Beadwork from Kiev Ukraine

Beadwork piece by Ukrainian artist Sveta Prister of Kiev.

Just back from spending a few weeks in Ukraine, conducting teacher-training workshops for Ukrainian teachers of English. Having lived there for four years I already knew the selection of arts and crafts, there are some beautiful embroidery and weavings, but unfortunately most of them are too high-priced to bring home for resale (many of the traditional blouses are between $100. and $200!).

Beadwork Necklaces from Western Ukraine

I lived in Kiev for a total of 4 years…and left in 2004. I have some good friends there and was able to catch up with many of them in between work sessions. My close friend Svetlana Prister had just begun to do beadwork when I lived there. She has become an amazing beader ….every piece she showed me was of exhibition quality!

There is a tradition of bead-work in Ukraine and one can find old blouses with beadwork on them, as well as modern necklaces made in western Ukraine. I did bring back some western Ukrainian necklaces to sell.

My friend Svetlana also does beading on icons.

Another art form from Ukraine are the icons (conventional religious images typically painted on small wooden panels and used in the devotions of Eastern Christians). I like learning about the symbolism of the more unusual icons. The icon above is one thought of as an icon for protection (“The Eyes of God).

My friend Svetlana also does beading on icons. There is an example of one of her beaded icon creations at the end of this article.

Svetlana Prister, the amazing beader, her cat and I in her apartment in Kiev.

My trip to Ukraine was special. Having lived and worked there for those 4 years it was great to return after 7 years to reconnect with friends and to work with the teachers there. The English teachers continue to be an inspiration- so dedicated to their students and their work (in spite of low salaries)….and Svetlana continues to be an inspiration with her incredible beadwork!

Svetlana’s work – Beaded Icon