Agnes basket made of river reed - nothing like it!

Agnes basket

Agnes basket

Sometimes you find the best basket ever - and just can't live without it anymore. This basket is hand-woven of river reed coming from river Sondu Miriu of Victoria lake in Kenya. Winter or summer, the reed basket with strong leather handles is now-a-days my portable office. So I can really say, this product has been tested - for a year, carrying around 10 kg in it constantly. As good as new, I can say.

You know what is the best thing about it (in addition to it's beauty and strength, of course)? The sides have been made a little bit lower on the other end, so it is easy to carry it on your shoulder. It fits nicely under your arm.

No, you don't see these kinds of details very often :).

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Tämä Agnes kori on ehkä maailman paras kori. Ensinnäkin se on megaiso, joten siihen mahtuu tämän naisen kannettava toimisto. Kesät talvet, kyllä.

Ja paras asia tässä tilaihmeessä? Sen laidat on kudottu himppasen matalammaksi toisessa päässä, joten sitä on helppo kantaa olkapäällä. Mahtuu nääs käsivarren alle mukavasti.

Eipä tällaisia detskuja näe tuotteissa ihan hirveen usein :).

Agnes basket

Gourd vase from Kenya - Kalebassi maljakko Keniasta

Kikoi gourd vase from Kenya - kalebassi maljakko

Isn't this Kikoi gourd vase just the most beautiful thing you can imagine?

Kikoi gourd vase from Kenya - kalebassi maljakko

Kikoi gourd vase from Kenya - kalebassi maljakko

Traditionally used to store home-made alcohol drinks in Kenya, it is simply made of dried gourd. At first I couldn't believe it, but then thought again - have you ever forgotten your pumpkins bought for the fall season to your balcony (I've done everything which involves forgetting, so my answer is yes), and thrown them away during the spring? Well - they are hard, and light. Just like these vases!

These gourd vases are carved more or less empty, and then hung to dry in outdoors.

Today just a popular decoration item, they are all individually decorated and painted.

Just beautiful.

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Kikoi gourd vase from Kenya - kalebassi maljakko

Kikoi gourd vase from Kenya - kalebassi maljakko

Kalebassi maljakko Keniasta. Niin nätti, niin nätti.

Kikoi trading - we take care of the faces behind the products

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

First of all: I want to thank Maijakaisa, the owner of Kikoi Trading, from the bottom of my heart, for joining me on my first trip to Kenya. First to Africa actually. I saw HER Kenya, and I’ve fallen in love already.

We spent hours on Thursday in Triangle market, a small handicraft market in Nairobi, where the artisans sell their work. Some of them were making the products right there, some of them make them during the evenings, some of them gather a group of women and make them together (I even met the Picasso of Africa ;), or at least he introduced himself as such. And I mean - who wouldn’t support Picasso by buying some of his work, if he comes to you in a market in Nairobi??).

This place is where some of Kikoi’s products are originally from, and I truly can sign Kikoi’s statement – we take care of the faces (and hands, one could add) behind our products. Wonderful, just beautiful women. Funny, smily….and when I ask to take a photo, they get all serious J!! When the others see Maija making orders in number of stalls she has made business with also before, they wait patiently, and then call ‘Sista, please come inside and take a look at my products, as well!’

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

We passed by Westgate shopping mall a couple of times, where the terrible things took place just couple of weeks back. The roads were blocked and there is the army and the police everywhere in the city center, their machine guns visible. You wouldn't want to mess with these people.

On our way back to Maija’s friend’s house, where we were staying before hitting the road for Kenana Knitter Critters in Njoro, we stopped to buy some flowers and to meet Robert, the talented man behind Kikoi’s banana tree products. We ordered some of new products, let’s see what he comes up with J.

