In an interview with a Turmush correspondent, she shared that she was born on January 15, 2000, in the village of Chon-Sary-Oi. In 2004, her family moved to Karakol, where she still lives. Zharkynai is the middle child of three. Her father passed away when she was only two years old, so her grandmother played an important role in her upbringing. Her mother works as a teacher, and her grandmother was fond of handicrafts, sewing shyrdaks and creating kuraky (patchwork items), which instilled in Zharkynai a love for creativity.
“Since childhood, I have been drawn to handicrafts. I was always nearby when my grandmother was working on kuraky or sewing shyrdak — laying out fabrics and threading the needle. She was the first to teach me embroidery,” Zharkynai recounts.
Zharkynai started crocheting during her school years.
“In labor classes, the teacher showed us the basics of knitting. But at that time, I didn’t know that yarn could be used to create toys. Later, while browsing social media, I stumbled upon a crocheted toy with the caption ‘master class — 300 som,’ which piqued my interest, and I bought it. That’s how I began to learn how to crochet different elements. My first toy took a whole month, and I didn’t like it — it looked unsuccessful. So, I started looking for better yarn and accessories,” she recalls.
When making toys, Zharkynai pays special attention to the composition of the yarn to ensure it is soft and safe for newborns.
“I carefully select threads to make sure they are suitable for small children. I attach eyes and buttons with special care. For me, quality is a priority. If a toy is safe for a newborn, then it is of high quality. My products are also suitable for teenagers, collectors, and as decor,” the artisan explains.
According to Zharkynai, the process of creating toys requires a lot of time and effort.
On average, it takes her 8–9 hours to make a toy that is 19–20 cm tall, with the face detailing taking about 2 hours. She strives to convey the character of the toy through its facial expression, making it cute and kind.
As a graphic designer, Zharkynai pays close attention to details: the shape of the eyes, the harmony of colors, and the composition of the yarn, which makes her products unique.
She finds ideas for her toys in books, at exhibitions, and creative events.
“I believe that to be creative, you need to read a lot. Visiting exhibitions also brings many ideas,” she adds.
Her most popular work is a bunny with long ears, which is often ordered as a gift for children. Although there are not many collectors, her toys have been sent abroad. Usually, when ordering, Zharkynai only changes the color of the toy or its clothing. She admits that it is difficult for her to create something she doesn’t like — that is her “weakness.”
For Zharkynai, each toy is not just an item, but a result of her time, energy, and creativity. She is pleased that in Kyrgyzstan, the culture of handmade goods is starting to gain recognition. Previously, her toys were more often bought by foreigners, but now local clients are becoming increasingly active. They can be found in souvenir shops in Karakol, at exhibitions, and in online sales through social media.
Prices for small toys and keychains range from 800 to 1000 soms, while larger ones range from 1500 to 2000 soms.
Once, there was an incident when a seller mixed up the price tags and sold a 5 cm toy for 1800 soms, while a larger one was sold for 500 soms. “At first, I felt awkward, but then I realized — if a person likes it, they will buy it, regardless of the price,” she recalls.
In the future, Zharkynai dreams of opening her own art studio, where she will teach knitting and organize creative meetings.
“To those who are just starting with handicrafts, I want to say: don’t stop, show your work, even if it’s imperfect. Don’t be afraid or shy. We will never be 100% ready, so don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” the artisan concluded her story.
