(CLICK on item's title to learn more about this lovely piece!)
WELCOME, Valeria and her Etsy shop, VALERIA BEADS. Valeria has some very beautiful, intricate designs in her shop, so be sure to pay it a visit after reading her interview below. Great pricing on these intricate designs!
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I was born in USSR in Kazakhstan. we did not have books about crafts, no computer to see how big is the world. My mom was always busy with something, crochet or knitting or macrame, sewing, so we learned that from her, but it was not enough. We learned how to do needle work and some construction work from my papa. I grew up and learned more hobbies. my main interest now is beading.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
When I was 8, I had a string of dark blue beads and wanted to have treasure box. Me and my sister made a box from post cards! We would put lots of junk inside and on the top that blue string of little beads imagining that the box is filled with treasures. For years we were keeping those beads stringing them on 1 or 2 threads. we did not know what else to do with it. It is why I like weaving beads now, as it was something I did not learn when I was a kid.
CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
Complicated things! I could string nice beads, add a clasp to it or put a charm on chain and call it jewelry, but it is boring. About everybody else can do it, but not every jewelry person can weave little tiny beads together and get an art, get them to bloom, turning them into flowers, feathers, almost anything!
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I like to do blooms of both as with seed beads it is possible. but I am probably fruit as they are higher from the ground usually!
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Cross stitch. I started needle work when I was in kindergarten. we would stitch a little napkin every birthday for my grandma. I never saw her use them. She is no longer with us, but once when I was making order in her house, I opened one drawer and found all ofr our little presents to her. I cried. I did not know she dearly kept them all as she was a very strict woman who was not spoiling us. I do cross stitch sometimes, but not get patterns from the store or web. I like to do something only mine. so I am making portraits by designing patterns. It takes about 6 months for one, but I love to see how colorful threads are becoming something beautiful.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
I want people to be noticeable by wearing something different.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
I am not doing it for profit, I am doing it for joy!
THANKS, Valeria, for sharing your truly lovely designs with everyone, and for such a delightful, informative interview. It is fun to know more about you and what motivates you.
Click on any of the photos below to go directly to that item in Valeria's shop or click on her shop's name below the photos. You can also learn more about Valeria and her designs by visiting her blog.