After having a quick dinner we were back at the house – and met the most hilarious people on earth – the owners of Simbaexperience.fi, a Finnish travel agency organizing tailored trips to Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. I don’t remember laughing out loud like that for a long, long time! And and and – we were offered some dinner company AND a Night Safari in the Nairobi national park on Saturday evening before my flight back home (more about this later).  What all you can fit into 3 days when you happen to be in right places at right times…Below what I thought would be my Safari experience ;).

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya - I was told by the seller this is Kenyan technology ;)

I'm in love with Kilim carpets, patch-work carpets and other beauties

Kilim carpet restoration

Kilim carpets are just beautiful, aren’t they? There are as many color and pattern combinations as there are Kilims, and I had a chance to meet with some BEAUTIFUL antique pieces.  I spent the end of last week in Istanbul meeting Weranna’s suppliers, and looking for new ones.

Some how I feel that in the Grand Bazaar you always see what’s the biggest thing in the world trends at the moment. Now it feels like it is not only Kilims – it is OLD Kilims. Those which are not so perfect anymore, perhaps they have been fixed by a Kilim doctor ;) (like pictured here), or perhaps the pieces of old Kilim’s have been sown into floor cushions or  new patchwork carpets.

I had the nicest, and the LONGEST chat with one of the carpet sellers. He was upset - telling me about European customers, who want to order their own designs in large quantities, of course using the old Kilim weaving tecniques. When they are told, that sure, but you need to understand that the next delivery might be a little different color, as the yarn is hand-dyed and it is impossible to get the same exact tone 2 times in a row, they say – well, no then, I will order from another country. It’s cheaper anyway. Ahh – okay. This is how far your love for Kilims goes ;). How I just love to talk to these Turkish men with temper – they really make me smile ;). 

Kilim carpet restoration

This restoration project I saw from beginning to the end – there was a hole in this old piece I fell in love with, and it was fixed right there, on the spot. First the ‘Kilim doctor’ would remove all the yarn even slightly broken, and replace the warp.

Kilim carpet restoration

 See that pile of yarn? Well, there are old Kilims, which just can’t be fixed anymore, so the old yarn is being reused restoring those pieces, which still CAN be fixed. After finding the correct colors, the fast repair takes place – the speed!! The carpet was tightened to a frame (with nails), and after finished, all the ends are cut and BURNED. As everything is 100% wool, you can do that without risk.  In a carpet shop packed with carpets…talk about trust to the material around you…

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Kilimit on vaan kauniita, eikö? Aitoja Kilim-mattoja ei ole kahta samanlaista, ja minulla oli kunnia tutustua aivan upeisiin antiikkimattoihin. Kirjoittelen tätä siis lentokoneessa matkalla kotiin Istanbulista, jossa vietin juuri muutaman päivän tavaten Werannan tavarantoimittajia ja etsien uusia aarteita valikoimiin.

Jotenkin nimittäin on sellainen kutina, että aina pitää päästä Grand Bazaariin käymään, niin näkee, mikä on maailmalla kuuminta hottia juuri nyt. Kilimit – eikä vaan Kilimit, vaan VANHAT Kilimit. Ne, jotka ovat vähän nuhraantuneita, ehkä ne on jo kertaalleen korjattu Kilim-tohtorin toimesta. Tai ehkä mattoa ei ole kannattanut korjata enää, vaan sen palasista on tehty uusia mattoja, tai lattia- ja sohvatyynyjä.

Sain kunnian käydä parhaimman, ja PISIMMÄN keskustelun erään mattokauppiaan kanssa. Nyt on tosin Ramazan, joten tuntui hassulta juoda kupeittain omenateetä näiden paastoavien herrasmiesten seurassa, mutta eipä tullut mieleenkään kieltäytyä tarjouksesta, on se niin hyvää.

