Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
27 Feb 2025
Reply rate
90.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
9
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Details
Description
I am Maja, a swiss sculptor living in northern Tuscany for the last 30 years.
It has been 3 years now that I have been able to buy the land next to my house: with the help of dozens amazing Workawayers and two local workers we have cleaned the olivegrove, renovated two buildings and built two studio-buildings. We have thus created a space that can be used by other artists in the future.
Also the organic vegetable garden is producing well and a few chicken provide fresh eggs every day.
I love to combine the land work with my art work but the maintenance is still too much for me alone to handle.
From now on the works to do are helping keep the olivegrove and garden clean, work in vegetable garden, stacking firewood, painting and other maintenance work on the different buildings.
I have finished to renovate a little house on top of the land and it is furnished with basics like kitchen, boiler etc and has a wonderful view into the green and also over the sea. It is perfect for hosting some helping hands, it is small and romantic and provides room for 1-2 persons.
I live in the old farmhouse next to it, together with my italian boyfriend Maurizio, a big dog Alaska and a cat Sahel. Maurizio works all day as a welder at a company and I spend most time at my studio which for the moment is nearby in Camaiore.
Your stay here will likely be of a meditative and quiet kind, as you will have a lot of time to yourself. There is a good energy here and it is an opportunity for who wants a break from crowds and city life.
In the afternoons you are welcome to do some artwork on your own, in which I can assist you. That includes stone carving, modelling, mould making, welding ecc ecc.
You will eat lunch with me and dinner with us at my house if you are by yourself, while couples will cook for themselves in the evenings.
Public transport is poor, but there are three busses a day to Camaiore and from there busses to Lucca and Viareggio.To have a car is helpful here and there is lots to explore near here in the afternoons. We are close to Pietrasanta and Carrara with their big artists-comunities.
It's a place of art, and art lovers are doubly welcome!
When I was 20 I have worked on farms for others and the physical work was a positive experience for me and I would love to give that same opportunity to others.
I have done 8 years of bnb in the past and always loved having people from all over the world at my house.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is tuscany here and close to Pietrasanta and Carrara, where sculptors from all over the world come to for work. So there is a lot in that sense to explore and if you want to sculpt yourself, I will provide you space for that. I am also ready to do some stonework teaching or moldmaking etc.
Daytrips to Florence, Cinque terre etc are easy from here. Also the beach is 7km away.
You will live on your own, 100meters from my house but we will share lunch and dinner. My boyfriend does not speak english but he is very sociable ;-)
Help
Depending on your experience and capacity, and the specific moment of your stay, the help can go from digging, cutting plants, preparing the ground for vegetable garden, to cutting grass. Planting, sowing...it all depends on the period of the year. Maybe building a fence for chicken or helping the construction of my studio which is in progress. I will give specifics when you apply for a defined period.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
You will have a cabin on your own with bathroom, kitchencorner, single bed, table and lots of space outdoors. Very romantic and great view! I will provide sheet and laundry. Internet for the moment is only at my house which is 50meters from the cabin, but I have a good connection there.
What else ...
As mentioned above, near here are Lucca, Florence, Carrara ecc. Public transport is bad but there is a bus three times a day up my hill. Camaiore is 5 driving minutes away for groceries etc. I can provide a bicycle. In 30min you can walk either up to Pedona or down to Camaiore.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (9)
Maja was a very welcoming host and as an artist she teached me what to look after while doing sculptures. It was really fun and it gave me the push to try more!
If you want to artisticly learn… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Maja was a very welcoming host and as an artist she teached me what to look after while doing sculptures. It was really fun and it gave me the push to try more!
If you want to artisticly learn… read more
I worked 4 hours a day, mostly in the morning, so the afternoon was free for my needs. The… read more
This was our first Workaway and we could not have asked for anything better. Maja is a wonderful host and her farm space is stunning, the photos do not do the view and atmosphere justice, this is a very special and tranquil place. We felt immediately at home and… read more
If you're a WorkAwayer reading this, and Maja has… read more
The cabine where I… read more
