Hello dear reader, and welcome back to Found & Told. I’m Irene, a filmmaker and photographer devoted to capturing real life, one frame at a time. What you’re about to read is part of a series where I’m exploring what it truly feels like to find your way back to your roots.No matter where you go in the world, I believe it’s the people who truly make or break a place. You can see the most incredible monuments and take the most detailed tours, but what you’ll really remember is perhaps the kindness of a stranger who doesn’t even speak your language but still tries to help.
That’s exactly what I found in Marin, a little Romanian village tucked away in Transylvania. If you just drove through, you might not look twice: just a paved road, some simple houses, and a few local shops. You’ll have to immerse yourself with the locals to realise that the real treasure is hidden in the hearts of the people.
I went to Marin hoping to find connection, but I never expected to find a whole garden of it. I met three wonderful women, all named a version of ‘Floare’ (which means ‘flower’ in Romanian!), who are keeping their community’s traditions alive through beautiful textiles and heritage crafts.
The first was Florica Gancea.
Florica is a local artisan who’s become quite famous well beyond her home village of Marin for her beautiful beaded jewellery. She lives right at the edge of town, where the woods become her back garden, sharing her home with her husband and a whole pack of rescued dogs.
In just the few hours I spent with her, I could see that their life is beautifully simple, and filled with so much kindness, for the animals, and for each other.
We settled in her garden, as she picked up fresh figs from the tree for us to try before revealing her true treasure: her handmade beaded jewellery. One by one, she laid out necklaces, earrings, and bracelets on a wooden table, each piece a vibrant interpretation of traditional motifs.
The best part was hearing her story. She told us that as a little girl, she would actually take apart her mother’s old beaded jewellery just to figure out how it was made. And she’s never lost that spark of curiosity; now she even looks for new ideas on Pinterest, mixing modern inspiration with this beautiful, ancient craft.
That same afternoon, we were welcomed with open arms and homemade bread by the second ‘flower’, Floare Bonte.
Floare is among the very last women in her village who still knows how to create traditional clothing from start to finish. She can work the loom to weave the fabric itself, and then embellish it with the most beautiful hand-embroidery using all the classic patterns of the region.
She showed us her dowry chest, pulling out pieces she crafted at just 13 years old. The care and detail in each stitch were breathtaking, a testament to a skill perfected under the pressure of proving her readiness for marriage. The pristine white fabric, preserved for decades, spoke of a quality we rarely see today.
The moment became truly magical when she let my friend Sweta and me wear her treasures. We dressed in full traditional clothing, carefully placing the ‘muruna’ (a traditionally handmade headband made of paper, thread, mirrors, coins, copper) on our heads.
The one we wore was over 60 years old and feeling its weight and history was profound.
Floare was so moved by our enthusiasm that her emotions overflowed into joy, and we found ourselves dancing together in her courtyard.
I left her home with a heart so full, already longing to return.
Our final stop that day was the home of Marina’s grandmother, the third ‘flower’: Floare Toma.
As we walked into her courtyard, we saw her waiting for us on the front porch in her full traditional clothing. She looked so majestic, it honestly took my breath away. For a moment, I felt like I’d stepped right into the past.
The beautiful colours, the delicate patterns, even the leather shoes… everything suited her so perfectly, it was like seeing a glimpse of her in her youth.
She warmly welcomed us inside, and her front room was like a living museum. With so much pride, she showed us piece by piece the gorgeous textiles from her own dowry, each one with its own special story.
What really struck me about these incredible women was how they’re all connected by this deep, loving care for their village’s traditions. This is the world they’ve always known, and they hold it close through all of life’s ups and downs.
And that wraps up my field notes from my time in Marin.
For the past weeks, I’ve shared stories about amazing artisans like Albert, the unforgettable taste of food straight from the land, the centuries-old crafts that are still thriving, and of course, these incredible women who are keeping their traditions beautifully alive.
It’s hard to believe I was only there for five days; the connections I made made it feel so much longer. Getting to document the life of this special village has been an absolute privilege, and if I’m being honest, I’m already dreaming about when I can go back.
I’m so happy you’re here, but who am I?
Hi, I’m Irene, and I’m a filmmaker and photographer celebrating human stories, frame by frame and this is my journal as I explore the profound stories hidden in everyday life.
I’ve been in the industry for almost 10 years and for me, the thread running through everything has always been stories. What truly fascinates me is the real world: the quiet magic in human interactions; the poetry in the most common moments.
I craft compelling brand films, documentaries, and lifestyle travel content for clients ranging from global names like Wacom and Microsoft to passionate small businesses and charities, all while using storytelling and stunning visuals to amplify voices that often go unheard.
💌 What should you expect from Found & Told?
It took a while to find my footing and truly tell the stories I felt pulled toward. This space will be about that ongoing journey. It’s for the stories behind the stories and the incredible people I meet along the way. Because let’s be honest: my work is worthless without the people who trust me enough to let me in. This newsletter is, in many ways, dedicated to them.
You can expect heartfelt behind-the-scenes, honest reflections, notes from the road, and more.
Thank you for being here ♡