March 1st is a traditional Bulgarian holiday. The greeting is “Chestita Baba Marta” or Happy Grandmother March!  Baba Marta is a mythical figure who brings the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

A martinitsa is a red and white wool thread decoration pinned on the lapel or worn as a bracelet. It's a token of health and well-being in anticipation of spring.  There are red and white traditional yarn dolls, a boy Pizho and a girl Penda.  

M2   Martinitsa  $15. 

Decor for wall or door

• 6" tall 
• Traditional yarn dolls
• Pizho (boy) and Penda (girl)
• 2 pairs available

Marinitsa's red threads drive away evil while the white threads are for longevity and eternity. Blue wool or blue beads may be added for protection from the evil eye.  Add small coins to wish for wealth. A martinitsa is worn until fruit trees bloom or one sees a stork; then the decoration may be hung on a bush or tree. 

Make your own bracelet 

- Soft red and white cord

- $2 per yard (minimum 1 yard)

- 12-13" makes an average bracelet

Martinitsa Bead Crochet Bracelet  

SALE $15.  each   $17.00  

• Red with pearl white seed beads
• Size small-medium
• Bracelet rolls on 

Left M4 wide stripes

Right M6 narrow stripes

Martinitsa $3.50 each, 3" long, on safety pin 

 left - M14 - tassel red, white + a few colors

right - M8 - stylized Pizho & Penda, red & white tassels

Martinitsa $3.50 each                                      

Left - M17 3" tassel with heart

SOLD Right - M18 

Martinitsa  M13    $3.50

3" long, on safety pin 

Red & white, with gold tinsel thread & beads

Martinitsa  M19    $3.50

3" long, on safety pin 

Red & white

Braided white stylized Penda

Postcard M16  $1.25

• Chestita Baba Marta
• Guy with lamb says:
• “and another kiss for you”
• 3 left

Postcard M17 $1.25  

• Storks on nest
• Здраве и Дългоетие
• “Health and long life”
• Only 1 left

• plastic shell bead (1)
• plastic brown bead, mostly red string (4)
• red & white twist firm string (1)
• white yarn wrapped with red (3)
• red & white braided yarn (2)