Interview with September Challenge Winner Nina Savova of NinaSavovaArt

Nina Savova is the winner of the September Challenge 'Our Wonderful World'. We asked her to tell us a bit about herself.

See all the beautiful original submissions!

Check out Nina's Shop

Hello Ms. Savova,

Congratulations on your winning entry for the September challenge, Ledenica Cave. It is a beautiful vision of Our Wonderful World.

Where in Bulgaria are you from, and is that where you currently live?
Is there a someplace you would like to visit or even live some day?

I live in Sofia, Bulgaria.
There are many beautiful places in the world, but I'm fine at home.

Do you have a background in the arts?
What type of work do you do for a living?

I was an expert in telecommunications, but now I'm retired.

How long have you been working with beads?
What is your favorite technique?

I have worked with beads since 2011.
I love all bead techniques.



Your piece, Ledenika Cave, is lovely. I see it is inspired by a famous place in Bulgaria. The center stone evokes images of a pool of water deep in a cave. Can you tell us a little more about the place, and perhaps more about the materials in your necklace?

Ledenika Cave is just one of the many beautiful places in Bulgaria. Come and see them!
The semiprecious stone in the necklace is agate. Agate is my favorite stone; it is always different and always beautiful.

Are there any beaders you admire?
Which artists or bead workers do you feel have had an influence on your beadwork?

I have learned from all the known masters. I try to have my own style. I would like people to recognize me when they see my work, but it is slow. I hope I have time for that.

-Interview by Patti Parker

June 2016 'Cats' Challenge Results

Congratulations to the winner of both the team and public votes for the second challenge in a row, SunShine Sturtz!

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TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

Black Cat Silhouette Pendant- OfYourLove - 11 votes (23.9%)

Cat in the Handbag - STARARTjewelry – 6 votes (13%)
 

Tiger necklace – AnnaCohen – 5 votes (10.9%)

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PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:
 

Black Cat Silhouette Pendant – OfYourLove – 30 votes (21.6%)
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Black Cats Bracelet – Daidija – 29 votes (20.9%)
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Tiger necklace – AnnaCohen – 19 votes (13.7%)


Well done to the winners and all who participated and thanks to everyone who voted!

Interview with April Challenge 'Pompeii' Second Place Winner Edita Kricenaite of RebelSoulEK

  

See all the beautiful original submissions!

 Make sure to also visit these links!

Edita Kricenaite’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RebelSoulEk

Edita 's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelsoulEk

Edita’s Website:  http://www.rebelsoulek.com/

Hello Edita,My name is Patti, interviewing you on behalf of the Etsy Beadweaver Team. Your Lava neckpiece is a wonderful mix of freeform and bead embroidery and a lovely interpretation of the theme. How do you design your pieces, do you draw them out first or just follow where the beads lead you?

Thank you for your nice words. I don't always use the same scheme. Sometimes I see my future works on dreams, sometimes I get a complete image in my mind and cant forget it till realization, sometimes I take interesting material in my hands and simply allow the flow of brainstorming, like a visionary I let the same material to tell its own story :).
I don't always do sketches, but noticed with the sketches I make fewer mistakes, less jewelries needs to be repaired. However work "on a flow" brings me much more fun and more unexpected decision. I can say that the method of creation is dictated by my mood.

Who is your favorite artist or bead artist, and why?

My favorite bead artist is Guzel Bakeeva (GBD). Her works are romantic and bold, modern but at the same time has that antique taste, and all of them are very artistic, original and unusual. Her shapes and color palettes are simply amazing. As I look at her works I feel that energy of maximum creative potentiality! I wish people looking at my work in similar way.

What are your favorite styles or stitches in beading, and your favorite materials to use?

My favorite style I can call "guns'n'roses". I mean I like romantic, slightly medieval style mixed with modern drama, freedom and a little drop of aggression. I don't like than my work seems to be too sweet. I love contrasts. Every time I seek to impress myself.
I usually choose bead embroidery, but also like bead weaving stitches (mostly herringbone or peyote). It’s hard to choose favorite materials, I like to use something new and something very shiny. I also like natural materials such as wood, semi-precious stones, copper, brass...

Do you listen to music or watch movies while you work on your beading?

I frequently watch movies, TV shows or listening to educational lectures. Very often my laptop is my worktable, and it is constantly covered with seed beads...

