Interview of Anastasia Savenko

Today I'm interviewing Anastasia Savenko, a promising jewelry artist.  Here is what she had to say:

Hi Myria!

Thank you so much for your interest, I am very glad to participate in your blog

What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?

I am second year in making jewelry; it's very exciting to be in the beginning of the way, so many new experiences ahead of me.

 

What got you started?

A friend recommended me to try jewelry making. I always had an urged to draw, took different art courses, wanted to create stuff. I see carving things out of wax as a sculpture variety. Those rings and bracelets that I make out of precious metals will last well past my lifetime and it's a great feeling, I want to leave my mark behind.

 

Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why?

I can't wait to learn enameling techniques and also glass fusion. Would love to do some clay sculpture again and maybe wood carving. I enjoy working in three dimensions.

 

What are your favorite materials to use?

I love to dig into a block of jeweler's wax and bring out a piece; there is no limitation besides Physics laws. It's a very rewarding process as I see it, it takes time and skill but I enjoy the challenge. Some people prefer crafts with immediate gratification but I surprise myself when it comes to carving, since in day to day life I am not a patient person at all. Sometimes it takes several months from idea in my head to a jewelry piece one can wear.

What and/or who inspires you?

Japanese art of Meiji Period, Ancient Assyrian bas reliefs and Art Nouveau, I want to be the next Rene Lalique, not original at all.

Water fascinates me. We can see it in three different states as clouds, fluid and ice. I am yet to incorporate frozen water in my jewelry, but I definitely see it coming.

 

Do you have a Coupon Code? 

10%off for customers if they mention this blog

Website: http://anastasiasavenko.com/jewelry.html

Interview of Colleen Reynolds

Hi Myria

Thanks for replying! See my answers below. And Thank YOU for being interested. I look forward to seeing your article.

What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it? Fine art, painting. I started painting in 1992 by taking an oil painting class at The Old Torpedo Factory turned art center in Alexandria, Virginia. I was in the US Navy at the time and needed a diversion from the stress of the job. But I have been drawing for as long as I can remember.

What got you started? My mother taught art classes and always had a ton of reference materials in our home. My father also entertained "the troops" by drawing elaborate cartoon stories. The first time I remember drawing myself, I was about 7 or 8 years old. My brothers and me made a game of drawing cartoon animals. I remember especially liking the bunnies. In my teenage years I switched to horses and people, especially pretty faces of young women. I illustrated a Horse Club pamphlet when I was twelve. I had a friend in junior high and high school, Pam Hardell, who also liked to draw. We would take our sketch books to the park and draw the people and animals we saw. I think we were pretty good then. I wish I still had the sketch books.

Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why? Yes, about a million. But my budget doesn't allow it. Ha! Actually, I have begun to really admire encaustic works of art. Encaustic is painting and/or glazing with wax.

What are your favorite materials to use? I paint in oil, watercolor and acrylic. I simply cannot decide which is my favorite. They all three have their advantages and limitations. What I paint with on any given day is mood dependent. I teach watercolor classes because I like to surround myself with older (50+) ladies, and they tend to gravitate to watercolor. Plus my studio classroom is also my showroom, and watercolor is not as damaging to my studio environment as the other two media.

What and/or who inspires you? I have many inspirations. I love to people watch and I adore communing with our fellow furry, scaled and feathered inhabitants. I also enjoy investigating anything that grows in my husband's garden and/or flower pots. So I guess my theme for art is "Life in Bloom." It kind of covers all my "go to" subject matter.

The painters I study and admire are many, but briefly: I follow a blog by artist, Kathy Weber, of Rhode Island http://weberstudio.blogspot.com/. She paints in oil. I like her figurative and architectural works. I am taking a workshop this fall from LA artist, Jennifer A McChristian http://www.jennifermcchristian.com
I really admire Thomas Schaller's http://thomasschaller.com watercolor paintings as well as the exquisite flower paintings of Lian Quan Zhen http://www.lianspainting.com. My local mentor are oil painters, Melodie Williams, http://www.melodiewilliamsart.com, and Bonnie Posselli, http://www.bonnieposselli.com, of Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm still searching for an acrylic painter. I actually bought a book by a wonderful acrylic painter, but I can't find it right now, and I can't remember his name.

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/colleenrartist
Blog: http://www.colleenreynolds.com/blog
Website: http://www.colleenreynolds.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/colleencrbe
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/colleenrartist

Interview of Anthropoloca Jewelry

Today's interview is of Jessica at Anthropoloca Jewelry.  She does some very intense and beautiful necklaces using the good old fashioned macrame technique.  This is not your mother's macrame! 

I love the one with the crystal which was stolen at one of her craft shows - so if you see anyone wearing it they acquired it ILLEGALLY!!!  I give you permission to kick their butts ;-)

Here's what she had to say~

Hey Myria! Thank you so much--I am so excited to be posted on your blog!!!

