Nida Kartavičius passion – one of the oldest surviving crafts in the world

Most people have never touched a loom and yet weaving is one of the oldest surviving crafts in the world and can be traced back to Neolithic times or approximately 12,000 years ago. It is a folk art popular in Lithuania and an old tradition that has remained with us.

Meet Nida Gedgaudaitė Kartavičius, a daughter of Violeta and Mindaugas Gedgaudas, who learned to weave on a loom about a year and a half ago in Southern Ontario, Canada. A native “Angeleno”, Nida moved up to Canada in 1994 and lives outside of the city on a small farm. She’s a mom to three amazing kids, works at the public library and is a supply (substitute) teacher. Her interest in weaving started when she was a teenager and had to learn basic sash weaving for Lithuanian Scouts Los Angeles Skautai.

“I love the patterning in Lithuanian fabrics and sashes” commented Nida. “Just look at all those gorgeous traditional costumes we are so lucky to have from our parents and grandparents! I recently acquired a 45” LeClerc floor loom (made in Canada) that I believe is over 50 years old. We are lucky in Ontario to have many weaving communities and artisans that have vintage looms and materials available for sale – I got this loom for an amazing price (as we would say in Lithuanian, “pigiau grybų!”). One of my dreams is to one day weave fabric for Lithuanian traditional costumes (tautiniai drabužiai), but for now I am happy weaving tea towels and table linens to share with friends and family.”Thank you to Nida for sharing her story, beautiful work and keeping traditional Lithuanian folk art alive!