Learn how to make a Pajaki, a traditional Polish chandelier made from rye straw and paper.

The Workshop

Join Karolina for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn to create your own colourful Polish pajaki (pah-yonk-ee) chandelier, a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations.

Pajaki (pronounced pah-yonk-ee) are unique chandeliers made from rye straw and paper, with a history dating back to the mid-18th century. Originally created by rural women to decorate their homes for celebrations like Christmas, Easter, and weddings, these vibrant pieces symbolised harvest and happiness. Though the tradition is now fading, Karolina continues to keep it alive.

In this workshop, Karolina will guide you through the process of creating the structure for your pajaki, which will then be adorned with five traditional kalinka pom-poms—made of 15 layers of hand-twisted tissue paper.

By the end of the session, you’ll have gained new skills and completed a beautiful, hand-crafted pajaki to take home.

Lunch is included in the ticket price.

About the Workshop Leader

Karolina Merska is originally from Poland and moved to the UK in 2007 shortly after obtaining an MA in History of Art at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Inspired by Polish folk art, she started making Pajaki chandeliers in 2015. Her work has been celebrated internationally and publicised by Channel 4, The World of Interiors, House and Garden, Elle Decoration, The Telegraph, Time Out, Harper’s Bazaar and many more. Exhibitions featuring Karolina’s work include the London Design Festival, London Craft Week, Bengaluru ByDesign Festival.

Karolina loves sharing her knowledge and teaches pajaki workshops in her studio in East London and around the world. Since 2019 she also runs her shop, Folka, where she presents unique crafts including pajaki.

Her first book “Making Mobiles. Create Beautiful Polish Pajaki from Natural Materials” has been published in May 2021.