To be honest, it changed like the wind over the years. According to my mother's memories, at one point I wanted to be a teacher, at another I dreamed of being the director of a sewing factory. Fabrics have always been my passion. Since childhood, I took tights and made something unusual out of them, creating different models of clothes. And today it is interesting for me to wander around fabric stores, choose those that make me excited, and then realize my ideas. For me it is not just a hobby, but a form of art therapy, which brings me joy and allows me to express myself.
When have you started creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?
When I was a teenager I broke my leg and had to stay home-schooled. I got through the school program pretty quickly, and the rest of the time I did some creative work. Then it was decided to stay on that kind of education. I graduated from high school by extership. I didn’t go to classes, I studied at home and pass only exams. It allowed me to choose want a really want and devoted all my free time to artistic delelopment. At the age of 14 I enrolled in the computer academy in department of graphics and design to realize my creative impules. It was really amazing. I had the opportunity to get the nessessary skills for me to be creativity free. After 3 years of traning, I realized that I want something more. I didn’t want to tie my life directly to computers and graphic design. I wanted something more complex and physical, so that I can feel and touch the results of my work.
I have always been obsessed with jewellery and My mom shared this love with me and we chose together the most interesting, unusual and unique jewelry for each auther. I even choose 3d jewelry models of Act deco style as the topic of my tesis project for the computer academy. Ever since I learned how to make handcrafted jewelry, my mom has been my main customer and biggest fan. I use our family gems, inherited from my grandmother, and give them new life in the form of new jewelry for my mom-. And she wears them with the great pleasure. And I thought why not to try my hands at something so interesting and mysterious like a making jewelry. So at the age of 17 I ented the jewelry academy. My skills in computer graphics have brought me one step closer to jewelry making. I combined my studying at the jewelry academy with my work as a jewelry 3d designer.
The academy gave me a more general idea of production, but I wanted to go deeper and deeper into the heart of the matter. And luckily I found a man, found my master, his name was Dimerly Alexander, he raised me as a jeweler, instilled in me his philosophy of life, taught me to think outside the box and find ways to solve problems. And he was a great jeweler and a true master of his craft. He could tell by eye the weight of pieces and stones. Unfortunately, he is no longer alive, and I miss him very much. I listen to his advice and in difficult situations mentally consult with him. He was also obsessed with his work. I am very grateful to him and glad to have been apprenticed to such a great master.
What was your first project or significant piece for you and from what point of view?
My most significant moment in the world of jewelry art was connected with my first sale. Before that, I had considered my creative endeavors more of a hobby, as I worked as a designer in one of the companies. I was posting my student works on my Instagram page, and one day I was contacted by a girl who was interested in one of my rings. It was a nice surprise as I didn't expect someone to like my jewelry so much.
The girl bought the ring and I sent it by courier, anxiously thinking about the size and whether she would like it. When she received the order, she was delighted and showered me with compliments and photos of the ring. From that moment on, I started to get regular orders. I started participating in exhibitions and realized that people sincerely liked my jewelry and showed interest in it.
This experience inspired me to take a more serious step. I left my job as a designer and started on my own path as a jewelry artist.
How do you charge your batteries? What other passions and creative interests do you have?
I recharge my creative batteries with a constant cycle of experimentation and learning. For me, life thrives when it is filled with exploration and creating new things. I engage in a variety of creative endeavors, including creating metalwork, working with mirrors, and expressing myself through painting. The process of creative videography and photography and the mesmerizing results it produces never ceases to inspire me.
While honing my fundamental skills in jewelry making, I began a constant search for different techniques and artistic aspects. I immersed myself in the world of hot enameling, studied metal clay, and engaged in the appraisal and evaluation of semi-precious stones. Just last year I started my journey into gemstone cutting and intend to delve deeper into it in the future.
Each type of material has its own distinctive properties and my journey with them is a never-ending story of experimentation and inspiration. In addition, outdoor recreation plays an important role in the development of my creative spirit. The further I get away from the hustle and bustle of civilization and the skyscrapers of big cities, the easier it is for me to reconnect with my inner self and recharge my creative energy. Traveling and getting new impressions make a significant contribution to this.
What does the connection between manufacturing tradition and contemporary design mean to you?
Traditional manufacturing has for many years created a solid foundation from which we can draw inspiration. Without it, there would be no modern jewelry art. The chemical and physical processes on our planet remain unchanged, and understanding their essence, as well as mastering the skills of traditional manufacturing, opens up a wide range of creative possibilities.
The diversity of contemporary art thrives solely due to tradition. It is therefore a unified and living organism; without the past and a solid foundation, there is no future and no development.
Which material have you not yet used is a temptation and a challenge for you?
Oh, there are so many materials that I find tempting and challenging, but one of the most coveted is porcelain. I plan to take a course next year. For years now I have been looking forward to this material.
How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?
During the pandemic, I set up a workshop at home and eventually closed my workshop in the city. Surprisingly, working from home turned out to be much more enjoyable and productive for me. At this time I also switched from mass production of jewelry to custom orders and began to actively experiment with design.
