KUKLAstudio: Solo Exhibit (With Giveaway!)

When Elitsa of KUKLAstudio contacted me about being featured on Etsy Stalker, I didn’t even have to think twice. Her technique of combining wire and resin to create jewelry with a stained glass effect grabbed me from the first piece I saw.

Starting as a photographer, her path didn’t turn to jewelry design until she discovered wire and the endless possibilities it offered. Check out the amazing detail in her intricate sterling silver moon pendant.

By adding colorful resin to her skill with wire, her pieces take on an airiness as light and beautiful as their natural inspirations. Here, silver wire and a dappling of color evoke blossoms, leaves, and sunshine.

I love the way her Summer Landscape earrings work together to enhance each other as opposed to being an identical pair.

Her use of wire allows the creation of angles and texture as in these Green Bough earrings. Inspired by Fiddlehead Ferns, can’t you just see the way the individual fronds would catch the light?


Despite English not being her first language, Elitsa was kind enough to answer a few interview questions!

Curator V: How did you get started making jewelry?

I always have been making things. I like to draw, I was a keen photographer, I have worked with ceramics and I guess making jewelry was just one option for creating. But important step along the way for me was to find metal, and especially wire, as my material. It just gives you so many possibilities – it is solid yet at the same time flexible, you can freely create so many shapes and forms. It could look gentle and strong, plain and elaborate, classic and modern. I think the possibilities are countless. Sometimes I think of working with more materials but I feel there are so many things to be created in wire, I haven’t used it to the best advantage.

Curator V: You are originally from Spain and are now living in Bulgaria. How has your change in location affected your designs?

I’m originally from Bulgaria and I like to live in different places. Right now I’m temporary living back home again. I’m going to Barcelona in September and am hoping to spend some time in Lisbon later this year.
I like traveling. While changing places you can’t really settle. Sometimes I think that I wanna have a place of my own with all my belongings in there, to have a space and organize my studio, but then again – I don’t really want to settle. When you are in an unfamiliar place there are so many challenges every day, I like the feeling.
And of course my travels reflect also my designs. My jewelry is inspired by things i see, things I find, people I meet and ideas i get by just being around, so it does matter where I am. Though sometimes I think I’m not hugely affected by the places, maybe I have to pay more attention about things around.
People sometimes ask me if my jewelry got this Art Nouveau look after I’ve lived in Barcelona. And the answer is “No”, I just found out how Art Nouveau it looks after seeing much more of the style of the époque. I’m proud though when somebody compare my jewelry with the Art Nouveau style, there are so many beautiful items and amazing work touched to the final detail, I’m amazed when I look at the work of some of the masters from that time.

Curator V: Do you have a favorite item to make? What makes it so special to you?

One favorite item – I don’t know. I guess it changes. Sometimes I’m so happy with an item I’ve made, I think it’s the best thing I’ve done ever, then time passes and another favorite appears. I love my landscape earrings. I created a whole collection for an Art Nouveau Craft Fair near Barcelona that I took part of ( back in 2007 I think). Some examples can be found on my etsy page and an old favorite are my Red Tulips Earrings. A fairly new favorite – Green Leaves earrings, I just find them quite elegant and special and just like them.

For this week’s giveaway, the winner is going to have some hard decisions to make because Elitsa is giving away your choice of any earrings under $35! To enter, simply head on over to KUKLAstudio, then come back here and leave a comment with your favorite item. One winner to be chosen at random next Sunday, August 1st.

Tagged as: jewelry, metal