gbkoru

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-15T12:46:00.000+02:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T19:02:00.001+02:00

Fox Valentine - Fox Love

Knitting Narwhals

Love - Kiss

Fat Little Owl

Moonlight - Enchanted Moon

An Octopus Drinking Tea

The East Witch

Beautiful prints by Georgia Dunn from

Pseudooctopus.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2012-02-13T21:03:00.000+02:00

Copper, sterling silver and amethyst pendant

by Louise O'Dwyer.

Beautiful hand painted box by Carolee Clark,

King of Mice Studios.

We went to Porvoo on Saturday

to celebrate mom's birthday.

I gave her a small paisley pendant,

a beautiful painted wooden box

and two books by Jo Nesbo.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-08T19:05:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-01T20:47:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T20:01:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T17:27:00.002+02:00

Cute jewelry

2012-01-15T20:38:00.001+02:00

Earrings and pendants above

from Petit Plat.

Earrings and pendants above

from One Elf.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T10:40:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-04T10:52:00.000+02:00

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T17:45:00.000+02:00

I hope you have enjoyed the holidays

and I want to wish you all

A WONDERFUL

HAPPY

NEW YEAR 2012!

Christmas gifts part 2

2011-12-29T12:26:00.000+02:00

Gorgeous handmade pottery vases from

Ken's Garden Pottery.

Long ago, near the beginning of the world, Gray Eagle was the
guardian of the Sun, Moon and Stars, of fresh water, and of fire.
Gray Eagle hated people so much that he kept these things hidden.
People lived in darkness, without fire and without fresh water.

Gray Eagle had a beautiful daughter, and Raven fell in love with her.
In the beginning, Raven was a snow-white bird, and as a such,
he pleased Gray Eagle's daughter. She invited him to her father's longhouse.

When Raven saw the Sun, Moon and stars, and fresh water
hanging on the sides of Eagle's lodge, he knew what he should do.
He watched for his chance to seize them when no one was looking.
He stole all of them, and a brand of fire also, and flew out of the
longhouse through the smoke hole. As soon as Raven got outside
he hung the Sun up in the sky. It made so much light that he was
able to fly far out to an island in the middle of the ocean. When the Sun set,
he fastened the Moon up in the sky and hung the stars around in different places.
By this new light he kept on flying, carrying with him the fresh water
and the brand of fire he had stolen.

He flew back over the land. When he had reached the right place,
he dropped all the water he had stolen. It fell to the ground and
there became the source of all the fresh-water streams and lakes
in the world. Then Raven flew on, holding the brand of fire in his bill.
The smoke from the fire blew back over his white feathers and
made them black. When his bill began to burn, he had to drop t
he firebrand. It struck rocks and hid itself within them. That is why,
if you strike two stones together, sparks of fire will drop out.

Raven's feathers never became white again after they
were blackened by the smoke from the firebrand.
That is why Raven is now a black bird.

A beautiful Laguna Agate is set in Sterling silver
and embellished it with wings of filigree.
The sun is a 3 mm flush set golden citrine.
It's finished by a 16 in chain and a handmade clasp
and a 2 inch extender chain. The pendant is approximately 5 1/2 in
(including the tail feathers) long and 2 inches wide.
The tail feathers are made with beads of carnelian, amber and smokey quartz.
The necklace can also be worn as a brooch and the chain can be removed.

Raven necklace from Tess at

Nova of Sweden.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T15:27:00.000+02:00

Christmas gifts

2011-12-26T17:53:00.001+02:00

Handcrafted from start to finish, this necklace features

a strikingly beautiful red jasper druzy cabochon that is

set inside a handmade bezel. The baseplate is textured

and features a "sprinkle" of three 14 carat gold granules.

A hand applied patina and soft brushed satin finish

makes all the lovely details stand out.

Measurements: 1.75" x 1.3" inches.

This amazing druzy necklace

was a Christmas gift for myself.

This stunning necklace called

"Strawberry Fields"

was a Christmas gift for my mother.

A stunning rhodochrosite stone has been set inside a

handmade sterling silver bezel and is nestled amidst a

textured baseplate. The back features my initials and the 925 mark.

It has been oxidized and given a soft brushed satin

finish which makes all the lovely juicy colors sand out.

Dimensions: 2" x 1.25" inches.

Both pieces are from EONDesign.

Christmas Market

2011-12-23T20:30:00.002+02:00

The Old Town Hall

We went to the traditional Christmas Market

in the Old Town in Porvoo on Sunday.

There was a new exhibition in the Old Town Hall

that we also went to see.

We had a great time!

