The Dynamic Duo

As we wrapped up our time in Slovenia we met the most interesting couple. They live and work in the small town that we called home for four weeks. Both artist and masters of their own crafts, we were lucky enough to spend the day exploring their worlds.

Anja’s passion is design and her media is wet felting. She takes this craft to the next level making purses, dresses, slippers and hats, all without sewing or waste. Anja has added fibers beyond wool such as hemp, soy, silks and fibers from stinging nettles to give her pieces depth and texture. She is obviously very comfortable in her trade and seems to have endless creative skills. We spent a morning with Anja creating our own master pieces while getting our hands “clean”.

Anja’s husband, Daniel, has his own studio in the same building where he builds violins. Daniel gave us some insight into the world of making instruments, showing us the woods he uses to carves the body of the violin and the glues he uses made of fish bladders. Daniel has become one of the top violin makers in the world after learning the Italian language in order to attend a prestigious craft school near Verona. He builds about six violins in a year and has a two year waiting list. You too could join his waiting list but have your wallet handy, these instruments sell for about $25,000 USD each. He was nice enough to let a few of novices play around for the day.