A Cocktail / Evening Dress Creation
26 October 2011
Valda’s Latest Shoulder Creation
 
A crocheted evening or cocktail dress mini-shawl is already turning heads and drawing admiring glances. At just €95 it makes the perfect self indulgence or gift. Not for the first time, whilst shopping in Mijas Pueblo, Valda was stopped by a visiting tourist. The lady (Pat) was quite taken not only by the pleasing poncho but by meeting its creator; Valda Cerina. She was effusive in her appreciation and immediately ordered one for herself.
Valda is a branch of the same Latvian family whose crocheting gifts are considered remarkable even in a proud country that prides itself on fine traditional craftsmanship. Her mother Daina and her Aunt Vaira are highly considered among their peers. They were Valda’s tutors and mentors too.
Valda says; ‘The thing I find most attractive is the timelessness of the designs and their enduring quality. We often see garments worn and admired that are generations old. This is complemented by the natural materials used so no problems with green issues.
Valda’s latest creation is perfect for Spanish autumn and winter evenings when attractive bare shoulders need attractive head-turning warmth in the outside air. Valda will be pleased to see visitors at Costa Women’s Christmas Fayre held at The Loft (inn) at Calahonda Strip 3pm – 9pm on November 17. It is available in beige only at €95. You can contact Valda by email valdacerina@gmail.com or by telephone 662 067490.
Posted at 20:33 Comments (0)
IF You Have To Ask the Price You Can’t Afford It
17 October 2011
Mass produced garments, even well made clothing, may pass at a glance. When in the company of discerning socialites, or people with an eye for fashionable apparel of the highest quality, manufactured material won’t pass muster. Designer clothing does of course have its appeal and an implied exclusivity, which is reflected in its price. The truth is that a great deal of financial investment goes into the creation of a named garment; a designer label. This outlay must be recovered; it is, through extraordinary prices.
When assessing and training businesses for successful application of The Guild of Master Craftsmen, I had my own way of making my point. Wearing a Guild necktie I would turn it to show the maker’s label. Because the manufacturer was an ordinary tie maker it carried no great value. I would then suggest that the price of the tie would be ten times its value if the label carried the name Gieves & Hawkes of Saville Row, the celebrated men’s tailors in London. Point made. It is a universal rule; people do not buy cars, they buy car badges.
Of course manufacturers of designer label goods, which are often made in Third World sweatshops, like to talk up the exclusivity of their labels. To quote Mandy Rice Davies; ‘Well they would wouldn’t they.’
In truth there is only one designer label worthy of the ‘exclusive’ accolade; it is attire hand-crafted by a recognised craftswoman or craftsman; a person whose work is based on many years of training, pride in one’s work; attention to the finest detail. It is not faux; it is a genuine one-off. Such is Valda Cerina apparel.
Valda’s handmade tassel ponchos are available at €395 each. Her Spanish flair shawls, which take one week rather than two for her to create, are €295 each. Her exquisite tablecloths are available at €395 each. True value for money, these apparel and tablecloths will be passed down from generation to generation. It is difficult if not impossible to imagine a more genuinely exclusive indulgence or gift.
Posted at 20:23 Comments (0)
CAN A PRICE BE PUT ON ART
08 October 2011
Crocheting, like cross-stitching, requires total concentration. Because a piece of art or crocheted creation can take weeks or even months to complete, those who have the gift, and the enormous patience, will never be adequately compensated for their tireless effort and extraordinary abilities.
When Valda set to work on what she describes as a tablecloth (see photograph) it took an incredible two years in the making. As compensation she had at the end of her creativity such a beautiful piece of completed work it ended up as a highly valued altar cloth at Pilar de la Horadada Church. There it finds itself in good company amongst other unique church artefacts.
Crocheted clothing doesn’t have a ‘wear by’ date. In the extended Cerina family there are still in regular use crocheted items going back over generations. Interestingly, items of apparel are still worn and not only remain fashionable but attract admiring comment. Now that is something you cannot put a price on.
