At the age of 28, Alyona spends her days in the laboratory of the Kyrgyz Mining and Metallurgical Plant, which has been her long-standing dream, sparked by her passion for chemistry during her school years. However, with the arrival of evening, she transforms her home into a workshop, where soft toys, blankets, children's clothing, and various interior items come to life.
“Working in the laboratory is not only a dream for me but also an opportunity to finance my hobbies, as yarn is not cheap,” she shares.
Four years ago, when Alyona faced difficulties at work, she began to knit. This activity helped her cope with anxiety and fill her free time.
“During that period, it was very boring and hard at home. I had long wanted to learn how to knit and decided that the time had come,” she says.
Her first creation was a small knitted bunny. Despite the mistakes and uneven stitches, this bunny marked the beginning of a new stage in the craftswoman's life—it was gifted to her goddaughter.
Alyona admits that the path to mastery was not easy. She faced many challenges and even considered giving up crafting. However, the support of her family helped her overcome those moments. Now she confidently works with various types of yarn, but it is the toys that have become her "calling card."
“Each toy has its own character. This depends on the material used and my mood. Sometimes you think of one thing, and as a result, a completely different image emerges,” explains Alyona.
Kovalyova notes that the creation process rarely goes according to a pre-planned scheme. Often, images arise during the work. Thus, instead of the intended teddy bear, a fox may appear, and a "boy" turns into a "girl."
Among her creations, Alyona considers the knitted train to be the most challenging, which she had to create under tight deadlines.
“I knitted for almost a day without stopping, constantly redoing it. After that, I decided not to take urgent orders anymore—the creative process does not tolerate haste,” she shares.
Ideas for new works come from various sources: workshops, internet images, and random inspirations. She has no special rituals; the main thing is a good mood. There are times when she puts her work aside for several days if she feels tired or dissatisfied with the result.
The toys created by Kovalyova find their buyers among both children and adults. However, as the craftswoman herself asserts, what matters most to her is the emotions of people.
“I strive for my creations to bring joy. When I see that a toy brings a smile, I understand that it was all worth it,” she adds.
Despite the popularity of her works, parting with some items can be difficult for Alyona, especially those that, in her words, possess "character."
In the future, the craftswoman dreams of opening her own shop-exhibition, where she plans to showcase her handmade creations—from toys to clothing and interior items.
