CREATORS

Craftsmen, artisans, designers, and artists — in a word, creators. They are the heart of Kraków Story, and we are proud to have the privilege of cooperating with them and sharing the fruits of their work and passion. Their dedication to every stage of production, from the selection of raw materials to the final product, is evident in every detail of the goods we offer. Together, we create something more than just a store — we create a community that values quality as much as authenticity.

ANTONINA KONDRAT

Antonina Kondrat, born and living in Kraków, a graduate of Polish studies at the Jagiellonian University and fashion design at the Kraków School of Artistic Clothes Design, has designed a whole range of garments based on the kimono cut – from warm coats and winter jackets, through trench coats and mackintoshes, to lightweight silk dresses, jackets and blazers – since 2022. No size, no gender and no age. Designed and sewn in Kraków. In keeping with the etymology of the word kimono (kiru: to put on, mono: thing), Antonina focuses on the functionality and comfort of her outfits – she wants them to dress up but not to dress down, to impress while also giving freedom to the wearer. The brand is characterised by its attention to detail, quality and comfort, as well as the uniqueness of its models, which are only made in a few pieces.

ARTUR SIUDAK

A Kraków man by birth, who lives and works here. He designs and produces magnets in the form of stamp imprints referring to historical Kraków motifs and regional designs. In doing so, it uses materials supplied by local craftsmen. It is worth noting that the modelling clay baking technology he uses was described in his diploma thesis defended not elsewhere than at the University of the Commission of National Education in Kraków.

AUSTERIA

Kraków-based publishing house Austeria, whose one bookshop is located in Popper’s Synagogue at Szeroka Street in Kraków and the other at Via della Giudecca in Syracuse, Sicily, has set publishing standards for years, issuing beautifully and carefully the most valuable works related to, but not limited to, Jewish topics. An internationally unique idea of Austeria are the inspiring and valuable 'Writing Books', which combine the features of a notebook and a collection of quotes and photographs.

BOSU CERAMICS

Anna Bogdanowicz and Zuzanna Surma – the founders of the Bosu Ceramic Studio and graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków – say that they dream of making monumental mosaics, but have managed to make mugs and bowls so far. However, they are not discouraged and continue to create, with unique stoneware and porcelain vessels coming out from under their palms by means of the most varied techniques: turning, hand-pasting or casting. Bosu specialises in using natural clay colours and details in shades of cobalt and red. The artists carry out their projects in Kraków, often in collaboration with local institutions and museums, as well as a number of popular Kraków cafés and restaurants.

DIEGO TOTTI

The history of the Diego Totti brand began in Kraków, where its founder Rafał Bylica was born. As he says, he owes his passion for nature to his grandparents. Rafał’s grandfather told him about trees and animals in the forest; it was with him that Rafał made wooden bows, arrows or slingshots for the first time. And Rafał’s grandmother showed him how to collect and dry herbs. Each Diego Totti board is one-of-a-kind and unique, just as each tree is unique. All boards are made from a single piece of seasoned wood, and the creation process involves antique tools and chisels.

DMITRY BURDIKA

Dmitry Burdika is a versatile artist fulfilling himself primarily as a photographer and graphic designer. And when he does not trigger the shutter and sketch cityscapes in his notebook, he designs advertising installations. His extensive portfolio includes a variety of themes – from architectural motifs and portraits to atmospheric photographs of nature. Although he comes from Belarus, Kraków enchanted him so much that he chose it as a place to live and work, which is also evident in his artistic projects. In Kraków Story, we offer sets of postcards with his drawings, which show the most picturesque and iconic corners of the city and perfectly reflect the spirit of Kraków with their aesthetics.

