Thank You 2012

Vuosihan tässä ehti jo vaihtumaan, mutta muutama kiitoksen sana on paikallaan sillä 2012 oli niin merkittävä kaiken kaikkiaan...

Eeka syntyi 13.1.2012, hän on pian jo vuoden vanha! En tiedä kuinka voisin kiittää hänen olemassaolostaan. Eekan odotus ei kestänyt vain 9 kk vaan lähes 3 1/2 vuotta. Tämä ensimmäinen vuosi hänen kanssaan on mennyt niin äkkiä ja kaikkihan on mennyt hyvin, joistakin epäuskon hetkistä huolimatta. Kaikki järjestyy, kuten sanontakin kuuluu. Omat ja H:n vanhemmat sekä lähisukulaiset ovat olleet tukemassa meitä tällä uudella matkallamme, iso kiitos siitä kullekin heistä, ystäviä unohtamatta.

Vaikka Karuskin toiminta on ollut melko lailla minimaalista vauvavuoden vuoksi, olen kuitenkin saanut uuden mahtavan mukavan jälleenmyyjän Jyväskylästä, Pienenkamarin. Kiitos Annukalle joka otti minuun yhteyttä syksyllä.

Etsyssä en ole ehtinyt olla muutoin aktiivinen, mutta luotsaan yhä Handmade Europea, European Street Teamin blogia jonka pyörittämisessä iso apu minulle on ollut Ankasta, blogin teknisestä tuesta.

Yhteistyö kimaraCRAFTSin tyttöjen kanssa on ollut mukavaa, olen kiitollinen kun he ovat ottaneet minut mukaan messuille kuten toukokuussa Kierrätystehtaalle vaikka en ole pystynyt osallistumaan projekteihin ollenkaan täysipainoisesti. Myös pop up -shoppimme onnistuminen huhti-toukokuussa Kinuskilla kahvilassa Kellokoskella oli todella hieno juttu.

Katsotaan mitä tämä uusi vuosi tuo tullessaan. Ainakin lapsen kasvun intensiivistä seuraamista ja sen ohella uuden ideointia Karuskille. Huhtikuulle onkin tulossa yksi uusi ja kiinnostava pop up -shop projekti. Siitä lisää lähempänä.

Hyvää uutta vuotta!

--

The year already changed but a few thank you words come to my mind now when that remarkable year is behind us.

Eeka was born on January 13th 2012, he's soon one year old! I don't have words how to thank for this presence in my life. It wasn't just 9 months we waited for him, it was nearly 3 1/2 years of waiting. This first year with him has been flying and things have gone well, despite some moments of misbelief I faced with myself. Everything goes all right, they say. Both our parents and close relatives have fully supported us on this new journey, so big thank you to all of them, not to forget friends either.

Although Karuski business has been put to minimal during the baby year I did get a new amazingly nice reseller here in Finland. Thanks Annukka from Pienikamari for contacting me last fall.

I haven't had time for Etsy but I still take care of Handmade Europe, the homebase of European Street Team on Etsy. Anka, our tech help has been my right hand there.

Collaboration with kimaraCRAFTS girls has made it possible for me to join craft fairs I couldn't have done by myself. I'm grateful they let me stay with them even though I couldn't join the projects fully at all. Even our pop up shop at Kinuskilla cafe last April-May was a big success.

So let's see what happens in 2013. There will be intensive moments seeing the child grow, I'll be searching for new ideas and work on Karuski. In April there's a new and interesting pop up shop project coming up. More about that in a bit.

Happy New Year!

xx, minna

Greetings From Berlin

Hi!

I just got back home from Berlin,
it was the Hello Etsy summit I visited
and as I was traveling with H
we wanted to stay for some extra days
so all in all it was a one week trip to us.

I can't believe how warm it still was in Berlin
we had dinners outside and walked without
jackets during the day
only Sunday happened to be a rainy day

It was awesome to meet lots of online Etsy friends
at the summit which took place 17. - 18.9.
There were lots of interesting sessions
one of my favorite speakers was Natalie Chanin
you should definitely check out her unique & ethnical clothing line.


Here are just a few of my lovely European Etsy friends I was lucky to meet!

Judit and Mitsy enjoying Marimekko fabrics

Mari having fun sewing

Rhiannon and Hello Etsy bear

Petronella with Mitsy on a break

I'm going to make another
Berlin related post in the coming days
so if interested in seeing and reading more
stay tuned!


xx
minna

Monday Moodboard

Hello Monday!