Tämä Ramazan-herra (sopiva nimi) oli kiukkuinen – hänellä on eurooppalaisia asiakkaita, jotka haluavat teettää omia mallejaan isoina sarjoina käyttäen perinteisiä Kilim-kudontatekniikoita. Hän tietysti sanoo, että onnistuu, mutta täytyy pitää mielessä, että seuraava erä voi olla hieman eri sävyä kuin tämä ensimmäinen  -kun langat värjätään käsin, on mahdotonta saada 2 kertaa täysin sama väri. Siihen oli juuri yksi tilaaja sanonut 1. Erän jälkeen – ai jaa, no ei sitten, saan samaa väriä eräästä toisesta maasta ihan niin paljon, kuin haluan. Ja halvemmalla. Okei, kyse ei ollutkaan rakkaudesta Kilimeihin ;). Ymmärrän. Voi kun tykkään jutella näiden herrasmiesten kanssa - he saavat hymyilemään.

Tämän korjausprojektin näin alusta loppuun - vanhassa matossa, jonka halusin messuille näytille, oli reikä, ja se piti korjata. Siinä vaan yhtäkkiä. Vähän kuin villasukan paikkaus muuten ;). Ensin Kilim-tohtori poistaa kaiken vähänkin kuluneen ja rispaantuneen reiän ympäriltä, ja pujottaa uuden loimen rikkoutuneen tilalle.

Näettekö tuon villalankapinon? Lanka on otettu matoista, joita ei voinut enää korjata, ja se käytetään korjauskelpoisiin mattoihin. Oikeiden värien löytämisen jälkeen (kyllä, myös kuviot palautetaan ennalleen) alkaa nopea korjaustyö - TODELLA nopea. Silmät ei pysyneet neulan mukana. Kun neulomistyö on valmis, ylimääräiset päät leikataan pois, ja viimeistellään koko työ polttamalla kevyesti. Kyllä - sitä uskaltaa kaupassa, joka on pakattu täyteen mattoja, tehdä tällaista, kun on 100% varmuus materiaalista. My kinda place.

Hand-carved printing blocks by Blockwallah

Hand-carved paisley printing block by Blockwallah

Have you taken a look at the Blockwallah printing blocks we have available in the store? I am so excited to receive more prior to Formex that I just have to share this image with you of one of the new designs - isn't this just gorgeous? And a couple of new models, as well, are on the way!

Block printing is one of the oldest forms of art, passed on for over 2000 years through traditional artists. In the recent past, the advent of technology has posed a threat to even the mere continuation of this captivating form of art. However, what technology can’t take away or provide is the beauty and purity of block printing. 

Blockwallah, a Finnish-Indian company, brings this ancient art together making it a fun activity for anyone. Blockwallah works closely with local artisans in India and strongly believes in ethical work practices. It also empowers slum women in India by providing them with employment throughout the production process.

Blockwallah stamps are hand-carved, not mass produced. Which means, every single block is unique and speaks of the craftsmanship and style of the artist who created it. 

Blockwallah stamps come in a range of contemporary and traditional designs, which can be used for printing on both fabric and paper. Popular examples include prints on T-shirts, cards, bags, wall-paper, bed-linen and scrapbooks. The stamps can also be used for clay and body art. And this one - just likes to have them as a beautiful detail at home. Pretty pretty.

Would you like to do your hand-printing with hand-carved blocks rather than mass-produced ones? I certainly do. You can find some images of our Christmas wrapping project HERE and HERE.

Simply, the name Blockwallah stands for printing block seller ;)  (Block [printing blocks] + ‘wallah’ [Hindi for seller]).

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Oletko nähnyt nuo painomuotit kaupassa? Oon ihan täpinöissäni, kun saamme niitä nyt lisää ennen Formexia, ja myös uusia malleja! Eikö ole nätti?

Muotilla painaminen on yksi vanhimpia taidemuotoja, joka on siirtynyt eteenpäin yli 2000 vuotta perinnetaiteilijoiden toimesta. Nykyaikainen teknologia uhkaa tietysti myös tätä perinnettä. Mutta mitä teknologia ei voi ottaa pois - se on käsityönä tehdyn painamisen jäljen kauneus ja ainutkertaisuus.

