When I was shown how to weave of birch bark in 1984, all I wanted was just to make a few baskets.  All my life I have liked to make things by hand.  As I continued making baskets, I realized there is a huge Russian tradition of birch bark weaving that dates back for 10 centuries.  I felt the need to support this tradition and decided to make only traditionally shaped Russian baskets.

When I founded the studio to teach people, I learned how to weave something not very traditional.  My students in every class  “taught” me that.  I then understood that, if I wanted to continue teaching people, I needed to change my view on basketry a little.

When I came to the USA for the first time, I saw a lot of weaving styles:  traditional, contemporary, avant-garde… and was back home with headache.

Now I know that there are many ethnic groups, nations, many shapes, styles and directions beginning from deep tradition to ultra-contemporary.  And if I start to weave something, I must make my best to finish the project!