Welcome to my world.

My name is Detelina Ivanova. I am an artist from Bulgaria, and I have been devoted to the art of glyptics for nearly twenty years.

My relationship with glyptics did not begin suddenly; it unfolded gradually, like a quiet recognition. It started in museums, standing before ancient cameos and intaglios, where entire worlds exist within just a few millimeters of stone. I was deeply moved by the idea that mythology, human presence, and meaning could inhabit such a small space.

From an early age, I have been fascinated by the dialogue between nature and human imagination—the moment when raw material meets intention. Many years later, when I first dared to engrave, I discovered that each stone became a teacher. With every piece, two truths revealed themselves more clearly: this is a path I wish to follow for life, and elegance is never fully attained—it is only ever approached.

Glyptics gives by taking away. As material is removed, the stone reveals a different kind of beauty, much like life itself, where harmony often arises through letting go. Through this art, I believe it is possible to soften people, even if only briefly. When someone encounters beauty—especially when they have participated in its creation—they step outside the noise of everyday life and smile quietly.

I seek softness in form and in life, yet softness gains meaning only after sharpness, structure, and character have been mastered. Respect for the stone is essential; it sets the rhythm, defines the limits, and reveals the possibilities. Through my practice, I have learned patience, humility, and acceptance, including the understanding that not everything can or should be controlled.

My working technique is rooted in ancient traditions, enhanced by the use of electricity and modern optics. Each gemstone is unique in its structure, color, and inclusions, making every work unrepeatable. Mistakes are difficult to correct, which makes attention, calmness, and presence indispensable.

Glyptics exists at the intersection of craft and art. Technical mastery forms the foundation, but meaning emerges through imagination. I draw inspiration from ancient cultures, religions, nature, symbols, music, light, and the inner world of the human being. Over time, my work has led me toward Hermetic thought—a symbolic language that speaks of the unity between humanity, nature, and the cosmos.

Art, for me, is a way to restore balance. Like a pendulum moving between opposites, a work is born not in extremes, but in the quiet center between them.