Her workshop is not very large.

But, in it, she has managed to grow her childhood love into a business that today exports to Europe and beyond.

Arioneta Duli, with her artisanal business of wooden products, is doing this by mixing passion and dedication with the beauties of wood as a workable material.

The 49-year-old, who has loved wood since she was little, decided 8 years ago to turn this passion into a profession, by founding the workshop “T’Art – Duar të Arta”.

Seeing that wooden products were becoming increasingly sought after and knowing how healthy and natural they are, she took the courage to start producing wooden plates and trays.

From boards with Albanian motifs to special shapes like hearts for Valentine’s Day, each creation carries love and identity.

“Here, the idea was born since I was little, I liked wood. Here it starts before what is very healthy, and seeing that wood is now widely used, we had the idea to start making these wooden plates… Seeing that there is a very high demand, it was born as an idea… I started this business in 2018. I have the support of my husband, two children, a daughter and a son, and they have created it and now we have made it a family business”, she says in a story for the show “Shtylla”, on KosovaPress.

The road was not easy. Prejudices were not lacking, but Arioneta did not stop.

“There were as many prejudices as you want, about how a woman can get into woodworking. It has not been easy for me at all, but thanks to my family, they have been by my side, they have helped me a lot”, says Doli.

Her first product was wooden trays, carefully designed because details have always been her strong point.

Just two years after starting work, the business crossed borders. From Albania, exports expanded to various countries in Europe and as far as Qatar.

Although all family members work on them, Arioneta takes care to check each item. She does this both to ensure quality, but also because she has a passion for it.

But, what are the most unique and sought-after works?

“Customer requests are different. We have requests from customers who ask for Albanian motifs. Here’s how it is… This is one of the requests we made with the map of Albania, with a lot of passion and love… The most beautiful part of our work is when from a simple piece of wood, we manage to create these models that come into use in businesses… In the framework of customer requests, we also have this heart-shaped board, now for the holiday of lovers… There has been a request for 40 pieces for this product”, concludes Doli.