Back To The Transylvanian Crafts Festival

One of the things I like about these craft festivals is that you get to see what life had been once and if you're lucky, you can even try out creating the things you use.

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Trying out wood carving, or yarn spinning at these events can be fun, but when you think back in those days your life and survival had depended on your skills, makes it less fun. Imagine sleeping in a bed you put together, starting from cutting the wood out of the woods, preparing the wood and finally making the bed. Or wear the clothes you made, starting from the canvas and thread. People were self sufficient, most of them (especially the poor), had created and grown everything they needed.

When you go to a fair and look at these wonderful costumes, jewellery and what not, you think these artisans are professionals. Yes, you might be right, but as they are recreating what people used to make in the past, you know back in the day, people were skilled too.

What you see on the photo above is felt material embroidered, different rugs and cloths and the fold costume. About the felt, imagine first making the felt, then embroidering it.

The two artists are making felt.

This is an old tradition that I think it is on life support. You see a few artisans here and there, but hand painted furniture is rare. I was trying to imagine myself having painted furniture in the kitchen. You can have painted furniture in the whole house by the way, from the kitchen to the living room and bedroom. I don't know how I would feel. Most likely like living in the past, but I still like it.

These products were made of bracket fungus, although I'm not sure it's the right definition of the raw material. It is definitely a fungus, like the bracket fungus, but I'm not 100% certain it is that. You see these hats, shorts, vests in Bavaria, where it is traditional. The funny thing I learnt about these is that the craftsman said Bavarians are not making them by hand anymore and a team came to Transylvania not long ago, to learn the ropes. It is sad to know that tradition is dying in other countries too, but good thing some are working on reviving it.

I'm wondering how many of you know what the products on the photo are or serving for. I should leave this as a riddle, like I do with some art pieces.

Musical instruments! When I saw these pieces, the first thing that came to my mind was the musical instrument exhibition I visited a couple of years ago at the museum. The exhibited items were all musical instruments brought from all over the world and from all decades and centuries. Some were really rudimentary, while others were sophisticated.

What is good to know about these that back when there was no electricity and entertainment meant playing some rudimentary, handmade, home made instrument, singing and dancing, the poor took a string or two, some wood and made their musical instruments.

These on the photo are not exactly simple and I can imagine how long it takes to make one. I know the process and trust me, to get quality, you need skills, dedication and the best raw material you can find.

This was the place where I needed all my strength to not buy anything. I love ceramics, mugs especially and these were not simply calling my name, but were most beautiful and unique I've seen lately. This is my style and the only reason I didn't buy any was because I don't drink coffee and, my tea mug is 0.5L and these were smaller.

Have a closer look and tell me you don't like them. Actually don't you dare telling me you don't like them 😂 I have seen this artist before with these products, she was selling at the same place and seeing the products had the effect on me. Maybe next time I won't be so strong and will buy something.

Now let's see what you think. Tell me if you can solve the riddle and also what you like from here.

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