Interview with a Star Aleksandra VALI

Today our featured guest is Aleksandra Vali who is a member of Russian Artists Etsy team. Aleksandra creates unique and amazingly beautiful jewelry including necklaces, rings, brooches and earrings that are available at her AleksandraVALI store on Etsy.
Q: Aleksandra could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Siberia, Russia. I grew up surrounded by harsh and beautiful forests, lakes and rivers of Northern Russia. After receiving my Masters Degree from Novosibirsk State University in Novosibirsk, Russia, I worked as a ceramic artist for seven years. My experiments with clay helped me develop a feel for perfect shape, balance my design and contrast texture. My artwork has been highly praised in Russia and exhibited internationally.
Later on I moved to America where metal became a medium for my artistic expression. It was in metal that I found my true passion.
Q: Why do you think metal is so inspirational for you?
For me, metal provides a unique opportunity to create unusual and unique pieces that show my individual approach, skill and flare. Working with gold and silver allows me to experiment and make the most out of the three-dimensional form. I am able to bring my former physical knowledge of working clay into jewelry through carving, casting and smithing. I am intrigued in the complexity of edges, textures and mixed materials.

Q: Are you currently working with any other materials besides metal?
I continue experimenting with clay and create one of a kind sculptures. I like the idea of creating something unique and exclusive that cannot be replicated.

In jewelry I create collections where all the individual pieces are united by one single idea or a vision. For example my Chocolate Dessert collection or my Steam collection .

I like to experiment trying to combine materials that are deemed incompatible or looking for new shapes and ideas. The result is always unpredictable and often times incredibly beautiful.
The second year in a row American Art Collector publishes my art work. My jewelry and sculpture have been featured in numerous catalogues, magazines and art publications. I'm actively participating in art shows and exhibitions.

Here are a few of my recent shows:
2010 February, Lill Street ArtCenter, Chicago Metal Arts Guild Exhibition,Chicago, IL
2010 February, Greater Denton Arts Council, Materials: Hard & Soft, Denton, TX
2008 February, MaNa Gallery, Strictly Black & Wight Show, Chicago
2007 March, Gahlberg Gallery Exhibit, Wheaton
2007 February, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, Broken hart

Aleksandra, Thank you for taking your time and talking to us! Russian Artists team is honored to have such a talented and successful artist as its member!

Interviewed by Tonya Utkina at TonyaUtkina

Wonderful things Wednesday - Expensive things we want

We all are making our wish list with the holidays rapidly approaching. What’s in there? What are you going to get for yourselves? for others?

While doing that, didn’t you ask yourself why people buy an expensive item over an inexpensive one?

Everyone has their own reasons. We are going to name just some of them:

1. The expensive item is probably excellent quality and that’s why it will last longer than a cheaper product.

2. It might be a one of a kind item. You will never see someone else at the party wearing that lovely little black dress, just like yours. Guaranteed.

3. The item might be a hand made that required a lot of work thus making it expensive.

4. Sometimes the materials are rare or expensive, which makes the item expensive.

5. Many times it may be an impulse buy because of love at first sight. Sometimes you can just glance at item and you know you just have to get this one! In the moments like these we hope the money is not a factor for you!

Here is our collection of expensive items – enjoy!

1. Citrine Garnet Ruby artisan pin-up coiled necklace in 14K gold filled - Darlene by Arctida
2. Art of Embroidery GOLDEN VENICE by FineEmbroidery
3. A Wave and a Goldfish Stained Glass Panel by FleetingStillness
4. Wedding Dress Medieval Style by Katrinshine


1. Jacket felted Ochre by JuliaFelt
2. Blue topaz diamond 14K gold pendant by MyWayToSay
3. Nuno felted dress tunic wool silk seamless OOAK Country by Galafilc
4. Felted set - bag and scarf Snowy Winter by Rudman




1. Teddy Bear OOAK 9inch by Oksa
2. Orange Chocolate Lace Crochet Dress, Beret, Booties Set for 3-9 month by IraRott
3. Brand New Luxury Baby Natural Bedding - Blanket/Comforter/Quilt Transformer for Boy by Woolsolution
4. Back-lit wall sculpture - Vertigo by CCYDstudio

Etsy Front Page yet again!

Today, TWO of our teammates treasuries made it to the Front page on Etsy! The first one was created by Tanya from Socksandmittens. The second one was created by Ksenia from Kpersonboutique ! Congrats Tanya, Ksenia and the featured :)

Curator: Socksandmittens

Featured artists from Etsy Russian Team: daimblond, yevgenia, AleciaV, RosemaryManufacture, bumblestore, BlueberryCream, YuliaKazansky, Avistudio, SweetNumber, IrinaPhotography

Curator: Kpersonboutique

Featured artists from Etsy Russian Team: StudioElenus,TomBjornDesigns, allmadewithlove, lightkeeping, Arctida, FunEmbroidery, lanadearg, MyWayToSay, daimblond