As we make trips to Poland looking for new products to offer our clients, we keep a close eye on the ever changing environment in Poland. The environment of merchants, and the environment of supply and demand. Being in Poland twice per year at a minimum gives us a good idea of what is happening and what direction it's heading. We saw a large change when it was announced Poland will be eventually joining the European Union. We also saw a large change when the borders opened up and were more free to travel to EU countries.
Today's life in Poland is affected by the same problems that American life is affected... the economy. Let's not forget it's a GLOBAL economic downturn. People have lost some investments, companies used to sell more goods, demand is slightly lower, etc. But it's not the main problem that affected hand carved goods. What problem you ask? Supply! The suppliers are not making as much. It's not because of lower demand as you may suspect. It's not the lack or natural resources such as wood to make these wonderful gifts. It's the supply of the suppliers. There simply aren't many hand carvers in Poland. Do you remember Poland as the place where folk craft was as part of it's culture as the folk dances of Mazowsze? I remember that too... but faced with the harsh reality, my vision of Poland is different.
The craftsmen of Poland who carved wooden boxes were generally an older generation, proud of their heritage, and expressed their love and pride by making folk hand carved wooden gifts. Those craftsmen are dying out slowly, and there is nobody willing to learn the trade. As they die off, fewer techniques exist, fewer people to teach. And the young generation is generally preoccupied with more financially rewarding, and less demanding work. Carvinig wood is not only hard physically on your hands, it's an artform that is usually learned with practice. This artform was passed on from generation to generation, and today's generation has little interest. Combine this with the global competition of cheaper labor countries, there seems to be little reason to continue for these artisans. They work hard, have a unique product, and now have to work harder to sell it, and usually must lower pricing to barely livable wages to get the product sold. It's a sad time for skilled wood artisans in Poland. And the larger suppliers have automated some of these skilled tasks. Machines are capable of creating beautiful items, at a small fraction of the cost of a skilled artisan.
So what can we do??? It may seem like it's inevitable, the downfall of hand carved folk goods from Poland. But it's not! By deciding to purchase these items at a fair livable wage, you can help support them. And that's what we try to do! When traveling Poland, we look for quality suppliers who have a tradition of carving. Here are some items that are made by some of these skilled artisans.
Please comment on this post! I'd love to hear your throughts/comments/suggestions!!
