Craftsmen

Pēteris Tutāns runs a wickerwork workshop, “Kalndaķi,” in a lovely location near Milzukalns hill.  The workshop dates back to the mid-1980s as a family operation.  In 1999, the family turned the workshop into a true business, “Pinumu Pasaule,” which today is one of the largest wickerwork companies in Latvia.  The company is run by wife Lolita, while Pēteris works at his creative workshop, “Kalndaķi.”

Raw materials for the wickerwork include debarked or not debarked osier wicker from trees which grow on the farm.  The whole process from growing the wicker and finishing the product is handled by hand.  Pēteris weaves baskets, kitchen utensils, interior design objects, garden furnishings, toys for children and various souvenirs.  Visit the workshop and see how the wicker is grown. Purchase finished products or take part in a wickerwork master class.

Overnight accommodations are available.

The wooden building was erected in the late 19th century and features a museum which demonstrates the way in which people lived more than 100 years ago.  Exhibits include household objects, the Rucava folk costume, socks and decorated mittens.  Various events involving discussions, singing, games, dancing and weaving are organised, as are cultural and educational programmes such as “Evening Activities” and “A Rucava Banquet” with local foods from lower Kurzeme.

Latvian cuisine: Buns, sourdough porridge, homemade bread, honey, herbal teas.

The company “ARA Kalnozols, Ltd.” is located in the same territory with the guest house "Šubrakkrasti", located in Madona region, Bērzaune parish, 8 km from Lake Kāla, in a quiet place surrounded by nature. "Šubrakkrasti" is both a guest house and a non-standard farm, which offers excursions, during which you will be able to get acquainted with the history of the house (previously there was a dairy), owner Raimonds Aizstrauts - factory equipment production workshop, his motorsports (four-time USSR champion in motorsports) and work on CNC and laser engraving equipment. Walk through the manicured countryside, which includes a mountain with a serpentine road, landscaped gardens, ponds, etc. There is a 9-hole meadow golf course in the area. There are also creative workshops - a soap maker or gift box making.

Keramikas darbnīca aicina piedalīties keramikas meistarklasēs, grupu un radošajās nodarbībās. Viena meistarklase ilgst apmēram 2 stundas un šajā laikā veidosim māla traukus, mūzikas instrumentus vai interesantus dekoratīvos priekšmetus. Māla darbnīcā arī iespējams iegādāties mūsu veidotos darbus. Optimālais dalībnieku skaits meistarklasēs ir 2 līdz 10.

Mūsu piedāvājumā arī keramikas kursi pieaugušajiem, skolēnu ekskursijas un pāru nodarbības. Ja domājat, ko darīt brīvdienās vai ko redzēt Cēsīs, keramikas darbnīca Lila būs laba izvēle.

Iespēja pagatavot karstos dzērienus un uzklāt galdu līdzpaņemtam ēdienam.

The craftspeople produce interesting clay cups with text, drawings and animal figurines inside them. You can take a tour, watch the specialists at work, and engrave your own texts on dishware. You can also use gypsum moulds to create small animals, work with a potter’s wheel, purchase souvenirs, and order products for yourself.

The craftswoman uses clay, rocks and other materials to produce dishware and various interior design objects, finishing them in an open kiln. Visitors can take an informational tour, watch the craftswoman at work, and sit down to produce their own cups. Guests are welcome to attend the opening of the kiln.

Mailīšu fabrika atrodas Ērgļos, un tā ir radīta ar mērķi saglabāt rokdarbu tradīcijas un prasmes. Te auž vilnas, lina un zīda darbus - segas, plecu lakatus, linu dvieļus. Viesiem ir iespēja apskatīt dažādu veidu stelles, kuras izmantotas Latvijas teritorijā jau sākot no 9.gs. 

Baltijā lielākā keramikas fabrika. Tūristu grupām piedāvā ekskursiju pa ražotni. Blakus atrodas veikals, kurā var iegādāties keramikas izstrādājumus – gan praktiskas lietas, gan interjera priekšmetus un suvenīrus.

Visitors can use a potter’s wheel to create a cup, engrave their name and return to pick up the finished product after it has been fired in the kiln. Here you will learn all about the history of pottery. You can buy finished products and enjoy tasty herbal teas.

In the workshop you can see how wool becomes yarn using old techniques and how knitted and woven items are made today. You can try your hand at carding wool, spinning yarn and weaving a rag rug on looms.
The shop has a wide range of items for all members of family. Workshop visits for larger groups can be arranged too.

This is a unique opportunity to watch the work of various craftspeople (amber workers, jewellers, weavers, seamstresses, etc.) and purchase their masterful work. You will see the world’s longest amber necklace (123 m, 19 kg!!), which was made with bits of amber that were contributed by local residents. Creative workshops are organised for children.

