Workshops
3-day roosimine workshop
In this workshop you will knit a small pincushion with a roositud ornament. The knitting uses 1.5 mm needles and yarn no. 7/2 (350 m/100 g).
Depending on the yarn and needles chosen and your working speed, finishing the pincushion may be left as homework.
Traditional bead necklace
In Estonian folk tradition, women always wore a bead necklace. In addition to decoration, the bead necklace had an important protective, magical role. It is known that beads were put around a little girl’s neck as soon as her first tooth came in, and she then wore them day and night from the cradle to the grave.
As the girl matured into a woman, mother and grandmother, the necklace was gradually added to with beads that represented important events, eventually forming the woman’s so-called path of life. Silver clasps and coins were also threaded between the beads.
Making a traditional bead necklace is fun and relaxing.
Leather workshop
You can come to the leather workshop with your own idea! Whether it is a key ring, a small accessory or some other leather item – leather master Heini Soobik will help you make it happen.
Heini is a musician and craft master from Pärnu County whose passion for leather art began as early as the 1980s. At that time it was impossible to find exactly the kind of accessories he wanted, so he learned to make them himself. This need grew into a lifelong interest in leatherwork, which he has shared over the years in many workshops and courses.
No previous skills are needed. Just come along, slow down, let your creativity fly and make something unique that will stay with you for a long time.
Fishing lure making workshop
Lure master Allar Pärjamäe, Alëx Di Fishingtrips & Lures , combines handicraft, fishing and nature conservation in his work. Part of the proceeds from the sale of his handmade lures goes towards protecting the autumn spawning grounds of salmonids, supporting sustainable fishing and the future of our waters.
At the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” you can be part of this exciting world. In the workshop, Allar explains what makes a good lure, what to pay attention to when making one, and how to make a working handmade lure.
After that, everyone can make their own classic spoon lure, with which you can go fishing for our best-known predatory fish – pike, zander, trout and perch.
This workshop suits both fishing enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys making something practical and unique with their own hands.
Making flower water and natural cosmetics
Make your own flower water and discover the magic of natural cosmetics!
Did you know that meadowsweet flower water, also known as hydrosol, is suitable for skin care, hair care, scenting your home, and even flavouring food and drinks?
At the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” you can take part in the flower water and natural cosmetics workshop, where you make your own natural flower water and learn how to use it in many different ways in everyday life.
In the workshop you will learn how to use flower water:
- as a face mist and body spray
- in natural cosmetics
- in hair and scalp care
- as a room and sauna freshener
- for flavouring drinks and desserts
- as soothing compresses
This workshop is for everyone who loves nature, wants to reduce their use of synthetic products and would like to learn how to make something useful with their own hands.
Making beeswax candles
Aeglane Hetk invites you to enjoy a calm and creative beeswax workshop.
In the workshop we discover the wonderful world of beeswax – we talk about how it is made, enjoy the joy of creating and make a unique beeswax candle with our own hands.
This is a great opportunity to take some time for yourself, experience the joy of creating and take home a handmade candle that reminds you of summer, nature and Tõstamaa.
Roositud ornament workshop
In this workshop you will learn how to make a roositud ornament by embroidering onto a knitted surface.
This technique is a valuable skill for anyone interested in roosimine. It is used to repair mistakes made during roosimine, but it can equally be used to add beautiful roositud patterns to ready-made mittens, sweaters or other knitted items.
In the workshop you will learn the basics of the roositud ornament and discover how small details can make your knitwear even more distinctive and beautiful.
Come and discover the finer points of Estonian heritage crafts, learn new skills and spend an inspiring day in Tõstamaa.
Striped skirt-inspired brooch workshop ("Triibuseelik juurtel")
The workshop “Triibuseelik juurtel” (Striped skirt – rooted in heritage) invites you to explore the stripe patterns of Estonian folk costume skirts and find the one that speaks to you most and connects to your roots.
You wind your chosen stripe pattern around a branch found in nature or a tree root washed up by the sea. This creates a personal and symbolic brooch that unites your heritage, nature and creativity.
Create a unique piece of jewellery with your own hands, one that has its own story and meaning.
Wedding tassel workshop
Our foremothers were true master crafters – clever and skilful, able to turn even the humblest strip of cloth into a beautiful adornment.
Colourful tassels were made from strips of calico fabric and used to decorate the veimevakk, apron ribbons and, for weddings, they were also attached to the ends of leg ribbons (säärepaelad). This custom is where the name pulmatutt (wedding tassel) comes from.
At the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” you can make a traditional wedding tassel of your own, following the example of our foremothers. In the workshop this traditional adornment is made from calico strips, and you will also learn more about its history and meaning.
Come and discover Estonian craft heritage, spend an inspiring day in Tõstamaa and take home something made with your own hands that has its own story and meaning.
Making cocktails and mocktails
Spend a lively evening at the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” and discover a world of exciting flavours!
Under the guidance of Laura Jõe, we will make two cocktails or mocktails together – exactly to your preference – and one shot.
During the workshop Laura shares practical tips and good recommendations for making tasty, balanced drinks at home as well.
It does not matter whether you prefer drinks with or without alcohol – all recipes can be adapted to your wishes.
Everyone is welcome who wants to learn, try new flavours and spend a pleasant time in good company.
Roosimine for beginners
In this workshop you will knit a small pincushion with a roositud ornament. The knitting uses 1.5 mm needles and yarn no. 7/2 (350 m/100 g). Depending on the yarn and needles chosen and your working speed, finishing the pincushion may be left as homework.
Reed decoration workshop
Nature offers us wonderful materials – sometimes a single reed stalk is enough to create something beautiful. When several are put together, distinctive decorations are born that bring a piece of Estonian nature into your home.
At the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” you can make a reed decoration of your own. In the workshop you will learn how a simple natural material becomes a timeless and beautiful interior design element.
Take a moment for yourself, let your creativity fly and enjoy the calm pace of making handicrafts.
Mending workshop
At the Heritage Culture Festival “Tõstamaa Õhetus” you can take part in a mending workshop, where you will learn practical techniques for giving your favourite clothes a new chance. Bring a blouse, sweater, dress or another garment that is waiting for a fresh start, and create something beautiful and wearable from it once more.
Every mended garment helps reduce consumption and carries its own story forward. Sometimes the smallest repair turns into the most beautiful detail.
Roosimine for more experienced knitters
A century and a half ago, the women of Tõstamaa knitted their own mittens with fine yarn and needles. The mittens consisted mainly of red roositud ornaments. Today, in addition to mittens, women also wear beautiful roositud wrist warmers knitted with fine yarn.
In this workshop you can choose whether to make a pincushion or begin knitting wrist warmers. In addition to the roositud ornament, you can also try making tassels.
In this workshop, roositud wrist warmers are knitted using 1.25 mm needles and yarn no. 12/2 (600 m/100 g). Participants can finish the wrist warmers as homework.
Traditional Estonian Braided Bands Workshop
Braided bands and garters have played an important role throughout history as fastenings, decorative accessories and ritual elements. Garters were used by both women and men to hold up stockings.
In this workshop you will learn how to braid a traditional band.
Stone carving workshop
At Tõstamaa Õhetus 2027 you can take part in a stone carving workshop.
Everyone is welcome who wants to create something beautiful for themselves or as a gift for a loved one.
The workshop is led by Margus Rebane – a keeper and promoter of the basket-weaving tradition and a mentor of the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union. His work has been recognised in Estonia and further afield. Alongside basket weaving, Margus has now added the exciting craft of stone carving.
In the workshop Margus tells stories about stones and teaches how to cut interesting pictures and faces out of them.
