An artisan from Botoșani who creates *mărțișoare* from twine and red-and-white cord, *mărțișoare* stitched onto aida cloth, dolls with wooden heads, and knotted bracelets.
Ms. Olimpia Vătavu from Botoșani recalls her childhood and the teachers who, on March 1st, would wear every *mărțișor* they received pinned to their chests;
the following day, they would choose just one to keep wearing. She also remembers her mother, who—back in the 1950s and 60s—would have her braid the red and white
silk threads used to attach small rings, tiny tubes, or simple tassels, all of which were then pressed flat. In addition to these traditional red-and-white cord *mărțișoare*,
Ms. Olimpia creates others representing the masculine and feminine, tricolor versions, spindle-shaped designs, and pieces stitched onto canvas featuring symbols
like snowdrops and ladybugs; she also makes "baba" dolls (featuring wooden heads and wool headscarves) and bracelets with narrow or wide knotted braids
in red-and-white, black-and-white, or tricolor patterns. She explained that one cannot rely on a single method; mastering multiple techniques is essential,
while also ensuring that traditional folk patterns are respected.See also
Eusebiu IacinschiA folk artisan from Botoșani, renowned for Kuty-style pottery handmade using a medieval technique; the Iacinschi family workshop is the only one of its kind in the county and the second in Romania.
Alexa Condratov Lidia și Alexa Condratov MarcelA couple of artisans from Botoșani: Marcel paints scenes from traditional rural life, while Lidia organizes exhibitions and crafts *mărțișoare*, alongside traditional needlework, macramé, dolls, and icons.
Timofciuc PetricăArtisan from Botoșani specializing in needle-worked corn-husk weavings and *mărțișoare*—colored with plant-based dyes—as well as hand-painted wooden *mărțișoare*.