About me

Yulia Pavlenko, the creator of Vottovara, looking directly at the camera without a smile. A close-up selfie. The photo is edited with a filter that gives it a gray-brown tone and a texture resembling crayon strokes, as if it were hand-drawn.
The creator of Vottovara — a source of ideas and energy

Yulia Pavlenko

Hello! I’m Iuliia (Yulia) Pavlenko, the founder of Vottovara. I design each piece, select the stones, and craft every creation by hand.

I also personally build and manage this website, shape the brand’s strategy, and run all social media, so that Vottovara resonates with those who feel the depth and darkness within.

Vottovara is more than just work for me — it’s my calling.

On My Professional Journey

In the photo, Yulia Pavlenko sits at a table crafting a pendant. The image captures a workshop class. Next to Yulia stands her instructor, observing her work. Both are smiling. The wall is purple, illuminated by warm yellow light. The workbench, made of light-colored wood, holds various tools
Yulia Pavlenko working on a pendant during a jewelry workshop in 2017
Education in Jewelry Craftsmanship

In 2017, I studied at the Jewelry Craft School in Saint Petersburg, specializing in Filigree—a traditional and intricate jewelry-making technique.
My training ensures that each Vottovara piece is crafted with respect for age-old techniques.

Yulia Pavlenko, wearing magnifying glasses and ear protection, holds a handcrafted wire-woven pendant with a central stone in her workshop, surrounded by tools and materials.
Yulia Pavlenko holding one of her handcrafted Vottovara pendants in her jewelry workshop.
Over 8 Years of Expertise

For more than eight years, I have been passionately creating pendants.
Each piece is not just a product but a culmination of dedication, practice, and skill.

An unfinished Vottovara, with partially woven wire elements, a stone centerpiece, and metal components laid out during the creation process.
The intricate wirework of a Vottovara captured during its creation process.
Crafted Over 1,000 Pendants

Each pendant is unique, yet all are bound by the same meticulous craftsmanship.
By choosing a Vottovara, you join a legacy of art adored by collectors around the world.

A Vottovara in progress, featuring a central stone placed on a sketched design with wire components arranged for assembly, laid out on graph paper.
The early stages of creating a Vottovara, with carefully arranged wire components and a central stone resting on a sketched design.
More than 11,000 Hours of Mastery

I have achieved a level of expertise that meets the global “10,000-hour standard” of mastery. This ensures that every Vottovara I create embodies exceptional craftsmanship, refined skill, and artistry honed over years of dedication.

A map with marked locations across the globe, showing the destinations where Vottovara handcrafted creations have been shipped. USA, Canada, Australia, Israel, and almost all European Union countries.
A world map showcasing the destinations of Vottovara creations
Global Reach

My pendants have been shipped to 27 countries across the globe.
Your Vottovara is not just a piece of jewelry—it’s part of a global tapestry of art cherished by collectors from diverse cultures.

A handcrafted Vottovara No. 2, inspired by a sleeping bat, featuring intricate wire weaving and a central black tourmaline, photographed against a dark, gothic background.
Vottovara No. 2: This unique piece was inspired by the graceful and mysterious form of a sleeping bat.
It was the era of pendants, but starting in October 2024, the era of Vottovara began

On October 22, I created the first sketch of the first Vottovara, and I will forever consider this day the birthdate of Vottovara.

From here, you’ll witness the unfolding of my creative journey

My workshop and materials

A jewelry artist's workspace featuring tools, wire, and crafting materials on a table by a window overlooking the sea. The waves and cloudy sky in the background create a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere.
The workspace where magic happens! This is where Vottovara comes to life, with the sound of waves and the beauty of the sea as my constant inspiration.

My workshop and materials

My workshop is located at home. The sea provides me with immense energy and strength, so I chose a workspace by the window.

Materials and Tools:

Main materials: Wire and stones. I use wire of various thicknesses, ranging from 0.25 mm to 3 mm.

For soldering: A torch and gas.

Primary tool for bending wire: Pliers.

A workspace featuring jewelry-making tools, spools of wire, a torch, and organized boxes of semi-precious gemstones and findings. These are the materials and tools used to create Vottovara artifacts.
These tools, wires, and gemstones are what bring Vottovara to life

The tools are simple, but the true secret lies in the craftsmanship, which I have been perfecting for over 11,000 hours

9 random facts about me

1

Vottovara images often come to me in dreams.



2

Before I begin making a pendant, I meditate with the stone in my hand and only start working once it has given me permission to create its setting.

3

My favorite stone is black tourmaline.



4

I was born in the USSR.


7

I did not study art anywhere; my hands know what to do.

5

I can control my sleep and request the theme of my dreams.

8

I am an introvert.

6

My great-grandmother was a witch, and everyone in the village went to her for fortune-telling.

9

I’ve loved moss since childhood.

The Story of My Life and Creative Journey

Introduction


My name is Iuliia (Yulia) Pavlenko, and I am an artist working in the Wire Wrapping technique. My creations are intricate artifacts with deep meaning. With every twist of the wire, I strive to craft unique pieces that cannot be replicated, each carrying its own story.

My ultimate goal is to become a world-renowned Wire Wrapping master, to make this technique more recognized and popular, and to inspire others on their own creative journeys, regardless of age or circumstances.

Iuliia (Yulia) Pavlenko is standing in a black T-shirt. She is wearing one of her works, a pendant with malachite woven from wire. She is looking straight into the stone and smiling sweetly.

Part 1: Life Facts


I was born in the USSR in the city of Leningrad (now called Saint Petersburg). I have a higher education in economics. In 2003, I got married. I worked as a bank operator, accountant, and marketer. In 2006, I gave birth to my son.

In 2017, I abruptly changed my profession and started working with Wire Wrapping.