Is there a technique you are looking forward to learning more about?

I would like to insert more bead weaving element to my works. I think the most beautiful are mix technique works. For now I mostly use bead embroidery, because it is a less time consuming technique than bead weaving.

What do you like best about working with beads? What do you like least?

The most fascinating thing about beads is how very small seed beads can make a large object. Order out of chaos;). I also like to play with colors. Working with seed bead calms me, teaches patience, sometimes I feel when my mind falls into a trance. I love that state of being here and now. 
I like least ... when my embroidery thread ends! Each time this fact irritates me!!! I know it is stupid :D. I also hate when some very expensive beads accidentally spill on the floor... Well you know that feeling ...


What led you to working with beads? Do you have an arts background or training?

In Lithuania (my birthplace), we have a proverb, "The apple does not fall far from the tree." Meaning: Children Observe daily and - in Their Behavior - often follow the example of Their Parents. My mother embroiders pictures with seed beads. Previously I made fun of her hobby. It seemed a useless occupation and a waste of time. Then my own life turned so that I fallen in love with this hobby too.
After studies at Academy of Fine Arts (Bachelor of Architecture) I moved to another country (Italy). There I lived for a few years without a job and friends. At first I had to learn new foreign language, to make tons of new documents and adapt to the new way of life. It was a very difficult time for me with a lot of free (and boring) time! Then suddenly I found Bead weaving online courses and enrolled there. It changed my life. So far, my course teacher Vitalija Velyviene became one of my best friend and counselor in seed beads (and my own) life.

Italy is a beautiful country, and offers much to inspire, such as Pompeii. Is there another country you desire to visit, and why?

If only I could my entire life to dedicate to the trips and exploration of this world! Currently, I wish the most to see India, Japan and Australia. I like to travel to completely different environment where everything seems like a dream. I like to experience culture shock, because it makes me feel like a child, where the whole world is undiscovered miracle and full of opportunities! Such an inspiring feeling!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the EBW community?

I wish all members good luck, inspiration and lots of sales. 
I wish this lovely activity becomes the main job to every of them.
I wish each of them could unfold their uniqueness, sense of love and beauty. 
I believe our creativity could make this world a better place! So keep calm and don't stop beading :* .

Thank you so much. It is nice to learn about you and your methodology. I can't wait to see more of your bead work. Good luck with all your future endeavors.

November 2015 Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the November 2015 "Landscape" Challenge!

Team Vote Winner

Blog Vote Winner

TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

1st place:

Ontonagon Sunset by savoystudio - 14 votes (40%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254531352/ontonagon-sunset

2nd place:
Van Dusen Botanical Garden Cuff by AngelqueCreations - 8 votes (23%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254517226/van-dusen-botanical-garden-bead

3rd place:

Caesarea Port by zviagil - 7 votes (20%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254208104/caesarea-port-landscape-ebwc-november


BLOG VOTE RESULTS:

Total Votes Cast: 147

1st place:
Van Dusen Botanical Garden Cuff by AngelqueCreations - 37 votes (25%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254517226/van-dusen-botanical-garden-bead

2nd place:

Beaded Necklace by BeautyGlamourLuba - 31 votes (21%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/252393810/beaded-necklace-bead-woven-necklace

3rd place:
Ontonagon Sunset by savoystudio - 27 votes (18%)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/254531352/ontonagon-sunset

Well done to the winners and all who participated and thanks to everyone who voted!

October 2015 Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the October 2015 Challenge "Abstract Painting":

Team Vote Winner

Abstract Folded Beadwoven Bangle

by Sarah Cryer from SarahCryerBeadwork

Public Vote Winner

Meadow of Wildflowers Necklace

by Sharayah Sheldon from 4uidzne

TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

1st place:
Abstract Folded Bangle by SarahCryerBeadwork - 14 votes (21%)

2nd place:
Meadow of Wildflowers Necklace by 4uidzne - 11 votes (16%)

Joint 3rd place:
Sunset Brooch by beadn4fun - 10 votes (15%)
Freeform Black Onyx Bracelet by BenitaStyleBG - 10 votes (15%)

PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:

Total Votes Cast: 287

1st place:
Meadow of Wildflowers Necklace by 4uidzne - 111 votes (39%)

2nd place:
Hanging "Wet Sun" Necklace by HumdrumAuguries - 54 votes (19%)

3rd place:
Freeform Black Onyx Bracelet by BenitaStyleBG - 46 votes (16%)


Well done to all who participated and congratulations once more to the winners!  A big "thank you" to everyone who voted, stay tuned for our next Challenge "Landscape".

