elfine

Here are some of the photographs which I have been working on recently. You can find them, along with other photography-based images, at my new shop elfine.

A cup of tea with YooLa

by Linda Kruger

Here is the first of a series of occasional features with artists and craftspeople.





These spacious architectural forms and wearable artworks are by made by talented artist Yael Falk, aka YooLa. Yael is based in Israel, and works as a full time industrial designer with her husband at their design company Baribua. She creates these beautiful objects in her spare time.



But what began as a hobby, has recently become a more dominant part of her creative activities. She says "In a way, it is an extension of my work but it gives me the freedom to create with my two hands rather than on the computer. I love the fact that it has a human touch rather than machine made, but the best thing about it is that I can give my creations as gifts."



The pieces are handmade by crocheting delicate coloured wire to create hollow forms. "I love the airiness of nets, so I'm especially attracted to knitting/crotcheting metals. I find it fascinating how these delicate wires become solid and constructive once manipulated."




Due to space limitations at home, Yael works from a special jewellers' bench that she has set up behind her desk at work, although like most artists, she works wherever and whenever the mood strikes. She says "If you ask my family where my studio is, they would complain that the whole house has become one, most of my crocheting is done on my favourite sofa in the kitchen. Meaning my wires and half finished items are all over."



One of Yael's most striking pieces is the pomegranite form, which is made from wire in red and orange hues. When they are grouped together, the spacious structures overlap, emphasizing the shapes, and creating a delicious mix of colour. The pomegranate has spiritual significance as a symbol of fruitfulness in many different cultures. Yael says "As all good things, they happened by chance, they just find you. It doesn't mean you don't have to search.....The pomegranates were actually a turning point towards bigger items than jewelry. It introduced me with knitting challenges and opened a whole new area. It was born during a visit to my mum at the hospital. I came with a red knitting in process, and she commented that ceramic pomegrantes are a big hit these days - I recalled having one at home myself. After researching the net for more info, I simply fell in love, both with the fruit and the spirituality behind it. I never ate so many poms as this year! I'm not a religious person, but have become very spiritual the last year or two. I feel a special connection, and developed a big size range of pomgranates, which I still haven't finished. The smaller ones I turned into earrings and pendants."



Perhaps one of the most appealing things about Yael's pieces is the way in which she combines the handmade technique of crotchet with the clean lines of contemporary design. She says "Part of what I love about this niche I found for myself is the personal touch, I always prefer handmade stuff. I apply this approach also on other fields of my life, baking, cooking, preserving. I try to educate my kids (a boy and a girl 12 years old) to see the beauty of hand made and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with it. Yet, if my products could go into production while maintaining the "touch" (which I doubt is possible), I would explore this opportunity, mainly because I know that some people can't afford my items, and production might make them more affordable."

You can find Yael's products at her etsy shop, YooLa, and see her images on flickr.