In 2022, my life changed drastically again—war began, and my family and I were forced to leave Russia. For two years, we wandered between countries—Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Serbia—and as of February 2025, Georgia has given us shelter.

In 2024, I faced yet another trial—a blood clot broke loose, and I found myself on the brink of life and death. At that moment, I realized that I don’t just want to practice a craft—I want to create true art.

Iuliia (Yulia) Pavlenko is sitting in the workshop at a metal table. In front of her is a burner and a soldering board. She is looking at the stone and smiling. She is wearing a red and white checkered shirt.



Part 2: My Path in Wire Wrapping


In 2017, I was introduced to the Wire Wrapping technique for the first time. I had no formal art education, so I taught myself by studying tutorial videos on YouTube. I literally watched every available video, striving to master the technique.

In 2018, realizing my lack of certain skills, I enrolled in the “Filigree” course at the Jewelry Craft School in Saint Petersburg. This knowledge allowed me to create more boldly and bring to life the visions that come to me.

My first pendants sold for $8, but within a year, their price had risen to $50. By 2019, I had a six-month waiting list for orders. I sold my pendants at auctions because there were too many people wanting to buy them.

In 2022, the war completely changed my life, and due to constant moving between countries, I didn’t create anything for two years. Only in 2024, when we settled in Georgia, was I able to return to my work.

By my calculations, as of November 2024, I have been practicing Wire Wrapping for 11,000 hours. Since 2017, I have created more than 1,000 unique pendants, which have found their way into collections in 27 countries around the world.

From 2017 to 2024, I showcased my work on VK and Instagram under the name “My Gem.”
Since October 2024, I have been creating under the name “Vottovara.”

A photo comparing a simple wire pendant from 2017 on the left with a detailed and intricate Vottovara pendant featuring a labradorite stone from 2024 on the right, showing the artist's evolution in wire weaving artistry.
A side-by-side comparison of my first wire pendant from 2017 and my first Vottovara creation in 2024.

Part 3: Symbolism and the Magic of Stones

When I started weaving pendants from wire in the Wire Wrapping technique, I began using natural stones. While working, I spent hours holding the stones in my hands, and I felt their diverse energies. I wanted to understand why. I became fascinated by legends about stones, descriptions of their properties, and how they influenced my buyers.

By 2018, I was no longer just making pendants—I was creating talismans, amulets, and symbols. I aimed not merely to craft jewelry but to imbue each piece with power and meaning. Every customer had a unique story and specific requests about the properties they needed in a stone and what the finished pendant should symbolize.

I do not limit myself to a single source of information about stones and symbolism. I gather legends and beliefs from various occult traditions, from different countries and eras. This allows me to view a stone or symbol from multiple perspectives and see its many facets.

Part 4: Vottovara and the Transition to DarkArt

On March 7, 2024, I found myself on the edge of life and death. Lying in intensive care, I reflected on my journey and realized that if I survived, the time of the craftsman was over—the time of the artist had begun.

I started a new project—Vottovara. These are not just jewelry pieces; they are artifacts filled with deep meaning, infused with symbolism, the magic of stones, and the dark aesthetics.

Vottovara is a bridge between the material and the immaterial, between reality and imagination. It is the expression of my inner world and the path I have walked.

A handcrafted Vottovara No. 2, inspired by a sleeping bat, featuring intricate wire weaving and a central black tourmaline, photographed against a dark, gothic background.
Vottovara No. 2: This unique piece was inspired by the graceful and mysterious form of a sleeping bat.

The future remains unknown, but one thing I know for sure—despite all the trials, I will always create.

My inspiration

A Gothic cathedral in France with tall spires and intricate details, set against a cloudy sky.
A black-and-white pencil drawing of a spider with detailed legs and a rounded body, serving as an artistic inspiration.
An illustration of a bat with fully outstretched wings, drawn in black pencil or ink.
A Gothic cathedral in France with a detailed rose window and towering spires, surrounded by blooming trees, serving as creative inspiration.
A dark forest scene with a silhouetted figure facing a ghostly, ethereal entity emerging from the mist, evoking a sense of mystery and otherworldly inspiration.

The story of my personal Vottovara

A Vottovara No. 1 by Yulia Pavlenko, featuring a radiant blue labradorite stone set in an intricate wire-woven design against a dark forest background.

Labradorite

One of the known properties of labradorite is its ability to ease transitional periods. Labradorite is often used during times of significant change and transformation, as it helps navigate life’s inevitable transitions with resilience and balance.

I created this Vottovara for myself as a symbol of my strength and perseverance.

How I use my Vottovara of Strength with Labradorite:

A close-up image of Yulia Pavlenko wearing Vottovara No. 1, a wire-woven pendant featuring a vibrant blue labradorite stone, showcased against a black outfit.
  1. Meditation: I hold my Vottovara during meditation, focusing on the energy of labradorite. I visualize it filling me with calmness and empowering me to face my current challenges.

2. Morning Ritual: Each morning, I set an intention while holding my Vottovara. Silently, I affirm, “I remain strong and open to change, embracing it as an opportunity for growth.”

3. Support Talisman: In moments of doubt or anxiety, I touch my Vottovara as a reminder of my inner strength.

4. Focus Tool: I use Vottovara as an anchor for focus. When I need to make decisions, I hold it in my hands to calm my mind and tune into my intuition.

5. Energy Cleansing: I regularly cleanse and recharge my Vottovara:

  • For cleansing, I use the smoke from white sage sticks, passing the Vottovara through the smoke while visualizing it being freed from any negative energies.

  • To recharge it, I place it under the moonlight during the waxing phase. I set it on my balcony overnight, ensuring the forecast is clear of rain.

Vottovara is my active companion, a powerful symbol of my resilience and my ability to navigate whatever life throws my way.