DC Designers: Maria Fyodorova

Every week in DC Designers we highlight a local designer who has caught our eye.

By Sonia Harmon

Maria Fyodorova.

What: Barefoot Czarina, a nature-inspired jewelry line that includes rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets.

Who: Maria Fyodorova, a local designer originally from Russia. She has a degree in international environmental affairs and an MBA in environmental policy and management. She divides her time between her job as an environmental consultant, working on her jewelry line, and writing for her blog on green living, Righteousrestyle.com.

Where to buy it: Maria’s Web site BarefootCzarina.com directs you to her Etsy online shop. Some pieces are also available through UnsungDesigners.com, and you can e-mail Maria directly for custom orders at maria@barefootczarina.com.

What’s in a name: Maria says the name Barefoot Czarina is a reflection of her heritage and personality. She came up with the idea from a vision she had of a queen who reflected her style and taste. “I’m kind of a hippie in terms of how I live my life,” she says. “I love gemstones and adornments. I have this idea of a queen who’s fancy and covered with jewels but is also kind of a free spirit.”

Heavy metal: Maria is a self-taught designer, and after working with gemstones and beads for awhile, she decided to try something new: metalsmithing. She took a class at Creative Metalworks in Kensington to learn the basics and now uses sculpting techniques to create most of her jewelry. But she does feel some ambivalence: “I’ve always had a hard time combining my environmental life and my jewelry life, and metal mining and gemstone mining is really taxing on the environment,” she says. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, Maria uses vintage leathers and jewelry pieces combined with new pieces for her latest designs. “That’s been a really exciting discovery for me to be able to use old things to make new things that look current.”

Bigger isn’t always better: Maria says running a very small creative business can be trying because a lot of what she does isn’t the creative part. Her solution has been to keep her jewelry line a part-time endeavor: “I’d rather produce one-of-a-kind or limited-edition pieces on a part-time basis than try to get my things out to a million boutiques. I have an MBA, so I don’t mind the management part of it, but that’s not why I make jewelry. I make jewelry because I like the creative part of it.”

Obamania: One of Maria’s recent projects is Barack Obama jewelry, which includes earrings, pendants, and two necklaces. She started making it in September and showed the jewelry at the Crafty Bastards arts-and-crafts fair in DC’s Adams Morgan. “The big response was ‘This is so neat, but I couldn’t wear this to work.’ ”

Maria’s faves:
Place to shop for clothes: “My blog is all about ecofriendly shopping, and I really love Goodwill. I mostly shop at vintage and secondhand stores. I also really like Etsy and eBay for their vintage items.”
Place to shop for shoes: “I haven’t been indulging my shoe side too much, but I really like Zappos.com, and if I have an interview or if I need a pair of shoes quickly, I’ll go to Nine West.”
Restaurant: “Thai Tanic in Logan Circle.”
Favorite place in DC: “I love biking in Rock Creek Park and finding a spot where there isn’t anyone else around and meditating and doing yoga.”

More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa  

Comments

<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-sandra-sailor-pant-p-809.html">True Religion Women’s Sandra Sailor Pant</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-sandra-sailor-pantshort-fuse-p-810.html">True Religion Women’s Sandra Sailor Pant-Short Fuse</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-skinny-jeans-c-63.html">True Religion Womens Skinny Jeans</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-jodie-natural-triple-needleveracruz-p-842.html">True Religion Women’s Jodie Natural Triple Needle-Veracruz</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-jodie-pigment-printed-indigo-coyote-trail-p-846.html">True Religion Women’s Jodie Pigment Printed Indigo - Coyote Trail</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-julie-super-tbody-rinse-p-852.html">True Religion Women’s Julie Super T-Body Rinse</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-juliesupervixen-p-853.html">True Religion Women’s Julie-Supervixen</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-old-glory-stellabody-rinse-p-854.html">True Religion Women’s Old Glory Stella-Body Rinser<a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-juliesunset-pass-p-855.html">True Religion Women’s Julie-Sunset Pass</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-julie-natural-super-tdark-homestead-p-856.html">True Religion Women’s Julie Natural Super T-Dark Homestead</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-julielonestar-p-857.html">True Religion Women’s Julie-Lonestar</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-stella-petitedark-pony-express-p-858.html">True Religion Women’s Stella Petite-Dark Pony Express</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-qtbody-rinse-p-811.html">True Religion Women’s Billy QT-Body Rinse</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billyvera-cruz-no-rips-p-812.html">True Religion Women’s Billy-Vera Cruz No Rips</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billyomaha-no-rips-p-813.html">True Religion Women’s Billy-Omaha No Rips</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-natural-big-qtrusty-barrel-dark-p-814.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Natural Big Qt-Rusty Barrel Dark</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnny-natural-big-qtomaha-p-815.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny Natural Big Qt-Omaha</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-reclaimed-wcrystal-hardwarerough-river-p-816.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Reclaimed W/Crystal Hardware-Rough River</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnny-natural-super-tomaha-p-817.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny Natural Super T-Omaha</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-petitesupervixen-p-818.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Petite-Supervixen</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-disco-billy-petitebody-rinse-p-819.html">True Religion Women’s Disco Billy Petite-Body Rinse</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnnyinglorious-p-820.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny-Inglorious</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnny-ponteblack-p-822.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny Ponte-Black</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnny-blackgrey-big-qtinglorious-dark-p-823.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny Black/Grey Big Qt-Inglorious Dark</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-leather-pantsblack-p-824.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Leather Pants-Black</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-qtbody-rinse-p-825.html">True Religion Women’s Billy QT-Body Rinse</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-glitz-and-glam-with-black-crystal-pave-trim-p-826.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Glitz and Glam With Black Crystal Pave Trim</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billyblack-p-827.html">True Religion Women’s Billy-Black</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-super-tbig-sugar-medium-p-828.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Super T-Big Sugar Medium</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billy-super-tlonestar-p-829.html">True Religion Women’s Billy Super T-Lonestar</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-old-glory-billywagoneer-medium-p-830.html">True Religion Women’s Old Glory Billy-Wagoneer Medium</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-johnny-natural-super-tomaha-p-831.html">True Religion Women’s Johnny Natural Super T-Omaha</a>
<a href="http://www.truereligionmenjean.com/true-religion-womens-billymedium-drifter-p-832.html">True Religion Women’s Billy-Medium Drifter</a>

