Russian folklore

Russian Artists team is a group of Russian speaking artists and craftsmen scattered all over the world. We all gather here on Etsy to exchange our creative ideas, knowledge and craft making experience.

Many of our team's members items are inspired by Russian folk art. There are tales and legends, verbally transmitted through the generations over the centuries. 

Palekh collector's plate Ruslan and Lyudmila Russian FairyTales by Agardencottage

There are traditional Russian household items and matreshkas (nesting dolls). 

Matryoshka russian doll from CherryGardenDolls

And of course, there are pretty traditional folk clothing and accessories which got a modern twist with the help of our great artists.  

Russian bears are still walking through the city streets:

Amigurumi crochet bear toy from PetsLair

A cup of tea taste better when it poured from a samovar. It can easily fit a gallon of water!

Vintage Brass Russian Samovar from sovietgifts

The shawls and scarves are so pretty and colorful. Perfect for winter!

Russian folk art shawl black with roses from  MulberryWhisper

... so is valenki, a felted wool footwear:

Valenki from LoraPavlova

Please enjoy our creations and vintage finds!

1. Allaras 2. Galafilc 3. MiracoliSpB 4. Crafts2Love 5.FleetingStillness 6. StudioFantasies

Story by Natalis Iolalis (PetsLair)

Translated by Svetlana (CherryGardenDolls)

Holiday gift exchange 2014

Yearly holiday gift exchange has become a tradition for our team. Last year 42 team members from 15 countries  participated in this fun event.

Albina Manning (AlbinasJewelry) was the hostess for this event. Every participant was assigned a person to whom she (he) anonymously gives a gift. Participants also did not know from whom they will receive a present so it was a lot of fun to unwrap those packages.

Let us show you the chain of Holiday gifts of 2014! (to enlarge the picture, click on it , right click View image)

Fall, pumpkin, and aroma of spices

Fall is the most beautiful season, giving us warmest and brightest colors.

Photo source: UrsulaJewelry, YaTomkaStore, PictureInADream, ArmeniaOnSilk

Every hue of red, yellow and brown are here. Fall is copper and amber, it is colorful leaves and orange pumpkins.

Photo source: Aqvatali, shyshyru, katerynaG, SerejkinDom

Fall gifts us with many new scents as well, ones absent in summer; of wet fallen leaves, sweet honey, fresh apples and spices.

Photo source:OlgaGlassArt, galafilc, zaiazoom, ProjectSarafan

It also gives us soft cozy sounds. Softly cracking wood in the fireplace. Soft drops of rain on the window. It make me feel like wearing warm slippers, wrapping up in a soft shawl, holding a cup of fragrant tea and dreaming...

Photo source: FleetingStillness, BeautySpot, Crafts2Love, Alenahandmade

Story by Natalia Aqvatali

Featured shop: BubiShop

Our team is constantly growing and we are getting so many wonderful team members. We'd like to introduce one of them today. Please welcome, Polina from BubiShop.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Polina. I am a 26-year-old happily married mother of two. I live in Belarus.
I am a very creative person. My passions are photography and making handmade jewelry. Also, I often make decorations for my house, for example, I knit candlesticks, make boxes for storing small items, sew cute soft letter ornaments and make fragrant sachets.

 Jewelry making has a special place in my life. I like to look for interesting color combinations, pick out stones, try to invent something new or improve old ideas.

How long have you been creating? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?
My journey in art and creativity started when I had my second baby and went on maternity leave. I bought a DSLR camera, got fascinated by photography and then started making jewelry by hand. I got very involved in it, and I gradually came to a conclusion that it was time to start selling my handmade jewelry.

What items in your shop do you most enjoy making and why?
Most of all I love to make bracelets. A bracelet is a relatively small project and I takes less time than, say, making beads.  At the same time, there is much more space for creativity as compared to earrings, for example.

 

What are your main sources of inspiration?
My main source of inspiration is nature. I love flowers, the bright colors of the different seasons. I'm also inspired by reading blogs of creative and successful people, and sometimes their creative ideas give me a start on a new project!

