Ethnic Tales: The Journey of Jewelry Designer Victoria Kalenik
Whispers of Distant Lands: The Art of Victoria Kalenik
The allure of Victoria Kalenik’s accessories evokes images of distant lands, the wind flowing through the hair of Eastern women, the gentle curves of silk garments, the aroma of spices, and the intricate patterns of henna on hands. It’s impossible not to fall in love with these pieces at first sight, as our entire editorial team did. Now, we share the story of how these remarkable creations came to life.
From Diapers to Design: Victoria’s Journey
Victoria’s journey began in her earliest years. “From diapers!” she laughs. “Seriously, my love for jewelry started at a very young age. I vividly remember being three years old and admiring my aunts’ rings. I have a special fondness for handcrafted silver pieces by Bulgarian artisans. Once, a seller told me that one of my favorite series was created by a woman jeweler. That’s when I started thinking about creating something myself.”
Materials and Mastery
Victoria primarily works with polymer clay, but her creativity knows no bounds. She incorporates glass, metal, leather, ceramics, natural fabrics, and anything else that suits her vision. Polymer clay is an accessible and versatile material, perfect for imitating other materials. Once mastered, it can take on any form, offering endless creative possibilities. There are no limits to the color palette either.
“As soon as I realized I wanted to work with polymer clay, I started looking for courses to learn advanced techniques,” Victoria explains. “In the first six months of my newfound passion, I attended several masterclasses with renowned artists, regardless of the cost or distance. I traveled to Minsk, Saint Petersburg, and Kiev, learning from Anastasiya Arinovich (Minsk) and Liva Rudzite (Riga). I first touched polymer clay in May 2010, and by May 2011, I had my first serious exhibition.”
The International Stage
Victoria’s debut was at the international exhibition “Farby Dushi,” an annual event in Minsk. With a bold approach, she presented her work to the curator, Marina Dukhan, who surprisingly and joyfully accepted her. Marina became a sort of godmother in Victoria’s creative journey. “Sometimes I think that if Marina hadn’t approved my participation then, my passion might have slowly faded away,” Victoria reflects.
Today, Victoria has participated in numerous exhibitions, markets, and festivals, both within and beyond Belarus, including Kiev, Saint Petersburg, Paris, and Grottammare (Italy). She enjoys creating everyday jewelry but finds even greater excitement in designing pieces for the runway and special occasions. Her style is predominantly ethnic, featuring large forms and calm hues, with occasional bursts of bright colors.
Inspiration and Aspirations
Like many creative individuals, Victoria draws inspiration from travel, art, architecture, nature, and human-made objects. She is inspired by artists in every sense, people with interesting life stories, colleagues with boundless energy, friends with fantastic communication skills, and clients who respond to her work and place unique orders. “Inspiration is rarely linear,” she notes. “It creates a special state of mind and body that fuels the desire to create.”
Looking ahead, Victoria aims to create at least two collections per year, participate in various exhibitions, festivals, and projects for professional growth, design runway pieces, and collaborate with fashion designers. Her ultimate goal is to establish a brand that provides a stable income. “This is far from just a hobby now,” she smiles.
For more information, visit Victoria’s Instagram page.
