Piotr hails from Stryszawa, a village renowned for its toymaking heritage. His roots in this craft run deep, tracing back to Teofil Mentel (1876-1944), a renowned ancestor and the originator of the iconic Stryszawa birds. Growing up in a family deeply immersed in this tradition, Piotr’s grandparents, Stefania and Julian, and his parents, Antonina and Tadeusz, nurtured his innate talent for crafting wooden toys.

Following in the footsteps of generations past, Piotr continues to create vibrant and whimsical wooden toys. His repertoire includes colorful birds,  horses and carriages, carousels, delightful rattles, and intricate nativity scenes. By meticulously handcrafting each piece from Weymouth pine, linden, spruce, and sycamore using a traditional shoemaker’s knife called a gnyp, he preserves the Mentel family patterns, a legacy spanning over 130 years.

A dedicated advocate for his craft, Piotr is a prominent member of the Folk Artists’ Association (Beskid branch), where he serves as president. His commitment to the community is further evidenced by his involvement with the LGD Podbabiogórze. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Piotr was awarded first prize in the “Oblicza Frasobliwgo” competition, hosted by the Zakopane Cultural Centre – the Red Manor Regional Culture Center in 2021.