Face to Face: Ludmila ‘Ludka’ Turzova

We love to ask questions and our fellow beaders and designers kindly answers. This Face to Face interview is somehow special, as it goes back to Beadingschool’s prehistoric times. It’s a very happy coincidence that it felt right to the Beadingschool Birthday week, to the day, when we celebrate the values of creativity, kindness, and positivity flowing through the community as she embodies them as well.

Right from the Beadingschool Club, joining at the very beginnings, she’s like mom to many of us – a loyal friend who is a treasure to find, sharing her love at every meeting online or offline. You can know her from the live broadcasts and Zoom Lunch Breaks. We’re happy she opened the door and stepped into our beading world and she is still beading and sharing her beautiful jewels with us.

Meet the Beadingschool Club member, inspiring, lovely, loyal friend, and passionate beader Ľudmila Turzová, our Ludka!

 

Please tell us about yourself a bit! When and how did you start to create? How did you learn to bead?

My name is Ľudmila Turzová, I’ll be 66 this May. I’m married and have a daughter (38) and a son (33). I’m already retired. We live in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic.

Creativity has been part of my life since childhood. My mother was a teacher of mathematics and art. She was extremely skilled—she sewed, knitted, painted, played the violin, mouth harmonica… and it was natural that she tried to pass these skills on to us, her children (my brother and sister), which she succeeded in doing.

Already in elementary school, I attended an art club, and in high school/gymnasium I joined a ceramics club, where I created various small clay items which we glazed and fired.

Later, I worked at the Municipal Department for Monument and Nature Protection, in the department of research and protection of monuments, where there was also an archaeology section. While working, I completed a two-year post-secondary program (earning a second high school diploma) in the National Museum in Prague focused on the conservation and restoration of ceramics, glass, and textiles. Unfortunately, I couldn’t practice it either due to various obstacles—by then, I was working at the State Restoration Studios as a secretary, waiting for a position to open. Eventually, I got a job at the Local Office of the Old Town district—mostly working with citizens, which was demanding—and I stayed there until I retired on January 1, 2020, which I now enjoy immensely.

My first encounter with beads was in the fall of 2010, after I had breast surgery in May and was on sick leave for the whole year. Two years later, I was also diagnosed with type II diabetes. I wandered into a shop on Župné Square on the first floor… and there I met a tiny fairy with red hair (at that time)… smiling, cheerful, very friendly and incredibly willing to explain everything—Erika!

That’s how my amazing adventure began. I signed up for my first course to make a beaded ball—challenging, but I gave it a try. The instructor was another amazing, patient, and very kind soul, Zuzi, who helped me face the challenge, and I succeeded. I was thrilled. Beading became the “real deal” that filled my time during recovery, and I’ve been beading ever since, wherever I go.

The move of Erika’s beadhop Korálkový svet (Bead World) to new premises on Vysoká 33 greatly expanded the possibilities (more space for courses and beads), and then Erika’s move abroad led to the creation of the website “The storytelling jeweller” with the bunny logo, later renamed “Beadingschool.com by Erika Sándor” with a beautiful mandala and generous foxy friend. I am incredibly grateful that I am, although a dinosaur, part of this wonderful beading adventure that fulfills me.

 

Is beadwork your hobby or profession? How does your average day look like? When do you have time to create?

Beading is my hobby. Since I’m a night owl, my mornings start quite late—around 10:00 or 11:00. Coffee, breakfast, planning what to cook (but usually only cook in the evening—quicker that way, haha). Sometimes I have doctor appointments.
I bead throughout the day, but mostly late into the night when it’s peaceful. In the morning, I check the colors again—but usually everything looks fine.

 

What did beading bring to your life?

When the kids were younger, I used to sew clothes for them and myself, and had no time for anything else. I devoted myself to my family and work. I looked forward to retirement… My daughter Veronika and son Juraj are now adults, and my husband Juraj is also retired—so I have time for beading. Besides reading books, I love watching detective stories, historical films, and documentaries. I’ve had a very strong silk-painting period. In the summer, I garden and swim. Occasionally, if health allows, I travel… I used to ski and sled, but my knees don’t allow that anymore.

Beads came into my life at just the right time—it’s joy, color, and sparkle, which I adore. Freedom and relaxation. I forget the world and fully concentrate. Patience. Meditation. Getting to know and connecting with kind friends from all over the world, with whom we share joys and sorrows. Wonderful exchange of help, advice, and enthusiasm. An amazing beading community… I love it!

