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Jewels, full of emotion, symbols of love and family happiness. Collection inspired by ancient slovak folk embroidery, which is re-made to represent glossy modern time. It is named after Petra's daughter. Mileva is an ancient slovak name and means beloved - loving.
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E
ven before my daughter
that in the end it turned out
Mileva was born I had
differently and final form is not
had the idea of creating
exclusively my piece of work,
something extraordinary –
expression of my feelings
dedicated to her. To create a
alone. Neither an accidental
collection filled with all my love
flurry of creativity nor a sign
and expectation, which in that
given by the Muse are in charge
time resounded in me with
of its origin. The sign came
every breath. I have to admit
from someone quite different… In atelier I have a wall of inspiration made of pictures of original Slavic folk costumes. Although I spent a lot of time in front of it, I had no idea which way to go, how to continue. 4
FOUR LEAF CLOVER brings good luck and love 5
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Right in the moment when I looked at the embroidery of Čataj I felt the movements of little Milevka for the first time. That moment was so magical, it gave me no choice. This way I actually indirectly chose what was close to her and that is how the whole collection became a heart and soul to me. Literally. Finally it resulted in the shape of the jewels. Since thanks to Mileva we were soon becoming a family, whole collection was
SPIRAL OF LIFE
composed with an ancient
symbolizes the journey of a soul
protection „Perun´s flower“.
Slavic symbol of the family Likewise I could not omit the spiral of life.
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PERUN´S FLOWER protects and helps to keep completeness of the family
For all these ideas I am thankful to her, Mileva. During the entire creation of the Mileva collection, she was going through the feeling of harmony and peace, which till now ďŹ lls me with inexpressible joy. And of course I must mention that Milevka is properly proud of her piece of work. She is not fascinated by anything than by the jewels of HER collection, otherwise very calm child, however at the same time nothing can make her so sad as its loss. What do you think, does she really feel and is aware of the fact that I dedicated this collection to her and her name?
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Mileva is an ancient slovak name and means beloved - loving.
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Mileva beloved loving The spiritual legacy of the whole Mileva collection is about harmony and maintaining the real family values.
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P
etra, your production is generally characterized as inspired by
Slovak folk art, traditional ornamentation with the usage of Slavic symbols. However, your modern interpretation of jewels in Mileva collection in which dominates the symbol of the heart does not look outdated at all, but rather it is very fresh, full of love and tenderness. Can you tell us something about its creation and name? Yes truly, this collection is
with expecting the most
„very close to my heart“.
beautiful day a woman can
Practically whole process of
experience, a birth of her child.
designing this collection up to
That is why this collection is
the production was in duration
named Mileva – a name of my
of all nine months of my
daughter. It is of an Old Slavic
pregnancy till the birth. I spent
origin and means beloved-
that time in absolute harmony
loving.
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At first sight the collection is
red bohemian crystal. Pertain
significantly different from
to the source of inspiration for
your previous collections
this collection, that is really an
which were also in the spirit of
interesting story. In atelier I
traditions. Which materials
have many pictures of original
were used to make the jewels
folk costumes, ribbons,
and where did you seek
embroidery which I use as a
inspiration?
source of 1-2 inspiration. In the first months of pregnancy I had
Mileva collection is different
several semi-finished drafts
because of several reasons.
with the motive of heart, but at
Concerning visual aspect, I
that time I still did not have
used rose gold plated for the
definite concept in what spirit
first time together with
will be the whole collection.
I will never forget the day when I was sitting in the atelier and right in the moment when I was holding a picture of traditional embroidery from Čataj in my hand, I felt the first movements of my baby in belly. combining matt and glossy
I will never forget the day when
surfaces. Although Old Slavs
I was sitting in the atelier and
used silver in jewelry
right in the moment when I
production, my intention is not
was holding a picture of
to produce jewels in rustic form
traditional embroidery from
but rather to make them in the
Čataj in my hand, I felt the first
spirit of modern times and
movements of my baby in belly.
fashion. Technologically jewelry
That moment was so
production is a complicated
unbelievably touching and
process of lost-wax casting
symbolic that I could not „use
method using brass alloy and
other means of source“.
