“My dream is to create things with my own hands”: how Valentyna turned her love for embroidery into personalized jewelry

Valentyna Dima, founder of a personalized jewelry engraving business, with a laser engraving machine received through Ukrprostir NGO under a project supported by UN Women Ukraine and the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), in Zaporizhzhia. October 10, 2025. Photo: NGO Ukrprostir/Olha Kalinchuk  

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Valentyna Dima lived with her family in the village of Mykhailivka in Zaporizhzhia region. A trained accountant, she worked in her profession for many years. Alongside routine work, there was always something that inspired her – embroidery and beadwork.

“Embroidery has always been my hobby. I used to say at work that my dream was to create things with my hands, to have big windows nearby so I could look outside, rest my eyes and then return to work,” she recalls.

In April 2022, the family was forced to leave home. First Poland, then a return to Zaporizhzhia. “I needed time to recover after being abroad and rebuild my life here again,” she says.

Later, after meeting a friend, Valentyna created her first beaded accessory – and realized she wanted to continue. A hobby gradually grew into the desire to launch her own business. After analyzing the market, she noticed the demand for personalized jewelry and decided to add engraving. This is how the idea of creating unique pieces with names or meaningful symbols was born.

With this concept, she applied for the “FORSAZH” project, implemented by NGO Ukrprostir for internally displaced women in Zaporizhzhia with support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). Valentyna requested a laser engraving machine – without expecting her application to be approved.

“At first, it was hard to believe my idea could be supported. When I was told that my application was approved, it was completely unexpected,” she recalls.

Today, Valentyna creates not only bead and pearl jewelry, but also adds engraving that makes each item unique. The project became a point of support for her – a chance to grow creatively and professionally.

“For me, FORSAZH means confidence. It helped me learn to present my idea and engage others. The programme teaches, guides, asks questions you would never ask yourself. And through these discussions, your idea becomes more structured. If you have a dream – you should follow it and bring it to life,” says Valentyna.

To women who hesitate to start something of their own, she offers simple advice: 
“There will always be challenges, but if you feel that everything is falling into place at the right moment, you just need to dare – and start.”

This story is about how support can spark a new profession, and how a hobby can become a business.

The FORSAZH project is implemented by NGO Ukrprostir, funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.