about laikonik

My name is Kasia Jacquot, I am the artist and designer behind all products which are sold through the Laikonik brand. I created Laikonik in 2005 as a vehicle for all my creative ideas, love of Polish folk art, fabrics, paper, craft, sewing, painting, screen printing anything that excited me creatively. Laikonik became an expression of all the creative things that are meaningful to me. With each passing year, as the brand grows and as I explore different products and designs Laikonik is also growing into a creative presence out there in the world. It is my aim to connect with the global community through my art and to continue to support the growing trend of demand for ethically made and earth friendly products. I am passionate about Industrial Hemp as an ecologically sustainable material and as such Laikonik is also a vehicle for carrying the message about this important crop.

 

My designs and artworks:

In short I am besotted with Eastern European folk-art. Besotted! I was born in Poland and having spent my early childhood there I was exposed to the stunningly colourful and vibrant designs on a daily basis. Folk art was part of daily life. Most times you would take for granted the decorated wooden spoons hanging in someone’s kitchen, or the hand woven woollen wall hangings. All the religious holidays in Poland always came dressed in all things floral and culturally meaningful. And I know I loved it since I was a child. To me there was a sense of magic that surrounded each occasion and ritual. Now as I work and create new designs or paintings or any decorations, I instinctively reach for all those folksy styles that have imbedded themselves in my heart.

 

My materials of choice.

Depending on what it is I decide to make or design I will choose my materials accordingly. In general though they are: recycled paper, found objects, up-cycled materials and objects, goose and ostrich eggs and Industrial Hemp textiles. Anything that I choose to use I instinctively choose with regard to the planet. Plus I just love turning something old and ‘useless’ into something new and fresh. Industrial Hemp textile has become a very important material in my business and in my life. I have used it in my work for several years now and the more I learn about this incredible fibre the more I fall in love with it. I have written more about it in the WHY HEMP? section, please read it if you would like to know more. (note: it’s very interesting!)