Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
@lino_embroidery's Moths
Embroidery was one of my favorite hobbies as a kid, and @lino_embroidery has reminded me of the joy this art brings. LINO makes moths brooches that look so alive that they could fly away from your fingertips at any moment. The colors and patterns she is using to depict the little bugs are so lifelike and vibrant that they’ll surely pique your curiosity in the species. Moths evolved long before butterflies and are known for being attracted to light, which makes them a perfect accessory piece. @lino_embroidery uses punch needle and embroidery to land her moths on handbags, zipper pouches, and decorative wall art. In her portfolio of products you can also see other creatures, plants and shapes of yarn greeting you from the fabric canvas. Direct message LINO if you’re interested in owning some of these special art pieces and fashion statements.
Photo credit: @lino_embroidery
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
Abstract portraits by @inly_artist
The abstract portraits of women by @inly_artist are mesmerizing. Multitude of colors burst out of the female frame and breathe life into the canvas. Some of the paintings remind me of the imaginative portraits of @anna_bocek that also invite you to study each brush stroke constructing the human face. Behind the pseudonym “Inly” is the painter Konstantina Zhivova who is also a full-time mother, TV host, and a writer. Konstantina works with acrylic to bring to life not only the faces of mysterious women, but also giraffes, flamingos, elephants, and other creatures of the animal kingdom. DM @inly_artist if you are interested in purchasing a painting.
Photo credit: @inly_artist
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
Clothing line @deninamartincollection
There are few things that make me more excited than seeing someone who is really passionate about their craft. @deninamartincollection has brought on this feeling not just because of the elegant and modern pieces she designs and creates locally in Bulgaria, but also because of the effort she pours into her writing about fashion, beauty, and style. Some of my favorite items from her selection are an off-white silk cotton blend blouse with a neck-tie and feminine bouffant sleeves and a lace shirt dress with a classic collar and front button fastening. Denina is clearly having a lot of fun sharing about her outlook on fragrances, skin care, seasonal collections and fashion accessories, but also advice on how to design a look that makes you feel confident and elegant. She talks about her thought process in designing clothes she has always wanted to see in her own wardrobe like her lengthy flared denim skirt which I also think is fantastic. You can buy @deninamartincollection online and the brand will ship internationally, and shipping is free in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece.
Photo credit: @deninamartincollection
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
Children's Book by @mgieva & @gabbiedr4ws
Written by @mgieva and illustrated by @gabbiedr4ws, this children's book tells the story of Lenka, a girl who loves to wear the socks knitted by her grandmother Nana. When Lenka is wearing her handmade socks, she feels like magical things happen to her. However, one day she puts them in the dryer and they shrink. Lenka feels like her life has lost its magic. She tells her grandmother about the accident and Nana gets to work to knit a new pair of socks. Just before she finishes, Nana puts a spell on the yarn to always protect her granddaughter. The book is available in English and Bulgarian and you can buy it through Amazon or PayPal.
Photo credit: @mgieva
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
@studio.storkandsparrow Kitchenware
@studio.storkandsparrow is a contemporary art studio for hand-crafted non-toxic ceramic kitchenware, the brainchild of Lyuba and Nataliya. Their mission is to bring back the cooking in clay dishware because it’s easy, healthy and delicious. Having rediscovered the wonderful taste of food prepared in traditional ceramic dishes, the two founders wanted to give it a modern twist through their elegant designs. Amongst their product portfolio you’ll find traditional Bulgarian clay pots for gyuvech, fermentation ceramic crocks, and tableware for storing spices and serving foods and drinks. I love the earthy colors of their pottery, with their smooth curves and playful handles. If you want to try cooking in any of these beautiful objects, contact @studio.storkandsparrow through Instagram to place your order.
Photo credit: @studio.storkandsparrow
@studio_zard_Decoration kits by @messy.dessieS@studio_zard_ Jewelry
@studio_zard_ Jewerly
@cavalet.bg Gallery
As soon as I opened the website of @cavalet.bg I knew I had stumbled upon something truly special. The painting that greeted me from the other side of the screen made me pause and admire the female shapes. For 27 years now this independent gallery curates the best Bulgarian art and presents a space for authors and art collectors to sell or buy extraordinary pieces of art. It’s a wonderful window into the world of contemporary Bulgarian artists and their labors of love.
The website taught me about Dimitar Bouyukliyski and his striking “Naked Body” series, Rumyana Sekulova and her pastel collection of peaceful buildings and boats like a nod to a distant era and Zdravko Batembergski with his magnetizing oil on canvas portraits of women and nature morte paintings. Best of all, you can purchase these treasures off of the website.
Photo credit: @cavalet.bg
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
@pile.to Pottery
If like me you’ve been making your lunches and dinners at home and filling the time in between with big cups of tea, you’ll appreciate an appropriate vessel for your meals and drinks. @pile.to is a family-run pottery studio in the heart of Sofia making colorful mugs, spoons, plates, houseplant pots, bowls and more. Ventzislava and Ivan paint each product by hand pouring lots of character and love into their creations. They work with natural materials using lead-free glaze and a kiln to reach temperatures high enough for durability of their products.
