DIY summer bag

Summer arrived early in Finland this year. April was sunny, May was a bit sunny....but now the end of June is all cloudy and gloomy. But don't loose hope, summer will come back soon.

Until then, we all need some splash of  color and summer fun. 

What's more summery than watermelons?!

Here is a super easy and super cute tote bag for all the picnics and trips to the lake. 

Here you can see Dimitra's cute video:

Materials:

Cotton fabric tote bag

fabric paints
potato stamp
paint brush
toothpick


- Put a newspaper inside the bag. You don't want to paint to go through and color the other side. You also prevent getting your table dirty.
- Cut the potato in a half-moon shape. Apply red color and stamp the fabric with it.
- With a thin brush paint the green line for the peel of the watermelon.
- Use a toothpick to add the black seeds.
- Let it dry. After ~30mins check that the newspaper is not stuck to the painted side of the fabric.
- In 1-2 hours remove the newspaper. Let the bag dry overnight.
- Iron it in high temperature (the setting of 3 dots on your iron) or according to the fabric's instructions.

Follow Dimitra on instagram and have a look at her blog.

Helsinki Etsy Craft Party 2014 - Finland Handcrafters Team

Last Friday Finland Handcrafters Team together with amazing creative people from Helsinki celebrated this Year Etsy craft party in the beautiful boutique Madeby, who's co-owner is one of our members Tuija from Tuuni. She was so nice that offered us her workshop space to organize our craft party and even tables for selling our products outside.

Six members of our team (Dimitra, Julia, Yini, Anastasia, Sasha and Jennifer volunteered to make all the preparations, gather supplies, brainstorm and create our very first public craft party.

During that day we gathered around a table with some coffee and a lot of supplies for a whole year and created amazing photo alterations while we talked all kinds of things and meet amazing people who came and joined us in the table.

With the help of our team members expertise people got some guidance in how to make frames for their photos, add beads, use paper, scrap booking and embroider. We have such great time!

We also had a photo booth where people took pictures of themselves and participate in our team giveaway.

Me made a video with the great footage Dimitra recorded during the party. Thanks Dimitra!

We will definitely keep organizing more local events, make sure to follow us so you can join us in our next happening!.

Items of the month

Amigurumi doll from The Sun and The Turtle

Flower buttons earrings from InkaFinland

Sunbather necklace from Pinkkis

Decorative pillow from Mairea

POP UP shop

Welcome to Finland Handcrafters Team's 2nd POP UP SHOP in Yobot Frozen Yogurt (Runeberginkatu 54A, 00260 Helsinki)

We dedicate this pop up to our mothers and your mothers!

Participating designers:

Inka Finland
Kotona
Looney Dimitra Crafts
Mrs Bertin's Jewelry Box
Namia Design
The Sun and the Turtle Amigurumi page

All our items are designed and handmade by Finnish & international artisants living in Finland. 
Our creations are inspired by the finnish nature & lifestyle.A big variety of beautifully handmade jewelry, accessories, toys, decorations and housewares will be for sale in Yobot for two days.

We will be open from 11am to 2pm, Saturday & Sunday 3-4 of May. See you all there!

FHT present in Etsy european captain summit: "A class reunion for Etsy team captains" Via Etsy UK

Etsy Blog – United Kingdom

A class reunion for Etsy team captains

Photo by Marlen Müller

Story by halloemily

Published on Apr 17, 2014 in Seller Handbook

On a grey Saturday morning, 30 ladies climbed the stairs ofbetahaus in Berlin. Many of them had traveled from other countries and had never before met in person. They had one thing in common though: all of them were Captains of a European Etsy Team.

On March 15th and 16th those 30 Team Captains from Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Germany, France, the UK, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium, and even Israel came to Berlin for Etsy’s very first European Captains’ Summit.

photo by Marlen Müller

Etsy Teams are groups of (mostly) sellers that either connect around a field of interest or their location. Find out more about Teams in our FAQs.

Being on a team is a win-win: it allows you to make friends and improve your business at the same time. (Francesca, Captain of Etsy Italia)

Through my team, I met some amazing people who now I can proudly call my friends. I also got a lot of moral support at times of need, good laughs during late nights and crucial help for my first steps on Etsy. (Nafsika, Captain of Etsy Greek Street Team)

photo by Marlen Müller

Teams are great resources, but the very best ones have great leaders. These leaders, called Captains, have the rewarding yet challenging job of bringing their team members together to make everyone better. This challenge was the topic of our Captain Summit, and the reason these 30 leaders came to Berlin for a weekend of Team work.

