Wednesday, June 22, 2011

About me

       I could crochet and knit for as long as I can remember. I was taught by the best - my mom and my grandma. It wasn't their hobby, it was something they had to do in order to survive and make sure their family had clothes to wear. And this is why:
   I was born in Ukraine when it was still part of Soviet Union. I remember empty shelves in stores and long waiting lines. I remember having money and not being able to buy anything because stores were poorly supplied with consumer goods. Presence of food and clothes on shelves didn't mean you could buy them , everything was rationed and could not be bought at will. There were also illegal ways of clothes and food distribution, in most cases everything was sold to friends and family by the store employees totally bypassing the store shelves. (It doesn't seem real now since I live in the U.S.)
   What I'm trying to say is that when you struggle to buy what you need, you look for other ways to get it, for other ways to survive. At that time my family never went shopping for clothes, everything was hand-made, old clothes were recycled, redesigned and reused. This is the reason I learnt how to crochet and knit in my early childhood. My grandma was more into sewing, my mom - into knitting, and I enjoyed crocheting the most. I made my first cardigan for myself when I was 7 years old.

38 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your story. You've learned from the best and your beautiful work shows it. Best of luck with your shop and have fun with your blog!

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  2. What a lovely story that got you where you are today. I love your work, too:) Found you via etsy's promotional frenzy team:)

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  3. Amazing story, thank you for sharing! I really want to learn to crochet. :)

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  4. Lovely story. Welcome to blogger and to the team!:)

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  5. Thanks for sharing your experience, Good luck with your new shop!

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  6. What an amazing story. I am glad you are a part of our team!

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  7. I'm sure your experience made you who you are today.

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  8. What a wonderful introduction you've provided for us! Welcome to our Team ツ

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  9. What a wonderful story and way to honor your Mom and Grandmother with your new Etsy shop. All the best to you!

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  10. I hope you have great luck with your Etsy shop, thanks for the reminder of how lucky we are.

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  11. Congratulations on your first shop. You'll work like mad and love every minute.

    The ride is just beginning. Hang on!

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  12. CONGRATS on your first shop! I wish you the best of luck...I so wish I could crochet.

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  13. Thank you for the wonderful introduction. Glad that you are part of our team. Wishing you all the best!

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  14. welcome to etsy! let the creations begin!

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  15. WELCOME :) I can't wait to see where your shop goes :)

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  16. Welcome to etsy! Wish you the best of luck :)

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  17. So nice to learn more about you! Congrats on the new Etsy store!

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  18. Incredible story! So, how did you come to the US? Your work is lovely! Hope your shop does well!
    - Sharon/RomanticThoughts

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  19. Your work is beautiful! What a gift you have passed down from your family!

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  20. Your shop is gorgeous... beautiful work! No one in my family knits or crochets. I may have to change that :)

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  21. Beautiful work as well as a beautiful story. People in the states don't realize how lucky they are, most people don't know about struggling for basic necessities. But it has served you well, you have great talent.

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  22. Beautiful work..so precise. Loved your story, sometimes we can use a reminder of the blessings we have living in the US! Thank you

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  23. I know exactly what you are talking about because I lived it too. I am from Belarus.

    Good luck!

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  24. I can't believe you made a cardigan at seven! Lovely story. And those little blue baby booties are so precious!

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  25. Thanks for sharing your story. Having grown up in the US, I can't imagine not being able to go to the store to get what's needed. Good luck with your shop!

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  26. You look so young to have lived during that era! Those little blue shoes are adorable!

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  27. We were country neighbors- I'm from Romania! Communism was like that- nothing to choose from when it comes to buying things!

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  28. Lovely story, and beautiful items.

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  29. beautiful work and beautiful photos!

    theroyalfamily
    MadeJust4You
    Brandy

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  30. Wow - thanks for sharing and putting things in perspective. Your work shows your passion!

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  31. Lovely creations! Thanks for sharing your story!

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  32. Very beautiful finds in your shop. Wish you the best in your new shop here in Etsy!

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  33. Very pretty items. And my grandpa was from Kiev, so we're family, LOL

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  34. You do wonderful work :)

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  35. great story, thanks for sharing...I wish I had the patience....

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  36. Great to "meet" you! Your work is beautiful.
    ~Kim

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