Emília Mazáčová, who devoted herself to the production of straw, did not come into contact with it in childhood like others or thanks to her family. Even in Veľké Leváre, where she was born and still lives, and in the surrounding area, this production was nonexistent. However, as a girl, Emília Mazáčová knew how to sew, weave, and embroider, so she was not far from traditional production and natural materials. In 1975, finishing her maternity leave, she decided to apply for a position at the Detva production cooperative, which had at that time established a facility in Veľké Leváre focused on producing small decorative and souvenir items from straw. She started as an ordinary worker in the facility, but soon, thanks to her diligence, precision, and ingenuity, she rose to the position of head craftsman. Soon she was able to leverage her creative talent as a designer for her own motifs and compositions. The cooperative’s assortment was dominated by pictures made using the technique of inlaid ironed straw on paper, depicting mainly flowers, bouquets, and architecture. This type of accessory was highly sought after in both domestic and foreign markets at that time. Alongside these, the cooperative also produced woven Christmas decorations (bells, cones, balls, and more), inspired by traditional decorations on harvest wreaths.

Through her work in Detva, Emília Mazáčová became familiar with the process of processing rye straw, the most suitable cereal for this material. Equipped with this knowledge, she began collaborating with the ÚĽUV in 1986, intensifying her work from 1991 onwards (after the closure of the Detva production cooperative’s Veľké Leváre facility). She continued the assortment produced by the ÚĽUV. In addition to classic woven decorations, straw ornaments in the shape of circles and balls (in natural and dyed colors) combined with other natural materials became popular in ÚĽUV stores in the 1980s, designed by the ÚĽUV artist Janka Menkynová. Emília Mazáčová quickly understood the artist’s intention, developed her own production technology and tools, and continued to create new variations of these ornaments, called “blaženičky,” in collaboration with the artist. She has been producing them alongside straw angels continuously to this day. She personally delivers them to the ÚĽUV, always beautifully wrapped and packed in a large cardboard box. This seemingly small detail speaks to the high value of her work, which adorns and delights many households during the holidays both in our country and abroad.

(Source: Chlupová, A.: Emília Mazáčová – the magic of straw. In: Craft, art, design. 9, 2008, no. 4, pp. 32-33.)

In 2008, she was awarded the title of master of folk art production in the field of straw decoration manufacturing.