 

 

Tell us about the piece of jewelry that’s special for you, or you are the most proud of!

Every piece of jewelry—even if I didn’t design it—is unique to me.

I have several favorites:

• The first beadwork: a beaded ball from Zuzi (peyote)
• Traveller – a memory of Paris
• Crocheted necklace + earrings
• And my own pendant design – The Desire of Fairy Midnight Bird

 

 

Where do you like to create? Do you have a designated area in your home where you keep your beads?

Since Veronika has long lived in my sister’s old apartment, I got back the children’s room space. We have high ceilings (3.5 meters), so we made mezzanines in both rooms for sleeping. We have two L-shaped desks—the shorter one is mine. Behind me is a cabinet wall with shelves for beads (but they’re no longer enough). The longer desk is my son’s—with a computer, printer/scanner… but gradually, my printed instructions and boxes with filigrees are moving to his side… He occasionally warns me to tidy up! Hahaha.
In the summer, if it’s not too windy, I love working in the garden where we have a seating area. Currently, after a house renovation, I don’t know when that cozy garden corner will be restored—it’s already the fourth year in progress.

 

What is your favorite stitch? Which colors do you like the most? On the other hand, is there any color or color combination you try to avoid?

When I think about it, I don’t prefer any specific stitch—I like trying new things. I also enjoy bead crochet, though the threading is tedious and requires attention to bead count and color. What I haven’t really tried well yet is RAW. I love all shades of the sea, ocean, sky, and earth tones. I’ve noticed I often use purple (which my Veronika adores), lilac, pink (which I hated as a child), but as an accent color, it sometimes fits. I like combinations of black, gold, and pearl—elegant. I also like tone-on-tone color combinations.

 

 

Do you follow instructions or do you like to develop your own designs? How would you define your style?

I usually follow instructions. Beadingschool tutorials are excellently prepared. Sometimes I add my own small details—like filigrees (which I love above all). I often sew or glue them together if the piece needs it, then sew the finished jewelry onto them. I love earrings and especially brooches.

 

Who are your favorite designers? Why?

All our designers—from Erika, Zuzi, Veronka (the unicorns from Beadingschool), Nitti, Ruxandra, Laura Embrey, Azelika, Chloe, Vicky Roberts, Apollinariya Koprivnik-Pikapolina, BiZsuzi, and many others. Because of the diversity of their work and the structure of their jewelry designs.

 

Do you have a favorite design by Erika? Tell us about it!

It’s the Passiflora brooch, but I like them all. I still have many UFOs (unfinished objects) that I’m slowly finishing. With pendants, I have a block when it comes to making a suitable beaded chain—so I put it aside. Sometimes I use a ready-made one or turn it into a brooch. Sometimes I can’t finish all the designs from themed boxes… I return to them gradually and sew them based on my mood.

 

 

Which is the bead/component in your stash which you treasure the most? Do you already have plans on how to use it?

Ceramic cabochons—I have many. From Lenka Gondová – L2Studio, from Beadingschool, and recently handmade glass cabochons that fascinate me. I haven’t used them yet… but their time will come! And filigrees, metal components… everything!

 

If you could design something for a well-known person or maybe a fictional character from a film or book, who would it be, and why?

Oh, that’s a tough question. I have no idea—there are so many beautiful people and characters…

 

What are your plans for the future as a beader? Is there something you would really like to learn?

I bead for joy and the pleasure of creating. I usually gift friends and family. I also sell a few pieces to former colleagues or friends for their friends. I’ve made a lot for my Veronika, and a few bracelets for my son Juraj, which he enjoys wearing. I don’t currently plan anything else.

I’d like to learn FreeForm stitching. I’ll see if my health allows me to attend a course in person, or I’ll look for options on YouTube… the only issue is my English, but hopefully, I’ll manage somehow.

 

Where can we see and/or buy your designs?

You can see my creations here in the club or on my Facebook profile. I don’t have the energy for anything else at the moment.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for answering our questions, Ludka!

We’re very happy you’re beading with us for so long, that you bring lots of love and kindness to the Beadingschool community. It’s a joy to have you in our lives.

See you around and don’t forget – we love you!

 

Dear beading-friends and beadwork admirers, please, use the comment section if you have more questions you would like to ask, or greet our Ludka.

Stay tuned for more interviews for Beadingschool.com by Erika Sándor