We are all dealing with the same issues, no matter on what side of the planet we are…and the nice thing is – there are many ways to deal with our challenges and I can learn from others’ solutions. (Limitz, Captain of Etsy Israel)

photo by Marlen Müller

It was a weekend full of brainstorming, group discussions, workshops – and fun!

At the summit, I learned that managing skills do not mean being bossy. I learned that a team can advocate for handcrafters’ rights and that Etsy is more than a place to sell, it is a group of friends, a community. (Jennifer, Captain of Finland Handcrafters Team)

photo by Marlen Müller

Many captains presented projects that they had realized with their team and gave tips and inspiration to other teams.

Annabel from the Dutch Ka-Ching Collectief for example talked about her team’s experience with organizing pop up shops in Amsterdam. Hands popped up after her talk as the group of captains asked details about organizing inventory and marketing.

All captains acknowledged the challenge surrounding high postal prices, when Aisté from the Lithuanian Team gave some insight into how her team fought against a Lithuanian postal reform which would have made selling internationally on Etsy an impossibility.  Karli, a spirited captain from Brighton, talked about how to find the right partners in crime – leaders that will help Captains to run a team successfully, efficiently and make it fun. Her empathetic personal philosophy on recruiting the busiest people to be leaders for her team garnered laughs and approval.  And all captains learned a little bit more about the Etsy programs available to them when Nafsika explained how her Greek Team is really active inEtsy School (an educational program exclusively available for Teams) and hosted several workshops for new sellers to teach them about Etsy.

photo by Marlen Müller

These are just a few of the many inspiring community stories that came up over the weekend. All of them illustrated what groups can do together.

Single-handedly we can achieve a lot but as a community we can achieve a whole lot more! The power of a community is huge and the possibilities for what an Etsy team can achieve are endless. I was hugely inspired by what other teams had achieved.(Rachel, Captain of the Dorset Etsy Team)

FHT 1st meet up

Three years after the creation of the Finland Handcrafters Team and we just had our first meet up!!

It was great meeting some team members in person and spending hours talking about our crafting passion!

We had a great time discussing about our work process. We exchanged stories on how we started exploring our materials and what inspires us. 

We met at Sello Library in Leppävaara. 

We brought our best mood and we were ready to have a cool meet up.

Check out the delicious homemade muffins, provided by our captain. 

September was a month dedicated to improving our Etsy shops. We worked in groups and helped each other. 

Yesterday was time to celebrate and treat ourselves now that the Mentor Month has ended.

We gave feedback to each other's shop and exchange tips and ideas on photography.

Our team is now stronger and ready for a creative winter in Finland.

We’re looking forward for our next gathering! 

Yarn Creations from Sofia Sobeide

This is NOT your grandmother's crochet! Sofia from Sofia Sobeide has a fresh approach to her yarn creations. This young designer from Turku breathes fresh air into every piece she works on through her choice of yarns, colors, and patterns. She works hard to make wearable, fun products of a high quality that still have a cute twist to them.

She can keep you warm and cozy with soft, cuddly snoods, cowls, gloves and scarves. Yes, it is spring but the days are still cool here in Finland and scarves are worn pretty much year round. This lovely lacy scarf can be worn in different ways, and will definitely chase out the chill in the air and your heart.

Lacy Purple Scarf from Sofia Sobeide

Maybe you want something more whimsical or spring like? This lovely skinny scarf with its bright crocheted flowers just might do the trick and it will take you well into summer.

Skinny Scarflette with Flowers from Sofia Sobeide

How about something fun and bright? Sofia has this delightful big red bow on a soft cowl. She has thoughtfully attached vintage buttons to it so that you can adjust the length and wear it as a cowl or a headband.

Sofia Sobeide's Bright Red Bow Headband/Cowl

Sofia also has a knack for those fun amigurumi (think small animals in crocheted yarn) creatures. She has a growing collection of bears, birds, dragons and more. Some have been made into soft baby toys or rattles. Others are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. What baby would not enjoy this colorful snake? She also has patterns for sale.

Amigurumi Snake by Sofia Sobeide

She will help you decorate your home with pretty garlands, practical items for your kitchen, and a whole separate store of jewelry. All in all, this is one busy, talented artisan that you will want to visit again and again. We do hope you will enjoy her works.

Shop: Sofia Sobeide
Jewelry Shop: Sofia Sobeide Jewelry
Blog
Facebook

Beanie on Helina - A Touch of Whimsy

Beanie on Helina is proof positive that well-crafted, sustainable lifestyle products don't have to be dull and boring. Kaisa Erkkilä works hard to combine good quality craftsmanship with great design and usability and adds just a touch of whimsy. She uses a lot of linen in her work. If you know this fabric, you also know that it just gets softer and more supple with every use. Her colors are a gorgeous range of neutrals with just enough color thrown in to keep things lively.

