ARTIST OF THE MONTH - ANCA THE BOOKBINDER

Handmade is imperfect, uneven, individual and full of soul.. Like a home made bread taken out from the oven. Nothing compares with that. 
Handmade also connects people from all over the world that share the same vision, it is so nice to know someone from far far away made an unique object just for you, with passion and skills.

Anca the Bookbinder

 
I don’t really know when my first interaction with crafting took place – maybe it was when I realised lead can be melted at home – I created some killer jewelry from lead back then :)
All the schools I’ve been to had art profiles, from piano to sculpture, to painting and photography.
I’ve always kept in my heart the nostalgia of working with clay so when I found out about this fabulous medium, polymer clay, I quickly bought a lot of supplies from overseas (in Romania, where I live, shops didn’t sell it yet). I bought hand-blown glass eyes and wool to make dolls. I love making them in a Victorian style, as I have a sweet tooth for past eras, especial for the Victorian one - you can see three of them in my  Forgottendolls  shop.

The bookbinding adventure started in a similar way, emerging from my need of creating 3D objects, that one can look at from different angles. My sister (teostudio) and I have always kept diaries, which made us hunt each other’s diaries when we were kids. So when I saw her actually creating journals from scratch, I had to make my own too. Then, I couldn’t stop; I made a travel notebook for my best friend, a sketchbook for my dad and so on. Now I am hooked, hopelessly addicted to bookbinding.
I am passionate of all crafty things, I tried everything, from crocheting to jewelry making – my secret hunch is that each new hobby is an excuse to buy more supplies! Yes, I am a handmade supplies hoarder. I know I have to part with some of the goodies I’ve been stashing so I opened a vintage shop (artstock) to let them go… it’s so hard! I can only take comfort in the thought that I am making room for new supplies!

But I think I found the perfect passion for me – bookbinding. I love the process - dying the paper – if it’s a vintage style leather journal for my MedievalJourney shop, adding a vintage beauty on it… or, making a polymer clay button for my journals at Baghy, engraving or painting the design. It is a complete craft that kind of puts all my hobbies to a good use. When I create a journal, I usually have a good idea of it in my mind, sometimes I draw sketches of the design… then I chose the leather (from my big stash of leather) torn large sheets of paper, decide for the color of the thread, the closing style… sometimes I add vintage stamps on some of the pages (did I mentioned my vintage stamps collection?), or a page of vintage ephemera… or add a design that matches the concept of the leather cover.

I love making journals and always think I am very lucky to be able to earn my living out of it – I am not rich, but when I think of my supplies, I think I am the king of the world! Making a hobby into a profession is tricky. Yes, it feels like I am in vacation each day, as I do what I love to do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t work non stop. This is very important when you are your own boss – you gotta be a demanding boss, and always try to improve all aspects of your craft. I do hope I will be able to continue doing this for a long time, as I truly enjoy making each journal from the concept to the book, from the sketch to an useful artsy object, that someone will cherish and entrust it with his/her dreams, creative ideas or secrets.

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I love to read stories of passionate people, don't you?
And I love to see what they are creating using their skills and talents.
Especially when they are creating such unusual things as Anca's journals and dolls. I just adore the dolls...


You are welcome to visit Anca's blog (and I strongly suggest that you do, there are quite some awesome things to be found on there) and check out her Facebook profile.

You are also very welcome to come back here next Tuesday, for more of Anca's pieces.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SHELLEY KOSCIELNIAK

Eliptic - black and copper abstract oval sculpture

Gotham - clay architectural sculpture

Cluster - silver wooden box

Thoughtful - Matisse inspired home decor

Intangible - conceptual clay rock zen box

 

Infiltrate - black and white miniature vase with roses

These pieces are looking quite different from the jewelry you could see in my previous posts on Shelley Koscielniak, don't they?

They are the result of a collaboration between Shelley and another very talented jewelry artist, April Wind.

Together they are coming up with remarkable conceptual pieces of sculpture, decor and jewelry.

You can see more pieces from Shelley and April in their two etsy shops: mkwSALON and mkwATELIER.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SHELLEY KOSCIELNIAK

RINGS

'Cascade' - Bronze and aqua resin riveted ring

'Invigoration' - Silver and brass riveted shield ring

'Poise' - Copper & black recycled resin hexagon ring

EARRINGS

'Succulent' - Silver and copper riveted organic earwear

'Compliant' - Silver and brass riveted organic earwear

BROOCHES

'Congruity' - Silver, copper and black resin riveted brooch

'Fluid' - Silver, copper and black resin riveted brooch

Today I have picked some of the smaller pieces from Shelley.

They are absolutely fabulous, yes?

I love all those tiny details and the texture Shelley gives to the metal.... To tell the truth, I love everything about these pieces.

If you are interested in Shelley's story, you will find it in this post, and in this one you can see her necklaces and necklaces.

More of her jewelry can be seen on her website, you can also buy Shelley's pieces in her Etsy shop. 

And in a week you are welcome to pass by to see Shelley's pieces that are a little bit different.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SHELLEY KOSCIELNIAK

NECKLACES

'Finesse' - silver and copper riveted pendant neckware

'Instigate - 'sterling silver and black resin riveted pendant

'Obscure' - sterling silver and rosewood riveted pendant neckware

'Explicit' - silver, bronze and black resin riveted pendant neckware

BRACELETS

'Indulge' - sterling silver architectural wrist cuff

'Intrinsic' - sterling silver and black resin riveted bangle

'Intuition' - sterling silver organic link armwear

'Implicate' - sterling silver, brass and leather bracelet

After an unplanned brake I had to take from the blog it is great to be back with some outstanding pieces.

