Silver pendant Hedgehog in the Fog, on the eponymous Soviet cartoon

Talented Russian silversmith and jeweler, Irina Velikanova lives and creates her artful jewellery in the city of Penza. Irina is truly an artist, some of her pendants, brooches and earrings are inspired by two great masters – Salvador Dali and Gustav Klimt. Delicate, detailed elephant on long movable legs (brooch, earrings, pendant and figurine) is probably the most commented item. Some people even believe that the elephant made by Jeweler Irina Velikanova is much more interesting than the elephant made by jeweler Salvador Dali. That awkward moment when the copy is better than the original. The sphere of interests and hobbies of Irina Velikanova includes wire work, batik, felting, embroidery, knitting, quilting and patchwork, dolls and toys, molding, casting, macrame, papier-mache, painting, scrap-booking, photography, sewing.
More »

Brooch toy Elephant with baby elephant by Carolee coated gold color, and crystal

“Seven elephants of happiness” – popular during the XX century in Europe (in the narrow-minded and petty-bourgeois environment) set of decreases from the first to the seventh sculptures of elephants. But as time passed, the era has changed, and Elephant jewellery kaleidoscope again have appeared at flea markets and antique shops. They once again put in a prominent place, often without thinking, just out of habit. Seven elephants symbolize comfort, reliability and a homey atmosphere. From the Indians began the custom of giving Seven elephants of happiness – figurines made of bone, wood or other material. Legend says that childless women come to the elephants, asking them for help to have a heir.
More »

Chinese hair style through centuries

People decorated, decorate and will always adorn themselves. Even historical (archaeological) excavations show that in the most distant times people lacked of the desire and effort to create and wear jewelry. And in the vast majority of cultures, jewelry worn by people were not just something nice. The desire of people to create a system of symbols, signs was very high. It’s all helped to distinguish between tribal affiliation, religious customs, marital status, cultural practices of each other.
Chinese culture – one of the oldest cultures, which managed to preserve its history. At all times, these people considered hair care, their symbolic value to be very important. The way they trimmed and combed hair demonstrated the civil or social status, religion or profession. Negligence, untidy hair was considered a sign of illness or depression.
More »

Sakura in the wind. Feng Shui trees by Oksana Solovieva

Sakura in the wind. Made of beads, copper wire, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish. Sakura, or Japanese Cherry tree is a symbol of youth and beauty. It symbolizes good luck and prosperity, longevity of joy and peace. According to Feng Shui, sakura is translated as luck, love, beauty. Siberian bead artist and craftswoman Oksana Solovieva creates Miniature trees of minerals and semi-precious stones for interior decoration and Feng Shui. Creating her unique precious trees the master uses various minerals, including amethyst, quartz, garnet, glass beads, and also copper wire, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish.
More »

Chinese Phoenix Crown

Mysterious blue material, which decorated the jewellery worn by Chinese beauties – kingfisher feathers. The dazzling heavenly color has not lost its kind to this day, even through the centuries. This material is present in the incredibly beautiful headdress – Chinese Phoenix Crown, known as Fengguan, a masterpiece of the history of jewelry. In ancient China, the dragon marked the Emperor, and Phoenix – the Empress. Chinese Phoenix Crown – a traditional ceremonial headdress of female nobility. The particular importance the phoenix crown reached in the era of the Ming. In the above picture – the ritual headdress Phoenix Crown for the Empress Dowager Xiaojie (Ming Dynasty, Wanli era: 1573-1620). It is currently exhibited in the National Museum in Beijing. The crown was removed from the tomb of Dinlin near Beijing. The crown depicts 12 of dragons and 9 phoenixes. Empress Phoenix Crown was worn only during important events: obtaining the title, visiting Ancestral Temple, reception of ministers.
More »

Blue Rose brooch of silver plated wire

Irina Vasilieva Exclusive Jewelry – light, delicate brooches, earrings and pendants woven from thin colored wires of multiple colors, vintage bronze or silver plated. Original author’s design and weaving technology has no analogues, and can’t be repeated. Jewelry Master Irina Vasilyeva interior designer by profession. Graduated from Moscow State Art – Industrial University of Stroganov. Irina is a member of the International Union of young artists and designers and an active member of the Artists Union of Russia, Department of Painting. Irina Vasilieva has been creating jewelry since 2009, participates in many exhibitions and various art projects. Since 2014 Irina – international instructor for working with metal clay ART-CLAY SILVER. She gives master classes to work with Art-Clay Silver, wire and various materials. Works as a teacher of drawing and painting in Art – Industrial University of Stroganov.
More »

Brooch-pendant butterfly, natural amber, rock crystal 1970s, metal filigree elements, metallic braid. Wings embroidered with Czech beads. Beaded jewelry by Anastasia Kozlova

Anastasia Kozlova creates jewelry – brooches, pendants, earrings and bracelets by hand, in the technique of double embroidery. Creating beaded jewelry, she uses Swarovski crystals, Czech and Chinese beads, rock crystal, agate, coral, silver threads. Her costume jewelry inspired by the theme of nature and its living insects and birds. Anastasia is a self-taught craftswoman jeweler. She lives with her husband and their daughter in Krasnoyarsk, East Siberia, Russia. Since childhood, she enjoyed knitting, embroidering, creating something with their hands. Later she was fascinated with ribbon embroidery, and the next stage was creating costume jewelry of beads, stones and crystals.
More »