Delicious handcrafted turquoise linen pillowcover

This roomy, practical tote bag will certainly brighten your day as well as help you lug those groceries home. Who says functional has to be dull and boring?

A whimsical tote bag featuring a Couple of Pears

The pictures of each of her items are great. You can really see the detail and quality of each of her products right along with the passion and attention to detail. 
One more touch of whimsy - the name! Kaisa says, "My shop name derives from a story from my childhood. When I was little girl I had a lovely pink beanie crocheted by my mom. I was quite a temperamental child and according to my dad, you could tell the mood I was in by the position of my beanie (if I was moody it was tilted, if I was happy it was on the back of my head...etc.) Also, my middle name is Helina." From her elegant designs and solid craftsmanship, her beanie is on the back of her head these days. 

Kaisa has a regular website with beautiful pictures of her work along with a blog, written in both Finnish and English. Both are relaxing ventures into soft tones and just a bit of fun. 

Beanie on Helina Website
Blog
Etsy shop

Buttoned jewelry: Featured seller InkaFinland

Nappikorvakoru is a Finnish term for a stud earring. However, the terms straightforward translation would be “a button earring”. This little sidenote comes to mind when looking at Inka’s cute creations. Her lovely Etsy shop InkaFinland is filled with sweet jewelry made out of buttons as well as resin and glass beads.

Crafting and craftsmanship comes naturally to Inka, who is an educated clothing artisan. The crafting bug bit the jewelry maker early on as she used to sew Barbie’s clothes with her granny’s sewing machine. Through the years she’s come to love jewelry making the most.  “I started my Etsy shop five years ago encouraged by my friends. At first I made and sold little pouches and bags. Since then, I’ve got busier and now it’s more convenient to craft only jewelry; it’s quick to make and in a flash I’ll get new items in my shop. But who knows, someday I may go back to bag-making.”

The talented artisan get’s inspired by 80’s and 90’music, bright colors, stripes and polka dots and obviously by buttons. “I even have three buttons tattooed on my arm!” In addition, friend’s interest in her creations gives Inka a major inspiration.

Inka feels that the best thing about Etsy is meeting your peers. “I also love to take photos of products and list new items. And of course, constantly create new jewelry. It was also quite cool to end up on the front page of Etsy! “

InkaFinland Etsy shop

More about Inka

Story by Kaisa / Beanie on Helina

Pics by Inka / InkaFinland

Jewelry inspired by history: Featured seller Arx Rosarum

Arx Rosarum is a Latin phrase meaning Castle of Roses. This beautiful name coincides perfectly with the history inspired and highly thoughtful jewelry work of Ruusu, a young jewelry artist and an Etsy seller. She got into handcrafts at the age of 5, insisting her mum to sign her up for a ceramic school. Mum yielded and Ruusu got to learn ceramics for the next 5 years. That’s when she made her first pieces of jewelry; geometrical earrings for her mum.

Today Ruusu designs and makes costume jewelry. In her pieces she uses lots of vintage components like glass jewels, cabochons and cameos. “These products were made for jewelry industry decades ago – now I’m giving them a chance to be finally a part of a wearable piece.” The talented jewelry artist combines old materials with new glass and crystal beads and high quality brass stampings made with vintage dies.

The amazing earrings channel the glowing glamour of Art Deco.

Here you can feel the presence of Art Noveau’s mythic tales.

Inspiration for the necklace wells from dark shades of Victorian splendor.

It’s quite natural that Ruusu, who is writing her master thesis in Art History, finds her inspiration in the elaborate aesthetics of bygone centuries. “Museums, antique shops, historical films and stories – they all feed my imagination. Sometimes I draw sketches, but very often I just start playing around with different components and let the motifs, shapes and colors lead me.”

When Ruusu joined Etsy few years back as a customer, she had no idea that someday she’d be running her own shop. First the jewelry maker sold pieces to her friends and later participated her first fair on the fall of 2011. After trying to sell her products on a Finnish site she turned her eyes to Etsy again and finally opened Arx Rosarum Etsy shop in January 2012. Later this year Ruusu is planning to widen her website to include an online shop of her own.

Despite her plans to branch out, there’s no fear of Ruusu leaving Etsy: “I’m going to keep my Etsy boutique nevertheless. In Etsy, I love the community the most. I’ve got lots of support from my fellow artists. I enjoy the international atmosphere and the possibility to sell my jewelry all over the world. It is so exciting that my creations can travel to places where I have never been and probably never will!”

Arx Rosarum:

Etsy

Website

Story by Kaisa / Beanie on Helina

Pics by Ruusu / Arx Rosarum