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"Valentin,
As
your apprentice, I can not let this tradition
end. Just as you spoke of your teacher, I will
speak of mine.
You
are a wonderful person and by far the Best teacher
I have been blessed to have. You are the most
humble Master and present yourself as "one of
us" even though you are mountains above.
Thank
you for all that you have taught me and all
that you will continue to teach me about moving
metal and making it look so beautiful. Your
support and generosity of sharing knowledge
are immeasurable.
I
also thank you for showing me your amazing country.
This changed my world. Thank you for letting
me into your past and for exposing me to the
culture and the people who are such a big part
of who you are today. "
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Sharon
Fosko, Summit New Jersey |
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"And how well you deserve homage yourself,
Valentin. I hold you in great fondness for all
that you are. I was first struck with how kind
and gentle you are. Or maybe it was how talented
you are. Or perhaps it was how charming, fun to
be with. Or even how good-looking. And what a
fabulous teacher, patient, knowledgeable, generous.
I think that if we counted how many people genuinely
love you the number would be quite astonishing.
" |
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Claudia
Rush, San Antonio Texas |
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"Dear Master,
Meeting you has made my heart and spirit rich.
You are my cherished friend, a wellspring of creativity,
and you will always be "der meister"
to me. To say "thank you" never seems
enough to someone who has selflessly given me
a new life." |
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Stephen Kris, New York, New York |
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"Val, you have planted seeds around the world
that blossom and spread even as you read this.
Because of your passion and drive, your love and
mastery of this ancient craft and the joy you
exhibit in teaching it, current and future generations
will master and spread this almost lost art even
farther. Beautifully done Valentin. Thank you
for sharing your gift with us." |
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David Snipper, Berkeley, California |
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"Valentin,
Thank you for being
such an inspiration and driving catalyst in my
pursuit of artistic expression! Thanks for being
such a good friend and mentor. You have given
my metalsmithing a destination! A place where
I can go to, within myself. Not everyone is so
lucky." |
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Billie Lim, Goldsmith,
New York, New York |
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"In twenty
years as a metalsmith, I don't think I have ever
been as impressed with a teacher in a short time
as I was with Valentin Yotkov." |
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- Elizabeth
McDevitt, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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"An outstanding
teacher, artist and individual." |
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- Charles E.
Salvage, New York, New York |
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"Valentin
is an Old World Master. His wisdom and artistic
spirit are inspiration for all of us. His passion
for the Art of chasing is contagious." |
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"Valentin's deep love for this craft is infectious
and addictive and I am hooked on chasing and repoussé.
You know you've stumbled onto something special
when you meet other students who have become dear
friends and disciples of this man."
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- Donna E. Shimazu, Kailua, Hawaii |
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"Valentin,
what a great teacher you are! You have opened
my eyes to a new wonder, joy and bliss. My experiences
in your class were nothing short of life altering.
It is as though everything I have learned about
metal so far has been to prepare me for this very
technique." |
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- Ronda Coryell,
San Francisco, California |
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"Amazing!
Never a discouraging word. Cheerful, skilled,
present, helpful, aware of each student's progress
and needs." |
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- Keith Berge,
Rochester, Minnesota. |
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"The best!
What a great instructor, artist and person. I
am truly privileged to have studied with such
a great Master." |
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- Sam Woehrmann,
Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
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"Thanks
so much Valentin for your generosity both of spirit
and craft - I feel like you've given me an amazing
gift." |
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- Lauren Krouk
Wagner, Hadley, Massachusetts |
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"It is
common knowledge, Valentin, that you are a true
Master Silversmith and Artist. To watch you work
is a treat. But what I find equally impressive
is your warmth, friendship and pleasure in seeing
your students succeed." |
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- Joan Baras,
Jewelry Designer, Cliffside Park, New Jersey |
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"Valentin's
knowledge and skill are unsurpassed both as an
artist and a teacher." |
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- Meredith
Beau, Little Rock, Arkansas |
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