The Krnáč family lived by folk art production characteristic of the region of Podpoľanie naturally. Fujaras, Detva crosses, valaškas, and leather products came out of the hands of his older brothers. And when one of them moved abroad, leather production in the home workshop somehow naturally fell on young Ján.

He started with belts. He dismantled old ones he purchased and based on their pattern and his father’s advice, he made his own. His work goes hand in hand with the Podpolian folk festivals in Detva, the first edition of which took place in 1966. Thanks to them, he had the opportunity to meet people from various regions of Slovakia who still naturally wore traditional clothing at that time. During gatherings, he learned many useful things from them, which he then used in production.

Podpolian festivals largely determined the assortment of his products. Leather production was not pursued by many at that time, so in a place with a strong concentration of folklore-loving people, he gained several commissions. Moreover, the Detva festival from the beginning provided space for ensembles of foreign Slovaks, and they were an important part of Ján Krnáč’s clientele.

When he mastered belts, he also ventured into making belts. He started with Detva three-pronged belts, later adding Liptov and Kokava styles. As he intensified production and started participating in other folklore and craft festivals, he expanded the assortment to include additional regional types. He also began producing leather jackets and later women’s handbags, combining traditional patterns on both.

Thanks to the craftsmanship he gained working as a repairman of metalworking machines at Podpolianské strojárne in Detva, he had no trouble making stamps and chisels for working with leather or brass hardware. He designs patterns for them based on traditional ornaments from Podpoľanie and other regions, which he sketches and draws.

For many years, he has collaborated with ÚĽUV, which appreciates his contribution primarily in respecting original technologies, materials, and regional shapes and decorative symbols. According to his own words, he always tried to make his products a step ahead. Therefore, the preparation for work is essential for him. “The quality of the product is always determined by the quality of the leather. In tanneries in Moravian Jablůnka near Vsetín or in Podolí near Piešťany, they thin it down to millimeters precisely. I prefer natural cowhide from the animal’s back, and I like it even more when exposed to the sun, then it’s beautifully bleached,” says Ján Krnáč.

He passed on all the knowledge he acquired during his lifetime to his nephew Peter Krnáč, who accompanied him to festivals from the age of fifteen. In his advanced age, he is thankful for every morning he can still get up and create. And also, that he could leave something behind in this world. Today, he selects his participation in festivals and fairs, attending only the larger ones or every other year, to let everyone know that he is still alive.

In 2013, Ján Krnáč was awarded the title of Master of Folk Art Production for preserving original Slovak leather and metal clothing accessories and for respecting original technologies, materials, and regional shapes and decorative symbols