I spent a lovely sunny day in Mariehamn at the Åland Islands last week. I was asked to talk on the subject of social media for artisans and small business owners and was very happy to meet a group of inspired people eager to ask and discuss. It is a challenge to share your experience and knowledge in just a couple of hours, but I hope everyone went home with some new thoughts! Someone asked me to share my speech here, I'll give it a thought! My most important message however was and is, whatever you want to do you have to have the motivation to do it! Whether it is to blog or sell your stuff on Etsy, if you do not have a strong feeling that you want to go on this adventure, think twice! I believe you can do (and learn) 'anything' if you really want it, but to do something that you really wouldn't like to is stressful and eats a lot of your good energy!
That was my little Sunday speech, now I would like to show you some pictures from Mariehamn!
SALT is beautiful shop run by a craft collective. It is situated by the sea in a new building inspired by the traditional red wooden houses in the area. I used to spend my childhood Summers at the Åland Islands and have always enjoyed visiting the craft shops.
Goldsmith Titti Sundblom was working in the shop on Wednesday. Love those flounders! And these:
Made by Eva-Len Mattsson.
Yummy strawberry print by Gunilla von Nandelstadh.
Beautiful ceramics! I haven't figured out who made the pieces in the first two pictures, please tell me if you do! The ceramics in the first pictures is by Mia Englund! The fun plate with the doodles is by Sussi Henrikson, there was a small exhibition of her work, I really love her style! The last picture with the window features work by Lugnet keramik. And yes! That is the frozen sea outside the window! This place is gorgeous!
I adore the work of Ann Granlund! And was very sad that I couldn't go wild shopping! Next time!
The sun is shining here by the coast of Finland so I am out for a sunshine walk! Take care!
