento 6 , very close to the Royal Palace. A small space, but full of light and energy, where what is now AKTUAL began to take shape: a handcrafted jewelry brand that not only creates unique pieces, but also shares experiences, classes, and workshops so that others can discover the power of creating with their own hands.
Time confirmed that this was our path.
Three years later, we opened a second workshop in the Retiro district, at 20 Menorca Street , a charming place that became a meeting point for neighbors, visitors, and craft enthusiasts. There we experienced wonderful moments, met people from all over the world, and confirmed that a piece of jewelry can also be an unforgettable memory.
On December 31, 2025, we closed our Menorca 20 store, grateful for everything we experienced and learned. Like everything in life, it was a stage that fulfilled its purpose and helped us grow.
Today, AKTUAL continues with more strength, clarity, and truth , with Katy and María Isabel together in our workshop at 6 Fomento Street , surrounded by handmade jewelry, artisan workshops, community, and great energy. A vibrant place where we continue creating, teaching, and sharing from the heart.
Along this journey, we've also received unexpected gifts. Our workshop at Fomento 6 was featured in the series "La Encrucijada," broadcast by Antena 3. There, the protagonist, a handcrafted jeweler, worked surrounded by our pieces, in the very space where we create and teach every day. It was a source of immense gratitude and pride.
Behind every step we take is our faith in God and the protection of the Virgin Mary , who accompanies us in moments of both uncertainty and celebration. We firmly believe that nothing we have built would be possible without that spiritual guidance and the strength of feeling supported by something greater than ourselves.
Today, AKTUAL is not just a brand of handcrafted jewelry .
It's a story of love for our craft, of faith, of family, and of community. Every piece we create carries a piece of our roots and our dedication. Every person who chooses us becomes part of this family.
If you come to our workshop in Madrid, you will discover that you are not just entering a shop, but a living space, where creativity is in the air, where you can learn, converse, treat yourself to a moment and take home much more than a jewel: an experience that connects with the soul .
Because for us, AKTUAL is that:
a reminder that what is authentic, what is made with heart, always endures.
💛 Thank you for joining us, for supporting us, and for believing in small projects with a big purpose.
📍 Visit us at:
– Calle Fomento 6 · Palacio Real · Madrid
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @aktualaccesorios