F E A T U R E
A R T I S T :
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VAL ZDERO
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I would like to introduce you to an incredibly talented artist/ jeweller from Australia. Read on to hear about her work and approach to her craft ...
HOW, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START WIREWORKING?
Well, first of all, I started painting! That was my first artistic outlet ...and after two years of painting, I started dabbling in jewellery. I loved working with clay and wire from the very start, it just took a bit of time to gain experience and teach myself how to make the clay canes as well as various wire wrapping techniques.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE FROM A PREVIOUS WORK BACKGROUND?I don't have any formal training whatsoever - I am basically a self-taught
artist with my painting and jewellery making.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST WHEN YOU ARE DESIGNING?
That's a very hard one to answer. I imagine certain designs in my head and once I am happy with what I have imagined, I try to replicate that image using wire and gemstones. I love filling my hours with this artistic outlet as it helps me relax and unwind after a busy day with the kids. Also, when I was painting, I always painted dragonflies ... at times I have tried to replicate my painted dragonflies using wire and clay.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN AND WHY?
I love wire wrapping Goddess pendants as well as the Tree of Life symbol. There is something very relaxing about making these pretty pieces. I am constantly striving to make new and unique pendants and right now I am making wire wrapped Seahorses - I have had a few requests for these pretty ocean dwellers from a few Facebook friends and right now, I am experimenting making those. I just jump from project to project ... that's just my way.
HOW DO YOU SELL AND PROMOTE YOUR WORK?I sell my work privately as well as on Etsy. Most of my free time is spent on Facebook networking, meeting new artists, joining jewellery groups and taking custom orders. I occasionally go on Twitter as well and just recently, I have joined Deviant Art too. The main thing is to get my jewellery seen ... the rest falls into place on its own.
To see my Etsy shop, go to:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vaniasartshop/
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO PASS ON TO SOMEONE JUST GETTING STARTED?
Don't give up! It can be very disheartening when you first open up an Etsy shop and there are no sales for months ... but it all takes time. I was on Etsy for 8 months before I started getting any sales! Also, you have to enjoy what you do. I found in the end that it did not matter whether I sold my jewellery or not, as long as I was happy spending hours making the pieces ... a lot of my friends have received very pretty and unique jewellery pieces for birthday pressies, as well as Christmas's these last two and a half years!!
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INTERESTS BESIDES WIRE JEWELLERY MAKING?
I help my husband with our agricultural business, as well as running the house and keeping up with 2 children. I love reading too.
WHAT AMBITIONS AND GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?
To keep making unique jewellery ... and to be happy within myself :D
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Thank you for sharing and showing your
beautiful designs with us all, Val!
Your work is distinctly original and stunning!
