our Story

lmntl (“elemental”) crafts is a small California-based online business specializing in needlework supplies and gifts. Our main focus has been traditional Hungarian folk art, and I have worked closely with regional folk artists since 1998 to bring you authentic and unique products.

The idea for lmntl came when I (Donna Fenton) was working as a high school English teacher in Mohacs, Hungary. One afternoon I wandered into a used bookshop and found a book about regional styles of Hungarian embroidery. Like any visitor to Hungary, I had seen the colorful embroidered items made for tourists, but had not seen most of the styles in the book. I became obsessed and started asking around for patterns, books, information- and when I found that was limited came up with the idea of working with Hungarian artisans to make embroidery kits. On a visit to Mezokovesd, a town famous for embroidery, I wandered into the folk-art shop of Maria Kovacs, who mentioned that she had a similar idea. Our collaboration resulted in lmntl's first line of Matyo embroidery kits.

Donna’s Story

I was born and grew up in Santa Clara, California - my heritage is Irish, Armenian and Scandinavian, so no family connection to Hungary! I became interested in sewing and fashion design as a teenager and majored in Studio Art at San Jose State University, with an emphasis on textiles. Afterwards, I wanted to experience living in another country and found a program that placed English teachers in small towns in Hungary. I spent one year in Tiszaujvaros, then transferred to Mohacs, where I spent two years. I really fell in love with Hungary - the language, food, countryside, and traditions. After moving back to the US, I continued to travel to Hungary regularly for my online business and met with several wonderful artisans. (My last trip was in 2009, so I am definitely due for a visit!)

By 2014 I was ready to go somewhere new again, and I accepted a teaching position in Yakutsk, Russia - the world’s coldest city. I ended up staying there seven years (you can read about it on my blog Siberia Stories), leaving only in 2021 to start a PhD program in linguistics in Ottawa, Canada. Now that I am back in North America, I’ve had the chance to work on some new and updated kits and patterns, and hope to continue to expand lmntl’s offerings.