Today I'd like to share some photos I took at the festival, of artisans who were working during the visiting hour, to show visitors the ropes, or how it's been done before industrialization. Yes, there was a time when everything was done manually and at home, by each individual. In other words, if you needed something, you needed to make it. This goes to show the skills each person possessed.
The most amazing benefit of these workshops is the possibility for children to see these crafters in action and try out these techniques.
This lady for example was making yarn, the old fashion way, how it was been done, before mass production took over this industry. We have plenty of sheep in the country, so getting wool is not a problem, but preparing the raw wool is and maybe this is the reason why wool is not appreciated so much and its use is limited. I've never tried making yarn, but who knows, maybe I'm going to be braver at the next crafts fair and ask for 5 minutes to learn the ropes.
This is basically the next phase, when yarn is used to make fabric.
I didn't want to sound too weak, so I didn't disclose that I have an allergy to ... (dunno how it's called), but I'm sneezing when those small particles from the wool are in the air, so this phase seems more suitable and attractive to me. It's not so boring either as you can use different patterns to create something unique and extraordinary.
They had folk costumes and skirts for sale, but apart from the table cloth, the rest of the fabrics used were not handmade. The sewing was made by the crafters, for sure.
The dresses or costumes on display here are not traditional fold costumes, but these were the ones women used to wear. While admiring the fabrics and the work on them, was trying to imagine myself wearing such garments, but ... thank God I don't have to wear them. Not that are ugly, on the contrary, but in terms of convenience, well, I'd happily choose something else.
Toys are a special category and deserve all the attention in my opinion. Children are the most vulnerable category and unfortunately tight budget can lower their chance to get safe and healthy toys. I don't know in other parts of the world, but here you can buy handmade, non toxic toys, for all ages, that last for more than one generation.
Not my style, but the carpets looked really nice. You can also order from them, but my problem with these type of carpets is that are very thin and wrinkled all the time.
This was where my legs refused to listen to my brain and I had to stop. Most likely I've never disclosed this piece of information, but I love ceramics, especially handmade and hand painted.
Each region has its own specific and traditional design, but over the years things have changed and next to the traditional design, you can find new ones too, like you see in this photo. Now tell me honestly, how can you not love these beauties? I was very close to breaking my promise and buy some, but again, space, money and weight. Yes, these are not lightweight kitchen products and if your kitchen cabinet is on the wall, you need to consider the added weight as well, not just space.
About a century ago, this was the kitchenware most had, except of course nobles and royals, who were able to buy the finest porcelain of the region, or from abroad. Today this type or ceramics is seen with different eyes, it's a privilege to have them and doesn't suggest poverty anymore.
The potter in action. It's fascinating to witness how a piece of mud can be transformed in a plate, vase, mug or whatever you like, by experienced hands. This is another activity that I'd like to try out one day. There are workshops, courses available, but for this, I need to cut my nails as otherwise I can be thrown out of the course before the first class begins 🤣 But jokes aside, it's a lovely activity. Imagine creating your own kitchenware or home accessories.
I'm tagging @grindle here, because we had a discussion at my last post, regarding fridge magnets, that seem to be everywhere and the vast majority is kitschy. What you see here is all made of tinder fungus. They even had some fridge magnets, in form of mushrooms, hearts, flowers and the cherry on the cake was the mouse that you see on the right and on the table. At the time of my visit, there was a lady, who bought a mouse for the small boy who must have been his grandson. The craftsman told her to put the mouse on the cheese plate, among the cheese slices, when she has guests.
I was lucky to be there, when the craftsman was explaining how it's done, so now I can share some details with you. The main idea is to get a round tinder fungus and not a flat one. Those that are like a plate, are not good. He said the good ones are hard to find and they are walking lengthy distances to get some.
As you can see, the number of items they can make using tinder fungus is endless. Hats, bracelets, pendants, bags, vests and so on.
This is how they apply the print on it. There's the so called negative, which is the carved wood and the man is is ironing the tinder fungus stripe against it.
Once a craftsman told me this tinder fungus is good for cleaning your glasses, but I don't know if I'd risk my glasses as lenses these days are made of plastic and cleaning them this way may result in getting some permanent scratch marks. It'd be an expensive experience. No thanks.
When I went back on Sunday, the man was working on a raw piece, he was cutting the edge of the tinder fungus, getting it ready to be straighten out.
So to get back to what I have promised to @grindle, there were fridge magnets, but all were handmade, either tinder fungus, painted ceramics, straw or something crocheted or containing fabrics. No kitschy plastic ones.
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