Welcome to my creative corner at Etsy
Thank you for coming by!
I am happiest when I am in a creative. Materials inspire me to design.
My role models have been my multi-talented maternal grandmother and my mother. I miss them so much, RIP.
My grandparents had lost all their lands and possessions during the inhumane uprooting and genocide during WWI, Turkey. When my grandmother Vahide Azniv Aslanian was widowed, she supported herself with Anteb/Aintab Armenian embroidery and died on the "kergah" (the embroidery loom/table), when I was 15yrs old. That summer I had asked her to teach me Aintab embroidery, but sadly I lost her before mastering it! She stitched to survive.
My mother helped my father with her high quality beading. Education was not free. We went to Armenian school in Beirut, Surp Neshan (now known as Suren Khanamirian College), which prepared me well to survive, as I ended up in NYC. She chose to stay home, even though she was going to be paid much more, if she went to the design houses in Beirut. My mother's works were sold in Monaco and Paris, that's a story for another time. If I ever see any of those haut-couture beaded gowns, I will certainly recognize them! Hence my great appreciation for everything handmade.
Over the years I have dabbled with variety of mediums, to help me cope with the pressures of managing work and family life.
At school we had the arts as part of the general curriculum and I was good in drawing and painting. I was member of the Photography Club at the Untied Nations. I used to dislike sewing. My mom sewed all our clothes and knitted the sweaters. Eventually I dabbled with sewing, as I liked the creative part of it! Once I got married, I gave it up and gave away my fabrics I used to buy from the Fashion district in NYC.
However, when I was pregnant with my sons, I designed all my maternity clothes, as what I loved was overpriced and I didn't like the quality of fabric. I had to go back to the fashion district and buy fabric. I had an offer from maternity business, when my second son was born. She bought my whole collection! She wanted me to go into business with her, however I decided to keep my job.
Over the years I thought myself jewelry making. I held crafts sessions at the United Nations' UNSRC Friendship Club, where I was the president for many years.
I also like to redesign, upcycle, hence papercraft. I know basic crochet and knitting. I love baking and cooking. Specially with all her Armenian dishes, which most require skills. My Aintab kahke baking with my paternal grandma, came in so handy when I was fiddling around with polymer clay!
I am so glad that since June 2013 I have been in charge of my TIME. I have been in organizational mode, top priority of course is the needs of my family, having more time for my close friends. As well as organize what I have designed over the years, attend museums and all New York has to offer. I am also back to my photography as well. I had put the base in various social media, and now I'm more active promoting, blogging, organizing outings, community leadership and management. In 2015 I started my digital business.
I plan on being more active in here and present to you some of my creations. I also cross list on various platforms.
Thank you so much for taking time to read
