Artist Interview #2 – Maria Apostolou

Wednesday is my day for featuring artists on my blog. I have a series of questions/prompts that I have offered, the artist is free to answer all, some, or make up their own questions. 
If you would like to be featured here, send me an email and I will send you the list of questions/prompts. 

Today's interview is with Maria Apostolou:

Succulent Brooch

1. A little bit about your background, where did you grow up, where do you live now, education, family, etc...
I grew up in a little village, in Greece, close to the forest and the mountains, but also near the sea. Later on, my family moved to Chalkida, a town near Athens. 

After completing my studies in psychology, I returned to my hometown and started working as a child psychologist. Somewhere along the way I was introduced to the wonderful world of craft and jewelry making. From there on, things took a new course and though I'm still a psychology practitioner, I’m also a full time jewelry-maker, trying to balance both worlds.

2. What was your first work of art & how old were you?
I can’t say I remember my first work of art, but I do remember making all sorts of things as a child with whatever was available. I didn’t have many toys which made me become resourceful. I created what I couldn’t buy. I drew and painted a lot, I made collages, played with my grandmother’s yarns and would even sew my doll’s clothes from old fabrics.

3. What did you do for fun as a teenager?
For the most part, I was going out with friends and listening to music. I also played in a volleyball team back then. This was a period when I stopped making things or doing anything creative. I reconnected with this side of me later, during my adulthood.

4. What and when was your first job?
During college, I worked as a research assistant in a project which involved a lot of travelling, and doing psychometric evaluations in children at their home environment.

5. What was your first work that really pleased you as an artist?
When I made the rectangle resin ring, I was really pleased with the simplicity and the strong geometrical lines of this design. This ring led to a series of geometrical pieces made with silver, resin and acrylic sheet.  

Rectangular Resin Ring

Home Sweet Home - 2 Acrylic Rings

Bud Ring

8. How has your work changed?
I always loved experimenting in a attempt to discover new techniques, materials, and forms. In 2010, during the Ring-a-Day project, experimentation became a daily habit and this is when I realised how interested I am in organic forms and other elements from the natural world. This had a profound impact on my work, though it still remains clean and even geometric sometimes.

9. What things do you not like to do. 
The first thing that comes in my mind is cleaning the house. Who wants to spend time cleaning when you can play and make jewelry in the studio?

12. What toys do you have?
My jewelry making tools, needles, crochet hooks, yarn, paper, watercolors and of course my latest aquisition is my sewing machine.

Crocheted Earrings

Crocheted Brooch

13. What do you eat?
I try to stay on the healthy side, cooking most of my meals with local ingredients but I don’t really obsess over food. Oh, and I eat a lot of chocolate!

16. What advice would you give to others?
Be kind, smile a lot and  try to create something everyday!

Website
http://www.createjewelry.gr
Blog
http://www.createjewelry.gr/blog
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CREATEbyMariaApostolou
Twitter
https://twitter.com/CREATEbyMaria
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maria_apostolou/
Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/createbymaria/
My work can be purchased through my website and also through selected stores in Chalkida, Hydra, Spain and Sweden.