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!
This all looks so beautiful!
And I love your Sunday speech...
Posted by: Megan | 20 March 2013 at 07:17 AM
Roligt att du hittade hit Ann! Det var så inspirerande att titta in på Salt! Vi håller på letar efter en lokal för en ny konsthantverksbutik här i Ekenäs. Dina textilier är SÅ fina! Färgerna och formerna, right up my alley!
Posted by: Kajsa Wikman | 13 March 2013 at 06:26 PM
Beautiful!! Paola - Italy
Posted by: Amore di Zìa | 11 March 2013 at 12:16 PM
Hej och Tack för ditt fina reportage. Jag blev så glad. Tyvärr kunde jag inte komma till din försläsning pga födelsedagskalas i familjen. Jag skall följa din blogg, har satt in den på min favoritblogglista :) Skulle nog behöva lära mig mera om sociala medier.
En riktigt kreativ vecka till dig /Ann Granlund
www.ann.ax
Posted by: Ann Granlund | 11 March 2013 at 11:34 AM
Thank you for your sundayspeech....you'r so right!
The coast of finnland.. it sounds so far away, but i hope i come there once in my life!
Greetings from the lake of constance/germany!
Steffi
Posted by: redlox | 10 March 2013 at 07:30 PM
Första keramiken är gjord av Mia Englund. Tack för att du kom och inspirerade oss!
Posted by: Hanna | 10 March 2013 at 06:28 PM
I was in Mariehamn for a few days last summer and missed Salt.
We were busy with discovering family.
Next time.
I am glad you felt comfortable sharing your 'social media's experience.
Posted by: kathyh | 10 March 2013 at 05:03 PM
Sounds like a great day, Kajsa! Soliga hälsningar från Skåne...
Posted by: Juliane | 10 March 2013 at 01:06 PM