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.

Kaltene is home to a memorial house that has been set up in honour of Andris Kārkliņš, who was known as the first internationally recognised flamenco guitarist of Latvian origin.  Known as Andres El Leton, he was a composer, poet, writer and photographer.  Visitors will learn all about the artist’s life and work via audio and video recordings.

Up on the second floor of the building is a small creative workshop (SIA “Rakstu Raksti,” where people produce applied arts items such as folk costumes, linen products, accessories, souvenirs, etc.  They sew apparel and home textiles from linen and other natural materials.  The workshop has floristics specialists, and it accepts orders on sewn, knit and crocheted products.  Master classes are also available.  Visitors will enjoy local produced foodstuffs from the Roja Administrative District (fish, wine, cheese, conserves, jams, teas, etc.).  Handicrafts and souvenirs are available for purchase.
 

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.

The Jaunpils Crafts House opened on May 10, 2015, and it is home to a group of weavers from Jaunpils that was established in 1970, as well as the “Dzīpars” organisation.  The group is led by a master weaver, Velga Pavlovska, who is happy to share her knowledge with the 18 women who are part of the group.  She organises the work of women who do handicrafts, and she also conducts tours and creative workshops.  Visitors can learn about the work of weavers and other master handicraft specialists, take part in educational master classes, go on tours and purchase various souvenirs.

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 potter produces candelabras, dishes and whistles that you can buy at the workshop. She also accepts commissions for new products. You can work with your own clay and take the resulting product home with you as a souvenir.

The spoon workshop offers useful objects such as wooden spoons, cutting boards, butter knives, pans, spatulas, etc. You can produce your own wooden spoon and look at finished spoons made of more than 17 different types of wood from Latvia. During the summer the owners offer “pancake tours” with tasty jams. You can purchase spoons and homemade wine.

You can visit a restored little wooden building to watch and take part in the process of weaving. Natural materials are used to produce lovely souvenirs and useful household products. There are nine looms, and you will hear information about weaving as such. The workshop produces woven scarves which are coloured with natural dyes.

The workshop and “Dream Hut” exhibition hall at this venue offer a look at turned wood products such as candelabras, dishware, beer steins, vases, glasses, mortars and pestles, small boxes, wooden paintings, etc. You can commission and purchase products and watch the master at work.

“Amatnieku namiņš” ir saimnieces izlolota sirds lieta, jeb vieta, kur vienkopus atrodami daudz un dažādi vietējo un apkārtnes novadu amatnieku un mājražotāju darinājumi. Tējas, garšvielas, ievārījumi, dažādi smēriņi, adījumi, kokdarbi, pinumi, ziedi un ziedu kārbas, sveces, krūzes un daudz kas cits ir atrodams tieši “Amatnieku namiņā”. 

The workshop is in a farm, and the weaver produces blankets, carpeting, floor pathways, tablecloths, pillows, woven baskets, trays and souvenirs, as well as folk costumes on commission. She will be happy to show you her weaving and wicker-work skills.

Here you will learn about the history and cultural heritage of the Liv people of Vidzeme.  Tour the museum and enjoy once characteristic foods from the region – special porridge and a strong alcoholic beverage brewed in accordance with ancient recipes.  If your group wishes to do so, it can take part in the baking of rye bread in a true country oven.

In the workshop it is possible to learn about the process of creating and the usage of pottery of different historic periods, as well as other household goods. Archaeological pottery is presented. The Middle Ages man-carried clay bread oven, frying-pan, drinking cups, the pilgrims’ water bowls. All the works are handmade in the moulded ceramics style and burned in the clay kiln.

The potters engage in traditional pottery from various eras, and they also study ancient forms, materials and methods which ancestors centuries ago put to use. You can tour the facility, examine the kiln, work with clay, purchase ceramics products, and inspect a collection of ancient tools and ceramics. You are invited to attend the opening of the kiln, as well.

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.

Atrodas netālu no Biksēres muižas, blakus muižas parkam. Ozolkalna klēts saimniece Līga Kuba aušanas prasmes pirms pāris gadiem apguvusi Sarkaņu amatu skolā. Šeit radusies iecere par privātas aušanas darbnīcas izveidi, kas arī īstenota. Saimniece savas aušanas prasmes nodod jebkuram interesentam. Apmeklētāji var iegādāties šeit darinātos suvenīrus.

Found in the Alsunga Museum, this workshop demonstrates how the folk costumes and accessories of the Suiti community are produced.  Visitors can learn about weaving traditions in the area and examine the colourful range of folk costumes.  Visitors are welcome to try their hand at the work under the guidance of experienced specialists.

