Featured artist: Anastasiya Prosvetova, Prosvetovaart. Acrylic painting

When you see a picture that's touching to you, you wants to know more about its creator. That what happened with us when we see the beautiful works of our team member, Anastasiya at her shop, Prosvetovaart. So we contacted her and asked to tell us a bit about herself and her artistic inspiration. Anastasiya agreed and we are happy to share her story with you, our dear readers.

 Here is her story:

My name is Anastasiya Prosvetova and I am an artists from St. Petersburgh, Russia. I paint little gentle winged creatures who leave me when they find people who love them. It was sad at first, especially when the first angels were gone but I am always happy for them. Their light images are always a part of me and my new creations.

New images are coming and staying with me. They are waiting for the right moment and showing me their story like a colorful slide show. Where they are coming from?

... The snow was softly falling on the ground this morning. Here is a new image, a new story. The pencil is begging me to pick it up. The magic is coming from daily life. You just need to look around and see the inspiration.

 When you take a thought trapped in your mind and turn it into your image it's like freeing a bird from a cage. You feel light and excited. You are  not sad about anything and you do not think about anything. The world around you is kind and beautiful.

And this is my favorite state of mind.

Interview by Tanya Socksandmittens

A teddy world!

Last summer my friend Tatiana invited me to participate in Teddymir exhibit in St. Petersburgh, Russia. The exhibit's opening was on October 29th, 2015. It seemed so far away that I didn't even want to think about it. However by the end of summer I had a mini collection of amigurumianimals and I decided to exhibit them.

So I signed up! The organizer, Tatiana, did a lot to promote the exhibition. The whole city was awaiting the opening. It was in perfect location, at the artists street in the center next to Palace square. It was also a perfect time since the exhibition continued for the 10 days of school break.

Here are a few participating teddies:

You can choose a teddy or other toy in any style. Teddy Frida and teddy Dali:

Here is an area with large teddies. You can hug them and have your picture taken:

Here is a shelf with my toys:

 

Every day there were teddy workshops. Drawing, felting, clay sculpting and even teddies cupcake decor!

I fell in love with teddies so I took part in a workshop and made one tiny one too! Mine is last:

For both those visiting and taking part in the exhibition there were competitions and prizes. I took part in Tourist Teddy competition with my Lion, Monkey and the Fox and submitted some photos of my toys in well known tourist locations:

This was a great event. If you'd like, you can participate or visit the one next year!

If you are not in the area but would like to participate, your handmade toys can be submitted by mail.


Story by Natalia (PetsLair)
Translated by Nadia (LuNaViFelt)

Interview with a Star, Tatiana from Tatiana's Tienda shop

Many of our team members are multi talented and they have such interesting stories behind their avatars. We'd like to introduce one of our new members today. You already had a chance to make a new Easter basket using Tatiana's easy to follow tutorial and now you can find out more about her. Please welcome, Tatiana from Tatiana's Tienda shop and this is her story.

My name is Tatiana. I was born in a small Siberian city called Irkutsk. I graduated from university with a degree in civil engineering and management in economics. If you'd have told me nearly two years ago that I would open craft store in the US and that I'd be crocheting and creating crafts, I would have though that you were insane! It just wasn't a future that I had in mind.

At the time, I was working with a construction company and dealing with projects and numbers, while at the same time I was studying for my second degree and teaching fitness in the evening. Everything was so overwhelming, I didn’t enjoy my life and one day I was fed up with it. I can remember this day… I was sitting in a lonely office, working on a boring drawing of a building riddled with numbers. I opened up a web page and started searching for flights. At the time, it didn't matter where I'd go…The most important part was getting FAR AWAY from the craziness that was my life! That same day I bought a one way ticket to Bangkok and I was infinitely happy with the decision that I made. I didn’t know what to expect or where I'd go afterwards, but I definitely decided that I didn't want to live that crazy life anymore.

 I passed my final exam in January, got a diploma in civil engineering, quit my job, and moved all my stuff into a garage as I was off to Thailand. I remember saying to my family and friends, “I’m starting a journey towards a 'real' life, a life that I deserve and want to live, and a life that society doesn't dictate for you…A life that you want to live and share with others!” 

From there I traveled for about 10 months and it was the most amazing months of my life! I went to meditation courses, volunteered in Laos, worked in China with kids… 

 But the most important thing – I’ve met an amazing person, my soul mate, a person who understands me without words on the way to “my new life”.

We traveled in South East Asia together, lived through the craziness of China… And then one day he asked me, "Do you want to visit the US?" Well, I had never been a big fan of this country but I realize now it was all due to the media. Russia and USA had never been big friends and I also had such restricted visions about the country before… But after traveling in so many countries,  I realized that political views of a government don’t always have anything common with the people who live there. So I agreed to come with him. Right now I amazed with this country and really enjoy living here.

When I flew to the US I didn’t know what I was going to do or where I'd look for work. One day my boyfriend’s sister was knitting a scarf. And I remembered how I love doing this in childhood, but when I grow up I totally forgot about it because didn’t have time for it. The very next day I made a hat for my boyfriend. Afterwards, we came up with the idea to sell items such as this on Etsy. 

 I made different goods for special holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. I later created candy bouquets and wicker baskets made from newspaper.

I really enjoy the things that I create, because I know that it will make my buyers happier and richer inside, will put a smile on their face and maybe even change the world for the better!

And as you can see in both 'my story' and the level of detail and pride I take in all the goods I make, I put my heart and soul into this little boutique shop. This is how I support myself! I appreciate all my customers for all sales I receive and will go out of my way to make you happy with your order!!

I realize 'my story' is much more detailed than most you'll come across, but just wanted show how one day can change your entire life! Your life is in your hands and you are the creator of your destiny. Don’t be afraid of changes. It may seem too scary to make changes right now… but feel it in your heart that changes are for the good – so never hesitate to take the first steps!

Story by Tatiana (Tatiana's Tienda)