afterwards manually set with 19
Your production is full of
maintaining the real family
symbolism and the campaign
values. In the campaign
you are coming with to this
allegorically expressed by two
collection is very noticeable.
seemingly incongruous
On the social media you
characters, we can see the
sparked off a very interesting
clash of generations. On one
debate which was held in
hand a character of grandma in
nothing but superlatives. What
whose eyes we see the whole
was your intention of
life she went through with all
presenting very emotionally
experience, victories and
looking old woman as a main
failures, with all that sadness
motive of the campaign?
and happiness of life and on the other hand a character of
The campaign is actually an
„her granddaughter” beautiful
image of the spiritual legacy of
young lady who has the whole
the whole Mileva collection
life ahead of her. It´s about the
which is about harmony and
legacy of passing on, not just
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the traditions but life experience which traditional embroidery symbolizes. Let´s go back to the specific ornamentation and symbolism of the jewelry in Mileva collection. What is in fact the meaning of these symbols? Generally known and main motive of the heart probably doesn´t need to be explained particularly, perhaps only few words to the red color which I used in jewels in the form of bohemian crystal. Red is the
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color of affection– in ancient
heart. Spiral of life symbolizes
Slavic means a higher level of
the journey of a soul. And last
love, it is the color of beauty
but not least, we have here one
which protects against all the
of the most powerful symbols
evil. The classic symbol of the
„Perun´s flower” known also as
four-leaf clover brings luck and
Perun´s cross, Perun´s star or
love, its four leaves in the shape
rosette…is a symbol of family.
of little hearts symbolize four
Wearing of this symbol gives
elements – fire, water, air,
the ability of mature
earth. In the Middle Ages it was
understanding of the things
placed behind the door, on the
back then hidden. For us it is a
door, windows, bed to protect
symbol of higher cognition,
the house, luck and health. One
finding the inner self,
of the most interesting symbols
dedication and transformation
in Mileva collection is the spiral
into a new person.
artfully set in the shape of
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The Sarra Collection brings lightness of being in the form of fresh colours into the life of every femme fatale. The new collection of jewellery is inspired by the traditional art of Slovak embroidery dedicated to the second-born daughter Sarra. Collection is a celebration of life and joy from new beginnings. 25
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he colours and patterns
very demanding, and part of the
come from a sleeve of
pattern was also a metal thread
the ÄŒataj folk costume,
trimming. The colourful Sarra
which was richly coloured and
Collection is a celebration of life
its embroidery was technically
and joy from new beginnings.
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Hidden for while still In the tales of our grandmothers and desires unthought of, the Girl from the fairytale will sprout Into a blooming lady Fears and worries she will cast away Noble and full of charm With her will ďŹ ll with color the joy And new beginnings Step into the world And change it to a place of freedom So that no woman Has to be afraid of being Themselves Strong And amazing
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New beginnings P
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etra, you came out
Both collections have a
with a new wishfully
continuity and are absolutely
awaited collection. We
different in the same time.
all couldn’t wait what will
Mileva was soft, tender and full
follow after the very successful
of love, while Sarra is mature
Mileva collection, and today we
and symbolizes new beginnings
can see this amazing collection
to me. Many changes happened
you named Sarra. How is it
in my life in a short time and
different from Mileva?
Sarra gives me hope to
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For me, that embroidery is an absolutely perfect piece of art. Ornaments were cut out of soft cardboard these were sewn by celebrate new life. Again, I
silk or silver thread. The fills
dedicated the collection to my
were embroidered with colorful
second-born daughter Sarra. I
embroidery It was extremely
took inspiration for both
important for me to preserve
collections in the same area of
the original “handwriting” and
Čataj. Mileva was inspired by
color scheme. That is why we
the embroidery on tablecloths,
laid the areas that were
Sarra was inspired by the
embroidered with silver thread
sleeve embroidery.
with white Kristal and colored areas were filled with jewelry
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In what way is the sleeve
enamel. In this, the Sarra
embroidery from Čataj
collection is much more
dresses exceptional?
difficult to produce.
