I moved to Lüllemäe in autumn of 1989 and started working as a cook at Lüllemäe Diner.
I took an interest in handicraft already in childhood. My room has always been full of doilies, drawings and herbal arrangements.
When Estonia regained its independence, I found myself jobless. At first, I had no idea what to do because problems with living conditions and the family were neck-braking. Nevertheless, I'm a restless spirit and want to take part of everything. I knew I had to go on with my life.
So, I enrolled in the work of Karula Women's Society where I learned how to make rag rugs. Then, Lüllemäe Centre of Popular Education was founded and I joined that as well. I've met many good people but I guess three of my main role models who incited me were Teeda Tugi, my class teacher at Nuia Secondary School, Liina Kütt, the co-ordinator of ILO-programme and Irje Karjus, the Woods Crone. They have supported me and given me hope. Thanks to them, I've never had to be afraid for my actions. They've always encouraged me to do things the way I want to.
We all need some encouragement and appraisal. At the moment, I'm involved in several handicrafts. My favourite is doll sewing. I also draw, paint on silk and porcelain, weave rugs, embroider flat-stitch pictures, make arrangements of dried herbs, crochet, make leather jewellery, write poems and stories, etc. I have sewn dolls for eight years already.
My dolls have been displayed in Latvia, Russia, Finland and Estonia. I have been told that my dolls have very expressive faces. Maybe it's because I put my heart and warmth in them. My biggest doll is a two-metre Woods Crone in the house on chicken legs at her home.
Whenever I go to the Woods Crone Family Park I feel needed. My will to live and do things gets stronger. When the Woods Crone asked me to join her park, I was a bit afraid: I'm an amateur. But it didn’t take long, when I realised other people value my work highly. I'm going to develop my skills and acquire new ones and to co-operate with the Woods Crone Family Park. I'd like to teach people to make their soul dolls, dolls that would resemble them in a way. My principle is to pass on love, uniqueness and beauty with the things I make.
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