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 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.

My inspiration

Stories from My Life

Part 1: First steps in Creativity

“I had a six-month waiting list for orders”


In 2017, I made the decision to drastically change my career (I had been working as an accountant) and pursue art, something I had been drawn to my entire life.

I had my guardian angel — my husband — who supported me, took on all the financial responsibilities, and gave me the opportunity to learn a new craft and grow my handmade jewelry brand.

Four years later, in 2021 I had a six-month waiting list for orders.

Part 2: The Struggle

“War has come into our lives…”

In 2022, my country invaded Ukraine. We protested against the war, but since Russia is not a free country, we faced imprisonment for our stance, so my family and I were forced to flee Russia.

Since the start of the war, over 2.5 years, we have gone through eight moves across four countries (Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Serbia). Like Ukrainians, we became refugees fleeing from war and an crazy dictator.

I had to leave behind all my equipment and tools in Russia. All I could take with me during our constant moves were four hand tools, a few stones, and some wire. Even through these upheavals, I continued creating pendants, making them more layered and intricate.

Part 3: The second birthday

“My Vottovara is a symbol of my resilience”

On March 7, 2024, I was rushed to the ICU after a blood clot broke loose. The doctors said I was incredibly lucky to survive and remain functional—it was nothing short of a miracle. Lying in the ICU, I realized that I was meant to live for something greater than making pendants. I was meant to create Vottovara.

Part 4: A Creative Harbor by the Sea

At the moment, we’ve temporarily settled in Batumi, a city on the shores of the Black Sea in the small yet beautiful country of Georgia.

I’ve managed to set up a home workshop, sourcing the materials and tools I need for my craft while laying the groundwork for future creative projects.

This is a time of calm, where I can live and create, savoring the soothing sound of the sea.

Let my story be a reminder: even in the toughest moments, life continues to offer us a chance. Don’t give up — there is always light ahead.