My life influencers and teachers were my father and godfather. They advised me to go to a craftsmanship school where I learned how to work with different metals and, most importantly, how to draw. I've now been working with metals for 50 years and what I do is a result of my lifelong studies.

We lived in a big house and we had a studio where my father was making and fixing different things, and he taught me to work with metals and use all sorts of tools. I was told that my grandfather was a great master and I sort of inherited his talent.

My first works were rings. I would emboss small decorative elements and animals on metals. I was only 12 at that time, but ever since then I've had only one aim: to make works with an Armenian signature.

My studio is open to anyone who wants to learn this craft. I love teaching young people, I only ask them to have good drawing skills as it is very important for making sketches and designs. And of course, they should come with an open heart and mind.