DOMINIKA SZMIDT

When you are a child, every map is like a treasure map! Can we imagine anything better for our kids than a map of Kraków's Old Town prepared with them in mind, complete with amazing stickers? On the map being the original idea of Dominika Szmidt, children will find twelve historical places that they can find during a walk. In addition, they will also find five tasks to complete in the Main Square, which will introduce them to the history and legends associated with the city, as well as badges with a little Kraków boy and a little Kraków girl, which they can stick on the back of the map or wherever they like after completing all tasks and visiting all sites!

FLOREALLI

Florealli is a Kraków-based brand born out of the love of nature and its beauty. Jewellery collections created by its founder Anna Horodyska are based on hand-picked and dried flowers. The creation process begins in spring with the picking of snowdrops and continues until autumn, when asters bloom in the fields. Flowers are carefully selected, and their unique forms are encapsulated in original pieces of jewellery using traditional techniques combined with modern conservation methods. Drawing inspiration from Kraków's history and the nature of Małopolska, Florealli creates jewellery that pays respect to nature and its role in the artist’s life.

IWONA GIERŁACH AND KOTEK (KITTEN) WŁODEK

The kitten was invented by Iwona Gierłach, but its history actually goes back to the years when the statue of Lenin towered over Central Square and the sweet fragrance of blooming roses wafted over it. In those times, Iwona spent every holiday in her grandmother’s house; years later, she captured these unforgettable memories in a book. Iwona's grandparents were builders of Nowa Huta, so she and her children are Nowa Huta born and bred! She dreamed of Nowa Huta having a hero who would bring residents and tourists closer not only to its history, but also to various interesting places. The credit for the illustrations of all adventures of Kitten Włodek goes to Joanna Styrylska-Gałażyn – a painter, graphic artist and illustrator, also from Nowa Huta. Joanna paints and draws all day long, coming up with stunning characters, pets, doodles, dots and dashes.

IZIARTWEAR

Creating under the brand Iziartwear, Izabela Szczepańska is a Kraków-based artist and designer whose work combines fashion with original art. Her designs are unique accessories, specifically handbags made of... wood. They stand out for their artfully crafted designs inspired by nature, geometry and abstraction. We can safely assume that each of them is a one-of-a-kind small work of art. Iziartwear focuses on the quality of materials and careful workmanship, creating durable and expressive items that are appreciated by the most demanding lovers of original styling.

JMP ARTISAN PERFUMES

Aromas have the almost magical power to evoke memories and stimulate associations. We smell a characteristic aroma, whether it be freshly baked bread, perfume or the morning newspapers at the newsagent’s, and absorb this experience with our whole being without the agency of consciousness. It is, therefore, surprising that, although we know what Kraków looks like, we have not asked ourselves so far: what does Kraków actually smell like? This question was eventually put up by Jakub Pietrynka, an independent Polish perfumer and founder of the JMP Artisan Perfumes brand. Its aromatic interpretation of Kraków combines the aroma of ivy, leather and grassy notes and water accents. This composition was inspired by a walk in Kraków: from the Wawel Castle walls overgrown with vines, the Sunday fair in Kazimierz and old bags sold there, to the grasses of Błonia Park and a rest on a Vistula barge.

KATARZYNA BEDNARZ

Katarzyna Bednarz is an artisan specialising in artistic violin-making – she builds and maintains instruments, mainly hurdy-gurdys and violins. She also engages in sculpture, printmaking, linocut, furniture, literature, painting, acoustics, design and technical drawing. As if that were not enough, she has published a book My Little Orchestra, introducing children to the world of music and instruments, with illustrations in the form of the author’s linocuts. Inspired by the idea of zero waste, she also creates gadgets for readers – wooden butterflies and bookmarks, which are made from leftover wood from the workshop, mainly sycamore. Each of these unique items gains additional value because another part of it is in the hands of musicians around the world.

KATARZYNA MORSTIN-SURZYCKA

Katarzyna Morstin-Surzycka, coming from the Kraków city centre, is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts specialising in ceramics. She makes both unique decorative objects and everyday objects whose uniqueness and the author’s unconventional approach to craftsmanship are undeniable. The figures that emerge from under her hands are expressive and eye-catching. And utility forms, such as vases, bowls or plates, combine strict design with high-quality workmanship. Each of these objects is an unusual handmade object that brings originality to interiors while paying homage to the traditional art of ceramics.

