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Dreams of Spring |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Kharkov, Ukraine
Describe your artistic style.
I make beadwork with seed beads, gemstones and glass beads, sea shells and pearls. I like to do designs with flowers, leaves and other nature details. And I like to do national Ukrainian necklace--gardens on the loom. Also I make little souvenirs--Easter eggs, small toys and baskets with flowers.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Certainly, nature the best inspirer. Flowers, trees, clouds, snow and rain, sea waves, colors of the sky and a star--an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Often acquaintances to people, books which you will read, works of art, painting and music clear up desire to make something reflecting your impression of it.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
First of all it is seed beads--a remarkable material, allowing embodying daring ideas. I prefer the Czech and Japanese seed beads and I receive a lot of pleasure working with them. Gemstones are perfectly combined with seed beads and expand possibilities for creativity. And different beads from glass, a tree, shell, metal--even simply to have them in hand, anticipating the future beadwork with these beads, it is great pleasure.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Dreams of Spring
What inspired this design?
The first flowers dismissed on the earth which wasn't completely released from the last ice yet.
How did it come together?
This beadwork is executed in freeform style. I initially had no plan or sketch. At first I made pink flowers, as though ice pieces have stiffened. I braided some cabochons and the crystals resembling thawing slices of ice. Then, I connected parts in any order, and added to the necklace fluorite beads resembling last year's berries under snow.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
It was in 1992. I saw a necklace on a girl made of seed beads and wanted to have it. I had to study in a book as to how to do it. And I was so fond, that since then, I am engaged in beading.
Who introduced you to beading?
I studied beading in books. The first book, I studied, was by a known Ukrainian artist Angelisa Litvinets. And when there was Internet, I began to search for the information about beading on the Internet.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
For the first time my friend Tatiana van Iten told me about it. She participated in Fire Mountain Gems Contest and has written to me about her beadwork and this content.
What other hobbies do you have?
I like to draw, to do souvenirs in Russian and Ukrainian national crafts style and to knit.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Yes, I am a member of the International Association of designers "Art-Biser"
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Beading is my work, my business, my full-time career, my hobby, my leisure. This is business of all my life.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
Yes, I have a web site http://www.beads.com.ua/. I participate in exhibitions in Ukraine, Russia, Belarussia, the USA, Canada. Often I participate in the international competitions, recently as the judge.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I am very proud of the participation in the charitable project "Alice in Wonderland." I very much like to do volume flowers and did for this project roses, hand bells, green leaves.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
The seed beads, are only a material, though also very beautiful. Technicians of beading are only means, though they should be improved constantly. The main thing is that you want to express by your beadwork, about what to tell to the world, what mood to transfer. If you have what to tell, you can create the present masterpieces in beading. |
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