Wooden slat weaving workshop is located in Jelgava county, Sesava parish. Craftswoman is making different type of wooden slat baskets and basketry from pine, linden, aspen and black alder.

There are several different categories of baskets, available in different sizes - picknick baskets, baskets for berry and mushroom picking, trays, baskets for firewood, laundry baskets, onion / garlic baskets, baskets for kids, and diverse baskets for daily use. Various inscriptions and drawings are also made on the weavings. They also accept orders for individual orders. In the workshop it is possible to see the wooden slat basket weaving process as well as have the opportunity to learn to make your own basket.

Avinurme Wooden Handicrafts Centre in East-ViruCounty is a tourist centre that offers a chance to get acquainted with the local woodcraft, spend quality time in woodworking workshops and taste or even prepare your self a selection of Estonian traditional foods. Handicrafts Centre is waiting to surprise you and offer you many new and fun experiences. Avinurme is the most south-eastern parish of EastViruCounty. Due to location and nature conditions, Avinurme area has strong woodcraft and business traditions, which are based on knowledge passed on generatoin to generation. The main products have always been wooden vessels – different household items such as barrels, tubs, casks, wooden buckets, sauna wash tubes, wooden roof chips and furniture, particularly chairs.  Wooden Handicrafts Centre you can test your dexterity in the many different workshops offered. Offers and packets to groups. 

This is also a  tourist centre where you can get acquainted with local wood products. There is also a café serving dishes of Peipus region on special wood products, and home-made rye bread is also available here.

Leimaņu ciems ir sācis veidoties 20.gs. sākumā kādreizējā kroga apkārtnē. Vienā no tās vēsturiskajām ēkām atrodas arī amatu māja "Rūķīši". Ēkā ir dažādas tematiskās istabas - aušanas, novadpētniecības, maizes, saimes, senlietu un Ulmaņlaika istaba. 

Viesiem ir iespēja aplūkot un iemācīties maizes mīcīšanas un tapšanas procesu, izstaigāt Latvju zīmju parku, iepazīties ar Leimaņu pagasta vēsturi un iemēģināt roku aušanas procesā. 

The craftsman produces wooden dishware and other products, making use of many local species of trees. The technique is unusual and reveals the specific texture of timber. The artist has masterfully integrated amber, bone and animal horn in his dishware. He also engraves spoons with ethnographic signs. You can commission or purchase products from the master craftsman, who also restores wooden furniture.

In the studio it is possible to buy or order different craftsmanship items, as well as to learn about craftsmanship process. The studio specializes in creating folk costumes, weaving and all sorts of handicrafts, creating jewellery, patchwork, sewing and silk painting. It is possible to see the crafts’ exhibition and buy souvenirs.

The craftswomen produce clay dishes, vases, candlesticks, chandeliers, garden ceramics and small objects. Clay dishes with wooden handles are interesting. The women will offer you a tour of their workshop, a chance to see them at work or to try out your own skills at the potter’s wheel, as well as to purchase objects which have already been manufactured.

This venue organises seminars, courses and activities related to Latvian holidays and family celebrations.  There are master’s classes about culinary heritage in Latvia, musical instruments that can be played, and demonstrations of various handicrafts, including weaving, knitting, crocheting, etc.  The ladies of the house prepare tasty porridges, soups, herbal teas, chicory coffee, pastries and pierogi.  Visitors can learn about folk dances, games and songs.  Wedding performances are also available.

Atpūtas vietā ir apskatāmas 370 no koka veidotas skulptūras. Ir izveidoti 5 labirinti- 630 m garš pikants labirints ar “pipariņu” tikai pieaugušajiem, tulpju meditatīvais labirints, “Šausmu labirints”mežā, bērniem- 25 m garš labirints ar maldīšanos upenēs  “Tracis”, zaru labirints “Dižputna ligzda”. 60 dažādas lielformāta brīvdabas spēles un atrakcijas. Dabas taka “Putnu iela”, kurā apskatāmi Latvijas dobumperētāju putnu būrīši.

Guntis Niedoliņš is a master craftsman, and at this workshop he manufactures wooden jewellery, furniture, interior design objects, spoons, shovels, etc.

Skaidrīte Bauze is one of Latvia's most famous mitten knitters, with more than 185 pairs of mittens in her collection to demonstrate the wide range of Latvian ornaments and colours.  Visitors can look at the collection, listen to information about it, and look at a garden with many different plants and wooden sculptures that are the work of the owner of the farm, Haralds Bauze.

The master craftsman produces wooden spoons of linden and birch, as well as sauna switches with apples. You can watch him at work, try your own hand at making a spoon, purchase finished products, tour a collection of spoons, and also visit the old farm buildings.

