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My Creative Journey
Hello, my name is Svitlana Balog and I would like to thank you for looking at my website. ​ My artistic journey began in Chernivtsi, Ukraine with making my own clothes, knitting, and embroidery during my early years. After graduating from University with a degree in History, I was the secretary for the President of The University of Chernivtsi. ​ Then, life changed and I came to Texas as a 90 day fiancé and became a stay-at-home mom with time on my hands. I began to design and sell necklaces made of semi-precious stones after our daughter started school. I always wanted to design jewelry, and now had the time to pursue my pleasures. This lasted for a few years, but my husband’s work had us traveling and I was not able to continue during this period. ​ In 2019, the lockdown provided me more free time to start another artistic desire: painting. I worked with acrylic and water colors with animal subjects. I was able to sell some art and helped decorate our home. I also began making miniatures, designing a library room miniature complete with clay books in which began my interest in polymer clay and brought me back to my favorite craft: jewelry. I started making polymer clay jewelry to help calm myself from the war news in Ukraine and worrying about my family still living in Chernivtsi. Now living on the Gulf Coast in Texas, I fell in love with beach combing. In the last couple of years, I've expanded upon my craft and incorporated the ocean in my work using sea glass, sea beans, seashells, and other treasures foraged off the shores. All specimens were found on the beach and ethically sourced. Any live sand dollars I come across swept up from the storms are carried back to the ocean. I greatly respect these creatures; so I would love to display them and share their beauty. ​ ​ ​ ​