Iva Demchuk
Iva has been making something out of nothing for as long as she can remember. Sometimes “nothing” was mom’s dress or a fur coat she decided to use as a fabric.
Later she attended School of Textile and Design in Czech Republic, where she learned proper techniques and gained an outlet for her pursuits. During those years her interest in design extended to making costume jewelry out of remnant beads and other unlikely materials. Now Iva is working with real precious metals and semi-precious stones to bring to life her own jewelry designs.
Iva’s late grandfather helped her to embrace and reconnect with her Ukrainian heritage, and to develop the strong sense of her identity. She considers it a gift to know who she is and where she comes from. “Since I started this journey, I’ve discovered an incredible depth and wisdom in an ancient Ukrainian culture.” Creating Ukrainian national costumes and jewelry has become a passion for Iva. Her inspiration comes from the extensive research of historical costumes from all the regions of Ukraine. By adding new elements of her own, as well as modern fabrics, she is able to feel connected with the place of her ancestors.
In Iva’s words, “This project was an incredible coming together of minds and hearts. The team feels so organic and each member contributes her talents and valuable time away from her family and private pursuits. Each and everyone of us wanted to make a difference, help those in need, especially children and especially in such hard times as Ukraine is currently undergoing. This photo session gave us a chance to find each other, bring people together for a great cause, make them a part of this charitable project, and create lasting memories and positivity among our community of Ukraine supporters living overseas.”
You can connect with Iva on her Facebook page
http://on.fb.me/1zNLZZV
and find her handmade jewelry on Etsy
http://etsy.me/14anUPZ