KLAUDIA BINEK

Klaudia Binek creates handmade vases and decorations from natural wood – an inexhaustible source of inspiration for her. She is fascinated not only by the natural beauty of the material – unique rings, blemishes and colour – but also by its duality: wood can be solid and strong and, at the same time, delicate and fragile. Each object created by Klaudia is one of a kind because is created from a unique piece of wood. Klaudia’s workshop sources raw material from the family forest and local sawmills, as she regards the principles of sustainability as intrinsically linked to the craft she has dedicated herself to.

KRAKÓW GLASSWORKS

Located in Zabłocie, at 3 Lipowa Street, it reminds us of the industrial history of this popular district. In 1931, the first Kraków Glassworks was established at this address, producing bottles mainly for vodka but also wine, mineral water and pharmacy glass. Today, owned by the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the successor to that glassworks organises demonstrations of manual glass forming and workshops where we can watch glass products in the making or try to make our own. Apart from that, it houses historical and contemporary exhibitions of glass handicraft by local artists writing another chapter in the history of Kraków design and applied arts.

FOREST AND SKY

Forest and Sky is an independent brand created by Małgosia Gibas-Grądman, a graduate of Interior Design and Painting with a specialisation in Scenography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. Her works combine her passion for nature, drawing and design. The brand offers a wide range of products – from bedspreads, bed linen, curtains and wallpaper to small items such as magnets, bookmarks or washable tattoos. All designs are based on drawings of Małopolska flora and fauna, with captions that give them an additional educational value. Forest and Sky products remind us of the beauty of local nature, which is often forgotten in everyday life. Delighted by the charms of Małopolska, Małgosia runs art workshops inspired by local nature and shares her knowledge of beautiful local corners on social media.

MACIEJ PISIAŁEK

Maciej Pisiałek is a graphic artist specialising in contemporary icons on paper. His favourite technique is linocut, and each artwork is created by hand on high-quality cotton paper. Maciej graduated from the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts; today we can meet him in the studio in Podgórze that he received from the city as part of the Creative Workshops patronage. Inspired by iconography and sacred aesthetics, his works bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. The artist also collaborates with the Dominican Liturgical Centre Foundation, combining spirituality with refined techniques.

MAURER'S MANUFACTORY

In the village of Zarzecze located on the Dunajec River in the picturesque Łącko commune, Krzysztof Maurer runs an orchard with his family, continuing local traditions dating back to the 12th century. Since 2002, the Maurers have produced juices squeezed in a traditional press with no artificial additives; now they also specialise in what the people of the Łącko region have cultivated for centuries: as they call it, the liquefaction of the fruit treasures of the Łącko region in the form of distillates, spirits, liqueurs, wines and ciders.

MARUNA

The brand was founded by Gosia Grodzka in 2008; since 2019 she has run it with her partner Dawid Polony, an artist and also a designer. Since the very beginning, she has engaged in upcycling – all of Maruna’s products are made from recycled materials.in approximately 90% . Secondhand clothes, tents, drapes, curtains, car belts and demobilised items are used, and linings are made from sewing waste. Apart from creating clothes, Maruna focuses on upcycling education by conducting workshops and training sessions.

