Gjelina was born into a Mirdita family that highly valued the conservation and encouragement of traditional craftsmanship. While her father was a master in crafting çiftelis and other traditional instruments, she developed from a very young age a passion for knitting and crochet - essential skills for creating traditional Mirdita clothing - passed to her by her mother, who herself used to weave rugs and clothes. 

Though retired, Gjelina continues to crochet and knit, as well as the sewing of traditional garments. She does this with the aim of passing down the tradition and craft techniques to future generations, in hopes that her work will serve as an example and foundation upon which a sustainable and long-lasting artisanal model can be built.