I am most productive in the mornings and the evenings. In the middle of the day my brain literally shuts down and I feel like a potato. Usually, I wake up at 7-8 am. First thing – coffee! and a quick check of my social media profiles. After that I spend the rest of the morning working, having breakfast, browsing for ideas and inspiration. During the winter my routine changes because I spend most of the day snowboarding so I mostly work in the evenings.
I was born in Sofia which is the capital of Bulgaria. After only a couple of months my family moved to Brussels where we lived for four years. In 1997 we returned back to Sofia where I spent most of my life (I will turn 27 this May). Last winter I decided to move to a small town near the mountains. I moved to Bansko, which is a winter resort in Bulgaria in Pirin Mountain, so I can snowboard as much as I can. But then spring came and I decided to stay a little longer because I felt good. I was calm, very productive, and happy. People asked me what do I do when the winter season ends and the town gets deserted. I go on long walks in the mountain, I
spend quality time creating things, I travel, and I met great people that live here too so I can always go out for a beer with someone. I think that here I find the balance between Nature and civilization. I can’t specify exact moments from my life that have influenced my personality the most because I believe that everything that has happened to me (and is still
happening, and will be happening) have shaped me as a person. I like to believe that I outgrow myself every single day. I try to solidify my good qualities. The bad ones – I overcome or change. I am a “work in progress”.
I remember that in high school I was extremely fascinated by people who create things. People that draw. People that write. People that sing or play on instruments. People that craft things. I was inspired by all kinds of art. And that was (and still is) my problem. This inspiration nourishes a strong feeling of euphoria that leads mostly to chaos. I want to try out so many things that I shift too fast from one project to another. I am very organized on the outside but within me – the mess is wild! But I believe that embroidery is the beginning of me organizing this inner clutter.
It was three years ago. I had put on hold the search for my “thing” for some time. Until one day when I saw this workshop for embroidery that would take place at an art space in my town. I got excited and I decided that I will definitely go. Guess what - I didn’t. But I got curious and decided to check out some embroidery art in Pinterest and I was shocked (in a
good way!).
I clearly remember discovering the works of Sarah K. Benning
(https://www.instagram.com/sarahkbenning/) , Tessa Perlow
(https://www.instagram.com/tessa_perlow/) and Teresa
(https://www.instagram.com/teeteeheehee/) and my mind was blown away. At that moment I got determined that after all I will (and have to!) try embroidery. I made a quick research what kind of materials I need to start out, bought them and dived into watching tutorials. The fact that I’ve been doing this for whole three years is a great accomplishment for me and it’s a
sure sign that there is a connection between me and this medium.
I have never attended any kind of art school. And sometimes I feel sad about it. Back then I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was lost and confused in my teenage years. At the end I got a Bachelor degree in Psychology. My parents’ careers are very far from the field of arts so I think this played a role in my choice for high school and university too. Not that they pressured me in any way. I’ve always had full freedom. But I guess if they were closer to the Arts, then I would have been closer from a younger age.
I wouldn’t define it as a career. At least not for now. I try to accept it as a hobby, as a passion. Because the moment I start to think how to make a living out of it, things fall apart. The pressure gets very tense and it repels the inspiration. So for now it’s a side hustle. The other passion I have is selling second hand clothing and I try to juggle with these two hobbies of mine so I can afford to live an easy and simple life.
By engaging myself with a variety of activities. The bigger the diversity = the greater the motivation. As I mentioned before – I am very chaotic and I can hardly focus my mind on one thing.
My biggest goal is to experiment, to learn as much different crafts as I can and combine them. I want to be able to play with them. My other objective is to be able to actually call this a career and to refer to my hobbies as my business. But it will take quite some time to accomplish this bearing in mind the current situation.
Like I said – I can’t describe my activities as a business yet. I’ve always dreamed to get to that point. But right now we are facing times of great uncertainty (the COVID-19 pandemic) and I think that all small businesses and artists will have to get through the upcoming difficulties that are yet to come. The next months will be tough. So I believe that this will be my first financial hurdle.
I find it hard to put a final price on my works. I feel like I am still undermining my efforts and I lower the price because I am scared that if I tell the actual cost then people won’t buy my art.
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In love. Or truly happy. Or when I do many things at once and I’ve entered into this state of mind when I am like a workaholic. If somehow these three things overlap at the same time, then I am on fire!
Anything made out of dough – pasta, bread, pancakes, etc. The guilty pleasure in this field are way more than 3…! (Hahaha)
There are so many artist that I am fascinated by! But I will narrow them to some Bulgarian artist that strike my mind right away and I want more people from around the world to see their works.
Borislava Karadjova and Mihaela Karadjova – They are sisters and both are incredible illustrators. I love everything about their works. And they are extremely kind people! I wish I had a sibling (sister or brother) and I wish we had the connection they have! Kloshar Bags - In Bulgarian “kloshar” means “a homeless person”. The people behind this brand are also siblings – a brother and a sister. I even think they are twins!
Nataliya Milenkowa is the master of sewing and her brother – Deqn, is the man behind the camera. Both very talented. I am fascinated by their constant flow of ideas and inspiration! The brand offers very cool bags and hats.
Vyara Boyadjieva – I discovered her Instagram profile quite recently but I am magnetized by her work. I can’t explain it but the moment I saw her drawings and I was enchanted.
To learn more about Mina Ivanova, please visit www.etsy.com/shop/MbroideryByMina.
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Nisha Btesh
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