Filigree Opened a New World for Me, Free from Monotony

Positive stories published by Kajak.mk, connected to the people of Macedonia, are numerous.

Today, we will add to our list the story of Ana Slavkovska, who describes herself as a filigree researcher working with silver thread, an enthusiast eager to break the existing rules of the technique, and the founder of 'Atelier for Silver Thread Filigree, Efimina Filigree.'

Ana shares that she joined the craft four years ago. However, she adds that before she started learning the technique, she felt a strong attraction to this profession and knew she would pursue it in the future. When the pandemic began, Ana found herself with more free time, and these circumstances inspired her to view the craft as a potential source of financial security.

An additional motivation came from the monotony of the products already available on the market, which, as she mentions, she noticed were repetitive and crafted in a similar manner, lacking originality.

At the very beginning, Ana created a list of traditional motifs used in silver thread filigree. Her desire to introduce something new to them was realized by combining elements from the Zentangle and Doodle Art styles.

Her first motifs were the butterfly 'Buta' and owls, and in creating these motifs, she always focused on ensuring they were authentic, original, and fully completed. Special attention was given to making sure the motifs were crafted using both gold and silver thread.

Every artisan invests effort and time into creating a work. Ana says the process depends on the complexity of the motif. The first step is designing the concept, followed by sourcing materials and crafting. This process can take anywhere from one month to six months, and as an example of a lengthy creation process, she highlights the 'Little Elephant.'

She creates several versions and then refines them. The crafting process usually takes from 1 hour to 9 hours. The technique is easy to learn, but the nuances required to achieve the final product are discovered through the actual crafting. For some motifs, the adhesive base is crucial, as it's necessary to make good connections at the beginning and end of the thread. The final step is selecting the frame, which is very important for presenting the motif.

In short: silver, glue, and fashion cardboard are needed. The design is transferred onto the cardboard with indigo, glue is applied to the contours, and the thread is then applied.

Ana says that it might be a habit among people, but butterflies are the most sought-after. In fact, even when she presents her creations to customers, the moment she mentions the butterfly, everyone immediately knows what they would like to buy.

For more about Ana's workshop and atelier, you can visit the Facebook page 'Atelier for Silver Efimia Filigree,' and her works are available at the 'HARTIJA PS' kiosk in TC Lisice.