Tradition and Handicrafts

Katja Zrimšek designs glass products using the stained-glass Tiffany, and fusion techniques. At heart she has been a craftswoman for as long as she can remember and therefore she decided to make her passion her work.
In the course of exploring various materials, it was glass that captured her the most. A material which, in its basic form, is so sharp, brittle, transparent, boring... but which has such amazing possibilities for transformation. From sharp pieces of glass Katja creates attractive smooth glass jewellery, makes shiny products from transparent colourless glass, transforms stained-glass into lamps, dishes, and glazing. Welcome to her colourful glass world!

Ladka Peneš, aka Mama Ladka, is a master craftswoman of nuances. Using plants she dyes wool yarns, combed wool and silk scarves. She uses wool from the Jezersko-Solčava breed of sheep, which is one of the indigenous breeds in Slovenia. A wide variety of Slovenian grown plants are used for colouring – St. John's Wort, mullein, onion skins, rhubarb, green walnuts, willow, alder, birch and others. The hand-dyed materials are used to create items including knitted scarves, hats, gloves, socks, pendants, various felt products, and naturally printed silk scarves.

Ana Rakovec is one of those continuing the rich tradition of lacemaking in the Selca valley in the Škofja Loka area. She learnt the art of lacemaking at 7 years-of-age. Today, years of experience and creativeness have made her a master of lace bobbin work. Her products, which she makes using woven threads in a variety of designs and patterns, are very diverse.

The pillows and cushions of various sizes made by Anita Eržen are a result of many years of experience of our ancestors. Pillowcases are made from raw cotton and linen, which are airy and pleasant to the touch. Pillows are filled with suitably processed spelt or buckwheat husks, which means that they remain pleasantly cool on hot days and maintain their anatomic shape. Anita also makes heating bags using cherry stones, according to an old folk tradition. The many positive effects of the materials ensure a comfortable bed and peaceful, quality sleep.

The A. Primožič 1888 Lace Bobbin Collection is the oldest family-run company in Slovenia that preserves the tradition of bobbin lacemaking. It was founded by Anton Primožič who, in the first half of the 20th century, was one of the biggest manufacturers of lace-bobbin products in Slovenia. Today the Primožič family produces products from bobbin lace, which, according to traditional house patterns and contemporary designs of Slovene and other nationalities, are made by local lacemakers. Exhibitions and presentations for the archives of bobbin lacemaking are also prepared in the sales gallery for individuals and groups.

Petra Plestenjak Podlogar is today the only master of the knowledge of producing moulds for small Loka honey breads. The century-old tradition of producing moulds and baking these small breads dates back to the beginning of the 18th century in the Škofja Loka area, when it was introduced by the nuns of the Klarisa order. Today, Petra continues and upgrades this tradition using her own designs and patterns and, in doing so, combines the rich tradition with modernity. New products are also available – bookmarks, pendants and carvings on furniture.

Lucija Tičar has been knitting from a young age. Her products are made with a great measure of love and precision. Using knitting needles and woollen thread she creates wonderful patterns, which make clothes special and different. She makes socks and gloves for all ages, and also weaves woollen and cotton threads on a loom to make scarves and cotton rugs.

Whilst Škofja Loka is known for its small Loka honey breads, the Selca valley is best-known for Dražgoše honey breads, the production of which is preserved, amongst others, by Cirila Šmid. She makes traditional Dražgoše honey breads decorated with various hand-designed motifs. The most common are heart-shaped breads which, as with other shaped honey breads, are decorated with floral motifs such as edelweiss, carnations, cloves, wheat, spikes of corn etc.

In her work Anja Musek masterfully combines craftsmanship and design expertise. Her talented hands produce unique felt products which, in addition to wool, also use silk, linen and cotton. Her familiar natural style can be seen in bags, slippers, jewellery, scarves, cushions, felted soap, felted dishes and numerous other products.

Designer Lili Panjtar is ever more dedicated to handicrafts. Unique designs with felting wool and recycled paper offer her new dimensions for expression. In her studio, LILAStudio, she creates a whole collection of useful products for equipping interiors and for personal use made from recycled paper, including baskets of various sizes, lamps, mirrors, jewellery etc.

The wooden products produced by Samo Gašperšič are distinguishable by their aesthetically-simple shape, creativeness and ingenuity, which are based on knowledge and more than a decade of experience. His movable wooden toys are ecological, produced from wooden materials, and are inspired by old wooden toys. 

Master of wet felting, Alja Venturini, creates a wide variety of useful products from felt – bags, slippers, hats, jewellery and silk felted scarves. Her recognisable craft expression is characterised by bright colours and floral designs. Alja gets the ideas for her designs mostly from nature and art. She takes pleasure in creating and sharing her knowledge with others through her work as a teacher of felting.

Tatjana Švab has a recognised knitting style. Using wool from the indigenous Jezersko-Solčava sheep she produces a variety of knitted products, and is best known for her knitted children's slippers. Tatjana uses the techniques of hand-knitting, crocheting and boiling wool.

A wide variety of designs can be found in Lidija Debelak’s clay reliefs, which represent the aesthetic crossroads of tradition and modernity. She seeks inspiration in small Loka honey breads, wooden inlaid hand-produced chests, folk literature and beliefs. Angels, horseshoes, carnations, golden birds and clay, combined with lacework, lead through tradition to modern designs in bright colours.

Ar&Ta's unique products combine tradition and usability. Tanja Florjančič uses hand-embroidery to decorate fabrics producing a variety of items for everyday use with embroidery detail. She uses mainly linen, which is complemented with other natural materials, thus staying loyal to the traditions of our ancestors.