@pile.to is especially proud of their spoons made out of clay and contributing to a healthy and delightful meal. If you are interested in purchasing a beautiful piece of pottery from @pile.to you can directly message them on Instagram or Facebook, or check out their Etsy site Pileto Handmade if you are outside Bulgaria.
Photo credit: @pile.to
@studio_zard_Decoration kits by @messy.dessieS@studio_zard_ Jewelry
@studio_zard_ Jewerly
@studio_zard_ Jewelry
I’m mesmerized by the jewelry @studio_zard_ makes. The clean and elegant look of their handmade rings is a rarity these days and so refreshing to see. Here I’m featuring their unpolished matt silver rings and their yellow gold ring with a rough blue sapphire.
The makers behind the brand are Hari and Tio. Hari grew up with a father who was a painter and jeweler and Tio is a professional designer. Their love for art, aesthetics and shapes is what got them together, so they decided to unite their skills and started @studio_zard_ over the summer of 2019.
Photo credit: @studio_zard_
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
@aprons.stilka Aprons
Hear, hear, kitchen divas. @aprons.stilka is a brand of aprons that seeks to bring more positivity and creativity to your cooking adventures. The aprons’ colorful patterns will make you look stylish while their texture and quality will ensure you are protected from the kitchen elements.
If you want to order one of these beauties, you can DM @aprons.stilka with your desired model. If you order more than five, they offer customized designs and embroidery.
Photo credit: @aprons.stilka
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@boaz.woodwork Boards
Wood’s magnetizing presence really shines when it’s shaped into hand-crafted objects. That’s certainly the goal of @boaz.woodwork, a brand dedicated to showcasing the natural patterns of wood by making cutting boards, serving boards, and other wooden products. These craftsmen specialize in making high-quality, end-grain boards, in which the grain of the wood is perpendicular to the cutting surface. This is more labor intensive but the result is superior to standard edge-grain boards where the grains are parallel to the cutting surface. @boaz.woodwork’s founder describes himself as a “a corporate guy turned woodworker” and flipping through his website, you can certainly sense his passion for the craft.
Photo credit: @boaz.woodwork
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@planinkabrand Book
If you like spending your holidays enveloped by the peace and harmony of the mountains, you will enjoy @planinkabrand. The brand publishes a series of mini books about Bulgarian mountains, the first of which is about the majestic Rila mountain. Besides their books, @planinkabrand offers fresh-looking mugs for your hike, pins, stickers, and bags that can perfectly fit your granola bars and water. Check out their Facebook page for more info and spread the love for nature.
Photo credit: @planinkabrand
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@broomkids Furniture
Let's go back to our childhood games and dreams. Based in Sofia, @broomkids architects make furniture for kids that will impress you with its simple and playful style. From shoe racks shaped like castles, shelves that look like airplanes and hangers resembling a cactus tree, these smart wooden furniture pieces will bring a smile to your face. You can find the brand's full selection of products on Facebook.
Photo credit: @broomkids
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@darvo.inspiration Art
There is something charming about big bears, especially when they are hand drawn with big noses, big smiles and giving hugs to big hearts. Here is an adorable collection of them made by @darvo.inspiration on small plates, prints, mugs, bookmarks and more. Behind the @darvo.inspiration brand is Veni, a graphic designer and artist who started drawing these cute illustrations after her daughter was born. Check out her portfolio on Instagram, Facebook or Etsy.
Photo credit: @darvo.inspiration
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@kanchebg Mugs
If you like to drink your coffee in light and sturdy enamel mugs, you will love @kanchebg. Their mugs feature original drawings of famous Bulgarian mountain huts. I love their style, practicality and dreaminess. I bought one for a friend by contacting the makers Instagram, so check out their profile for more info and to get in touch.
Photo credit: @kanchebg
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@foldyourmind Fashion
I’m a sucker for drawings on clothes. That’s why I instantly gravitated towards the artistic street wear of @foldyourmind. The brand makes handmade and hand printed clothing and accessories inspired by the artist and designer Marieta Apostolova's drawings. I love their minimalist cotton T-shirts and their colorful summer shorts and matching headbands. The designer clothing is created in limited edition by fashion studio DiaCheli founded in 1997 in Plovdiv by Marieta Apostolova.
Photo credit: @foldyourmind
Decoration kits by @messy.dessie
@messy.dessie Art
@messy.dessie makes adorable decoration kits with animal faces made out of fabric. They are not only cute but also very light and practical. You can use them as Christmas tree ornaments or just decoration to brighten up your home during the holiday season.
Photo credit: @messy.dessie
Puzzles by @roden_puzzle
@roden_puzzle Puzzles
Three years ago Nadezhda and Jordan came up with the idea to create beautiful puzzles of breathtaking Bulgarian landmarks, and that’s how @roden_puzzle was born. The puzzles are designed based on original photographs of wonderful and awe-striking Bulgarian sights.
Photo credit: @roden_puzzle