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.

Located in the threshing barn of an old estate in Alsunga.  There is a souvenir shop where you can purchase practical items such as shawls, gloves, stockings, dishes, herbal teas, etc.  Creative workshops are available here for children, and if you contact the venue in advance, you can meet with Suiti women to learn about traditions and to sing and play games.  The centre has been awarded the "Latvian heritage" cultural sign.  

RADADA ir radošā darbnīca, kura ierīkota senā ugunsdzēsēju depo. Audumu apdrukas ar saviem orģināliem zīmējumiem rokas sietspiedes tehnikā. Apdrukā apģērbu ar rakstiem un simboliem, kas simbolizē Latvijas dabu, latviešus un to spēku.

This is one of the few craftswomen in Latvia who does not use a potter’s wheel in her work. Instead she works in the “snail” or “sausage” technique that was typical of the Bronze Age. Her artworks are distinguished by a diversity of form and functionality. Children can attend master’s classes. You can take tours, take part in the opening of the kiln, and purchase fumigated ceramics products.

This craftsman produces beautiful ceramics and uses the so-called black or smoke-based technique. You can try your hand at the potter’s wheel and watch as the kiln is opened. You can commission or purchase ceramics. You can also tour the beautiful garden and receive services related to flower design.

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.

The attractive potter is a member of the “Potter School,” and he uses knowledge from his ancestors. The “Malny Wylky” workshop offers a look at traditional pottery work, including a foot-powered potter’s wheel and a firing pit that uses firewood and the smoke technique. You can examine and purchase the finished products. Vēsma, in turn, is an oil painter and will demonstrate her artworks.

This craftsman uses the black ceramics technique. You can watch him opening the kiln, take part in creative workshops, and commission or purchase ceramics products.

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.

Rokdarbniece Vineta Meistere piedāvā apskatīt, pasūtīt un nopirkt gleznas, dienasgrāmatas un recepšu grāmatas, kas izšūtas krustdūriena tehnikā.

Iespēja ielūkoties audējas, rokdarbnieces, ekoloģisko rotaļlietu radītājas, tekstilmākslinieces projekta “100 deči Latvijai” autores Anneles Slišānes senajās Latgales lauku mājās.

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.

Spieķu darbnīca Siguldā aicina izdzīvot spieķa izgatavošanas procesu, kam ir vairāk kā 200 gadu sena vēsture. Darbnīcā ir iespējams pašiem apgleznot savu spieķīti, vai iededzināt rakstu zīmes un vārdus. Spieķīši ir atpazīstamākais un senākais Siguldas simbols, kas attīstījies līdz ar kņaza Kropotkina ierīkotajām senlejas takām, kļūstot par gājēja neatņemamu ceļabiedru. 

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.

Here you will find everything that you need for a proper Latvian sauna – bowls, scoops, tubs large and small, switches, linen products and log saunas as such. You can tour the workshop, try out your own hand at the work that the owners do, and commission or purchase their products.

This potter upholds pottery traditions from the village of Silajāņi. He produces glazed and unglazed products such as dishware, candelabras, etc. You will hear attractive stories about pottery, be allowed to knead some clay and work on the potter’s wheel, and be able to tour an exhibition hall with samples of the master’s work, as produced over the course of the years. You can also commission and purchase products.

This is the only place in Latvia where old organs are restored and new ones are built.  The workshop also manufactures music boxes.  Tour groups can learn about the history and principles of organ building and about the instruments as such.  The workshop was installed in the stable of a former manse in 2004, and it is owned by Jānis Kalniņš.

The first written records of the manor date from 1422, its fate in the 20th C was very chequered with changing hands and functions many times. Today there is a ceramic workshop where you can buy a range of products, model your own pieces, or decorate or glaze blank items to your taste. A woodwork shop shows various woodworking techniques.

The craftsmen's association unites 65 craftsmen from Rūjiena and its surroundings. Offers baking, jam cooking, cheese tying, jewelry making, leather goods, crochet and culinary master classes. Also offers "Made in Rūjiena" tastings (bread, smoked products, culinary products, jams, fresh juices, pumpkin products, seasonal berries and fruits, other dishes in each season) and shopping.

Sēlijā, pie Slates sila, atrodas "Kalnaleiskini". Saimnieks Mārtiņš Uzkurs ir galdnieks, bet sieva Lelde - dizainere abu kopējā galdniecības uzņēmumā un Latvijas Ornitoloģijas biedrības biedre ar pieredzi ekskursiju vadīšanā. 

You can try your hand at pottery and take part in the opening of the kiln. You can also order and purchase ceramics.

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.