HeartForUkraine

I am called Marichka, which is one of my many Ukrainian nicknames made from Maria. I'm the person behind the scene managing this shop. Nice to meet you!

While juggling the shop tasks I discovered that I enjoy doing it very much because it requires not just my creativity skills (I enjoy setting up the shopcases) but also all my organizational and time management skills (I love to be punctual with shipment and such), as well as my soft skills when I work with the customers. Outside of this virtual shop, I work fulltime in the mental health field helping people to overcome their challenges and struggles. Aside from everything else, I promote their creativity as coping skills and relaxation strategies. I always liked to create something with my hands, like the custom designed curtains or a dress for my daughter when she was 3 or 4 years old, or a granny squares crochet blanket, or that 'birds' painting with a million dots… However, such big projects take me forever to complete, so all I do now for the shop is only painting and making earrings from time to time. Whereas the real 'blood' of HeartForUkraine shop and product flow is created by my wonderful friend and a very talented felting artist Olga Romanenko.

Olga says: "When I am asked about my creativity and inspiration - it's a tough question... I work at a public library, and I am surrounded by all kinds of books. We're a very creative team with my coworkers. I love nature, museums, and exhibitions of all kinds - you can get so much inspiration from that! I have always loved making things with my hands. I have kept my creative juices alive by pursuing a number of creative outlets. Different crafts were my passion over the years: cards and jewelry making, beading, and polymer clay. My biggest love is wool. You can do so many things with it! I love to learn and try new crafts. I love to experiment with new techniques and materials. I also like to make unique items, one of a kind. Probably because I like to think that if someone buys it they will have something special in their possession. I'd like to think that we are a good team with Marichka and we look in the same direction. When I make something - she is my cheerleader and I appreciate it".

I started the HeartForUkraine shop in January 2015 following the tragic events of the war that had begun with the Russian annexation of Crimea in my home country of Ukraine a year earlier. Back then, in 2014, I was painting, drawing, and sewing - along with selling in person, collecting and donating money to Ukraine. Almost a decade has passed, however, I still keep donating money and energy to Ukrainians because today the war is more aggressive than ever in my home country, breaking my heart into a million pieces. Also in 2015 I started a new family tradition: right before the New Year’s Eve I paint a 'wish ball', then my family and I write all our wishes and desires on pieces of paper, and we put them into the wish ball, hoping (actually, working towards to) that our dreams come true. My deepest wish is having no more wars and cruelty on Earth.
My dear customer, I wish you peace and happiness!
Marichka