We laid the areas that were embroidered with silver thread with white Kristal and colored areas were filled with jewelry enamel.
What ornaments can we find on Sarra jewelry? You chose famous Slovak actor Judit Bárdos. Why her? Sarra was introduced as a young, hard but also tender woman. With look that is full of dedication and fear. The jewelry is littered with flowers, stars and hearts. Together they create beautiful flowery fireworks. Tulip was the most frequently used flower in folk embroidery and it cannot be missing from this collection in its stylized form. Judit was the obvious choice for me. When you look at the main campaign picture, you will see what I meant to express. Her eyes express all my inner feelings that I experienced while designing the collection. For me, she is the absolute symbol of beauty and hardness. That’s what is interesting to me. I always look for more than obvious beauty.
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fledgeling Young fledgeling, unfettered and curious, flies into the world. World in which meadows full of beautiful flowers and fields filled with endless amount of golden spikelet open up in front of it. It is a world without boundaries, because birds know no boundaries. Fly fledgelings, fly.
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GRAIN The stems with two or more spikelets were kept for next sowing and were believed to be a guarantee of a good harvest.
I
wanted to be a good
huge demands and my inner
partner, I wanted to excel
self decayed. It decayed me and
at my work. I wanted to be
my inner freedom. It
a perfect mother. I wanted it so
imprisoned it and every
much, I forgot about myself. I
passing day imprisoned it
felt imprisoned in the daily
deeper and deeper in me.
routine. Duties and the cycle of
Somewhere deep inside, I
life destroyed the playful child
wanted to start running and
in me, who could draw for
run without a plan or
hours, create jewellery, run on
responsibility. I wanted to
the meadow, collect herbs.
grow, but I could not, there was
Child full of dreams and ideals.
no time. I wanted to y and
Everything was about the
learn, but I could not, because
others and I wanted to prove to
everything stood and fell with
myself that I can make it. I had
me. I was waiting for a change
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HEALING HERBS Old Slavs cured with the help of healing herbs, therefore the most sewn ornaments were those of flowers.
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LITTLE BIRD Symbol of little bird is the most often depicted animal motive in man made products. It was believed that it was an ambassador between heaven and earth.
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to come, that it would come of
must win this struggle. With
itself, because I did not have
our freedom, everything that
the courage to change
happens around us grows and
everything. I blamed myself for
falls. It is our duty to protect
selfishness, I felt not entitled to
this freedom. Fledgeling flies
the freedom. I blamed myself
freely and smells the scents of
for thoughts I had in my head
this beautiful world. It feels the
every day. The collection
wind on its face. It senses the
#fledgeling symbolizes for me
never ending space that opens
this inner struggle for freedom
around it. Let’s all become little
that each of us must face. We
birds. I finally became one.
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Symbol of little bird is the most often depicted animal motive in man made products. They always fascinated the people for their qualities that seemed special and supernatural to men. With the help of its wings it can free itself of earth’s bounds and fly towards heavenly heights, towards sun, freely soar above the earth. It was believed that it was an ambassador between heaven and earth. The symbol of a bird was used especially during rituals or with love objects.
next sowing and were believed
From plants, grain was of
to be a guarantee of a good
special significance, which was
harvest. Old Slavs cured with
also the basis of the food of
the help of healing herbs,
Slavs. The stems with two or
therefore the most sewn
more spikelets were kept for
ornaments were those of flowers.
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Searching for the inner freedom
I
n the beginning of the
experiences. From one day to
year, you surprised us
another, her life changes and
with unexpected
she loses her old self. She often
emerald-green collection you
forgets about herself while
named Fledgling. What was
tackling all the day’s duties.
your inspiration this time?
Fledgling is about searching for the inner freedom and careless
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Fledgling collection is all about
child in yourself. Fledgling ies
looking for what every mother
and knows boundaries of nothing.