Valda does not provide a detailed price list apparel and other crocheted items are unique. To give you an idea her handwoven tassle ponchos are €395 each; they are two weeks in the making. Her Spanish type shawls €295 and her tablecloths €395. This is what makes them special. If curious and you wish to know anything then why not ask? She welcomes interest. Call her on 662 06 74 90 or drop her a line at valdacerina@gmail.com
Posted at 09:43 Comments (0)
Valda Cerina Fashion Designs - When Patience is a Virtue
03 October 2011
Patience is a Virtue
Valda Cerina shawls are as popular as are her poncho designs. It is best remembered that, because each design is meticulously handcrafted, it takes Valda a fortnight to create each poncho, shawl or tablecloth. Her tassel-ponchos are €395 each as are her tablecloths. Valda Cerina Spanish-style shawls are €295 each.
All clients’ requirements are dealt with on a personal basis. Colours and patterns will need to be discussed before work on an item of apparel or other requirement proceeds. For serious clients only a sample of the pattern will be crocheted and forwarded. As handwork progresses photographs can be emailed.
Material selection may be left to Valda’s discretion but of course she will need to know your choice of colour. Straightforward colours such as black, white, burgundy, and lilac etc can be chosen by Valda. You may wish to purchase your own material and post it to Valda; address supplied. Valda’s has a worldwide clientele and enquiries and orders are welcome on an equal basis.
CLIENTS’ COMMENTS
‘I was delighted with my hat; so imaginative in design; so special and so me.’ - Lilija Puktins, Sigulda, Latvia.
‘We are delighted to be acquainted with Valda; arguably one of Latvia’s best at crocheting to individual taste and to the highest standards.’ - Ilze Baldina and Leoni Kozlivska, Saldus, Latvia.
‘Valda. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the gifts I purchased. You exceeded my expectations.’ - Ilze Ritums, Liepaja.
‘I was so delighted with the cardigan-jacket I immediately ordered one for my mother, who means more to me than anyone else on earth.’ – Mara Jaunlinina, Sigulda, Latvia.
‘I was so impressed with the shawl; friends keep asking me where I purchased it from.’ – Marie Patefield, Costa Blanca, Spain.
‘Valda. How can I thank you enough? I dreamed and imagined the poncho and if anything it was even better than I dared to hope for. I wish you love and all the best.’ - Velta Williams, Essex, UK.
Posted at 08:30 Comments (0)
When the Table is the Centre of Attention
02 October 2011
Tablecloths, during special occasions, are a focal point of any social setting wherever we choose to live in Europe. We often see beautiful hand-woven, cross-stitch and crocheted designs; we dream of such a setting for ourselves.
 Valda cannot remember a time when she was not crocheting; it is part of her Latvian life and her culture. Her grandmother Mirdza and mother Daina, both master craftswomen, taught Valda in the intricacies of woven design. Some of these age old mysteries are less known now than they were during previous generations.
Valda’s gift is complemented by her painstaking patience and attention to the finest detail. One particular cotton-crocheted covering is now being used as an altar cloth at the Anglican church in Pilar de la Horadada in Murcia after being valued at €2,000. It had taken Valda two years in the making. Materials used are cotton, mohair, wool, linen and other materials.
Valda's tablecloths (see pictures) take two - three weeks to make and are available at €395 each. Could Valda Cerina’s designs be classed as designer wear? No; her hand-crafted creative women’s and fashionable clothing start off where designer labels leave off. Each garment is individually crafted by Valda; each is unique; inimitable, exclusive and distinctive. In this respect they are precious. As an outrageous act of self indulgence, or a gift as unique as the person you wish to present to, you can be certain of a pleasurable response.
Posted at 08:23 Comments (0)
Exclusive Handcrafted Ponchos and Shawls
01 October 2011
Valda Cerina MA is based at Mijas Pueblo on the Costa del Sol but summers at Sigulda in her native Latvia. Apart from her native language she speaks English, Russian, German, French and Spanish. A product of two universities; Riga in Latvia and Bonn in Germany, she is an accomplished artist and accredited art historian. Her first love is crocheting in wool, cotton and linen; natural materials.
Her handcrafted women’s wear is universally admired. In her native Latvia; a land already celebrated for its wealth of craftsmen and women, she is respected for her superbly crafted ponchos, shawls, women’s wear, decorative flowers and soft furnishing for multiple use; tablecloths, decorative blankets and a range of attractive doyleys to leave your table guests wondering.
Of her gifts, Eduard and Greg Schellhammer, principals of Marbella University say: ‘Those pieces by Valda are priceless; exclusive pieces of hand-made art...’
Contact Valda Cerina
662 06 74 90
valdacerina@gmail.com
Posted at 19:35 Comments (0)
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