1. Alina, please tell us about yourself in a
few words.
Alina: My name is Alina Emandi, I live in
Timisoara, Romania. I'm a doctor by
profession; for more than two years I've
been designing and making soutache jewelry
and I love what I do!
2. Let's walk together into so colorful and
impressive world of imagination and
creativity. How did you discover creating
soutache jewelry? How long have you been
in this industry?
Alina: I first took a needle, thread and
soutache on February 18, 2013. In February
2012 the medical lab where I worked,
closed and I decided to take a break
because I was simply tired. Then everything
came naturally: inspiration, courage? I do
not know!
3. There are a lot of techniques to create
handmade jewelry except soutache embroidery.
Why have you turned your attention to this
style?
Alina: I saw pictures of soutache jewelry
in the Internet and hopelessly fell in
love with that style, and my love made me
sleepless! So, I took courage and said,
"Why not?" I think, soutache chose me, not
me made the choice!
4. How did you learn the technique, have you
ever taken any special courses or learned
independently?
Alina: I'm a self-taught jewelry designer.
5. How did you transform your jewelry making
passion to your business? Have you met any
obstacles?
Alina: No. Thank God, no! It's a blessing
what happened to me!
6. Do you remember your first piece of
soutache jewelry? How long have you worked
on it and who was a happy owner of that
piece?
Alina: I threw it in the trash and cried,
it was a strange pendant. I'd worked on it
many hours.
7. What you are doing is definitely a
meticulous technique that requires
dexterity, attention, and not less talent
and patience. How approximately long have
you worked on a piece until you get to the
end result we can see?
Alina: It takes me from hours to 3-4 days,
it depends.
8. Besides online, how do you promote your
jewelry? Do you participate in fairs, is
there a society that you belong?
Alina: No, I sell my jewelry to online
customers, to my friends and acquaintances.
As to fairs and shows, I don't participate
in such events because I have no time to
work on mass products.
9. What is the greatest satisfaction that you
bring with your beadwork?
Alina: I'm happy when I see clients' joy!
10. What would you advise to those who want to
learn from you? A course? How can they
apply?
Alina: Yes, I organize courses. I usually
timely post on my Facebook page details
of my classes.
11. Have you participated in competitions so
far? What results did you get?
Alina: Yes, last year I participated in
the Battle of the Beadsmith tournament, an
international challenge for bead jewelry
makers, and made round 3.
12. Who are the women who wear your jewelry?
Alina: I think, my customers are
persons from the middle class living an active
social life. My jewelry is a personal
adornment and a woman who desires it has
to be appropriately dressed because she
automatically gets in the spotlight!
13. Who is actually Alina Emandi? I learned
that an interesting story hides behind the
name you use, in fact, that is the name of
your grandmother...
Alina: Correct.
14. Tell us please where your jewelry "is being
born". Can you show us your studio please?
Alina: I do not want to divulge this
secret yet.
15. The jewelry you create is very special, like
from a world of magic, a world that brings
to mind the tale princess. What way do you
go to create something amazing?
Alina: That's a long road of patience,
passion and love to your work!
16. Do you design any collections?
Alina: I work 99% on commissions
and don't create any collections.
17. Where do you buy materials you use? Are they
expensive?
Alina: Mostly via Internet. It depends.
18. How do you get your design ideas?
Alina: My inspiration is everywhere around
me.
19. Is making jewelry a full-time job? How long
does it take you daily?
Alina: It's a full-time job. I work when I
feel the inspiration, I don't count my
working time.
20. Can we live with such a passion today? Are
there any people who work that way? What can
you can tell those who are afraid to pursue
their passion in life?
Alina: Yes, we can, and I'm a living example.
I can say, take courage! Take a step forward
and go beyond your fears! You're the only
architect of your life!
21. Could you name a person to whom you would like
to create a piece of jewelry?
Alina: Frida Kahlo.
22. What was the most strange or funny requirement
that you have received from a client?
Alina: I've received pretty funny orders so
far, but some clients are very nice in their
indecision.
23. Do gentlemen apply with their requests for their
loved ones to you?
Alina: Yes, I've got male customers!
24. For the curious, what prices are these wonders
you create? Are they affordable to many?
Alina: Prices vary depending on the size of
parts, working time and cost of materials. Yes.
25. Have you ever collaborated with fashion designers?
Alina: Not yet.
26. What are your plans for the future? What
surprises should we expect?
Alina: I wouldn't like to disclose my surprises!
27. What other hobbies do you have? Do you have time
for other activities?
Alina: I like poetry and dancing. Two years
ago I enrolled in dance classes and even
participated in competitions.
28. Do you want to remain faithful to soutache
embroidery or give a try to another technique?
Alina: I've worked in peyote stitch which I like.
Dear Alina, thank you for your time and we always
expect news from you!
Alina: My pleasure!
My gallery on MyLovelyBeads.com
About author:
| Alina Emandi, Timisoara, Romania | |
| Email: | anabella202@yahoo.com |
| Facebook (personal): | facebook.com/alina.emandi |
| Facebook (business): | facebook.com/SoutacheByAlinaEmandi |
