THE CRAFTS EXPO FEATURES THE ONE AND ONLY WORKSHOP OF THIS KIND

A novelty at this year's Handicraft Expo in Targi Kielce - the firs tedition of machine sewing workshops for children and teenagers.  The 10 professional work-stations equipped with sewing machines have been designed learn how to create unique and original Christmas decorations, such as a beautiful star-pillows that can be used as a home decoration element or a hand-made gift for a loved one.  The  workshops participants cut out colourful Christmas fabrics with great enthusiasm. Then they stitched them according to the design and filled them with special cotton wool.   Even Agnieszka Cieklińska, a dressmaker from the Tatinka studio who was running the workshop was surprised with the work results.

A great craze for pastime sculpting

Under the watchful eye of Krzysztof Jan Wesołowski, the CRAFT expo workshop participants were trying their hands at  sculpturing.  Leon from Chmielnik, a by less than en is fascinates with sculpture, that's why he wished to use this workshops to learn techniques and wood-curving principles. Krzysztof Wesołowski was truly patient when explained how to deal with material such as lime, poplar, maple, oak or ebony wood. He also paid a great attention to guiding and supervising the young adept's hand.   The coach explained in his classes that after the shape of a sculpture has been carved, it still needs wood-stain paint, some shades add-on and wax or varnish cover.  Then the work gains a unique expression which can additionally be emphasized with appropriate lighting.

MOTANKI- Good Wishes Dolls

Joanna Wrońska has been able to introduce the magical atmosphere of Christmas. Mrs Wrońska is passionate craftswoman who makes MOTANKI - wound dolls.  Traditional Slavic dolls take their name after the technique used for making the decorations - threads and yarns winding and wounding around the doll's trunk.  They used to be especially popular in Ukraine, Belarus and the eastern parts of Poland; the dolls were supposed to perform a number of tasks:  women and girls would give a doll-adventurer to a person embarking on a journey so that the doll would protect them.  The doll would carry a bag full of earth in order to reminded of the distant home. If the bag was filled with grain, the traveller would not suffer hunger. Lovage herb in the bag protects a husband from being allured by other women.  These women-shaped Ziarnuszki [Grain Dolls]  were filled with groats, peas and rice in order to bring wealth.  Budgerigars dolls  were very popular; the two dolls joined were given as a wedding gift.  A few years ago Joanna Wrońska was taking part in handicraft trainings where she heard the dolls. This triggered her fascination.  When for the first time she conjured up a traveller with the use of a few rugs, she felt as if she had done it long before.  Ever since then she has given such dolls of good wishes, to her friends and relatives. She also shares the joy of creation with children and adults who attend her workshops.  Joanna Wrońska chaired the workshop at the Crafts Expo. She emphasized that such classes and workshops for children are very much in demand, because they develop manual dexterity, boost imagination, become the incentive to leave the house and do something.  The dolls creation process is a very grateful pastime, all you need are threads and cloths.  One principle should be observed - the doll's head should be made of white material.

(MA)