Like the necklaces and bracelets from Shelley, for instance.

If you are interested in Shelley's story, you will find it in this post.

More of her jewelry can be seen on her website, you can also buy Shelley's pieces in her Etsy shop.

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SHELLEY KOSCIELNIAK

Handmade embodies the soul - creating and sharing is the quintessential experience for an artist.

Shelley Koscielniak (MK Wind)

My name is Shelley, I live in Los Angeles, California.  The journey of MK Wind began with my passion for body adornment. The concept of my work is minimalism … artistry in subtle form … less is more.  My designs are bold and graphic thriving on the juxtaposition of harmonious and incongruous materials. Embracing my many art influences, my colour palettes and interpretation of form are inspired by the spontaneity and mysticism of abstract expressionism. Meticulously crafted sculptures reflect the aesthetic of minimalism, modern architecture and Asian calligraphy. My creative process is heavily influenced by metal which my favorite medium.  From the initial sketches to the finished piece, the inherit structure of the metal leads me to create designs exhibiting rigidity and flexibility with a Zen influence.  Drawing on the colours of the metals, woods and resins, each piece exhibits a melding of the qualities of materials adding their own unique character to the work. I am intrigued by the aesthetic of how a culture implements ornamentation, using embellishments to change a look, an appearance, a perception. My ever-changing designs are timeless in structure and form, each piece is created to appeal to the eye as well as the soul. From the precious metals to the individually selected reclaimed resin and exotic wood, the essence of my jewelry captivates the mind and spirit. With expressive subtle colours and clean sharp lines, these designs harness energy and artistry.  I graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago with a BFA in Fine Arts and furthered my studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  My years as a fine art curator have also played a large role in the evolution of my work. ... choose your body embellishment as you would a companion, find comfort and harmony in wearing these pieces ...

To me Shelley's artwork is simply fascinating.
I love the forms, the materials and the textures - and the precision with which each of  the pieces is put together and finished. 
And - having my background in architecture - I always enjoy minimalist architectural and industrial styles. After all, it was an architect who first said that 'less is more'.



Each of Shelley's pieces is hand fabricated in her Los Angeles studio.
You can see more of her jewelry on her website, you can also buy it in her Etsy shop.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SANDRA MARIA ROSA

HOME DECOR

It's not only jewelry that Sandra makes, her home decor pieces are astonishing as well.

I adore the simple shapes and the beautiful vibrant glazes.

If you would like to read Sandra's story, you will find it here .

Here you will find few of her necklaces, and here are her beautiful rings.

You can also see (and buy) Sandra's artwork in several design shops in Portugal, on the internet you can a find her on Etsy and Luulla.

This is the last post in this column this month, but I am sure there will be other occasions to see Sandra's works on my blog.

Next Tuesday you are welcome to pass by and meet the Artist Of The Month for May.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SANDRA MARIA ROSA

RINGS. 

Sandra's rings are made to be loved, yes?

Not much more needs to be said here, I guess.

If you would like to read Sandra's story, you will find it here .

Here you will find few of her necklaces.
And make sure to come back here next Tuesday to see even more pieces from Sandra.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SANDRA MARIA ROSA

NECKLACES

Here are just a few of the beautiful ceramic necklaces by Sandra Maria Rosa.

If you are interested in Sandra's story, you will find it here .
And don't forget to be back here next Tuesday for more pieces from Sandra.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - SANDRA MARIA ROSA

Handmade is a lifestyle. It is a choice, an option for a more humane and conscious society.

Sandra Maria Rosa

My name is Sandra. I live in Portugal together with my husband and our four year old son.
Creativity has been a very important part of me since my childhood.


I studied at an art school and after that  I specialized in conservation and restoration of ancient pottery and tiles, working for several years at a school museum, in the area of conservation and restoration.


Throughout my whole life I wanted to do my own thing, turning my own projects into real pieces.
To start working on my own was a difficult step to take and it took me a few years to gain the courage to leave my comfort zone and take the risk...
Finally when my son was born, it happened.
I just could not go on not following my dreams, that was not the message I wanted to be passing with my life to my little boy.
So at the most unexpected moment  I said goodbye to my job and started to work only on my own creations.

I love working with ceramics, the possibilities there are endless. I'm especially passionate about ceramic jewelery,  when I'm finishing one piece I am already imagining how the next ones will look like.


I am passionate about color, this is easy to be seen in my pieces. For me color is energy, it is the energy and good vibes that I want to pass on with my artwork.


The quality of materials I am using for my pieces is also a big concern of mine. I always carefully chose the type of clay and make sure that my glazes are always lead free.

I have many new projects yet to start. I do not have the time to do them all, but I want to be coming up with new pieces, new designs and new concepts.

Every day is different, every day I learn a little more, and every day I share my passion with others. It is just wonderful to be able to live like that.


Another very important thing that I have gained over these last few years is getting in touch with many new people. With some I just share my passion, with some I exchange experiences, some wonderful artists inspire me and give me the courage to work on, improve my skills and be original.


Today I work twice as many hours as I used to when working for others.
And I'm twice as happy.


I love what I am doing. I am putting my love into the pieces I create and I hope people are enjoying them as much as I do enjoy the process of their making.

Great story, isn't it? And such beautiful pieces...
You can see more of them every Tuesday this month, right here on this blog.

You can also see (and buy) Sandra's artwork in several design shops in Portugal.
If Portugal is not really handy for you, you can also find Sandra on Etsy and Luulla.



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I like to make things complicated, so The Artist Of The Month is going to be my new weekly column.