Merry

Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-21T19:33:00.000+02:00

St. Thomas Christmas Market

2011-12-20T20:17:00.000+02:00

The traditional St. Thomas Christmas Market

is held in the Senate Square this year.

Previously it has been held in the Esplanade Park.

I'm not sure if the change of place is permanent.

One vendor said that there has been fewer visitors

this year, partly because of the new location and

partly because it has been raining every day.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T19:29:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T15:19:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T22:05:00.000+02:00

Gilbert and Stanley

2011-11-28T19:37:00.000+02:00

Gilbert

"I met this little mushroom and his brother Stanley today.

Gilbert was hanging out next to a old tree stump in the back yard.

On my walk I almost stepped on the poor guy until he yelled out

"Hey watch where you're stomping" Thank goodness he did!

Gilbert is sculpted from polymer clay and stands 3 3/4 inches high.

He has glass eyes and mulberry paper on his cap. He is hand-painted."

Stanley

"I met Stanley this morning on my walk,

(when I almost stepped on his brother Gilbert).

This is all about Stanley the red capped mushroom.

Stanely is the quiet one, he is very laid back never gets upset.

Unless you almost step on Gilbert that is.
Stanley is sculpted from polymer clay, he stands 4 1/2 inches high.

He has glass eyes and a white spotted mulberry paper cap.

He is hand-painted and one of a kind."

Gilbert and Stanley came to me from Kim Matheny

of Homespun Dolls.

They now live on my kitchen table.

Meet Noirelle!

2011-11-25T14:15:00.000+02:00

"Noirelle is a handmade ribbon jointed clay art doll.

She loves her velvet fully lined bag.

She is created by hand from Creative Paper Clay and Puppen Fimo,

over a wire and foil armature. Noirelle has been painted with fine

Golden acrylics with a Gesso undercoat. Finished with

Perfix Coloulress Fixative, for long lasting protection.

Her hair is created from black Bamboo Viscose,

and is loosely tied with two crocodile clips.

Noirelle's dress is constructed from velvet and monsoon
multi-layered organza, lace, and silk, and fabric roses.

The back has a button and more fabric rose detail.

Her legs are coated in a crystal fine glitter glaze.

Her shoes are made from clay, painted with acrylic.

She stands at 16" tall, 7.5" whilst seated.

She will need assistance to stand, but will sit quite happily."

Noirelle came to me from Abi Monroe.

I snagged her up when Abi had a sale a while back.

It was love at first sight, I just couldn't resist her.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T15:43:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T13:53:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T15:35:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T11:55:00.000+02:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T11:25:00.000+03:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-19T11:58:00.000+03:00

A day at the museum

2011-10-13T21:17:00.000+03:00

My girls are enjoying a two day autumn break from school.

Today we decided to visit the Natural History Museum.

All exhibitions have recently been rebuilt.

This was the first time we've seen all the

finished exhibitions.

There are four permanent exhibitions:

- Finnish nature

- History of life

- Story of the bones

- Nature of all continents

The neo-baroque building housing the museum

was built in 1913 as a Russian school for boys.

The staircase is beautiful!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T10:51:00.000+03:00

Sirkus Finlandia 2011

2011-10-09T20:32:00.000+03:00

Today we went to Sirkus Finlandia to see their 2011 show.

It was a great show: it was funny and scary and very entertaining.

I loved Duo Vanegas!

Their Wheel of Death number was spectacular!

Watch it if you dare!

The Baltic Herring Fair

2011-10-06T20:26:00.000+03:00

Yesterday I used my lunch break to visit the

annual Baltic herring fair in the Market Square.

J.L. Runeberg , our national poet,

in the Esplanade Park.

The double-headed eagle,

the national symbol of Russia.

Inside the Old Market Hall

The number of boats at the fair is decreasing

as the old fishermen retire.

30 years ago there were over 60 boats.

This year there are 23 boats.

The Senate Square

Helsinki Cathedral

Ateneum Art Museum

The Railway Station

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T11:13:00.000+03:00

It's getting cold outside

2011-10-02T22:02:00.000+03:00

We had the first night with temperatures below zero last night.

It's time for warm hats and scarves.

Peruvian inspired hat made by Elsie Collins

Ruffled scarves in delicious colors by fnil.

Tree of life agates

2011-09-30T20:53:00.000+03:00

A CAT in a Cage Becomes a LION

♥ It is said that trees are the earth's effort to speak to heaven.

I call these my TREE OF LIFE agates. It is truely one of a kind.