What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?
The best reaction to me was a phone call of my customer that bought a bracelet as a gift for his girlfriend. He told me that a friend was very much pleased and wears my bracelet all the time. It was very nice to know!

Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Family, Children, Creativity!

Do you have a Favorite quote you'd like to share with us?
« It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.»

DIY braided leather bracelet

This project  is easy, quick and fun. You will be pleased with result since this bracelet is a great addition to almost any outfit. 

This tutorial was kindly offered to us by Katrin from Katrinshine. Please visit her shop at www.katrinshine.com  to see more of her pretty creations!

Now, the tutorial.

Tools and materials:

•        Straightedge

•        Leather knife

•        Pair of nippers

•        Piece of leather, 8 oz.

•        2 Ribbon ends

•        Lobster clasp closure

•        2 Jump rings 0.2” diameter

•        Adjustable chain

Cut out strip of leather of length than you want the bracelet to be. Carefully cut two inside slits with a leather knife and straightedge, leaving 1/2 inch uncut at the each end. Start to tight a braid.

I always start with the right side over the center, left, right. Now, before you continue, bring the bottom up and through the right loop. This will put everything in a twist for a moment. Do another set (left, right, left) Now bring the bottom up and through the left loop. This will straighten out the twists and on to the next set. So if you start on the right, the bottom goes through the right loop.

The leather braid should be tight at the beginning because the end will be loose.

Once you’re done braiding, your bracelet will look a little lumpy. Don’t worry. Just give it some time & it will break in nicely. You can put it under something heavy.

Once you’re finished braiding, attach the ribbon ends and a lobster clasp closure.

If you want to make it with a snap closure, cut out a strip of leather of length 1/2 inch longer than you want your bracelet to be.

 Your bracelet is ready!

Tutorial by Katrin (Katrinshine)

Perfect Valentine day gifts

Have you done your upcoming holiday shopping yet? Do you have any Valentine's day gift ideas on your perfect gifts to the person your love or a special friend?

 Photo source: fleetingstillness

We at Russian Artists are always happy to help with your shopping on Valentines day gifts! Here is some ideas on what to get for your Valentine's day this year:

Adorable Valentines day gifts for men:

Source: Arctida, agardencottage, manonknits, IrinaPhotographyCard

Great Valentines day gifts for her:

 Source: JuliaWine, SweetKeetleCards, katrinshine, YUNILIsmiles

Sweet things to embellish your Valentine day gifts with:

Source: thecupcakekid, HandyHappy, NataliaDecor, miopupazzo

 ... Or just search on Valentines day gift ideas from Russian Team on Etsy

 Photo source: NESWeddingGarden

Happy shopping!

Story by Tanya (SocksAndMittens)

National cuisine recipes exchange

The September National cuisine recipes exchange has ended. We had many wonderful and tasty ideas on what to cook and we had both, easy and difficult to cook recipes.  

So here they are - try them at home:

Ukrainian borscht by Irina IrinaPhotographyCard:

 

Egg & milk battered fish by Tanya SocksAndMittens:

 

Salted Salmon by Albina AroundBeads:

 Ukrainian dumplings/ vareniki by IrenkaR:

 Shakshouka/ poached eggs by Galia CasaDeGato:

 

Baked eggplant with cheese by Svetlana NesWeddingGarden:

 

Eggplant spread /caviar by Masha LovelyTrifles:

 Buckwheat with mushrooms by Jane JaneBoFelt:

Fried Chanterelles with potatoes and onions by Tanya CozySeason:

Try one of them or all of them at home and tell us how you like it!

It's Father's Day

Today, the best words to say to your dad would be:
I love you, Dad.  

Call your father and tell him one more time that you love him. If possible, spend this day together to recreate all your childhood memories. Give him the most thoughtful gift you choose with love and thoughts about him.

Because he is worth it. He is Your Dad.

 Happy Father's Day to all dads around the world!

Photo source: 1. Rozibuz 2. Baymut 3. HappyEmotions 4. Arctida 5. KMalinka 6. SocksAndMittens 7. jezek 8. ReComputing 9. GlassTileGifts 10. katrinshine 11. GoldenSection 12. FleetingStillness 13. marina826