Lina, vilnas apģērbu šūšana, galdautu, dvieļu, jostu u.c. tekstilizstrādājumu šūšana. Tērpu darināšana nav tikai darbs, bet arī aicinājums. Tas palīdz izgatavot vissarežģītākās tērpu konstrukcijas. Nemitīgā zināšanu papildināšana kursos ļauj veiksmīgi dzīvot līdzi mainīgajām modes prasībām. Paralēli individuālajiem pasūtījumiem tiek izgatavoti gan apģērbi, gan citi šūtie izstrādājumi tirdzniecībai.

Biedrība ikvienam interesentam piedāvā praktiskas nodarbības ar taustāmiem rezultātiem - darbošanos ar savām rokām īstā darbnīcas vidē - koka amatniecība, rokdarbi, sveču liešana. Darbošanās patstāvīgi ar iespējamu palīdzību visos līmeņos, ko sniedz pieredzējuši meistari. Iepriekšējas iemaņas nav nepieciešamas. 

The potter uses the black (smoke) technique to create his artworks, and he uses clay from Latgale. He uses no industrial equipment in his work, and the kiln is fired with firewood. You can watch as he creates dishware on a foot-powered potter’s wheel and talks about the firing process. You can work with clay and purchase finished products.

The workshop offers a look at lanterns, candelabras, hinges, fireplace tools, stair railings and gates that have been manufactured there, as well as several exhibits from the 18^th century. You can produce your own nail, and the blacksmith will also “test” young couples. He also accepts orders for products.

The watermill processes wool with equipment that is 100 years old and is used to produce handmade blankets and pillows that are stuffed with sheep wool, as well as souvenirs that can be commissioned and purchased.  The watermill offers tours and fresh-baked bread.  A wool pulling and wrapping machine that dates back to the 19th century and was manufactured at the Šūberts Rudītis & Co company in the 19th century is still used, as are a unique weaving apparatus from Germany and a grain mill.

Latvian cuisine: Marinated herring with vegetables, porridge, mashed potatoes a la Vidzeme (with fried onions), pancakes with jam made of Latvian berries and honey, homemade bread.

Special foods: Water pretzels and local soup with six types of fish.

The craftsman offers useful household products such as terrines, pots to make pickles, dishes of sugar and salt, bowls, etc. You can learn about pottery traditions and watch as the kiln is opened.

The blacksmith’s shop is found at the medieval Cēsis Castle. You can examine, order and purchase reproductions of ancient jewellery, watch the craftsman at work, hear a very attractive story about the history of jewellery-making, and try your own hand at the craft.

Andris Roze is one of very few kokle makers in Latvia who manufactures the instrument and helps others to do so at master’s classes.  Roze also manufactures other traditional musical instruments, demonstrates them, offers consultations about them, collects them and gathers together historical information.  He works at the Drabeši Crafts House, where people can learn traditional skills such as weaving, processing of leather, felting, pottery and construction of musical instruments.

Visiting a blacksmith has always been something special.  Does this job still exist, and is it still importance?  Some may wonder who is a blacksmith is in the first place.  The DUDU Nests open-air smithy will answer all of your questions.  The blacksmith will teach you all about his profession, talking about the tools and materials that are necessary, the relevant traditions and the everyday work of blacksmiths today.  You can forge your own nail to test the difficulty of the work.  The blacksmith will happily attend your event with his open-air forge.  This is perfect for students, smaller children, wedding guests or individual visitors.

The craftsman produces pottery typical of Vidzeme, but with the range of colours that is typical of Latgale. These products fit in very nicely with the lovely landscape of Racupkalns. You can take a tour, watch the master at work, and work with clay yourself. You can also watch as he opens a Lettigalian ditch kiln. You can commission and purchase the products, as well.

You can watch blacksmiths at work at this smithy, and you can order metal decorations, fences and other products on the basis of individual agreement with the blacksmith.

The craftsman represents the fifth generation of the oldest dynasty of Latvian barrel makers. The family began such work in the early 19^th century, and he is continuing on with traditions related to barrels that are made of oak and ash. He will talk about the various aspects of making a barrel, and you will be able to watch him at work. The craftsman produces barrels, wooden tubs, scoops for saunas, etc. You can order and purchase these items.

"Anima Candles" sveces ir roku darbs. Svecēm pieejami vairāki dizaini, kas variē gan krāsās, gan izgatavošanas metodē. Krāsu un smaržu klāsts ir plaši pieejams. Tās izgatavotas no pārtikas rūpniecībā izmantojamā parafīna vai ekoloģiskās sojas. Sveču ražotnē tiek piedāvātas sveču liešanas meistarklases.

The 11 buildings of the museum feature farm equipment, horse-related equipment, several dozen internal combustion motors, as well as tools used by craftspeople and farmers during Latvia’s first period of independence. The annual harvest festival brings together as many as 2,000 visitors. A harvest festival features special porridge. Groups can take part in a bread programme, watching the production of bread from dough to loaf.

This crafts centre is located at the former Svēte Estate, and it organises creative workshops. You can purchase ready-made or commission original ceramic ware.