Interview with a Star - Elena (Roltinica)

Please, welcome our team mate Elena, who runs Roltinica shop on Etsy.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Elena and I live in the beautiful city of Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia. I'm a felt maker and I make my felt flowers using a wet felting technique.

How long have you been creating? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?
I began making felt jewelry about 2 years ago. My daughter Tatyana was browsing the Internet and suddenly found a felted purse tutorial. She thought it would be nice to learn how to make things like this, so we shopped for wool and I made a felted purse out of it. My daughter’s joy knew no bounds! That was the moment when I actually realized that I fell in love with felt.

Felting is very popular in Russia and you can also find many books and tutorials on different felting techniques. I love flowers so flowers have become my favorite subject for felting. I read a lot, studied the techniques and was experimenting with felt every single day. I tried to make smooth petals out of fluffy wool and the result was I found my own way to work with felt. I was so excited to see what else I could do.

In your opinion, why is felted accessories are so popular these days?
I think, the felted accents are a lovely way to complement modern clothing. Decorate your handbag, hair or clothes with a felted flower and you will be noticed! Nature creates beautiful flowers but they have a short life. A felted flower will never wilt!

 Do you take custom orders?
Yes, I do take custom orders. Sometimes it is challenging because from time to time my customers are asking me to create a flower I have never seen because they don't grow here in Russia. So I am making my flower from a photograph and I am so happy when it becomes a realistic-looking one! I am getting great feedback on my work from my satisfied customers.

Which one of your orders was the most extraordinary?
One of the most unusual orders was two blue roses for a bride's dress. I made these with a great pleasure.

What is your family’s attitude to your creativity?
My family supports and inspires me in everything and I’m very thankful for that. My mom is my most authoritative critic – if she does not like the flower, I will remake it.

Do you have a Favorite quote you'd like to share with us?
If you want to be happy – be happy! (Kuzma Prutkov)