Natale con gli Artigiani del mondo dei beads/Seconda parte - Christmas with the Artisans of the world of beads/ Second part
Ormai ci siamo, tra poco sarà Natale ed è tempo di pensare ai regali.
Regali per qualcuno a cui si vuole bene, per qualcuno a cui si è riconoscenti o semplicemente un regalo per se stessi, perché premiarsi ogni tanto fa bene e Natale è una ottima scusa per concedersi qualcosa in più.
Le offerte dei migliori brands di gioielli componibili, i nostri amati beads, sono molteplici e più o meno accattivanti in forme e colori.
Eppure non ci sono solamente loro sul mercato, poiché esiste il mercato parallelo degli artigiani, con offerte altrettanto (se non talvolta superiori) attraenti.
Acquistare da un artigiano significa contribuire a farlo crescere, a permettergli di sentirsi gratificato per le ore (tante) spese dietro a un lavoro che prima di tutto è una passione.
Sì, una passione, gli artigiani mettono il cuore dentro i loro manufatti e lo si può vedere a occhio nudo, attraverso i dettagli, una forma, una sfumatura.
Essere artigiano oggi è faticoso perché gli oneri sono tanti e bisogna essere molto preparati in tutto, non ci si può fermare alla vena creativa, c'è anche la parte burocratica da seguire, tutto quello che concerne un prodotto in larga scala, dove ci sono varie figure che ricoprono le svariate mansioni, l'artigiano è solo, pur nel suo piccolo, a svolgere tutte le mansioni che servono per progettare e mettere in vetrina il proprio lavoro.
Ed è per questo che almeno un acquisto per Natale andrebbe fatto da loro, che sono l'anima e il lustro di botteghe e mestieri, per premiare il loro impegno, la loro dedizione ed i loro sacrifici. In cambio si avrà un oggetto originale, spesso unico e di grande valore affettivo.
Ho così pensato di intervistare alcuni di loro, per conoscerli più da vicino e per consentirvi di mettervi in contatto al fine di effettuare i vostri acquisti natalizi.
Ringrazio Michela, Luisa e Maria Paola che si sono dimostrate disponibili ed entusiaste all'idea di queste interviste.
MICHELA FALCHETTI orafa, si occupa di produrre gioielli in cera persa, un antico procedimento che permette di avere un oggetto in oro, argento o bronzo partendo da un modello creato precedentemente in cera. Taberna Aurea è il suo negozio con laboratorio annesso e si trova a Roma. Il marchio dedicato ai beads è "Beads in Opera".
Michela, da quanti anni svolgi questo lavoro e come hai iniziato?
Svolgo questo lavoro dal 2004, anche se solo dal 2015 mi occupo di applicabili ai bracciali. Ho iniziato per la curiosità e l'amore verso un mestiere che avevo sempre ammirato; al piacere si unì la necessità di praticare un lavoro che fosse libero, autonomo, e così iniziai il mio viaggio in questo mondo che ormai è il mio.
Puoi raccontare qualcosa sulla tua tecnica?
La tecnica della cera persa ha molte sfaccettature, a seconda del tipo di oggetto che si intende creare e del risultato finale che si vuole ottenere. A questo scopo si devono padroneggiare diverse modalità di lavoro per diverse qualità di cera, dalla più dura da lavorare al banchetto, alle più morbide per ottenere il gioiello tipo etrusco, o cere da colaggio per la microscultura.
Quale è per te primaria fonte di ispirazione?
L'ispirazione viene sempre dalle immagini interiori che abbiamo sedimentato nel corso della vita. Va considerata la differenza tra un lavoro d'amore, fatto per il proprio piacere e quindi svincolato dal condizionamento del pubblico, direi un esercizio privato, al lavoro che si include in un gioco condiviso con le altre persone, come per i beads: allora si entra nella regola di creare qualcosa di meno personale, di utile ad una partecipazione tra chi fa e chi osserva, magari con curiosità o apprezzamento. Anche il gioco ha la sua parte di stimolo mentale, quasi di sfida, che rende forte il legame con il proprio lavoro.
Che difficoltà incontri più di frequente nel tuo mestiere?
Le difficoltà più stimolanti sono quelle legate alla esecuzione. Sono benedette perché obbligano ad una messa in discussione delle proprie capacità, il che determina la crescita nel proprio mestiere. Altra difficoltà è riuscire a capire come soddisfare le aspettative del pubblico, e questa a volte rimane più difficile da superare di quella legata alla applicazione tecnica. Non sempre l'intuito aiuta ad andare incontro alle altre persone: anche quello è un dono, come la manualità. Ce ne sono poi di contingenti e pratici che è inutile sottolineare, soprattutto in un periodo storico come questo che stiamo vivendo.
