INTERVIEW WITH JEWELLERY ARTIST Veronika Melnyk

A: What first inspired you to become a jewellery designer, Veronika? Were you always an artist, and how did you learn how to do what you do?

Veronika: My main influence came to me from nature itself.

A: Where did you grow up? Did this influence your design vision?

Veronika: I grew up in Ukraine. The East meets West influence was quite obvious in my early collections. Now I’m learning towards styles that involve luxurious gemstone designs that you can wear every day, simple styles that won’t overwhelm the woman who wears them.

A: What cities, neighborhoods inspires you?

Veronika: San Francisco and Quebec City.

A: What about them appeals to you (atmosphere, attitude, people, stores)?

Veronika: Sophisticated cities like San Francisco for its vibrancy in colours and Quebec City for its diversity in styles. I’m definitely a city girl!

A: Name a few of your favorite stores or places NY, Chicago, San Francisco or elsewhere?

Veronika: The Mission - is a neighborhood in San Francisco; Ocean drive in Miami.

A: What inspires your jewellery design? How do you stay inspired and motivated?

Veronika: New beads! Aren’t we all motivated by new beads? But otherwise I will see something out my window that will inspire me – the scenery here in Toronto is awe inspiring. Or I will just start putting beads side by side and inspiration will strike. I feel like I’m really affected by all of the things I do, see, hear and say. I notice jewellery other people wear – the shapes of buildings and furniture – the beauty of people and animals.

A: You are a painter and a jewellery designer. Which is your favorite to express yourself?

Veronika: I’d probably say jewellery design, that make people feel more beautiful, but I love all of the work I do and I consider that to be a real gift. In general, I’m not limiting myself to one career. One of the biggest themes of my life is the fact that the skills I learn carry over from one thing to another. As a painter I taught myself to see the world, the objects around me, in a totally different light. I let go of the common definitions of things for a while, and I think it has affected other areas of my thinking.

A: What is your website address?

Veronika: http://www.glamourjewellery.com