I am the owner and designer of Anthropoloca Jewelry, which is a line of unique macrame, wire-worked, and crocheted pieces inspired by my extensive travels in South America.  I started learning nearly 7 years ago with a tiny macrame collar for a pet kitten, and the process continues to this day!  

I basically started to make jewelry as a way to keep travelling. I arrived in Ecuador with a 9 month ticket, and realized very quickly that wasn't going to be enough time for me to explore and travel as I wished--with plenty of time. At first, I did work exchanges and homestays, but gradually began to learn the art of macrame  and wire-working from the artisans who live, travel, and sell on the streets of South America. As I learned more and gained more confidence, I slowly began selling my wares. It eventually became the primary means I used to get through 10 different countries in the 4 years that I ended up staying.

I would love to take some classes on silver smithing and more intensive jewelling techniques that include using a torch. I feel I could expand the Anthropoloca line by leaps and bounds if I could add this element to my work! I also would love to know how to use a sewing machine--I don't have the patience to do it by hand!

I love using natural materials--seeds, stones, bones, teeth, shells, fossils,feathers--my travels allowed me to see so many amazing places and realize how many inspiring and beautiful materials mother nature provides as a source of inspiration. I am constantly on the lookout for the next little treasure that will become my next piece. That said, my favorite macrame thread is the  Brazilian polyester waxed thread by Setta--its amazing. It comes in every color imaginable, is resilient, color fast, and allows one to play endlessly with design and form. I do occasionally use natural fibers such as linen and hemp for my macrame, but Setta is truly my favorite. I also love using recycled leather and copper (I often can be found stripping the outer plastic off of wires I've found!)--both of which have a great funky element to them.

Mother nature--I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't see something that gives me an idea or inspiration--whether its an incredible sunset that paints the sky or a solitary red berry standing out on a bush--I always remember that there is no color man has created that does not exist in nature.And of course, so many amazing artisans that I met along the way, who inspired me and continue to do so to this day--Martin and Ugne are incredible--their use of color is impeccable,as are their designs--www.arumidesign.etsy.com and Nicole and Gerardo, two dear friends who crossed my path many a time down south--their work is as beautiful as it is original : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elquino-Artefacto-Jewelry-Art/161105407250637

Check out my websites:
http://anthropolocajewelry.com
http://facebook.com/anthropolocajewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/anthropoloca

Thank you loyal readers for supporting the handmade world!
<3 Myria

Interview of Lindsay Lein

I have another fabulous interview for you dear readers.  You're going to <3 her work because I know I do!  Meet Lindsay Lein ~

She says~

What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?
I design and make jewelry. I have been doing it for as long as I can remember, probably since I was about seven years old.

What got you started?
My ex-stepfather worked for the phone company and had a van full of wires that were every color of the rainbow. I loved to mix and match the wires, twisting and tying them into different designs. Then in grade school macrame friendship bracelets were all the rage and I sold my first pieces to classmates.

Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why?
Quilting. I have always admired quilters and have thought about taking that up as a hobby but I know it gets really expensive and every quilt is a time-consuming project....I don't know if I have enough patience or money for that!

What are your favorite materials to use?
I love vintage crystal buttons and costume jewelry from the 40s and 50s that I can take apart and refashion. I also love wire, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, brass filigree, and pearls of all varieties whether real or faux.

What and/or who inspires you?
Etsy artists really inspire me as do all the creative gals I work with at a beading/jewelry craft store. I also love browsing flea markets and antique shops for interesting pieces that spark my imagination.

Etsy Shop: www.lindsaylein.etsy.com
Blog: midwesthandmade.wordpress.com (under construction)
Facebook: Lindsay Lein

I hope you enjoyed this week's interview and stay tuned for more artists and crafts people that I consider to be a cut above.

<3 Myria

Interview of Shanis Jewellery

Once again I have discovered another awesome artist.  I love her chic and simple use of lace in her jewelry!  I think you will agree that this is haute couture :-)

Shani says - Thank you for this nice opportunity.

Q.  What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?
A.  I create silver jewellery with semiprecious stones, sometimes combining them
with other materials like leather and lace. My designs can be romantic, mystic
or very clean and can fit people with different styles. I make custom designed
pieces from other metals as well. I love working on custom designs and involve
clients in design process. From time to time I also give jewellery making
courses in my studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Q.  What got you started?
A.  It's started with a lost earring. I have borrowed a pair of silver earrings from
my friend and one got lost. I couldn't find the same in any shop and decided to
make a new one by myself. Fortunately it was just a simple wire work. I went to
a local jewellery suppliers shop where I was amazed by variety of stones, silver
details, chains and interesting tools.
I made the earring and gave it back to my friend admitting that it was made by
me. She was very impressed and asked me to make a matching necklace for her.
That's how I discovered this profession.

