MIRK
A joint showing by Belutak and the makers who exhibit with us.
- First and second place as a group, in the small clubs category.
- Various individual first places for Zmijanje embroidery, crocheted toys, weaving and felting.
About Belutak
Belutak is an arts and crafts corner from Sombor, working with makers across Serbia. Behind the name stand several old crafts, all done by hand: embroidery, weaving, crochet, felted wool, jewelry, children's clothing, dolls and natural cosmetics.
Where the name comes from
A belutak is a white pebble from the river. Water smooths it for years until it turns round. Handwork moves at the same pace, so the name felt right straight away.
It appears often in Serbian mythology, as a protective stone and an amulet. It turns up in Serbian poetry too: Vasko Popa devoted poems of the same name to it and gave it magical, almost otherworldly qualities. For him the pebble stands for perfection.
How we work
Nothing is made in series. Pieces are made one at a time, at their own pace and from natural materials only: cotton, linen, sheep's wool, glass and the occasional wicker. Pictures and some of the figures combine several of them.
Every handmade piece takes its own time, depending on the amount of detail, how firmly it is worked, the precision required and how demanding the motif is. We try to bring every piece as close to perfect as we can.
Every piece is one of a kind, and a similar one can be made on request. Shape, colour, size or motif are agreed when you order.
Four things that never change
- Everything is handmade. Not a single piece comes off a production line.
- Natural materials only. Cotton, linen, sheep's wool, glass and the occasional wicker.
- Every piece is one of a kind. A similar one can be made on request, but never an identical one.
- Everything in its own time. How long it takes depends on the detail, the precision and how demanding the motif is.
Exhibitions and awards
Makers from all over Serbia exhibit under the Belutak name, taking part with us in joint exhibitions.
A Hundred Women, A Hundred Miniatures
Ethno Network exhibitions, individual entries.
- Various first prizes for embroidery, felting and weaving, most of them for Zmijanje embroidery.
Wool Festival
An exhibition and sale, with no competition.
Some members of Belutak hold the title of grand master in traditional embroidery and felting.
The easiest place to meet us is at our stall.
We show our work at craft fairs and events, together with makers from all over Serbia. There you can see and touch the pieces, which no photograph can replace.
Coming up: fairs and dates to be added