Beata Legierska – lace maker from Koniaków who makes bonnets using the crochet, needlepoint and Tenerife techniques; she has shown her art in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Switzerland and Japan (Koniaków, Śląskie Voivodeship, Silesian Highlanders)

The artist has made lace ever since she was six years old. With time, she has not only familiarised herself with all the elements of the traditional lace from Koniaków but she was also the first person to create a lace alphabet – a set of patterns ascribed to each letter of the alphabet.

Her workshop makes elaborate patterns called śliwki, gąsiorki, żabi oczka, dymbowe listki and strzapoćki. As she herself admits, she sees her every creation in the blooming nature – it is like a small meadow. She works in silence, which helps her focus better and count every minute stitch.

Her creations have been exhibited, amongst other places, in Poland, Japan, Germany and France. As a commission from the Dior fashion house for a wedding dress, she made a corset, bonnet and veil, in which every pattern was unique.

She has won the Grand Prix at the European Folk Art Competition ‘Z nitki i gliny’ (‘From thread and clay’) and the Special Award from the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage.

She is true to the Koniaków tradition, but she keeps on developing it – her lace creations combine the legacy of generations with her own artistic language.