I'm Monica Vinci, I was born on the island of Sardinia and now live in the city of Pisa, Italy. At an age of 5-6 years I already made simple tools from a shoe box and cotton thread that my mom used to crochet. I've made bracelets to all my friends. When I was a child, my mother and my grandmother taught me to crochet, knit, embroider and build Sardinians baskets.
During my pregnancy I loved working with beads - first with Swarovski elements, then I learned peyote stitch, then bead embroidery, soutache embroidery, macrame... Whether simple or more elaborate creation, I make my jewelry trying to reach perfection and taking care of the smallest details. That is my moto for everyday life!
During the night my brain "processes" designs and when I get up and draw a draft, I decide which technique to use though I love all of them. If I have to choose my favorite it is definitely bead embroidery. I like working with gradient colors and my beloved ones are all shades of gold - up to brown, and cream and all shades of silver, black and white. I also love all "peacock" colors - that is my passion! I use any types of beads in my creations and I'm always interested in trying new shapes because they stimulate my imagination.
My favorite creation is definitely the Peacock Set, my first bead embroidery. It was a real challenge when I worked on that item because I'd been keeping an idea of such a design in my mind for a long time but all bead embroidery "gurus" told me that it would be impossible to achieve what I wanted. I couldn't think of anything else but realized I have to learn that technique.
I'm a pretty aspiring person, and having taken a pen and paper I started drawing my peacock, just like it was in my thoughts and... Done!!! When the "gurus" I mentioned above saw my "peacock" they exclaimed: "You are a monster!" While beading the earrings for the set I wanted to combine different techniques, bead and soutache embroidery, even with the shibori silk ribbon.
I created a tutorial on those earrings and taught classes at the Beaders Best Bead Art Fair in Hamburg in August, 2014. Now I want to create a few simplified designs. I've also got an idea of making another series "Peacock" in white. Unfortunately, right now I'm very busy with writing a books about beading and I don't have enough time. So, I decided to make a pendant "White Peacock" with shibori and did, I believe, the feathers with a touch of glass is perfect!
The inspiration of the most elaborate creations always comes to me at very important moments of my life, and each finished item is a special event. The necklace on the front cover of Perlen Poesie Magazine (Issue 23) was designed during a very sad period of my life: just after my father's death. My dad passed away on December 28, 2013, and on January 2, 2014 I received an invitation from the editors of Perlen Poesie to write an article for the magazine.
I've been in the midst of pain and immediately thought of a white and gold piece. The first color would represent the transition from earthy life to afterlife; the second one would symbolize how precious my dad has been to me. That way "Queen of Ice" was created. Then I added the soft synthetic fur which was reminiscent of heaven clouds where I believed my dad was.
In April 2014 the Battle of the Beadsmith started and being a very combative, I thought that I had to get out of my sadness caused by the death of my father and Xena, Warrior Princess would be the best for me to represent! I'm also a sort of warrior and I never stop in front of difficulties. I've observed the Xena's armor and with my beloved Swarovski crystals, full of light and hope, I designed "Xena".
I used to study veterinary medicine and only three exams left I had to quit the school because my aunt was dying of leukemia at age 40 and on her deathbed she asked me to grow her 3-year-old daughter and I took this great commitment. I started working as a seller in a BMW dealership and in less than two years I became a commercial director, and then I moved to a Porsche dealership.
When I was 39, the birth of my son didn't allow me to work as hard as I did before because I could work only part-time. Then I decided to dedicate myself to my son I quit my job. It was that time when I fell in love with beads. Gradually, beading has become an incredible passion, I began publishing in Italian and foreign magazines and teaching. Now I created a studio in my big house and I teach at home or at the various shows in Italy and abroad.
My greatest satisfaction is to see my students making success and creating magnificent pieces. At my workshops I try to convey all my little secrets that I have acquired over the years. Never stop learning!!! I'm myself self-taught and I always want to learn new techniques and transmit my knowledge to others. You always have goals in your life, and they are always the most important stimulus for creativity!
My gallery on MyLovelyBeads.com
About author:
| Monica Vinci, Pisa, Italy | |
| Email: | oceanbluecruiseline@tin.it |
| Blog: | loscrignodeigioielli.blogspot.it |
| Facebook: | facebook.com/pages/Monica-Vinci-Jewelry-Designer/118514104991545 |