Q.  Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If
so, why?
A.  I really would like to try some crochet and engraving. I like ornaments and I
think these two techniques can add an extra esthetic value to my designs.

Q.  What are your favorite materials to use?
A.  It really depends on the project. I usually start with an idea
and carefully choose materials that fit my concept and design. I like to
experiment with non-traditional materials. For example, I dip lace in
transparent rubber and create "Lace stones" for setting.

Q.  What and/or who inspires you?
A.  I often visit jewellery exhibitions and trade shows. There you can always meet
new designers and get updated in jewellery trends, technologies and stones. This
summer I went to very inspiring Jewellery week in London.

Q.  Do you have a Coupon Code for your Etsy Shop and/or website?
A.  Yes, I have a Coupon Code with 15% discount. This the code 519427SJ. I have also
free basic shipping.




Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/shanidesign
Website: http://www.shanisjewellery.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shani-Jewellery-Design/282435467250
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ShaniJewelry

Interview of Made of Carpet

It's interview day!  Irina with Made of Carpet has introduced me to her WONDERFUL carpet bags.  These are literally made out of rugs!  For those of you who know me personally know that I am a purse-a-holic, so hopefully I will be able to use the wonderful discount that Irina has given us for a new bag :-)

NOTE to readers:  Irina is giving away a 50-pound Gift Certificate to one lucky person!  Comment below to enter the drawing.

Q.  What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?

A.  I design and completely supervise manufacturing of large Victorian vintage-style tote Carpet bags.

Because my bags are made not from a velvet- or velour-kind fabric or thin tapestry, but from real thick piled Oriental rugs that originally have been made to be used for their intended purpose, I had to adapt and update 150-years old Victorian technology of Carpet bags craft to be used today. It probably seems pretty simple but in reality there are plenty of tricks and pitfalls.

Rugs are also made especially for my purposes – they do not have anti-slippery cover but have couple of other special features (if I tell you which, I would have to kill you. Just kidding! J ), but it took nearly 8 months to figure out first of all what type of modern rugs will do the job and then find right adequate supplier. Considering that all my bags and materials they are made of manufactured in European Union and this was one of my main intentions (can you imagine Victorian-style bags, made in China? Ha-ha!), it was not easy.

I am not actually big fun of handmade products (except Savile Row level of quality, of course) that is why my bags are of the highest manufacturing quality standard.

The collection is very new – it is only 3.5 months old.

Q.  What got you started?

A.  Bags are my big (no, HUGE!) passion and I always wanted to create them, but I never had time and appropriate conditions - been a gipsy somewhere deep in my soul, I lived in six countries on three continents, until finally settled on our little rainy island, widely known as Great Britain. It was quite far back – one husband ago – but only now I managed to get deep enough to create a brand.

As to particular Carpet bags, besides they are beautiful and very pleasant to touch, I also don't have much (if any at all) competitors.

Q.  Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why?

A.  Honestly? NO! I've spent 17 years as a Graphic Designer for print (and still do it yet) to be able to pay my living. Enough! No more client's amateur tests and filthy "visions".

I love bags, especially fuzzy ones. I have an idea of bags made of fringe, but it will be next level of my business and most probably different brand.

Q.  What are your favorite materials to use?

A.  Carpet so far.

Q.  What and/or who inspires you? 
A.  An inspiration mainly came from the Victorian Era's fashion and art. Here in Britain, even today, we experience a huge influence of that past – bridges and furniture, architecture and patterns... all come from there. Not to mention the achievements of [industry] of that time.

Then my inspiration was replenished with the impression of such charismatic literature characters as Mary Poppins and Miss Marple.

And finally the elegance and romance of the key style icons of the sixties, such as for example Jacquie O, to complete the picture.

Q.  Do you have a Coupon Code for your website?

A.  Yes I do! I have Voucher code line on Basket page of my online store http://www.madeofcarpet.com/

Coupons:

The codes vary and right now, till end of July we have summer birdie discount for 20 British Pounds (approximately 30 USD), code is MoC-Sum11.

Free delivery – 30 British Pounds. Code will be created tonight and will be Myria-BBA  This code will be valid till the end of August.

Website: www.madeofcarpet.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-of-Carpet/125411940872079?sk=wall
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&me=A2RBFI5PY6LZZ8

 As I mentioned before - Irina is giving away a 50-pound Gift Certificate to one lucky person! 

Comment below +1 entry

Share on Facebook +1 entry

Share on Twitter +1 entry

Purchase from Made of Carpet +5 entries

Purchase from Beloved Bijou +5 entries

Good luck! <3

Myria