Featured seller...antoniyakoleva

We are very happy to introduce to all of you, the ETSY Bulgarian Artists Team member antoniyakoleva. We thank Antoniya for taking the time to answer our questions.So here she is...young, beautiful and full of ideas...

antoniyakoleva

Tell us more about yourself

I am a happily married creative person! My name is Antoniya, but everyone calls me Tonka. I was born in Bulgaria but lived in Hungary and Holland while obtaining my business degree. Throughout my studies my only goal was to learn how to be an art entrepreneur. I love making things - since I was a little girl I was sewing Barbie doll dresses with my cousins, learned crochet from my grandmas, and being a cool teenager made my own jewelry. I am now living in Turkey with my awesome husband and our zoo - 2 dogs and 2 cats. I live near the beach in the suburbs so nature is my biggest inspiration. There is so much it can give us! I like to combine natural and man-made materials for the best results in my products!

What else do you do apart crafting?

Take care of my zoo J I am also learning Turkish at the moment and adapting to this wonderful place called Izmir (that’s more of enjoying not doing)

Natural stone magnet decoration Gemini Chinese zodiac from antoniyakoleva

 Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspirations are the creative people around me and nature! I take the shapes and materials from nature and use the creative energy around me to turn them into something fun and beautiful! For my jewelry I use local newspapers which inspire me with their originality. In my art the important thing is to make things always different and one of a kind. I might make something similar but I wouldn't like to make the same things over and over again!

Bracelet bangle headband newspaper comics decoupage from antoniyakoleva

Do you have a favorite item in your shop?

 love jewelry and I love nature. The combo of the two is just great! I adore this necklace 

Handmade green crochet necklace with beach stone from antoniyakoleva

because it is simple but it makes a statement - I am going to the beach!

Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share with us?

Don’t worry, be happy!

I am always thinking positive!

If you would peek inside the studio of an artist, designer, craftsman (dead or alive) who would it be?

I know it’s far from Etsy’s handmade style but it’s Elie Saab. I think he is a genius in fashion and no contemporary designer can feel what will fit a woman as good as him.

Crochet home decoration sign from antoniyakoleva

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

The ones that my family gave me as a gift – knitted hats, shawls, crochet doilies, carpets and needlework. They are full of family love!

Crochet handmade doily coaster from antoniyakoleva

Where would you like to be in ten years?

On a beach with my little kids (yet to come). Professionally I want to be free to do what I like.

Fridge magnet natural stone newspaper comics from antoniyakoleva

 What is the most surprising thing about you?

I had never played Super Mario or watched The A-Team series before I met my husband! When I was a kid, Bulgaria was under communist government so we didn’t know about these (or at least I didn’t know), he showed them to me.

Thank you!

J

We also thank Antoniya and we wish her a great time and fun in her life.

Don't forget to check out her wonderful shop at ETSY.