Introducing Mishelka from Mileshkina Designs. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Mishelka hand makes all of her amazing creations.
Find out why Mishelka started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I make steampunk boxes, jewellery boxes, trinket boxes, journals , frames, stationery holders with multi media/altered art. I hand make all my pipes, fuses, taps, faucets, cogs, gears and gauges from polymer clay and resin. Every piece I make is unique and I upcycle cardboard and other old items to place in my art. I then put between 5 - 7 layers of paint and texture paste and antique grunge to make it look old and worn.
I also make steampunk jewellery, keyrings and cufflinks. I utilise and upcycle Vintage European watch movements and parts as far back as the 1930's, and purchase these from the Ukraine, supporting a family there. I incorporate these into my jewellery pieces either using the entire watch movement or taking parts out of it and suspending them in resin. I usually feature these as the main body of the pendant or keyring or as earrings. Every piece is unique even if they are the same product and I love that it is an old used watch movement that has been given new purpose in a new form.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
Where do I start ? I was an Evangelical missionary in Russia for 22 years working as a church planter and working with orphans (which I absolutely loved). Sadly contracted an incurable and rare disease which in 2016 put me into a wheelchair permanently. I had to return to Australia and could no longer live in Russia which broke my heart.
I spent the first few years in and out of hospital and today still visit regularly for treatment. I am in a lot of pain throughout my body but particularly in my spine and am sick of taking opioids so wanted to find a healthier way to deal with pain.
I find doing craft and creating is a wonderful distraction and I am in my happy place when I create.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
As I can no longer be in Russia I still want to support the ministry so proceeds from my sales are returned to Russia and Ukraine.
Where did you learn your craft?
I'm self taught - just playing around with polymer, resin and now watch movements.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
I love that it is imperfect and that each piece is lovingly created from the heart to bring joy to the receiver.
Mishelka is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Ultimate Artisan Gift Destination ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Mileshkina Designs already, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