We had a lovely sunny weekend here *smile*
I'm almost done wallpapering and organizing my studio.
Perhaps I can show pictures in a few days time.

But guess what.
It started to snow again, it's true.
I can't pack my mittens and scarfs just yet.
But I keep on dreaming of spring!

neck/head warmer by sibeldesign
necklace by notreodyssee
etching by fleurografie
mittens by warmandsoft


Did you know the Euro Week started on Etsy today?
We could expect to see lots of European features this week!

More moodboards over Fleurfatale's blog...

xx
minna

My Creative Space

Hello friends,

Last two days have been quiet over here,
I have spent them sick in bed but I'm so much better now *happy*

I was honored to have my studio featured this week over Handmade Europe.
Have a look, I hope you like it!

More creative spaces on Kootoyoo's blog...

Have a lovely and creative Thursday!

xx
minna

For A Good Cause: EuropeForCharity

Dear friends,

Many of you are aware of EuropeForCharity, the Etsy shop which donates all its proceedings for good causes. This shop was opened when the world was hit by flood news in Pakistan last summer. It is managed by Baa and all items are donated by members of EuropeanStreetTeam. The shop was able to donate $750 in 2010 and the donations went for Architecture for Humanity and Kashf Foundation which both make very hard rebuilding work in Pakistan.

A new organization has been added to the list: BlinkNow which works on grass root level in Nepal, helping local orphans to have a better future. Have a look at their site, it is an amazing story of what one young lady can do to change things for better.

Here are just a few picks from EuropeForCharity's shop.
I hope they bring sunshine to your day!

necklace for $32

crocheted flowers for $4

silk screened tray for $58

birdie pouch for $28

swallow necklace for $18

flower magnet set for $8

Spread the word of this shop, share some love.
I wish you the most beautiful day!

xx
minna

Monday Moodboard

photograph by kristakeltanen

earrings by creairtive

bracelet by happydaydesigns

hair pin by sumikoshop

Hello Monday!

Did you have a nice weekend, what are your plans for this new week?
I talked to a new retailer prospect today and it seems I will be making another batch of purses soon. This is a new shop run by designers and craft loving people. They have formed a community to join the forces for promoting and selling Finnish art, craft & design. I make consignment deals very rarely these days but this one gives me warm feelings so I'm going to give a try.

More sweetness on my newest treasury...
More Monday Moodboards over Fleurfatale...

Also, go check the new series starting today on Handmade Europe!

xx
minna

Monday Moodboard

dress by mirthquakeclothing
needlecase by knitterbag
bracelet by lepetitfoyer
bag by starbags

Weekend was good, I hope you enjoyed yours.

Thanks to H, my family and friends (in real life & online alike) I had a wonderful birthday on Saturday!

Here are some lovely finds for you to start the week with, each made of vintage materials. My weak point is vintage and recycled fabric + vintage jewelry parts too. On Saturday I went to a local flea market and found a great black leather skirt. I was thinking to use it to make a few pouches just to find out it fits me. Now I need to re-think what to do with this skirt. Oh, and the best part is it did cost only 3 euros.

Have a wonderful week.

More Monday Moodboards over Fleurfatale's blog.

Be inspired!

Happy News!

Oh dear, how I have neglected my dear blog!

This new year got a slow start but now I'm in a full swing again: sewing and making jewelry for a new wholesale account here in Finland. More about that soon...

Bigger news is here: I'm starting to take care of Handmade Europe, the blog of European Street Team on Etsy. As Judit of Vadjutka will move on to new challenges I'll be responsible for the content of the site. We are a large team with over 1500 members and growing. Of course there are lots of lovely contributors from the team who work with me so I'm not making it happen all alone. Together we can keep the blog appealing and interesting!

Read what Judit posted about this change just today here.

Also, I'll be more involved in the team's shop: EuropeForCharity.

So, things are moving on. New challenges for a new year.

Be well, see you soon!

My Secret Gift Arrived

Yesterday was such a beautiful day: Sunshine and a secret package in a mailbox!

This spring EuropeanStreetTeam's secret swap was organized by Judit. What a big, big job to make pairs and keep on track of all mail related things. She did it so well. And who was my secret swap partner? Nicole of Ultimate Organic Soap in Norway. Look at all these gorgeous soaps she sent me, I feel totally spoiled yet thankful.