Blockwallah, suomalais-englantilainen yritys, tuo tämän antiikkisen taiteen nykyajan askartelupöytään! Blockwallah tekee läheisesti töitä paikallisten käsityöläisten kanssa Intiassa ja uskoo eettisiin työskentelyperiaatteisiin. Blockwallah myös työllistää paikallisten slummien naisia antaen heille työtä valmistusprosessissa.

Kaikki Blockwallah -muotit ovat käsinkaiverrettuja erilaisin mallein, ja niitä voidaan käyttää sekä kankaan että paperin painamiseen. Suosittuja käyttökohteita ovat esim. T-paidat, kortit, kassit, tapetti ja petivaatteet. Itse tykkään yksinkertaisesti käyttää näitä koristeena - ne nyt vaan on niin nättejä!

Etkö sinäkin haluaisi käyttää käsintehtyjä malleja käsinpainamiseen? Itse en juuri voi muuta ajatella. TÄÄLTÄ ja TÄÄLTÄ löydät joitain kuvia meidän viimevuotisesta joululahjapaperiprojektista.

Ja yksinkertaisesti, tuo nimi Blockwallah - se tarkoittaa painomuottikauppiasta ;) (Block [painomuotti] + ‘wallah’ [kauppias Hindiksi])

Centerpiece for your midsummer night table

Boat vase centerprice - venevati juhannuspöytään

Would you like to have this on your table during Midsummer?

Even though it feels impossible to capture the beauty of the candle light. Either the candle light is like it is in real life, or the surroundings are like in real life. Impossible to get both of them looking like your eye sees them.

The Kikoi boat vase, hand-made of wild olive tree in Kenya, was one of Weranna's bestsellers last week. Here I filled it with sea salt and candles, but of course it can be used for anything else, as well.

I thought to send this piece to one of my readers, just because :).

Have a good one!

Boat vase centerprice - venevati juhannuspöytään

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Tykkäisitkö tästä Juhannuksen illanistujaisten sulostajana? Omasta mielestäni tuo vati on kyllä niin nätti kynttilöiden ja merisuolan kanssa.

Vaikkakin on tosi vaikea kuvata kynttilänvaloa...joko näkyy kynttilänvalo, tai sitten ympäristö. Kyllä se ihmissilmä on vaan kummallinen peli.

Tämä Kikoi venevati, käsintehty villistä oliivipuusta Keniassa, oli yksi Weranna'sin eniten myydyistä yksittäisistä tuotteista viime viikolla. Ja vaikka käytänkin vatia tässä ihan vaan silmänruokana, voi vatiin toki laittaa jotain popsittavaakin. Tai korut kapealle hyllylle.  Tai ihan mitä vaan :).

No, ajattelin kumminkin lähettää tämän kappaleen yhdelle teistä lukijoistani uuden toimituksen tieltä. Siksi vaan :).

Mukavaa päivää!

Earthy decor inspiration

Earthy interior inspiration

This home, located in the northern Stockholm and featured in number of interior magazines, is probably one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen live. It is truly a home, no question about it, but also a visualists haven. Where ever you turn your eye, it catches something inspirational. 

I've written couple of years ago using logs in a city home - admittedly in an extremely skeptical way (now I just can't find the post!!). Well - today it just seems like a perfect idea ;). I have them myself, only painted white, but after seeing the above version, now I could actually think of just peeling them and putting some lacquer on top. And wheels, so I can roll them around as side tables!

Just got 2 other ideas, as well - wait 'til the summer. There is plenty of material at our summer house, if you remember from last summer... This lady of the house needs to take down some trees (read: asks the other family member to fix it somehow ;)) every year, because they grow, and then there is no sunlight (well, there isn't really anyway, but would be nice to enjoy those 3 beams we usually get each summer) on our terrace. In the eastern part of Finland you don't need to think of getting any shade on the summer house so it doesn't get too hot indoors - no problem with that. Where was I?  Got too inspired again...

