RAW:natural born artists

Today I would like to tell you about one fabulous organization for the artists. They invited me to participate in the Vancouver Showcase and that was how I found out about them. Unfortunately I had to let that opportunity go.  Though I would like spread the word about them. 

RAW:natural born artists

RAW is an indie arts organization for artists, by artists operating in 60+ cities around the globe. They focus on spotlighting indie underground talent to the public.

Every other month they hand-select and showcase 40 artists in film, fashion, music, visual art, photography, accessories, performing art, hair & makeup as well as Djs etc. 

RAW's mission is to provide artists with tools and resources. They want artists to fight the good fight and promote themselves independently. They do this online and offline by bringing in a film crew and photographer to every event. The artists get a full media kit to promote their creations further and independently. 

This sounds like a great opportunity for the artists!

They have a collaborative showcase approaching on January 8th, 2015 @ FiveSixty in Vancouver. They will be hosting two fashion shows, a visual artist gallery (20 artists), 3 live bands, a film screening and few featured hair stylists & makeup artists, as well as accessories designers. If you are interested in a show like this, you should go and have fun!

Visit their web-site too for more information and even see how you can apply!

Do you believe in fairy-tales? You should... They still happen!

A wonderful story has just happened yesterday... So wonderful, that I have to share.

If you are an artist you know... if you are not an artist you might not know... that even if you make beautiful things that many people like... you still need lots of promotion in order to reach your customers. Some people are very good at promoting just about anything, though not everybody... Then it is wonderful to see when their friends artists help in promotion.

Irina Astratenko, who is my co-artist in making the lace necklaces like this one, just got a surprise personal exhibition in Moscow (Russia) by a friend of hers, who was her first ANKARS teacher many years ago. Rina Stepnaya got hold of her best work and organised Irina's exhibition herself without Irina knowing about it! (She wrote about the exhibition in her own blog, there are more pictures there too. The blog is in Russian).

I am very happy for Irina. Her work deserves such an amazing surprise!

My opinion of Rina has been very high before, but now it goes just above and beyond. I am even happier now that I have something in my possession, that Rina has made just for me... (I see, I called her a "fairy" in my post... I had no idea how close I was to the truth! :)

Gallery Opening Recception. You are invited!

This month's gallery exhibitions invite the viewer to step Into the artists' world, on a journey through the emotions inspired by mixed media and glass.

October 17 – November 7, 2013 | Opening Reception Thursday, Oct 17, 6 - 8pm

More information is here

I decided to share something else that I have found in my email box :) This is the gallery that I have very warm feelings about. Back in 2009 they invited me for an exhibition. I have just made my jewellery line that I was proud about... so that surprise invitation was like a gift from the Universe. At that time I needed somebody to support me and let me know that what I was doing was right, nice and I needed to continue.

 

Beaded Jewellery Show in Kiev 2012

My dear friends did it again! They went to the capital of Ukraine (Kiev) to jury a fabulous bead show. They took their own work there too, of course. I think, the organizers of the show have no choice, but take them as a jury, or they would have to give these girls the first prizes every year! :)

Personally, I have no idea how to wear something like this, but I sure enjoy this eye candy a lot!

Pictures are thanks to Rina Stepnaya

Maple Leaf handbag

This bag was made 4 years ago, when I spent a few month in Russia and did not really have anything to do. Christmas was coming and the shape for this handbag was inspired by the Christmas tree decorations. I had a personal exhibition at the Port Moody Art Centre in 2009 and that was the only event where I took this handbag to.

Russian jewellery artists

There are many great artists in Russia. There are many talented jewellery designers among them. However, as any artists of a country with its own culture and history, modern Russian artists have their own preferences in the materials that they like to use. Russian people like chic in their every day life, they like colour and intricate forms. No wonder that seed beads and lace making techniques have transformed from traditional ways of use, known in the past centuries and into something completely new to fulfill the imagination of these new artists who have the world open in front of them. They study all innovations. They love their background. Then they put everything aside and start creating...

Creative Treasures

Seed-bead contest in Kiev, August, 2011

As a jewellery artist who started as a seed bead designer I still love jewellery made with the creative techniques available for the seed beads. My dear friends and co-founders of the International Association Art-Biser were traditionally invited to jury an International contest for the beaders that took place in the capital of Ukraine Kiev.

Look at all this beautiful and joyful jewellery! It is very sad really that we need a "special occasion" to wear something like this... and a "special" mood too. Can you imagine... there are countries where people wear all these gorgeous accessories just because it is sunny outside and everybody is dressed up as if they are going to a birthday party anyway? I am jealous...

These last three pictures are from the web-site of the magazine that holds the contest - Modnyi

Prohibition Tea Party

These lovely pendants (rose quartz, rodonite and BC jade in silver) from my original collection are participating in a fund-rising event: gala and craft auction! Scroll down to read the invitation!

Art Market is coming in March

Featured in Bloom Market Blog!

http://www.bloommarket.ca/http:/www.bloommarket.ca/designer-spotlight-natalia-khon

Glass As Art (Roundhouse)

There is going to be a very nice installation at the Roundhouse. A very large piece of art that a few artists got together to create. It is made of glass, metal and beads (and maybe something else too!).

Megan Parks, one of the artists and a friend of mine gave me this invitation with the schedule for the opening and exhibit. I think, many other people would appreciate seeing it. You do not need this invitation to go to any of these events listed.

I will go for sure!