Posted by: true religion men jeans, Dec 02, 2011 02:40:45 AM

<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-noprive-platform-slingbacks-white-grey-p-1269.html">Christian Louboutin No.Prive Platform Slingbacks White Grey</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-you-you-aurora-boreale-pumps-p-1270.html">Christian Louboutin You You Aurora Boreale Pumps</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-pigalili-very-mix-peeptoe-pump-goldred-p-1271.html">Christian Louboutin Pigalili Very Mix Peep-toe Pump Gold/Red</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-peep-toe-pumps-platforms-greissimo-red-p-1272.html">Christian Louboutin Peep Toe Pumps Platforms Greissimo Red</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-big-dorcet-120mm-texturedleather-pumps-gold-p-1279.html">Christian Louboutin Big Dorcet 120mm textured-leather pumps gold</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-big-dorcet-120mm-texturedleather-pumps-black-p-1280.html">Christian Louboutin Big Dorcet 120mm textured-leather pumps black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-lady-peep-black-p-1276.html">Christian Louboutin Lady Peep Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-lady-peep-nude-p-1277.html">Christian Louboutin Lady Peep Nude</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-jenny-150mm-glitter-peep-toe-pumps-gold-p-1278.html">Christian Louboutin Jenny 150mm Glitter Peep toe Pumps Gold</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-hyper-prive-120mm-glitter-pumps-golden-p-1299.html">Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive 120mm Glitter Pumps Golden</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-hyper-prive-120mm-glitter-pumps-black-p-1298.html">Christian Louboutin Hyper Prive 120mm Glitter Pumps Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-sobek-140mm-clair-de-lune-green-p-1289.html">Christian Louboutin Sobek 140mm Clair de Lune Green</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-sobek-140mm-clair-de-lune-blue-p-1290.html">Christian Louboutin Sobek 140mm Clair de Lune Blue</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-daffodile-160mm-pumps-nude-p-1291.html">Christian Louboutin Daffodile 160mm Pumps Nude</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-pumps-new-declic-120mm-p-1300.html">Christian Louboutin Pumps New Declic 120mm</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-metaliboot-120mm-booties-p-1296.html">Christian Louboutin Metaliboot 120mm Booties</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-miss-tack-booty-85mm-p-1297.html">Christian Louboutin Miss Tack Booty 85mm</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-long-boots-bourge-100mm-p-1301.html">Christian Louboutin Long Boots Bourge 100mm</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-shoes-140mm-for-katie-p-1281.html">Christian Louboutin Shoes 140mm For Katie</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-pumps-pigalle-120mm-black-p-1293.html">Christian Louboutin Pumps Pigalle 120mm Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-pumps-chiara-100mm-black-p-1292.html">Christian Louboutin Pumps Chiara 100mm Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-newton-70mm-cutout-leather-pumps-nude-p-1294.html">Christian Louboutin Newton 70mm Cutout Leather Pumps Nude</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-helmour-100-leather-pumps-pink-p-1295.html">Christian Louboutin Helmour 100 Leather Pumps Pink</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-rollerboy-mens-flat-shoes-leopard-p-1290.html">Christian Louboutin Rollerboy Men’s Flat Shoes Leopard</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutinrollerboy-spike-tartan-p-1315.html">Christian Louboutin-Rollerboy Spike "Tartan"</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-daddy-flat-black-leather-p-1316.html">Christian Louboutin Daddy Flat Black Leather</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-daddy-flat-black-suede-p-1317.html">Christian Louboutin Daddy Flat Black Suedee</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-long-boots-harletty-p-1251.html">Christian Louboutin Long Boots Harletty</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-tres-contente-alta-140mm-boots-black-p-1274.html">Christian Louboutin Tres Contente Alta 140mm Boots Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-egoutina-spiketoe-black-boots-p-1300.html">Christian Louboutin Egoutina Spike-Toe Black Boots </a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-cate-chain-biker-boots-black-p-1296.html">Christian Louboutin Cate Chain Biker Boots Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-tuba-50mm-black-boots-p-1301.html">Christian Louboutin Tuba 50mm Black Boots</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-tuba-50mm-boots-claret-p-1302.html">Christian Louboutin Tuba 50mm Boots Claret</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-velours-scrunch-suede-boots-black-p-1303.html">Christian Louboutin Velours Scrunch Suede Boots Black</a>
<a href="http://www.christianshoes.us/christian-louboutin-velours-scrunch-suede-boots-gray-p-1304.html">Christian Louboutin Velours Scrunch Suede Boots Gray</a>

Posted by: christian louboutin shoes, Dec 02, 2011 02:26:55 AM

What happened to Maria? It looks like her store on Etsy.com is no longer there.

Posted by: Liu R., Feb 16, 2011 08:02:11 PM

Hi Maria-

This is really cool, the jewelry, that article, the blog...you have a lot of cool things going on.
Congrats, hope you are doing great.(if you read this)

-JG

Posted by: Jon Guth, Jan 21, 2009 11:06:07 AM

I have seen her jewelery first-hand. Just amazing creativity and artistry. And to be thinking about the environment when using metals, truly inspiring.

Posted by: Paul, Nov 13, 2008 08:18:39 AM