As a child, I saw huge straw barrels sewn with vines. In Belarus, we call them “shayans” — my grandfather made them. I guess he gave me my love for this warm solar material.

My husband is a serviceman, and in the 1980s his duty station was Pruzhany District. Our child was 3 years old then, we were walking with him all the time and I noticed that other women with children were sitting and weaving something. This was the very beginning of the revival of straw weaving, which was supported by our Brest Souvenir Factory.

I was curious; I went to study at a factory and was absolutely thrilled. It turned out to be so beautiful! I was also very inspired that I could take orders from the factory and work on products at home.

Straw is a very living material. In ancient times, people idolized him and believed that the spirit of bread lived in him. Figurines of animals and birds were created from straw; they were of great symbolic importance for peasants.

Speaking of me, I love horse figures — they are men's amulets. When a man went to war, they put a small horse in his pocket to help him along the way. I have two sons and a grandson has recently been born. Now I want to make a horse for him too — I always smile when I think about it.

I like to make utilitarian products that will benefit people in the household. For example, to store your belongings and groceries. My other passion is straw hats. I make men's and women's, of different shapes and sizes. I always look closely at the customer's photo in advance and try to make it suitable for this particular person.

I also teach my children the craft: mostly boys study with me. This is hard work; only the most enthusiastic and hardworking people remain in it. I always tell them that in two or three years they will be able to become craftsmen and earn money and sell their works. This is important, they are also miners. I would like the craft not to be lost and they would also hand it over to new hands.

Straw weaving requires a lot of straw. It is impossible to buy it, it is too expensive. That's why my husband grows straw himself. This is a whole ritual: in autumn we come to my grandfather's land, plow the land and cultivate it. And then the husband puts on a straw hat and takes his grandfather's seven [wicker basket — editor's note] with grain. I say “God bless me for the new summer” and only then does he start sowing.

I am very happy with this work: it is the birth of a new life, which then lives on in my creative works. This is a huge amount of work, but it brings us special joy because it was all done by our own hands.

What am I proud of? With the title of People's Master of Belarus and in her own way: how many straws she held in her hands, how many meters she woven for people. I am proud to represent the Belarusian craft, which is admired both here and abroad.

My men, husband and sons respect my work and always support me. This is very, very nice, it motivates and inspires me.