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Life on the western
plains of Poland can be hard. In 1918, just after WWI,
Leon Kromski began turning wood and soon became his
town’s spinning wheel fixer.
Between the two world
wars, prospects were few so in fact Leon did many things
to support his family, but turning was something he did
well. Before and after WWII, he taught woodturning to
his son, also named Leon.
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The
Kromski family
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Following the second war, life under the communists
offered few improvements and the Kromski family
struggled as did many to seek success and good fortune.
In the ’60s, Leon
Kromski, the younger, designed a new spinning wheel that
won him recognition throughout Poland. His wheel, a
first version of the Mazurka, was selected to be sold in
government stores that supported Polish folk arts and
crafts. |
However, because they were operating a family business,
not a government operation, the Kromskis were held back.
They were not allowed
to get too ambitious for fear that their woodworking
business would prosper and thus they were limited in the
number of wheels they could produce. Hard work and
persistence eventually paid off.
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The Kromski
Craftsmen
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With the fall of
communism and the rise of a free-market in Poland, the
Kromskis were finally able to begin to fulfil their
dreams!
Today, Leon, with his
sons Wojciech and Daniel have their sights set on Poland
and beyond.
With Wojciech’s
background in forestry and wood products, Daniel’s in
art and design, this new generation of Polish artisans
intends to place their products before people around the
world.
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For today’s spinners and
weavers, the Kromskis manufacture attractive-looking and
well-engineered products and they stand behind each with
a five year warranty covering their craftsmanship. |
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