Željka Frančeski

Željka Frančeski, a master stonemason and craftswoman from Postira on the island of Brač, founded the traditional and artistic craft business Kameni otok in 2010, which holds multiple “Croatian Island Product” labels. From this work emerged the project Journey Through Stone, which transforms Brač’s stonemasonry into a unique premium experience and a bridge between tradition and modernity. In the workshop, visitors do not simply observe—they create, carving stone with their own hands and taking home a memory etched in stone. The program combines traditional tools and manual craftsmanship with modern technologies such as CNC machines, UV printing, and a zero-waste approach, where even the smallest pieces of stone are turned into beads for jewelry. The project was featured in the German TV show Wunderschön, and in 2018 Željka also led a workshop for musician Jared Leto and his band 30 Seconds to Mars. Journey Through Stone demonstrates how one woman can revive heritage, shape stone, and tell the story of an island in a new, contemporary voice.