There are changing motives of
rises and falls. Bird is the main
birds, flowers, leaves and
motive but is always
grain. Which region’s folk art
surrounded by a meadow full
was the inspiration this time?
of flowers and berries. It is very admirable for me, how these
The most suitable for
ornaments were created and I
representing the symbol of
would like to see the initial
freedom, was the Vajnory
impulse for use and develop-
region, more specifically its
ment of the individual patterns.
murals. They always seemed to
Sadly, we will never find out
me a bit Asian and absolutely
because majority of the original
exceptional with its entangle-
murals was destroyed, painted
ment. It seemed as a circle of
or built over. I was even a
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witness how one of these murals was torn down. I hope that at least in my collection will the Vajnorian fledgling, even though stylized by me, fly far to the eternity. You created the collection in emerald green and black and white combination. Why did you choose this color palette? I love green color and especially emerald green. It is a soothing color. I wanted to create jewelry for daily wearing and therefore I opted for simple mono-color colors. You can wear fledgling collection jewelry with jeans as well as evening dresses. This could be done with the previous collection only by the bravest of us. I wanted the fledgling to “Fly“ and that means to be worn always and by anyone. The black and white combination is very foundational for me and I told to myself that every woman should have a jewel in this combination. 53
You recorded an amazing
house as if in a golden cage,
campaign video with a folklore
but still they are waiting for
song for the collection. Why
something. They are ready,
did you decide to introduce it
prepared to y out into the
this way?
world. My edglings.
There are 4 different women in the video. To show that the collection is intended for all women was the reason for changing the campaign introduction. Every woman is different and they are waiting for the same thing, they are closed in the beautiful manor 54
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the owers of
Telgart In the darkest corners of our sad soul, embroidered on a black funereal brocade, grow the most beautiful owers.
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T
he owers that grew in
sleep in winter in the coldest
the purest soil, that
place of our country. These
breathed the best
owers grow only on the
smelling air, that are cleansed
untouched meadows in
every morning by a crystal
protected regions and cannot
clear dew and roots of which
be picked. We can only look at
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We can only look at them and admire their beauty and amazing scent.
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them and admire their beauty
embroidered on the aprons of
and amazing scent. They
women, hiding their worries
inspired women who served
and sorrows deep. In every
this land their whole life. They
delicate stitch of the embroi-
dreamt of being beautiful and
dery, there is a hidden tale of
happy. And as no flower in the
one of us. Colorful flowers as
earth is the same and is not
the joy always grow from the
perfect, so were these
black ash of sorrow. It is them,
imperfectly beautiful flowers
it is us - the flowers of Telgart.
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Low Tatras national park Slovak Paradise
Muran plateau
Flowers in darkness The most beautiful owers grow in the darkest corners of our sad soul.
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our newest collection is called Flowers of Telgart. Tell us little bit more about
it. Why the owers of Telgart? The Flowers of Telgart are the outcome of my longtime study of folklore traditions, symbols and ornaments. Telgart is a village in the center of Slovakia amidst 3 national parks, in the absolute hear of pure, untouched nature. It is one of the coldest areas in Slovakia and despite the fact that life in that area (upper basin of river Hron) was extremely hard, the dresses were exceptionally richly embroidered. I was also absolutely fascinated by the contrast of ower embroidery on black brocade. Why Flowers in darkness? That was the thought that I had in my head while I was creating.
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So why flowers in the
one knows. The women often
darkness?
personalized their aprons. But one thing is one hundred
I don’t know :). Today when you
percent – every dress was
go to grandmas and ask them
absolutely unique due to the
why this was embroidered in
embroidered flowers. What is
this and this way, they sadly
also exceptional for this area is
cannot answer. I asked them
that the flowers were
what flowers were embroi-
embroidered by shadowing,
dered on the aprons and no
which is not a simple thing to
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do with embroidery. That is why
What is the story behind
we tried to put as much
Flowers of Telgart?
shadowing into the collection as possible. The owers and leaves
As every collection, also this
are shadowed by Kristal and
one reects my current inner
jewelry enamel. The Flowers of
setup. All of us women are for
Telgart collection is the most
me the Flowers of Telgart.
technologically complex
Every one of us wants to be
collection we ever made.
