In Lucca there is an exceptionally beautiful Atelier, Atelier Ricci. In this exquisite space Patrizia Ricci makes spectacular one of a kind clothing. They are truly works of art. Patrizia also has initiated an artisans show in the frescoed rooms of her historic atelier. It is at one of these shows I had the luck of meeting Giuliana.
My first two experiences were with my friends and family fawning over her beaded jewelry and buying it for themselves and as gifts. Out of all of the artisans Giuliana’s beaded jewelry made the biggest impression. When I decided to begin this venture with Artful Italia I knew we needed to have Giuliana as part of our offerings, not only because her jewelry is beautiful but because the quality is outstanding.
Giuliana is at once gracious and kind. She greets everyone with a smile that makes one feel immediately as if they were with a friend. When she talks about her work her face lights up as if her passion is a fire filling her soul and body. Indeed I believe it is. Giuliana not only handmakes and designs her own beaded jewelry she is also the President of an artisans group in Lucca that has formed to help promote and sell local artisans works. Her belief in the importance of artisans in Italy goes beyond self-promotion and weaves itself into the fibers of the Lucca community, elevating the artistic culture.
This is my interview with Giuliana, I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as we have.
Artful Italia: What part of Italy are you from?
Giuliana: I come from Northeastern Italy, my origin includes Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia... the beautiful cities of Belluno and Trieste, the rocky rose-colored Dolomites and the wonderful blue Adriatic Sea.
Artful Italia: Tell us a little about you.
Giuliana: I have lived in Tuscany for more than 20 years and have come to appreciate this very special land full of charm, with such a rich and interesting past. I have many passions and hobbies.I love and have always loved history, art and culture. I love to travel and often the suggestion of a trip is the stimulus to make something come to life, a new design or creation, or vacation. My many passions include: writing, reading, dancing and music, theater, history, and restoration. I have always been curious and creative since childhood, discovering and trying a thousand things but what makes me feel good is making jewelry, because jewelry allows you to create beauty, harmony, and positive energy.
Artful Italia: When did you begin creating beaded jewelry?
Giuliana: I started about fifteen years ago and it was a crazy passion that never left me...I tried various techniques until I met beads which became my great love!
Artful Italia: Can you tell us a little about your jewelry?
Giuliana: I mostly use glass and crystal components in addition to tiny beads, but sometimes I also incorporate other materials into my creations, pieces of silk, resins, stones. When I create nothing else exists, just my hands moving, inspired by a feeling, a detail, a memory and my beads being woven to give new life to a suggestion. Beads then allow me to continuously play with colors, my real “obsession” since childhood.
"Life for me is a colorful beauty!"
Artful Italia: How else are you involved in the art and artisan world?
Giuliana: In addition to the creative work that engages me so much, I also teach my technique here in Italy and around the world and in the past I have collaborated with trade magazines, illustrating several of my projects. I currently collaborate with Atelier Ricci, one of the most fascinating places in Lucca, where you can find an exhibition of my jewelry. And finally, I am president of a small association that organizes markets of handmade creations of the highest quality, also in Lucca.
Artful Italia: If someone were planning a trip to Italy, where is the one place you think they must visit?
Giuliana: I love Italy precisely because of its history and yes, I think it is the most beautiful country in the world. If I had to suggest to someone what to visit in Italy, although wonders can be found everywhere, from North to South, I would have no hesitation: Venice, a unique city in the world, a crossroads of a thousand different cultures in which the East and the West merge into a perfect synthesis. Try to observe the reflections of the water on the facades of the magnificent Gothic palaces and you will see all the colors of Paradise.
You can find Giuliana’s beautiful handmade jewelry on our site.
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