Jewels That Dance recently welcomed a new bench jeweler, Vadim Ostapovich, to its team. A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in California, Vadim grew up in Asheville. His first experience with jewelry was at age 16 when his brother-in-law gave him a block of wax and challenged him to carve a pendant from scratch. Vadim learned the whole process, from casting to cleanup, at a  young age. “Ever since, I’ve been interested in jewelry making,” he said.

When an opportunity came in 2013 to apprentice under his brother in law in Naples, Florida, he jumped at the chance. While there, he learned he had won a full scholarship to GIA’s Jewelry Design & Technology CAD/CAM program. “It just seemed like everything was meant to be, and I had found my calling.”

Vadim’s family of 8 emigrated to Asheville from the Ukraine in 1989 when he was just a few years old. He attended Reynolds High School and worked alongside his father building and restoring homes, before he left for Florida to follow his passion of jewelry making.

“Jewels That Dance is very up to date with jewelry technology, which makes ‘unreal’ designs possible. Working here makes me feel like I can create art every time I walk through the door.” Now, he not only loves what he does, but he is back home in Asheville.

Vadim can usually be found with a pencil or a pocket knife either drawing or carving into something and making designs that he thinks up. His design inspiration comes from the nature he sees every day living in the southern Appalachians. Vadim enjoys camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway and kayaking the rivers with his wife.

Stop by and meet Vadim and check out some of his designs which are on display at Jewels That Dance!!