Ruta Naujalyte - a Micro Crochet Artist

It was one of Ruta's heavenly birds that captured my attention and it opened the gates to Ruta's amazingly mind-blowing world of micro crochet. I invited her over for an interview, so let's find out more about this masterful designer.

Hello Ruta and welcome to the blog!

Please introduce yourself to my readers- who is Ruta privately and professionally?

I am a crochet loving caffeine junky. Sewing thread hoarder. Princess on a bead.

You earned your bachelor and master’s textiles degree at the Vilnius Art Academy, Faculty of Arts in Kaunas. Who was most influential in your work /inspiration and how did your artistic career develop through the years?

All of my teachers where and are very strong personalities, incredible artists. Of course, some of them had more influence, but I think it would be politically incorrect to exclude any of them:)

I am just glad to have studied in the period they were professors at the academy.

I've come to understand that you participated in the costume making for theater plays. What did that engagement require and what kind of costumes did you make?

Yes,  the theater is always in my life, even though I hate it. :) Just kidding. Although, even if I don't actively pursue work in the theater, somehow I end up there. Just finished one in Oslo where I was a scenographer.

Your micro crochet jewelry is dazzling, unique and extraordinary, made out of the thinnest sewing threads. How did sewing threads enter your life and enchant you?
My grandmother is a seamstress, her house was full of sewing threads and fabrics. It was natural. Later during my studies I remember I bought an old box at a flea market where I accidentally found a 0,75mm hook. And I was hooked.

 

Besides sewing threads that are your signature tool for telling your stories and expressing your world, what other materials do you enjoy using and incorporating in your pieces?
For me the most favorite place in the world is a hardware store, when I get to one I feel like a child in a candy store – I go nuts - I want to buy everything and implement in to my work. Of course I have some preferences, my number one favorite material, after sewing threads of course, is beads. But for now they are stored in large quantities under my bed waiting for their turn.     

Your portfolio looks like a wondrous, colorful storybook. As a motif, paradise birds seem to be your signature pieces. Can you please share the process of creating one? What does the birth of a bird look like? It looks like a lengthy process because your work is immaculate to perfection and extremely detailed.

There are a few stages: first of all I gather all my threads and I stare at them Oo. I decide on the type and figure out the gamma. I begin with the feather. Since crocheting is a long and sometimes meditating process, by the time I finish the feather I usually contemplate the rest of the bird.

Apart from birds, what other motifs do you like to work on?

I would like to work on many things. I always have tons of projects circling my mind but  given the limited amount of time we are given only few materialize. At the moment I'm obsessed with victorian sentimental mourning hair jewelry. What comes next – only my doctor knows :)

Your participation in exhibitions is extensive and admirable. What exhibition had the greatest impact and influence in your promotion as a micro crochet artist ?

I only recently started to actively participate as a crotchet artist, so it's kind of hard to pick one, but I think the honorable mention award I got from the Triple Parade exhibition   gave me a boast.

Can you describe an ordinary day working on your crochet pieces?

TV's on, 1^th cup of coffee, squirrel turning the wheel making electricity for my TV. Nothings on. I prefer to dive strait into work while I'm drinking my first cup of coffee but it all depends on the light and the time of the year. For crocheting I usually need good lighting. In the summer I can work from early morning to late at night.

What part of the process is the most enjoyable? Is there a particular place where you like to work?

I would say manual labour – the actual crocheting – when I contemplate new ideas.

What do you do in your free time?

Drink coffee extensively and enjoy being lazy.

Your plans for the future? Any upcoming exhibitions?

I am opening my studio for Oslo Open festival this weekend. One of my birds is in France right now, another one in the Netherlands and soon it will be traveling to Ukraine. So my birds are pretty busy at the moment.

If you like Ruta's work, you can follow her on her  social media: Web, IG FB.