Dana Dobrai

Ileana Părasca Toma is a folk craftswoman from Plopiș, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating ornaments specific to the Land of Chioar. She skillfully carries on the tradition of necklace weaving and other traditional bead ornaments. Her unique creations bear archaic symbols specific to Maramureș, such as: the sun, the rope, the Northern star, the honeycomb, the shepherd's hook, the wheat ear, the whirlpool and the rake. Ileana Părasca Toma is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Plopiș village, 158 Principală st., mobile: 0742 970 361. Workshop access: From no. 160 in Plopiș stop at no. 158, at the Folk Master Workshop of Ileana Părasca Toma.

Ioana Mihuț is a folk craftswoman from Șurdești, Maramureș County, who specializes in making traditional shirts with brightly colored flowers. She also weaves necklaces with various traditional motifs specific to Maramureș, such as: the sun, the rope, the Northern star, the honeycomb, the shepherd's hook, the wheat ear, the spool. Ioana Mihuț is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Șurdești village, 406 Principală st., mobile phone: 0736 642 851. Workshop access: From number 30A, go to number 406 in Șurdești village and stop at the Master Workshop of Ioana Mihuț.

Ileana Erdeli is a folk craftswoman from Săcel, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating ornaments specific to the Land of Maramureș. She passionately weaves necklaces and other traditional beaded ornaments. Her creations bear archaic symbols specific to Maramureș, such as: the sun, the rope, the Northern star, the honeycomb, the shepherd's hook, the wheat ear, the whirlpool and the rake, thus offering uniqueness and elegance to each piece. Ileana Erdeli is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Săcel township, Săcel village, 621 Principală st., mobile phone: 0755 522 755. Workshop access: from 363 Principală st. walk 250 m to 621 Principală st., Săcel village (200 m away from the intersection with Bistrița), at the Folk Master Workshop of Erdeli Ileana.

Maria Demian is a folk craftswoman from Plopiș, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating folk costumes specific to the Land of Chioar. With a lot of love, she perpetuates the tradition of the fabric corset with lace patterned from cut embroidery, in the shape of flowers or dumplings, and sewn only with white thread, each piece being unique. She also weaves beads, aprons and vests into folk costumes, as well as towels and tablecloths, with the most beautiful brightly colored flowers. Maria Demian is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Șișești township, Plopiș village, 160 Principală st., mobile phone: 0742 895 713. Workshop access: From Dănești go north 150 m, turn right and after 400 m, again right on DJ 184, where you drive for another 1.7 km; turn right again on DJ 182C and drive for 2.3 km, then turn left on DJ 182 G and go down another 800 m to reach Plopiș. In Plopiș you will stop at no. 160, to visit the Folk Master Workshop of Maria Demian.

Ioana Creţ is a folk craftswoman from Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating folk costumes specific to the Land of Maramureș. Our craftswoman dresses in doll costumes both dolls and plum brandy (pălincă) bottles, indispensable accessories for festive events. Ioana Creţ is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Sighetu Marmației, Mobile phone: 0758 633 872. Workshop access: From the center of Baia Mare go 1.5 km to Vasile Lucaciu street, then continue on DN 18 to Sighetu Marmației.

Antonela Ciocan is a craftswoman from Ungureni, Maramureș County, who specializes in creating ornaments specific to the Land of Lăpuș. With great skill and imagination, she continues the tradition of weaving the famous belts, necklaces and other traditional beaded ornaments. Her creations bear archaic symbols specific to Maramureș, such as: wheat ear, rake, sun, twisted bread (colac), rope, northern star, shepherd's hook or honeycomb. Antonela Ciocan is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Cupșeni township, Ungureni village, 481 Principală st., mobile phone: 0742 584 692 Mrs. Călina Mârzac; 0769 756 348 Mrs. Reghina Cozma.  Workshop access: from the Ethnographic and Folk Art Museum "Casa Lăpușeană", Rogoz, head East for 130m, then turn left. In another 130m turn left again, and continue for 5.4 km; turn left and continue for 2.3km. At the intersection, turn right. The village is 5 km away. The destination is 481 on Principală street. 

Ileana Bizău is a traditional craftswoman from Bogdan Vodă, Maramureș County, who specializes in making folk costumes specific to the ethnographic area called "the Land of Maramureș". She continues the tradition of homemade linen shirts with macramé lace and multicolored flowers. She also weaves the famous traditional Maramureș aprons (zadie moroșenească), in red and black or yellow and black, as well as the flowery skirts always matched with the headscarves. This particular craftswoman dresses both people and dolls in folk costumes.  Ileana Bizău is a very active folk craftswoman, who gladly participated in all the editions of the Good Fair of Maramureș, as well as in other local or national events for the promotion of the traditional culture of Maramureș. Contact details: Bogdan Vodă township, Bogdan Vodă village, 737 Principală st., mobile phone: 0743 206 109. Workshop access: from Botiza township, Botiza village, drive for 16.4 km on DJ 186 to Bogdan Vodă township, Bogdan Vodă village, at 737 Principală st., where one can visit the workshop of the talented craftswoman, Ileana Bizău.

IN MEMORIAM Victoria Berbecar was a traditional craftswoman who gives new life to the traditional woolen rugs, dyed in colors of the plants gathered from the plains and the forests of Botiza. The fabrics made by her preserve the popular Maramureș motifs, using anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and rhomboidal symbols. Victoria Berbecar has become recognized worldwide due to her wall carpets, known as "scoarțe", which have always been admired and appreciated at national and international fairs and exhibitions.  As a sign of gratitude for the promotion of the culture and crafts of Maramureș, the Maramureș County Council awarded the traditional craftswoman Victoria Berbecar the honorary title of "Ambassador of Maramureș Tourism". Victoria Berbecar passed away in January 2022.