Cosa ti dona maggior soddisfazione mentre crei e a creazione ultimata?
Il piacere di creare è nell'arte stessa che si è scelta: se non la si ama non si potrebbe passare la vita con essa e per essa. Un artigiano non stacca quasi mai dal suo lavoro, ci vive in immersione totale. Quando l'oggetto si stacca da me, quando inizia a vivere grazie agli altri, è sempre un piacere ed uno stimolo a fare di più, se esso verrà amato. Il mio amore per l'oggetto finito è invece molto relativo: il più delle volte penso che avrei dovuto fare meglio, come dire, riesco sempre a trovare il difetto da superare.
Cosa proponi in vendita per questo Natale?
Per questo Natale ripropongo qui alcuni beads creati negli anni per questo evento: il trenino, che ci ricorda la gioia dell'attesa dei doni; l'alberello, simbolo che rende allegre le case di tutti noi; un pupazzo di neve, perché il Natale è sempre stato bianco, anche dove la neve non cade mai; l'angioletto e lo stop stella, per rivolgerci con leggerezza quasi infantile allo spirito religioso; la Sacra Famiglia, che ci ricordi il senso vero di questa festività; una luna e delle stelle, perché la notte di Natale sia incantata, sempre, anche in questo brutto anno che ha più bisogno degli altri di raccoglimento e calore.
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Locomotiva €60 - Vagone €50 cadauno |
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Angioletto €60 - Stop Stella €25 |
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Albero di Natale €50 - Pupazzo di Neve €55 |
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Sacra Famiglia €48 |
Successivamente i suoi saperi li ha messi in campo in relazione al mondo dei beads. Vi lascio scoprire come attraverso questa intervista che le ho fatto.
Maria Paola, da quanti anni svolgi questo lavoro e come hai iniziato?
La mia attività nasce come un hobby e, dopo aver seguito qualche corso di cucito creativo, si è scatenata in me la passione per il cucito vero e proprio. Ormai sono 8 anni che mi dedico a questo e mi considero autodidatta, anche se la mia mamma era sarta e di sicuro “l’imprinting” c’è stato.
La creazione delle bustine porta bracciali che propongo, è la conseguente unione tra le mie grandi passioni: Trollbeads ed il cucito creativo.
Puoi raccontare qualcosa sulla tua tecnica?
Amo molto la tecnica “appliquè” che consiste in una vera e propria decorazione con tessuti applicati su disegni di mia creazione.
Quale è per te primaria fonte di ispirazione?
Per le bustine l’ispirazione nasce dai beads: scelgo l’ecopelle e cerco nel tessuto, che uso per foderare e decorare, ciò che mi ricorda di più i nostri amati beads.
Che difficoltà incontri più di frequente nel tuo mestiere?
Normalmente la mia più grande difficoltà sono i tempi (non riesco ad avere una produzione costante di bustine, perché troppo “presa” nella realizzazione dei capi per i bimbi). In questo particolare momento però la situazione è totalmente ribaltata.
Cosa ti dona maggior soddisfazione mentre crei e a creazione ultimata?
La soddisfazione più grande per me è il riscontro che ho quando propongo nuovi pezzi in vendita e ancora di più quando chi acquista riceve il pezzo: visto dal vivo e provato, tutti mi ringraziano per la bellezza e la praticità.
Ne sono felice e orgogliosa perché tutto è realizzato veramente con amore.
Cosa proponi in vendita per questo Natale?
Propongo bustine porta bracciali e porta beads, in ecopelle, foderate con tessuto in cotone per patchwork. Hanno tre tasche e sono chiuse da un'unica padelletta con bottoni a pressione. Possibilità di ricamo personalizzato su ordinazione.
Il costo è di €19 cadauna (le spese di spedizione sono escluse).
Spero possiate avere trovato, tra le proposte di Michela, Luisa e Maria Paola, qualcosa di vostro gradimento e qualche idea per i vostri regali di Natale.
Non esitate a contattarle anche soltanto per una informazione, saranno ben liete di rispondervi.
Le prossime interviste che pubblicherò saranno dedicate agli hobbisti del mondo dei beads. Rimanete connessi, usciranno a brevissimo!
