The Ingenuity Team: Meet Helen Park of Creative Moss

We all love getting to know the people behind the work, what inspires them and what drives their business. Today we hear from Helen Park of Creative Moss.

1. Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and what drew you to your chosen craft?

My name is Elena, I'm 21. I make jewelry out of polymer clay and epoxy resin. I began creating jewelry in September 2012, immediately after quitting my job. At first I made simple pendants and earrings. In order to explore new material I started working with polymer clay. I should also say that I did not even know how to bake it properly to achieve a good effect of the hardness of the product, what is hardware and how to work with it , I learned a little later. =)

Then there was the first three, blinded in an attempt to make the pendant filigree. I thought it was a huge step! Only now I see what made the leap to this technique of modeling. There are orderly, more small details.

Perhaps unconsciously, I chose a style of decoration: filigree. This for me is a kind of meditation. I can sit for 6-8 hours continuously and sculpt, piece by piece, line by line. To look at it in the end and say, I did everything I wanted, and it turned out well. I have no greater joy than to look at it again after a month, and say with satisfaction: "Yes, it came out good! Those that will be done in the future will be even better! "
Every piece of jewelry is a kind of race with the desire to do better and to bring my vision to the people. After all, when I get positive feedback from customers, I understand it's for the work that went into it!

A Set Of Dark East - CreativeMoss

2: Who taught you how to do your craft, and how long have you been creating?

My inspirations are the Russian masters Taisha and Marusik. Thanks to their work, I wanted to try to do something different.

The Russian masters Taisha and Marusik.

Taisha :

made-by-taisha.livejournal.com/

Marusik:

marusic.livejournal.com/

Guardian Forests - CreativeMoss

3: How would you describe your style? Are there any crafters/artists/designers that you particularly look up to?

Most of my ornaments are ethnic style. I love this style. I love the history of the people of the world, their costumes and their rituals. So I want to broaden my horizons and learn more about different cultures.

Submissive to the Elements - CreativeMoss

4: Where do you seek inspiration from?

I look for inspiration in the woods, in nature, the rain and in the wind.

At the moment, I am working again. My job is in the suburbs, so I have the pleasure, almost every day, to see the forest from the bus window and the building in which I work.

The forest charges me, it's warm colors, different shades of earth brown to ash-black, green grass to bright sunlight!

I have many ideas about the guardians of the forest and keychains. It seems to me that they are in each forest, I think I can even hear them and almost see their presence.

I'm also inspired by music. It is not always one genre, I listen to different music dependant on my different moods.

Books. I love to read. From fiction to detectives.

Of course, the views of other masters. They inspire me with their singular vision.

Inspiration is everywhere.

Poppy Field - CreativeMoss

5: What are you focused on right now?

Now I am preparing for a show in a nearby town. This will be my first show, and I'm very excited! But I think it will be a great way to unwind and take a fresh approach to this art.

Also plan to check new jewelry makers ...

Snake Eyes - CreativeMoss

6: What are your can't-live-without craft-room essentials?

Hmm ... never thought about the matter. I do not have any favorite things that I need in the creative process. The main thing is a table, clay and tools, and I need to have access to the Internet! =)

Violets - CreativeMoss

7: How do you combat creative blocks?

With a creative stagnation no way I'm fighting. =)

I just rest, do other chores, I draw something, watch movies, listen to music, take a dip in a new book or play computer games. All the same desire to create always comes back. =)

Timekeeper - CreativeMoss

8: Why should people buy handmade?

I think that manual work is interesting for people who like self-expression and beauty. Not everyday beauty but, beauty from someone elses vision. Everyone sees the beauty but handmade allows to her to stand out from the crowd. I love handmade things because they are embedded with warm energy and goodwill. These things give a smile and cheer up. After all, they are created by us, and not a machine.