
About
Malgorzata Szpila
MaÅ‚gorzata Szpila, born on 25th May 1990 in Tuchów, regards lacework as an inseparable part of her identity, emphasising that being a lacemaker is a state of mind. Anyone who has ever visited a lacemaker's home wouldn't be surprised to accidentally step on a pin or sit on one on the sofa. Nor would they be surprised by the threads scattered throughout the house or the familiar scent of hay that fills the lace pillows. MaÅ‚gosia has been a lacemaker since the age of nine, and with every move—whether during her studies or later in adult life—she always created a space where lace-making was a ritual, one that involved not only herself but also the community around her.
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Her journey with bobbin lace began at the first International Bobbin Lace Festival in Bobowa, where she discovered that lace was not just about doilies but also fascinating pictures, clothing elements, and unique jewellery. Lace wasn't limited to white or grey linen but could also involve copper wire, gold or silver thread, or beads that subtly highlight the craftsmanship. For a nine-year-old girl, this discovery was like finding gold, which over time transformed into a lifelong passion. The festival, organised by Bogdan Krok, Ewa Szpila (her mother), Joanna Malec, and Celina Job, marked the beginning of her story as a lacemaker.
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Subsequent stages of her life brought new perspectives on this craft. Her diploma project at the Art High School in Nowy SÄ…cz combined bobbin lace with literature. She created a model of spiral stairs symbolising the Tower of Babel and the path to heaven. Each step was inspired by a different literary motif, which she used to design technical drawings of lace, and then she crafted the lace she had designed.
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Next, she pursued Cultural Studies at the University of Rzeszów, where both her bachelor's and master's theses focused on the role of bobbin lace in Poland and around the world. During her studies, MaÅ‚gorzata gave lectures on this craft, introducing the subject to other students and lecturers. She graduated with honours, with a note recognising her dedication to promoting this craft and the region from which she hails.
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Currently, Małgorzata lives in Wales, where she runs a lace studio, primarily focusing on creating original jewellery. Her works are characterised by their uniqueness and a significant amount of sparkle, as she believes life is too short to wear boring jewellery, and that every day is an opportunity to feel special. Thus, her designs are a true festival of crystals that harmonise beautifully with the art of lace-making. Her lace creations have become part of the special day for brides from around the world, she collaborates with fashion designers, and her clients include both women and men who desire to own a piece that is unique but also created with great respect for the tradition of bobbin lace.
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In 2023, Małgorzata's work was recognised by the Gallery of Art and Museum of Bobbin Lace in Arenys de Mar, Spain, where she was invited to create an exhibition in her name at the gallery's main headquarters. Her works were on display for four weekends, attracting over 1,000 visitors. Currently, three of her pieces are permanently exhibited in the museum's hall dedicated to contemporary bobbin lace.
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The success she is currently enjoying is the result of 25 years of lace-making practice, but as she says, lace-making is an endless story; each thread brings new possibilities, and we are only limited by how far we allow it to develop. Małgorzata is a multiple-time winner of bobbin lace competitions in Bobowa. For many years, she has travelled the world, participating in lace festivals, proudly representing her small hometown, which in her heart is the capital of bobbin lace in Poland.