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Hand embroidery
Some ideas don’t stop at one or two pieces — they grow into full, thoughtful long-term projects, sometimes solo, sometimes in collaboration with other artists.
Embroidery of children’s drawings
Starting with embroidering my own childhood drawings, preserved by my mom, I now continue to bring other children’s drawings to life through embroidery. I believe that kids see the world in the most honest and precise way, so I’m always glad to keep a piece of that art for years to come.
2019 – present​
Thread Talisman
I am inspired by traditional religious scapulars — small, hand-made textile objects that could be folded and worn close to the body. Inside them, people once placed embroidered images of saints, tiny icons, pendants, or written prayers.
Here, the form remains, and so does the idea of inner meaning, while the content becomes personal rather than prescribed. These talismans are not tied to any specific religion, although they may carry spiritual or symbolic significance if the owner chooses so. I work with personal symbols, chosen colors, textures, and fragments of meaning that resonate with a person. Each piece is sewn and embroidered by hand, layered with stitches, beads, and pieces of fabric, and can be folded inward into a small square.
This object is understood as a talisman rather than an amulet, not as something meant to repel or protect, but as something that gently attracts what supports, accompanies, and strengthens its owner, allowing intention to become fulfilled.
2025 - present
LEFTOVER
A slow-fashion project that renews clothes with leftover threads from my embroideries, 2023 - present
Visible / invisible mending
From my experience, the second life of things is often cooler. They still have the vibe of the clothes you liked at first glance, but they've become much cozier and more interesting because of the patches or embroidery.
2020 - present
Hand-embroidered and hand-woven wedding flag
Karlotta Bott (weaving) and Mariia Kostyleva (embroidery) collaboration, 2025
THINGS
This project is a collaboration between two artists. Anya Shchetvina captures your portrait in a simple line drawing, and Maria Kostyleva brings it to life through embroidery on a patch that you can use as you wish: decorate your wall, adorn your jacket, or add a unique touch by sewing a pocket to your favorite tote bag.
2024 - 2025
Floral embroidery
faible&failure (jackets made from old tablecloths and textiles), Laura Ginis (painting) and Mariia Kostyleva (hand embroidery) collaboration, 2023
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