beautiful, wants to be a good wife, a good mother... but every
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one of us bears a great deal of
violet and red flowers on a
sorrow as well. Sorrow from
deep dark black brocade. With
past disappointments,
Flowers of Telgart, I look for
unfulfilled expectations or
women who are in this with
family tragedies. That’s why I
me, who experience the joys,
like the thought that the most
worries and fears the same,
beautiful flowers grow in the
whose life and world is not
darkest corners of our sad soul
artificially perfect. Those
very much. Like beautiful pink,
women, who will support each 72
other will understand. We are the Flowers of Telgart which bloom even on a black brocade. Who is the face of the campaign? Two young sisters whose families descend directly from Telgart became the faces of the campaign. When I visited a grandma, who has an enormous collection of dresses, there were her granddaughters on holiday. They were beautiful, polite and humble. Both of them are, as their families and the generations before them, folklore artists. I cannot imagine anyone more ďŹ t to photoshoot the collection with than those two. Pure, beautiful with folklore in their hearts. Whether our folklore and traditions will survive rests in their hands and I place all my hopes in them. Laura and Vanessa grew up and bloomed in Telgart. I believe they will never forget their roots. 73
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Earrings red four-leaf clover
Earrings rose gold hearts
07-NAU-CZ-MLV
10-NAU-ZZ-MLV
Earrings rose gold four-leaf clover
Earrings with spiral of life
08-NAU-ZZ-MLV
11-NAU-ZZ-MLV
Earrings red hearts
Bracelet with pendants
09-NAU-CZ-MLV
12-NAR-ZZ-MLV
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Red necklace tulip
Pendant small red heart
13-NAH-CZ-MLV
16-NAH-CZ-MLV
Rose gold necklace tulip 14-NAH-ZZ-MLV
Necklace red heart with spirals
Variable necklace rose gold
15-NAH-CZ-MLV
17-NAH-ZZ-MLV
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Golden necklaces
Silver necklaces
59-SET-GD-MLV
58-SET-SS-MLV
Silver-Kristal necklaces
Rose gold necklaces
61-SET-SW-MLV
57-SET-RG-MLV
Red necklaces
Mix of necklaces
60-SET-RR-MLV
190-SET-MX-MLV
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Rose gold bracelet over finger
Golden bracelet over finger
227-NAR-RG-MLV
228-NAR-GD-MLV
Silver-Kristal bracelet over finger 230-NAR-SK-MLV
Silver bracelet over finger
Red bracelet over finger
229-NAR-SL-MLV
259-NAR-RR-MLV
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Combined earrings silver-Kristal
Combined earrings silver
164-NAU-SL-MLV
161-NAU-SL-MLV
Combined earrings golden 162-NAU-GD-MLV
Combined earrings rose gold
Combined earrings red
160-NAU-RG-MLV
163-NAU-RD-MLV
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Nacre hearts
Pink hearts rose gold
226-NAU-SP-MLV
64-NAU-FR-MLV
Blue hearts
Pink-golden hearts
91-NAU-SM-MLV
87-NAU-FG-MLV
Black hearts
Black and white hearts
97-NAU-BS-MLV
228-NAU-BW-MLV
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Silver-Kristal small hearts
Golden small hearts
159-NAU-SL-MLV
157-NAU-GD-MLV
Red small hearts
Silver small hearts
158-NAU-RG-MLV
156-NAU-SL-MLV
Rose gold small hearts
Necklace pink-golden heart with spirals
155-NAU-RG-MLV
86-NAH-GF-MLV
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Necklace blue heart with spirals 232-NAH-SB-MLV
Pendant small heart blue
Pendant small heart pink
239-NAH-CL-MLV
257-NAH-RG-MLV
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Bracelet silver-Kristal