What I love about her soaps is the fact she doesn't add any artificial ingredients on them. The scent of these soaps is very delicate and natural, not overwhelming as often happens on industrially made soaps. They are all handmade with care and look like candy to me. I must say Judit knew exactly what I'd like. Thank you Nicole and Judit!

ps. If you like some nice read, have a look at our team's blog. We have a new guest there.

My Secret Santa

An intriguing postal note was waiting for me yesterday. It was for my Secret Santa gift from Nicole in the Netherlands. I picked up my secret parcel from PO right away. She had made a sweet lacy pouch (she obviously knew I love lace on purses), sparkling lovely earrings and a very cute birdie mobile. She even added some local candy for me. This pouch and mobile are made of fused plastic bags, I love this eco-friendly idea! You can find more of these mobiles in her home decor shoppe. Oh, and she's offering the rest of her jewelry line at very affortable prices, have a look here.

Thanks so much Nicole, you're a sweetheart!

Happy Weekend

Yesterday I worked on my price tags. I cut them out of paper stock, stamped and punched, designed and printed the care instructions on stickers and added a piece of fabric ribbon on them. Ribbon is torn out of recycled cotton print fabric. These are quite a lot of work but I'm happy with them now! Also, I tried to stamp the vintage wallpaper. These could become my new visit/business cards. I still need to experiment a bit on different papers and make the decision then. Somehow I'd love to find an alternate for industrially printed ones. The stamped cards could give the feel I'm looking for.

And what else I have here for you? My sales fairy I got from EuropeanStreetTeam's fairy game arrived from Italy yesterday. She is the cutest fairy I've ever seen, thanks Amy! If you haven't seen Amy's jewelry yet, please head over her Etsy shop. She also blogs, have a look here as well.

I'm now going to visit a craft venue at WeeGee in Espoo. From there we continue to Helsinki, Cirque Mechanics play starts at Savoy Theatre at 8 pm. It will be fun! Have a lovely weekend, you too!

Weekly Challenge - My Flowers

Last night I heard I had won the weekly challenge game of EuropeanStreetTeam hosted by Gaia. My challenge entry under the theme "delicate balances" was one of my new sakura clutches as seen in my shop. Thank you for this honourable mention!

Hereby I'm announcing a new theme for this week which shall be: MY FLOWERS! Feel free to interpret this as you wish. It's all about your flowers. Your favorite ones, your eyecandy in any form. Fresh, dried, real, fake, imaginative, dreamy, existing or non-existing, you name it.

The entries need to be sent to me via Etsy convo by next Monday at 21.00 Finland time (GMT +3). I'll be adding all entries to my blog as they're coming in. Happy crafting!

And the entries are (clicking the image takes you directly to the listing):

Spring is here-snowdrops felted brooch by ingermaaike

Daffodil-felted flower by ingermaaike

Flower chain and plastic necklace by psarokokalo

Flowers on jade stones-silver earrings by toosis

Cactus flower ring by staroftheeast

Narcissus-needle felted brooch by xbyleinaneima

Flower bracelet by zsbcreations

Crocheted rose earrings by febystan

Idorie and Her Flories by swiedebie

Flowering bracelet by sumikoshop

Roses and Chocolate Cake - 1/12 miniature by petitplat

Fleur bleue bracelet by fleurfatale

My Flowers are Alien-painted fabric journal by kreativlink

Blossom is back-3-digital art print by matilou

My Fleur Love by stemellina

Organza Flower Brooch by alatvian

Enchanted magnolia flowers by enchantedpond

Magnolia flower black and white by enchantedpond

Fairytale magnolia flowers by enchantedpond
Stripes and flowers by vadjutka

Golden Flower Necklace by leelabijou

Linen Pincushion Blue Flowers by binkaminka

Everpink Spring Blossoms by kraplap

Overnight My Pigtails Grew (and Bloomed) by annarubyking

Passionata-Earrings by momochas

Little Sun - ACEO original signed fine art print 1/30 by arctica

Wildplum-shawl by vilte

Vintage Yellow Red Button Flower Ring by amoronia

The Jaqueline Clutch in Teal and Gold by MShandbags, our visiting star from Australia:)

Earrings by antigoni

Blossom-Small shoulder bag with an adjustable strap by helisengezer

Gold sandals with crochet flowers by creationsbyeve
Thank you everyone for your lovely new creations and hard work! I'm in awe how many gorgeous items we have listed this week.