Firstly I am so glad to have finished my toiletries bags that was work in progress for a few weeks. Printing each piece of fabric took time but the effort paid off as the designs look wonderful. If you are following my Instagram you would have seen the progress. But here is that they look like finished and photographed!
They are now on sale individually on www.kotona.etsy.com
A few days ago I had a pleasant surprise on my instagram when a customer of mine, Michelle posted a picture of a clutch I custom made for her. It was really good to see a picture taken by a customer, it gives life and meaning to the item I made. Thank you Michelle! Link to her instagram post - http://instagram.com/p/ohBLraHxaE/
Coming this June 6th is Etsy Craft Party! With my friends at Finland Handcrafters Team we will be organizing this event at Madeby Helsinki, a shop selling locally handmade items in downtown Helsinki. We will be crafting together to the theme Re-Capture - Bringing new meaning to old photographs.
Also recently I toured Marimekko facility in Herttoniemi! It was a great experience, but unfortunately no photos were allowed inside as there were designs not yet launched. And one of them I could tell you was amazing - detailed, large print, design influenced by eastern European and Finnish folklore. It was an inspiring tour as I learnt so much about what goes on behind the scenes of one of the worlds most recognizable textile design companies. The facility was laid out with a simple and efficient route, making it seems like nothing much happens there, but they produce over 50,000 meters of fabric a month!
This year Marimekko celebrates 50 years of Unikko (the poppy flower design) which has a real inspirational story behind it. The design was it's creator, Maija Isola's way of defying the ban on floral design by the company's founder. Read more about it on Marimekko's website - http://unikko.marimekko.com/50-years-of-unikko/spirit
Other things happening -
If you are looking for a quick vegetarian/vegan pasta, try this one I submitted to FHT's blog - http://finlandhandcrafters.blogspot.fi/2014/05/super-quick-pasta-with-arugula-rocket.html
I also took part in Restaurant Day here in Helsinki serving up Malaysian dishes. It was great and I started an FB page for our pop-up restaurant -
Ok that's it for now and until next time!!