Vitalija Velyviene

Vitalija Velyviene

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010 featuring Seed Beads

Silver Medal Prize Winner

Category: Holiday

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Levittown, Pennsylvannia

Describe your artistic style.
Traditional, modern

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Holidays, seasonal changes, personal experiences

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Seed beads, crystal, pearls, chains, etc.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Santa Claus Doll

What inspired this design?
The Christmas holiday

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I wanted to make a Santa Claus for Christmas and I carefully planned out how I was going to make it.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I was inspired to begin beading and making jewelry after I visited the Liberaci's museum in Las Vegas 2007.

Who introduced you to beading?
Most of my lessons came from beading magazines, books and online videos.

Do you have an artistic background?
Yes, years ago I was a dress-maker/fashion designer.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
I discovered Fire Mountain Gems and Beads online while searching for beads that would suit my next project.

What other hobbies do you have?
Sewing, knitting, embroidering, crocheting, making flower bouquets, home décor and gardening.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
For now I do belong to Creative Home Arts club.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
It is my hobby and part-time career. It is a wonderful way for me to express myself and relax after a day's work.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
Currently, I am selling my art to friends, co-workers and family only.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
No, not yet.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
When making any work of art, always try to be true to yourself and follow your heart.