Come sempre vi attendo nei commenti, sono curiosa di sapere cosa vi ha colpito ;-)
A presto,
Elena
N.B. = Le fotografie sono di proprietà, in ordine, di Michela Falchetti, Luisa Vetuschi e Maria Paola Striano. Mi sono state gentilmente concesse per la pubblicazione a corredo delle interviste.
(© Vietata la copia e la riproduzione dei contenuti ed immagini in qualsiasi forma, da me non espressamente autorizzata)
ENGLISH
(I apologize if my translation is incorrect)
This is the second part of interviews with the Artisans.
Below is the introduction, for those who have not read the first part.
Now we are, it will be Christmas soon and it is time to think about gifts.
Gifts for someone you love, for someone you are grateful to or simply a gift for yourself, because rewarding yourself every now and then is good and Christmas is a great excuse to give yourself something more.
The offers of the best brands of composable jewelry, our beloved beads, are many and more or less captivating in shapes and colors.
Yet there are not only them on the market, as there is a parallel market for artisans, with equally (if not sometimes higher) attractive offers.
Buying from a craftsman means helping him to grow, allowing him to feel gratified for the (many) hours spent behind a job that is first of all a passion.
Yes, a passion, the artisans put their heart inside their artifacts and you can see it with the naked eye, through the details, a shape, a nuance.
Being a craftsman today is tiring because the burdens are many and you have to be very prepared in everything, you cannot stop at the creative vein, there is also the bureaucratic part to follow, everything that concerns a large-scale product, where there are various figures who cover the various tasks, the craftsman is alone, even in his small way, to carry out all the tasks that are needed to design and showcase his work.
And it is for this reason that at least one purchase for Christmas should be made by them, who are the soul and the luster of shops and crafts, to reward their commitment, their dedication and their sacrifices. In exchange you will have an original object, often unique and of great emotional value.
So I thought of interviewing some of them, to get to know them more closely and to allow you to get in touch in order to make your Christmas purchases.
I thank Michela, Luisa and Maria Paola who have shown themselves available and enthusiastic about the idea of these interviews.
MICHELA FALCHETTI goldsmith, deals with producing lost wax jewels, an ancient procedure that allows you to have an object in gold, silver or bronze starting from a model previously created in wax. Taberna Aurea is his shop with attached laboratory and is located in Rome (Italy). The brand dedicated to the beads is "Beads in Opera".
Michela, how many years have you been in this job and how did you get started?
I have been doing this work since 2004, although only since 2015 I have been dealing with bracelets applications. I started out of curiosity and love for a profession that I had always admired; pleasure was joined by the need to practice a job that was free, autonomous, and so I began my journey in this world that is now mine.
Can you tell us something about your technique?
The lost wax technique has many facets, depending on the type of object you intend to create and the final result you want to achieve. To this end, different working methods must be mastered for different qualities of wax, from the hardest to work at the banquet, to the softest to obtain the Etruscan-type jewel, or casting waxes for microsculpture.
What is your primary source of inspiration?
Inspiration always comes from the inner images that we have settled over the course of life. The difference between a work of love, done for one's own pleasure and therefore free from the conditioning of the public, I would say a private practice, to work that is included in a game shared with other people, as for beads, should be considered: then yes enters the rule of creating something less personal, useful for a participation between those who do and those who observe, perhaps with curiosity or appreciation. Even the game has its part of mental stimulation, almost of challenge, which makes the bond with one's work strong.
What difficulties do you encounter most frequently in your profession?
The most challenging difficulties are those related to execution. They are blessed because they force a questioning of their abilities, which determines the growth in their profession. Another difficulty is being able to understand how to meet the expectations of the public, and this sometimes remains more difficult to overcome than that linked to the technical application. Intuition does not always help to meet other people: that too is a gift, like manual skills. There are also contingent and practical ones that it is useless to underline, especially in a historical period like this that we are experiencing.
What gives you the most satisfaction while you create and when you are finished?
The pleasure of creating is in the art itself that you have chosen: if you do not love it you could not spend your life with it and for it. A craftsman almost never detaches from his work, he lives there in total immersion. When the object is detached from me, when it begins to live thanks to others, it is always a pleasure and an incentive to do more, if it is loved. My love for the finished object is instead very relative: most of the time I think I should have done better, as if to say, I always manage to find the defect to overcome.
What are you selling for this Christmas?
