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Ballerina
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2010 featuring Crystal
Finalist |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
I live in Tallinn, which is the capital of Estonia. Estonia is a state in the Baltic Region of Northern Europe.
Describe your artistic style.
My nature is a romantic dreamer who is delighted by the light and examines the minor details.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by fairytales, ethereal fabrics and the shine of lights. My creations are born of self-expression inspired by the surroundings and the quest to create something that is beautiful to our soul.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
My favorites are transparent fabric and pearls and close to my heart are different hand embroidery and beading techniques.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Ballerina Necklace
What inspired this design?
Ballerina necklace is inspired by the ballerinas' graceful movements and ethereal tutus.
How did it come together?
As a child I dreamed about the ballet and beautiful ballerina dresses. I desired to become a ballerina but I lived in the countryside, there were no opportunities to dance and train.
Years later I could see and touch the ballet costumes of Estonian National Opera. They were so gorgeous.
Sparkling crystals, creamy freshwater pearls and ethereal ivory tulle made it possible to create this dreamy Ballerina necklace. It all came together, natural and free.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
My mother said when I was about 3 years old I liked to sit and string the buttons onto thread. I have always created something--drawings, crochet, cross stitch embroidery etc.
But I began beading about 3 years ago.
Who introduced you to beading?
As a grown-up, many years later, I started to study at Estonian Academy of Arts, Department of Fashion. One of my lectors reminded me of my embroidery interest from my childhood and I began again to embroider. I discovered the beading world.
Do you have an artistic background?
From 2006 to 2010 I have studied fashion stylistics at Estonian Academy of Arts, Department of Fashion. And now I mostly practice beading.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
I discovered Fire and Mountain Gems and Beads through the Internet when I was looking for some beads. Their huge bead assortment caught my attention.
What other hobbies do you have?
I like reading, cappuccino and chocolate, nature walks, the first snow and my family. I like pets, too. I have a lovely cat Siigo, he's mostly black with white chest and paws.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
I am a member of Hand Embroidery Network (http://handembroidery.ning.com/).
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
At the moment, jewelry-making and embroidery are my hobbies but they are playing a very important role in my life. In the future I would like to make it my profession. When I am creating something I get mostly relaxed, joyful and satisfied emotions. It's like a good dependence for me.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
This year I entered into the Hand and Lock Embroidery Contest with more than 400 participants from 19 different countries. I became a finalist in the Student Category with my work.
I have made jewelry mostly for gifts. But now I am working with my new collection and I hope to sell it successfully. I have a website http://www.hot.ee/liinatooming.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
Not yet. I am in the very beginning of my beading career. But I have thought that I would like to teach the children from the countryside hand embroidery and beading because they have so few opportunities to do something interesting in their free time. I, myself, grew up in the countryside and I know how important organized, instructive and inspiring leisure time activities can be, because as a child I very much missed them.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Practice is the best teacher and keep trying even when everything fails in the beginning. Have new ideas, experiment and try them out. And pay great attention to your design's quality, because it represents you and your creations. |
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