hello :)
my name is katka vesela and welcome to my shop!
i am a mamma to 2 boys living in a small village in the krkonoše mountains in the czech republic.
i am an architect, but momentarily i do minimal architectural work and maximum mamma work (thanks to my hardworking husband), and in my “free“ time i make jewelry and sew :)
why kv barn?
well, we sort of live in a barn house. our house is modern, but was inspired by the traditional czech barn. and our “barn” is the place where i do all of my work....and also take care of my 4 barn animals :) – 3 men and one dachshund.
about my sewing:
i did a bit of sewing through college, but started to sew more when my boys were born. i really enjoyed/enjoy making clothing or textile toys and accessories for them :). i also started sewing gifts for friends (big and small :). it always feel so nice to give a gift made from the heart. and as you can see, i got hooked on zipper pouches.....a little pouch is great for for all kinds of trinkets and treasures.
about my jewelry:
ever since i was a little girl i have been crafting with jewelry – beading with glass beads and later with semi-precious stones, but i have always been fascinated with fine metal work.
in the fall of 2013 i was so excited to discover precious metal clay (see below for more info) – an opportunity to make real silver jewelry with my limited time and space!
i spent many, many evenings researching through the internet and books about jewelry making using silver metal clay and decided to give it a try. i bought a package of clay, a micro torch and a couple of the basic necessities and took a deep breath and..... it was so thrilling to make my first pair of earrings - i was immediately hooked!
in the beginning, not every piece was a success, but hands-on experience is the best way to learn and refine one's skills!
throughout my learning process i expanded my tool box and developed and refined my own technique. i like simplicity and sustainability, so i found ways to use many everyday household items for my jewelry making :). for ex: my boys’ play doh instead of putty, hard boiled egg for oxidizing silver, salt and vinegar as a silver prep, making a pencil with a pin tip as a marking tool, etc.
the inspiration for my designs comes from all around – especially nature and also very much from my sons’ amazingly creative drawings, which i have displayed everywhere around me in my work space!
i even find myself falling asleep with designs popping into my head.
if you are interested, here is a link to my crafting blog:
http://kvbarn.blogspot.com/
the jewelry-making process:
i have a journal where i do my jewelry doodles. when i finally decide on a design i like, i make a wax carving and make a jewelry mold of the wax carving. then i make a metal clay impression using the mold. i prep the findings (earring posts, etc.) and then attach them to the metal clay design. then i fire the piece, during which the fired piece results into .999 fine silver. after firing, i: brush, polish, sand and sometimes also enhance engraved lines on the piece. then i oxidize it and sand/polish it again, and i have my finished piece! :)
for information about precious metal clay see the FAQs on the Policy page.
the pouch-making process:
i first doodle designs – pencil and paper or needle and fabric (or both :) and when i have one i like, i make the pouch.....i first prewash the fabrics, then iron (and iron on interfacing where needed), cut the fabric, draw the design with a fabric marker, hand stitch the the design and off to my sewing machine! after i sew the pouch i wash again (to wash out the fabric marker) and iron again. the finished pouch goes into my pouch basket where it waits for its new owner :)!
i hope you enjoy wearing, giving, or receiving my handmade items ♥