This gorgeous home. The home was just featured in an excellent article by Seija Killström/Paula Kukkonen in Anna magazine in Finland just before Easter, 'like candy' the title said. And the home truly, truly is.

I would love to post here some more images, but the quality is so bad they wouldn't do justice to this beautiful home...Getting ready to buy me a proper camera. Perhaps today even!

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maanläheinen sisustustyyli, puupöllit sisustuksessa, tee-se-itse ideat

Vietnamese silk from Fabric Copenhagen

Not so simple to get on the front cover of ELLE DECOR? No, but Annette with her Fabric Copenhagen textiles managed. Her products made by a family business in Vietnam are so delicious...Of course I have soft spot in my heart for everything that is made in Vietnam or coming from Vietnam because of my childhood years there, but I can't imagine not loving these products even if they didn't bring back all the warm memories.

Fabric Copenhagen was created during a trip to Vietnam 10 years ago. Back then textile designer Annette Egholm discovered not only Vietnam's natural beauty, unique culture and friendly people, but at a local market, she found a silk fabric that was so beautiful and soft that she just had to have it. 


Back in Denmark, she began to create a design for the material and the idea for the most delicious pillows and blankets was born.  And they are just wonderful, aren't they?

You can find the throws and cushions in Weranna's ethnic collection, the luxury ethnic beauties are a true passion for me at the moment. You fancy something you don't see there - just drop me an email from the shop. We are getting some new colors, hopefully already next week (might get a bit of hint on these photos ;) ;)) - stay tuned!


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silkkinen torkkupeitto, samettinen torkkupeitto, samettipeitto, samettityyny

just wondering - what do we mean by Ethnic?

Remember my trip to Istanbul a couple of weeks back? Have I even written about my visit to Istanbul?? Perhaps not. Okay, here we go then. I am SO behind with my posts.

Istanbul is a city where east meets west (literally, sitting on 2 different continents), my dear Istanbul which I could easily call my hometown. Had 2 full days to visit some friends and the usual stores and whole-sellers I usually visit. And made a few new friends, as well! Always a pleasure.

One of the new interesting acquintances is the owner of Sofa Art & Antiques - if you visit Grand Bazaar, drop into their store. It is right there between Starbucks and one of the entrances. BEAUTIFUL pieces (these hand-made pomegranates were a true must have in the store...). The owners are true enthusiasts and gladly share their knowledge with you.

We had a really nice chat and I was telling him we are making a small collection of ethnic items to Weranna's Warehouse and how I love the Turkish antiques and especially the antique textiles. He was so happy to meet someone who appreciates their culture (they were using tiara's while we were still wearing seal-skins or something here in Scandinavia, so really, no problem there) and made me promise I would write something nice about the traditional Ottoman pieces. Of course :)!

And afterwards I started thinking - what is Ethnic? What is my ethnic group? If someone looks at Finland, what do they see as 'ethnic'? Is it the chip baskets and the rag rugs and the bark bushels? Felt boots and reindeer hides? Do I add those to the ethnic section then, as well? Perhaps should just drop the name 'Ethnic' and call it 'Traditional beauties of the world' or something more suitable. Need to think about it.

But, but, but - Pomegranate. What is it about pomegranate and the Ottoman culture? Pomegranate is assumed to have originated in Iran and Afghanistan. The fruit was a holy symbol and symbolized the soul's immortality and the perfection of nature. Along with olive, dates and fig trees, the pomegranate tree is one of the four holy trees of Islam.

The pomegranate plant is evergreen throughout the year. Many holy scripts of different religions refer to the pomegranate seed, pay tribute to the beauty of the blooming pomegranate and the taste of its fruit, making it the symbol of prosperity and fertility.

Newly weds in Anatolia and the Middle East are still served pomegranates to bless them with a lot of offspring. For Muslims the pomegranate is also a symbol of beauty, and Prophet Mohammed advised pregnant women to eat pomegranates if they wanted beautiful children :).

Beautiful symbolism and beautiful pieces, eller hur?

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Granaattiomena