Bracelet silver
154-NAR-SL-MLV
151-NAR-SL-MLV
Bracelet golden
Bracelet red
152-NAR-GD-MLV
153-NAR-CC-MLV
Bracelet rose gold
Set of rings rose gold
150-NAR-RG-MLV
36-PRS-RG-MLV
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Earrings blue four-leaf clovers
Earrings pink four-leaf clovers
236-NAU-SB-MLV
260-NAU-RP-MLV
Earrings pink-golden four-leaf clovers
Earrings black four-leaf clovers
88-NAU-GF-MLV
98-NAU-BS-ML
Set of red rings
Set of golden rings
40-PRS-RR-MLV
38-PRS-GD-MLV
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Hair slide flowers
Brooch Lilac
111-BRS-FS-SRR
116-BRS-FS-SRR
Earrings Daisies 113-NAU-FS-SRR
Necklace Sarra
Earrings Stars
119-NAH-FS-SRR
115-NAU-FS-SRR
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Earrings Sarra
Ring Hydrangea
110-NAU-FS-SRR
118-PRS-FS-SRR
Bracelet Meadow
Bracelet Stars
112-NAR-FS-SRR
117-NAR-FS-SRR
Necklace Hearts
Earrings Hydrangea
120-NAH-FS-SRR
114-NAU-FS-SRR
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Ring blue Hydrangea 145-PRS-BB-SRR
Necklace blue Sarra
Bracelet blue Meadow
146-NAH-BB-SRR
139-NAR-BB-SRR
Hair slide blue Flowers
Earrings blue Stars
138-BRS-BB-SRR
142-NAU-BB-SRR
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Earrings blue Sarra
Earrings blue Daisies
137-NAU-BB-SRR
140-NAU-BB-SRR
Necklace blue Hearts
Brooch blue Lilac
147-NAH-BB-SRR
143-BRS-BB-SRR
Bracelet blue Stars
Earrings blue Hydrangea
144-NAR-BB-SRR
141-NAU-BB-SRR
Big Necklace Ornament 205-NAH-GG-VTC
Pendant with Chain
Flower Brooch
207-NAH-GG-VTC
212-BRS-GG-VTC
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Small Circles Earrings
Little Flower Earrings
203-NAU-GG-VTC
210-NAU-GG-VTC
Thin Bracelet 208-NAR-GG-VTC
Birds Bracelet
Headband
209-NAR-GG-VTC
206-CLK-GG-VTC
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Medium Circles Earrings
Flower Ring
200-NAU-GG-VTC
211-PRS-GG-VTC
Big Circles Earrings 202-NAU-GG-VTC
Earrings with long chain
Pendant Earrings
204-NAU-GG-VTC
201-NAU-GG-VTC
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Medium Circles Earrings 213-NAU-BW-VTC
Big Necklace Ornament
Flower Brooch
218-NAH-BW-VTC
225-BRS-BW-VTC
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Flower Ring
Big Circles Earrings
224-PRS-BW-VTC
215-NAU-BW-VTC
Birds Bracelet 222-NAR-BW-VTC
Small Circles Earrings
Earrings with long chain
216-NAU-BW-VTC
217-NAU-BW-VTC
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Little Flower Earrings
Pendant with Chain
223-NAU-BW-VTC
220-NAH-BW-VTC
Thin Bracelet 221-NAR-BW-VTC
Pendant Earrings
Headband
214-NAU-BW-VTC
219-CLK-BW-VTC
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Red earrings flowers with a leaf
Brooch flowers
241-NAU-CC-TGT
255-BRS-FF-TGT
Pink earrings flowers 242-NAU-RR-TGT
Earrings rose on a teardrop
Bracelet chain of flowers
247-NAU-CC-TGT
249-NAR-FF-TGT
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Brooch triflower 254-BRS-FF-TGT
Earrings meadow flowers
Red earrings flowers with a leaf
246-NAU-FF-TGT
244-NAU-CC-TGT
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Pendant pink Briar-rose
Bracelet Flowers of Telgart
248-NAH-RR-TGT
250-NAR-FF-TGT
Thin bracelet red flower
Red flower ring
251-NAR-FF-TGT
252-PRS-CC-TGT
Ring pink flower
Violet earrings flowers with a leaf
253-PRS-RR-TGT
240-NAU-FF-TGT
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Violet earrings flowers with a leaf
Pink earrings Briar-rose
243-NAU-FF-TGT
245-NAU-RR-TGT
Necklace Flowers of Telgart 256-NAH-FF-TGT
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