MATYLDA DAKTYL

Matylda Daktyl is a Kraków-based illustrator and graphic artist. She specialises in wedding and other portraits on commission, creates children’s illustrations and press artwork and co-runs the ‘Coś się święci’ [Something’s Up] brand. Her works, from posters to greeting cards, can be found in Kraków's concept stores. Matilda also does commercial projects – illustrations for magazines, shop windows and book covers. In 2022, she illustrated her first children's book The Łęczyca Primer; currently she is working on another. For her, Kraków is not only a place to live and develop her artistic passions but also an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

MAYAPAPAYA

Mayapapaya was established by Maja Stankiewicz, a graduate of Graphic Design at the Faculty of Art at the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków, in 2017. Maja was born in Kraków, where she lives and works. She specialises in workshop graphics and noble techniques in analogue photography and draws inspiration, among others, from observations of the city and its infrastructure. In addition, she is active in the Spleen Foundation, which supports young artists. Her works have been presented at numerous group exhibitions at the Potocki Palace, the Open Studio Gallery, the Wozownia Gallery and the Open Eyes Art Festival.

MORAWSKIS' HONEYS

Morawskis’ Honeys is a family apiary with roots in Kraków – you can feel their love and knowledge in every spoonful of honey. Both have medical training and are specialists in their field – authors of the Great Encyclopaedia of Beekeeping and one of the few beekeepers in Poland who have chosen to produce organic honey. They believe that good honey comes from bees that are lovingly cared for, from organic areas and from under professional hands. And we cannot disagree with them.

MYCITYSOMETHING

The times when a highlander’s axe was one of the most popular souvenirs from Kraków are becoming a thing of the past. We increasingly often want to be in contact with aesthetically pleasing objects not only when travelling but also recollecting our journey or sharing our impressions with someone. These are the kinds of things MyCitySomething produces – stylish gadgets and gifts that always have that something about them! The brand focuses on simple materials and good minimalist design. Its offer includes souvenirs whose appearance refers to the city’s topography, Kraków’s legends and local historical symbols: notebooks, unusual magnets, bookmarks, pendants, socks with the motif of the Kraków pigeon, the Hobby-Horse or the Wawel Dragon.

PAPER LOVE

In Kraków, like nowhere else, we like complaining, and one of the often recurring reasons for this is the decline of traditional crafts. But at Kraków Story we prefer seeing the positive and looking for new optimistic stories. Magdalena Tekieli – a designer of functional art and furniture and the owner of the Paper Love brand – undoubtedly falls into this category. Her furniture adorns luxury suites of some of Poland's finest hotels, and the stationery she designs and produces: planners, notebooks and rulers are finely crafted, beautiful and practical objects that show the modern face of Kraków's craftsmanship.

POLA ZAG

It all started with a lamp, or rather with leftover materials from its production, which Pola, an interior designer and design enthusiast living in Kraków for many years, used for making her first bracelet. This is how the Pola Zag brand was born. Pola makes unusual alternative jewellery by hand, often in forms referring to her architectural interests. Her works are in demand and regularly appear in major fashion magazines and media, and Pola says she is simply happy.

SAINT GUSTAV

The two young founders of the Saint Gustav manufactory produce golden dumplings using their grandmother’s rolling pin in a traditional way! Knick-knacks of great beauty, ideal as an original Christmas decoration, a Christmas gift, a souvenir or a memento from Kraków and in many other roles. Saint Gustav is a local Kraków-based company – all golden dumplings are 100 per cent handmade, so each is unique and one of a kind. Corporate social responsibility and concern for the environment are also important to the owners of the manufactory, so they use recycled materials during production and invite only small local companies to co-operate.

SOLEMIKA

The brand’s owner, Dominika Jastrzębska, skilfully combines elements of Portuguese style with decorations inspired by the works of Stanisław Wyspiański. Why Portuguese? Because Dominika honed her ceramic design and creation skills in Portugal. The ceramic earrings and jewellery for interiors that she produces, i.e. handmade tiles in Azulejos style, fit perfectly into the character of the Wyspiański Pavilion, where Kraków Story is located, perfectly reflecting the philosophy of the place and referring to the work of the building’s patron. Solemika’s products can serve not only as a perfect gift from Kraków but also a unique souvenir for any lover of good functional art.