For this Christmas I propose here some beads created over the years for this event: the little train, which reminds us of the joy of waiting for gifts; the sapling, a symbol that makes the homes of all of us happy; a snowman, because Christmas has always been white, even where snow never falls; the little angel and the star stop, to address the religious spirit with almost childlike lightness; the Holy Family, which reminds us of the true meaning of this holiday; a moon and stars, so that Christmas Eve will always be enchanted, even in this bad year that needs more concentration and warmth than others.
Michela, who I always got to know through the groups of this world of beads to which I mainly turn, is a timeless artist. When I observe what he accomplishes, I am catapulted into another dimension, as if there were a time machine that leads me first into the past and then into the future. Her passion for art in a broad sense is tangible, as is her classical culture, characteristics that differentiate her, which give the beads an inimitable style that does not follow any fashion, but continues to tell about her and her world. I really like these characteristics and this kind of dedication, they underline the passion and love for the work he does. Its beads are made with great care, just look at the train: locomotive and wagons are perfectly interpreted and reproduced, an important bead that refers to childhood memories.
You can contact Michela through Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/beadsinopera/
or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlBfjsKGcm/?igshid=viefmbhd99x9
LUISA VETUSCHI is a glass artisan. When he is not physically behind the flame he is always there with his thoughts, a passion to which he dedicates all his time. And it is precisely this desire to learn and do new things that led her to devote herself almost exclusively to beads for modular bracelets. I didn't want to "waste time" reproducing dozens of pearls that are always the same for necklaces, bracelets etc. but do other more creative things right away. His laboratory is in L'Aquila (Italy) at his home. Her brand is "Luivet Bijoux".
Luisa, how many years have you been in this job and how did you get started?
I started working with flame glass relatively recently, about four years ago, attending a course that gave me the basics to start studying the various types of creations that can be obtained with this technique.
It can be said that from an early age my hands have never been still, I was attracted to anything that was done manually, to the point that I had my mother (I was a teenager) give me a selection book from the Reader's Digest of over 400 pages : "The DIY of creative craftsmanship". Over the years I have experimented with various types of works and with very different materials, for me the important thing was to see something born from my hands, up to 2009, when I began to wink at glass and in particular at lampwork. However, that year was complicated, between the earthquake (I live in L’Aquila) and a bad family situation I was forced to "fall back" to Tiffany's glass processing that I learned as a self-taught, which is also very suggestive and satisfying.
In 2016, however, thanks to the knowledge of a lampworker, the dormant passion awakens and I decide to attend a course. My laboratory resides in my home and is rigorously messed up and packed to the point of agony, since it contains materials and equipment of every technique that has passed through my hands over the years.
Can you tell us something about your technique?
The lampworking technique is an ancient technique, someone even traces it back to 3500 BC. in Egypt. Obviously the technological part has evolved over the centuries but the type of processing has always remained the same. Today we use a metal torch powered by propane or methane gas and oxygen which in most cases is supplied by a concentrator. This causes a flame to be produced that can reach about 1100 ° and therefore melt the glass rods. In the case of pearls, the molten glass is rolled up on a steel mandrel, which can have various dimensions depending on the project to be carried out, covered with a release agent to then be able to remove it. Once finished, the pearl is placed in an oven at about 500 ° to temper the glass, bringing it to room temperature very slowly. In this way the glass is more resistant to any shocks it can be subjected to, especially in bracelets.
What is your primary source of inspiration?
The main source of inspiration are colors. I have a real fixation for their combinations. I observe them in any object of any material, outdoors, in short, everywhere and I try to reproduce the combination that strikes me in my glasses. If I don't like it at the end, I'm able to discard the bead for that reason alone.
What difficulties do you encounter most frequently in your profession?
From a technical point of view, of course, the difficulties are not lacking, but they are easily overcome with commitment and perseverance. Perhaps the greatest difficulty concerns my uncommunicative nature. I am a private person, too much, and this creates some obstacles in my relationship with others and consequently is also reflected in my business.
What gives you the most satisfaction while you create and when you are finished?
During the processing of the glass it gratifies me a lot when I see the decoration take shape and maybe it comes out better than I expected, but the greatest satisfaction comes when the buyer tells me that the bead is much more beautiful in real life than in the photo and that I am kind and helpful. Receiving certificates of esteem of this kind is priceless.
What are you selling for this Christmas?
