Skilful fingers of Jan Stawasz (Poland) - www.frywolitka.slupsk.pl
 Jan Stawasz - is an amazing person. He lives in Poland in the town of Slupsk .
But the most fantastic thing is that this man is doing an absolutely far-from-man job such as tatting. He has reached unbelievable results in his creative work. He can be truly called the best craftsman of tatting in the whole world! This is exactly what I think, when I compare him to the others. You will probably not be able to find such a fine, beautiful, elegant snow white lace anywhere else.
When did you first become interested by the tatting technique?
My tatting adventure started 12 years ago. One day I saw a friend of my acquaintance showing her how to tie the tatting knots and, as I had always been interested in atypical things, I decided to try it myself. Soon the activity absorbed me entirely, and I still remain faithful to it.
I developed my tatting skills after a car accident, which forced me to lead a rather sedentary life. I never copy someone else's patterns - all ideas arise in my imagination and I never repeat them. This it what makes my works so unique.
 What is the further life of your creations?
Out of the several hundred works I have created so far, several dozen have been published in such magazines as Moje Robotki , Burda "Anna" , Igla i Nitka , Poradnik Domowy or the British Workbox . Many of my works have found their way to museums, galleries and private collections not only in Europe, but also in the USA , Canada , Japan , Malaysia , Australia , Singapore , Brazil ...
Do you know any special secrets of tatting? 
My tools are two shuttles (also made by myself), a pair of scissors, a crotchet needle and a cotton thread. But, what is most important about the work, one needs to love what one is doing. If any element is imprecise or flawed, I cut it out and throw it away. Sometimes it means wasting a few-hours work, but a difference of just 1mm, which is the size of a stitch, is a cardinal error.
Which place does tatting take in your life?
Tatting is my way of life, a passion in which I find great satisfaction. It enables me to meet many people, to cooperate with professional magazines and, what is most important, to share my knowledge and skills with other people during numerous courses and training sessions I conduct all over the country.
For my proficiency in tatting as well as saving and popularising a perishing profession, in 1997 I was awarded a scholarship of the Culture and Art Minister, and the National Artistic Commission acknowledged me as the only professional in the field in Poland. Owing to their decision I became the first member of the Folk Artists' Association in the category of tatting lace.
 In 1995 Polish Radio broadcasted my tatting course and several other programs devoted to me and my work. Similar programs and articles appear also in other, regional and all-Polish media.
Come to see the website of Jan Stawasz : |