Winners of the Etsy Beadweavers September Challenge

Congratulations to the winners of the September Challenge "Black, White, and One"!

Team Vote Winner

Beaded Vase

by Lisa Savoy from savoystudio

Public Vote Winner

CRIMSON TIDE

by Sharayah Sheldon from 4uidzne

TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

1st place:
Beaded Vase by savoystudio – 12 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246513873/ebwc-black-and-white-beaded-vase


2nd place:
Bow-Tie Necklace by BeautyGlamourLuba – 10 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246905302/beaded-necklace-bead-woven


3rd place:
CRIMSON TIDE by 4uidzne – 9 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/245742522/crimson-tide-textured-bead-embroidered

Bracelet Cuff Busting Out by BlingJewelryDesigns – 9 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246853169/bracelet-cuff-busting-out


4th place:
Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet by EsmeraldasStudio– 6 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/245247850/black-and-white-plus-one-bead


5th place:
TRIBANGLE by KrisDesignFSP – 4 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246376238/tribangle




PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:

Total Votes Cast: 449


1st place:
CRIMSON TIDE by 4uidzne – 83 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/245742522/crimson-tide-textured-bead-embroidered


2nd place:
Plaid Beaded Necktie – DereDereJewellery – 79 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/245534715/plaid-beaded-necktie

Imperfect Balance – tattooedraven – 79 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246574573/black-white-and-one-etsy-beadweaver


3rd place:
Bow-Tie Necklace – BeautyGlamourLuba – 36 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246905302/beaded-necklace-bead-woven


4th place:
Paint the Roses – luskstudio – 33 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246205914/paint-the-roses-etsy-beadweavers-sept


5th place:
Art Deco Style Necklace – Svetush – 27 votes
https://www.etsy.com/listing/246949440/ebwc-black-white-and-gray-necklace-art

Well done to all who took part in this Challenge, congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who voted!

August 2015 Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the August Challenge "Lost Civilizations"!

Team Winner:

The Mayan Bracelet

by Laurie Moravec from WearableArtByLaurie

Public Vote Winner:

ICARUS Taking Flight

by Sharayah Sheldon from 4uidzne

TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

1st place:  

The Mayan Bracelet by Laurie Morovac from WearableArtByLaurie - 30 votes (38%)

2nd place: 

Mythical Land Atlantis Set by Lea Paličková from LeelaBeads - 10 votes (13%)

ICARUS Taking Flight by Sharayah Sheldon from 4uidzne - 10 votes (13%)

3rd place: 

Byzantine Cross Set by Mariya Zhalnina from BeadCatcher - 7 votes (9%)

PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:

1st place:

ICARUS Taking Flight by Sharayah Sheldon from 4uidzne - 113 votes (42%)

2nd place:

The Mayan Bracelet by Laurie Morovac from WearableArtByLaurie - 105 votes (39%)

3rd place:

Mythical Land Atlantis Set by Lea Paličková from LeelaBeads - 15 votes (6%)

Congratulations to the winners and well done to all who participated!

July 2015 Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the winner of both the team and public votes: Kris Empting-Obenland from KrisDesignFSP!

PUBLIC VOTE RESULTS:

Total Votes Cast: 157

1st place: FASSADE bracelet - KrisDesignFSP (46 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239290785/fassade-cuff

2nd place: Mini Greek Temple Keepsake Box - FrancescasFancy (25 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239160134/mini-greek-temple-keepsake-box-beaded

3rd place: Ode to a Pink Palace of India - Beadditz (20 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239011204/ode-to-a-pink-palace-of-india



TEAM VOTE RESULTS:

1st place: FASSADE bracelet - KrisDesignFSP (24 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239290785/fassade-cuff

2nd place: Mini Greek Temple Keepsake Box - FrancescasFancy (21 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239160134/mini-greek-temple-keepsake-box-beaded

3rd place: Ode to a Pink Palace of India - Beadditz (10 votes)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239011204/ode-to-a-pink-palace-of-india



Congratulations and well done to all!


Thanks to all our team members who participated in the July 2015 Challenge and to everyone who voted.  Our next challenge is "Lost Civilizations".