Generally I don't like making beads for anniversaries, but this year, it will be due to the forced enclosure and the negative events that surround us. Christmas inspires me particularly and I want to celebrate it with some special glass, here are some:
I made this bead with an aventurine base enclosed in transparent green glass and with decorations on the surface in the typical colors of Christmas. On sale at 25 €
Also this bead has an aventurine base left exposed with transparent glass and decoration with white, red and blue and green aventurine. Also for this bead the selling price is 25 €
Here too, a base in aventurine enclosed in ruby red glass and decorations with white glass and green aventurine. Its price: 25 €
Here for the sides I 'played' with white, transparent and aventurine, the central base with aventurine decorated with white dots. The price: € 23 each
Here a red and a blue with aventurine and white decorations that recall snowflakes. Price: € 23 each
But beyond Christmas, I really like making flowers. Here are some examples
The price of the flowers is 28 €
Luisa, despite being quite "young" in this world of beads, possesses remarkable skill and creativity, especially in the combination of colors which, as she herself says, are a fixation. A sincere and direct but graceful person, whose passion is evident from the interview I did to her, in every single answer. Without this passion, I don't think he would be able to create such accurate combinations.
I find the beads dedicated to Christmas very original and festive, perfect for a themed bracelet and more.
La
To contact Luisa you can use her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/luivetbijoux/
or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luivet.bijoux/
or by email: luivet.bijoux@gmail.com
MARIA PAOLA STRIANO is an artisan who deals with sewing. Together with a friend, she creates clothing, accessories and linen for children aged 0 to 8, selling the artifacts in the craft markets in Genoa (Italy).
Subsequently, he put his knowledge on the field in relation to the world of beads. I let you find out how through this interview I did with her.
Maria Paola, how many years have you been in this job and how did you get started?
My business was born as a hobby and, after having followed some creative sewing courses, the passion for real sewing was unleashed in me. I have been dedicating myself to this for 8 years now and I consider myself self-taught, even though my mother was a seamstress and for sure there was "imprinting".
The creation of the bracelet bags that I propose is the consequent union between my great passions: Trollbeads and creative sewing.
Can you tell us something about your technique?
I really love the “appliqué” technique which consists of a real decoration with fabrics applied to designs of my creation.
What is your primary source of inspiration?
For the sachets, the inspiration comes from the beads: I choose eco-leather and look in the fabric, which I use for lining and decorating, what most reminds me of our beloved beads.
What difficulties do you encounter most frequently in your profession?
Normally my biggest difficulty is timing (I can't have a constant production of sachets, because they are too “busy” in making garments for children). At this particular moment, however, the situation is totally reversed.
What gives you the most satisfaction while you create and when you are finished?
The greatest satisfaction for me is the feedback I get when I propose new pieces for sale and even more when the buyer receives the piece: seen live and tried, everyone thanks me for the beauty and practicality.
I am happy and proud of it because everything is truly made with love.
What are you selling for this Christmas?
I propose armband and bead holder sachets, in eco-leather, lined with cotton fabric for patchwork. They have three pockets and are closed by a single pan with snaps. Possibility of custom embroidery on order.
The cost is € 19 each (shipping costs are excluded).
Maria Paola has a talent that is best expressed with needle and thread, the fabrics for her are the canvases with which to make paintings. If you have the curiosity to contact her, let us show you not only the bracelet bags but also her creative sewing, I guarantee you will be amazed by the skill and originality.
Maria Paola, creating these bracelet bags, has rendered a service to all those people who need to carry their jewels with them. Lightweight, soft and not bulky, they are perfect to put in your bag or suitcase.
I own one of his sachets and I can assure you that practicality goes hand in hand with the pleasantness of the eco-leather to the touch and the pleasantness to the eye which, as is well known, wants its part. In fact, Maria Paola knows how to create very harmonious combinations between eco leather and fabric, without neglecting the slightest detail, just look at the color of the snap buttons that changes according to the color of the bag, as well as the embroidery.
A nice gift to do and do, no doubt.
You can contact Maria Paola through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.paola.75
Do not hesitate to contact them even just for information, they will be happy to answer you.
The next interviews I will publish will be dedicated to hobbyists in the world of beads. Stay connected, they will be out very soon!
As always, I await you in the comments, I'm curious to know what struck you ;-)
See you soon,
Elena
N.B. = The photographs are owned, in order, by Michela Falchetti, Luisa Vetuschi and Maria Paola Striano. They have kindly been granted to me for publication to accompany the interviews.
(© Forbidden to copy and reproduce the contents and images in any form, not expressly authorized by me)
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