SZPEJE

We often do not realise that our Kraków houses, the homes of our parents and grandparents, are real treasure islands. Since 2015, Łukasz and Jagoda have charted these islands and collected treasures in their two places under the Szpeje brand: at the Museum of the Polish People’s Republic in Nowa Huta and in Kazimierz. They give a chance for a new home and a second life to well-preserved vintage objects: furniture, lamps and accessories, believing that in a world with a definite overabundance of things, it is worth promoting old items that often leave contemporary mass production far behind in quality, with many of them being attractive morsels for collectors.

TODORO

For the Todoro studio, the creation of jewellery is a field where points of view can collide and different imaginations can meet. They invite both designers who focus their creativity and craftsmanship on jewellery and artists from other fields of art whose ideas are put into practice by jewellers. Such collaborations can produce unexpected results, often igniting a spark of innovation and flair. Todoro jewellery is mainly made from natural raw materials, precious metals and minerals. High-quality materials and workmanship are important – this allows the objects to last in an unchanged form and tell their story over the years.

TOSKA

As a timeless city, Kraków can look at it all from a distance. Its most talented residents pick up this distance. The distance inspires also Anna Ziemniak, the creative director of the Toska brand, who creates clothing and jewellery in the spirit of traditional techniques using natural quality materials. Suitable for both special occasions and everyday wear, Toska’s clothes are designed and sewn to last. Clever adjustment or binding systems allow you to decide on the final appearance of the garment. Inspired by the natural world, Toska’s sculptural jewellery is hand-carved in wax and cast in recycled silver.

TRASHKI

Magdalena Olearczyk-Porębska has run the Trashki brand since 2010, implementing the ideas of upcycling, zero waste and fair trade. Trashki uses recycled materials to create unique bags, tablet and laptop cases and various accessories. Combining an ecological flair with a cultural context, they release unique products into the world. At the same time, they almost completely minimise the impact of their own activities on the world and the environment.

WOODEN STORY

Wooden Story is a beautiful story carved in wood. The Borowy family’s relationship with craft lasts so long that no one really remembers when exactly they carved their first logs of wood. But everyone remembers the year 1969, when the first wooden toys came from under Grandpa Borowy’s hands. The family forgot about the toys for a while and got busy with furniture details, but the longing for toys grew. Thus, Gosia and Wiesiek Borowy really went back to their roots when creating Wooden Story. They say that the toys came to them from the forest, that they still smell of the trees and resound with the wind gushing through the leaves and needles.

WOODTHING

Woodthing is a Kraków-based brand born out of a passion for design and natural materials. It produces eco-friendly everyday objects with a focus on high quality and durability and according to the idea that wood is the key to timeless style in any interior. All Woodthing products are made from certified wood and finished with tung oil, safe for both humans and the environment. Every stage, from design to production, takes place locally in Kraków. Woodthing focuses on a combination of aesthetics, functionality and a responsible approach to nature – because beauty lies in simplicity and authenticity.

ZUZANNA ŁOBODZIŃSKA

Zuzanna Łobodzińska is the initiator of the Kraków Nutcracker project – the creation of an original nutcracker dressed in a traditional Kraków folk costume. This avant-garde idea was born in 2012 at the Galician Advent Fair, where Zuzanna came across old German nutcrackers and decided to launch their local version. Since then, more than 1,000 handmade nutcrackers have been created. Available only in few locations in Kraków, including Kraków Story, they are very popular with locals and tourists alike, and have the potential to become another symbol of the city, attracting all those who look for unique items with a soul.

CHOWING ON PLATES

Brand – a linguistic conundrum. Michał Rusinek, our linguistic authority from Kraków, would soon explain that we are dealing with a very colloquial form of saying ‘I feed myself using selected items of tableware’. Are we getting close to the point? In a sense. ‘Chowing on Plates’ is a creative and seamless extension of Żrem.co.uk – a cooking blog run by Katarzyna, whom cooking and culinary photography led to ceramics. Each design is one of a kind – created by hand and with its own unique design.