PENSIONER FROM SRBAC TURNS OLD NEWSPAPERS INTO BASKETS

Vida Suvajac, a pensioner from Srbac, has found a creative way to spend her days by crafting woven baskets from newspaper, a skill that has garnered widespread interest across Republika Srpska and even among the diaspora.

PHOTO: Vida Suvajac

She is one of the few in the region practicing this unique craft, driven by a desire to preserve traditional skills like weaving and crocheting from being forgotten.

"After I retired, I found myself bored at home and started looking for ways to fill my time. I came across an online tutorial on making baskets from newspapers, which seemed interesting, so I decided to try it. At first, I failed completely, and everything I made ended up in the trash. But after five to six months of practice, I finally got the hang of it, and now I've been doing this for ten years," Vida told Glas Srpske.

This craft, she explains, is very demanding, often taking up to three days to complete a single basket. Since she also has household responsibilities, she usually dedicates time to her craft in the evening, as she finds it relaxing.

"First, I cut the newspapers into strips of the right thickness, then roll them into small sticks that I later weave into baskets. On the first day, I roll the sticks using a knitting needle, needing about 200 sticks per basket, which takes about two hours. The next day, I paint them with waterproof acrylic paints and leave them to dry, ensuring their longevity. Finally, on the third day, I weave and lacquer them. I also found a way to plasticize them using glue and nylon, making them more durable. Previously, they would often break. The advantage of these baskets is that they are easy to maintain – simply wiping them with a damp cloth is enough," Vida explained.

To make a single basket, she requires over 200 sheets of newspaper or at least five to six daily newspapers. She sometimes receives quality old advertising materials from Austria through friends, while locally, she often gets supplies from the Glas Srpske printing house in Mahovljani.

"At the printing house, I purchase surplus white paper left over after printing, which is beautiful and reserved for special projects. When using newspapers, I mostly prefer Glas Srpske, which I also read regularly," said Vida.

The demand for her creations is high, and she sometimes struggles to fulfill all the orders. Customers often request two identical baskets, but no matter how hard she tries, each one turns out unique.

"Most commonly, people order baskets for children's toys, while pensioners prefer those with lids to store medicines, as they are sturdy and secure. People come from all over, even from Australia. The House of Lijevče and Potkozarje in Gradiška asked me to supply them with ten baskets every three to four days, but that is too much for me – I can barely make that many in a week. The profit from this work is not high because paints are extremely expensive, so this remains purely a hobby for me," Vida shared.

Besides baskets, she also makes boxes, small cabinets, women's handbags, and stands for flowers and umbrellas.

She recalls that she loved crocheting, spinning, and sewing as a child, and it saddens her that younger generations show little interest in continuing these traditions. This was one of the reasons she joined the Srbac Women's Association, which is dedicated to preserving ancestral customs.

"Everything we do is aimed at keeping our traditions alive. But it's difficult because many today only seek quick and easy money. I would love to pass on my knowledge to someone, but there is simply no interest," she lamented.

In addition to baskets, Vida occasionally produces marigold balm, effective for burns, open wounds, and hemorrhoid treatment, as well as handmade soaps based on pork fat with various medicinal herbs.

"My soaps, made with activated charcoal, lavender, marigold, and coffee, are suitable for all skin types. My daughter-in-law Slađana also makes them, along with scented soy wax candles and various creams. We even had our products tested, and they meet the required quality standards for widespread use. Most importantly, everything is made using traditional recipes," Vida concluded.