Besides his character, Mark owns a great art store, with all exhibits being hand-made by several artists around Romania. You can’t help but notice the amazing wooden crosses on which a fine layer of polished cement is laid down. On top of the layer, the artists added beautiful paintings of blue, yellow, and red flowers. Cucuteni ceramic, an ancient Dacian craft, is also very well represented. Mark will be happy to explain the meaning of the drawings represented on these ceramic plates and mugs.

Besides many other items, such as the amazing clay figurines representing local farmers, icons on glass, and several pictures, Mark sells his own carved spoons. If every item has a story, then the ones regarding his spoons are our favorite. It is now when you can get the meanings of the storks, owls, or wolves carved so nicely on these spoons. Many customers are impressed by the stork-spoons. Mark says the stork is a symbol of luck. In Romanian folk tradition, they used to say that when a stork makes her nest on a house, she protects it from fire, floods, and thieves. Definitely, the story will make you buy at least a small work of art in the end.

Now, whether you are a local or a foreigner touring the country, you’ll have a real souvenir from Romania wrapped in a story. And it is easy to remember the stories since Mark has them on his web page. In addition, you can find them at The Spoonman.

* Covinnus Travel takes no commissions from any vendors and protects the interests of its clients all the time. We try to promote authentic traditional art and real, local artists.