KONIAKÓW, Poland -- Wiesława Juroszek was only 6 years old when she learned the intricate handicraft of lace crocheting from the women in her family as part of a long tradition in their little mountain village.

Now, 53 years later, she is part of a new generation of women using those skills to make Koniaków famous far beyond Poland's borders. Their uniquely crocheted lingerie, beautiful wedding dresses, skirts, blouses and even traditional tablecloths are enjoying a surge of popularity and elevated prices for the skilled work.

"In Koniaków almost all the women do 'hekla,' as we call it," Juroszek said. "For us it's a passion, for us it's our whole life."

Around 700 women work as lace makers in Koniaków, which is nestled high in the Beskid Mountains in southern Poland near the border wit

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