This tree has roots that are growing over two rocks that I found on

Assateague Island. They are polished smooth from the many years

of being tossed in the ocean. Near the roots are 2 lions on their voyage.

The agate is approximately 4" round. Wire, solder,

copper & stones comprise this piece. No glue is used at all.

Everything is soldered together. There is a wire heart with the

letter J which is my signature & truely created from my heart.

With this piece is a note card that will say:

♥ Tree of Life on Agate ♥

♥ Agate is one of the oldest recorded stones.

Agate is associated with strength, gives protection & inner vision.

It has been said that trees are the earth’s effort to speak to heaven.

♥ The lion is known for its’ pride, strength, & beauty.

From the earliest of human writings, the lions are prideful hunters,

executing their skills with precision & complex teamwork.

Oh to have the heart of a lion, full of strength, courage, & pride. Enjoy!

LACY HALLO Brazillian HORSE

♥ Agate is one of the oldest recorded stones.

Agate is associated with strength, gives protection & inner vision.

It has been said that trees are the earth’s effort to speak to heaven.

♥ Throughout the ages, humans have interacted with horses in many ways.

Anyone who has spent any amount of time around horses knows

that each horse is unique in personality & character.

Horses are dependable, trustworthy, & give respect if given respect.

They bring joy, beauty, grace, & passion to anyone whom they trust & love.

They are truly a free & wild spirit. Their beauty is unsurpassable. Enjoy!

Beautiful tree of life agates from Heart J Creations.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T09:38:00.000+03:00

Beautiful copper jewelry

2011-09-23T09:27:00.000+03:00

The Owl and the Pussycat Earrings

Adorable earrings from Moonfly Silver.

Gothic Steampunk Evil Eye Pendant

Evil eye pendant from Twisted Sister Arts.

Pentacle Pentagram Necklace.

Necklace from Gypsy Moon Art Studio.

Copper And Turquoise Lotus Necklace Pendant

Necklace and earrings from Mocahete.

Copper And Sterling Silver Hoops

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T14:25:00.000+03:00

Happy Weekend!

2011-09-17T10:53:00.001+03:00

Just a short note to wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-14T11:10:00.000+03:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T10:52:00.000+03:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T13:19:00.000+03:00

Colorful art prints

2011-08-30T08:35:00.000+03:00

A Shared Moment - Black and Tortie Cats

The Glance - Snowshoe Siamese Cat and Crow

Siamese Cats in Pink Blossoms Print

Harvest Moon Pandas Autumn Bamboo Art Print

Orange Tabby Cat Zen Blue Moon Landscape

Fine Art Print

Brothers Under a Blue Moon -

Gray Tabby Cats Fine Art Print

Silent Connection - Print - Cat Crow Moon

Panda Blue Moon Zen Surreal Art Print

Winter Peace Tree Cardinals Fine Art Print

More amazing prints by Laura Milnor Iverson can be found at laurali.

Visiting Kotka

2011-08-28T22:03:00.000+03:00

Summer is almost over.

School started a couple a weeks ago.

So far it seems I'm the only one getting

homework: covering all the books and

notebooks with plastic.

These pics are from Sapokka Park in Kotka.

We visited hubby's grandmother

in the beginning of July. She lives close

to the park. I'm so glad we had the

opportunity to walk around and enjoy

the sunshine and the flowers!

The Magic of Lapland

2011-08-25T19:43:00.000+03:00

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to go to

Ateneum , the Finnish National Gallery, to see

the Magic of Lapland exhibition.

It shows Lapland in art

from the 1800s until today

through almost 150 works of art

by 46 artists.

Two artists inspired me more than the others:

Reidar Särestöniemi 1925-1981

was born and spent most of his life in Kittilä.

He studied art in Helsinki and Paris,

traveled widely and depicted Lapland at different times of the year.

He supported nature conservation and the following

borrowed quote was carved on his gravestone:

What befalls the land befalls the land's children.

The rivers are our brothers.

Animals, trees and people all breathe the same air.

If all the beasts were gone,

man would die from a great loneliness of the spirit.

For whatever happens to the beasts,

soon happens to man; all things are connected.

Andreas Alariesto 1900-1989

was a self-taught artist who wanted to

teach the younger generations about

past times in Lapland through paintings,

photographs, stories, poems, sculptures

and miniature models.

The following tale goes with the painting above:

This shows how the Lapplander sets off in autumn to bring in the

first reindeer for slaughter. He searches for a long time in the forest

but it sometimes happens that the animal he thinks is best

suited is standing on top of some rock or on the edge of

a ravine, as in this picture. Then the Lapp thinks to himself

'That would be just the thing, but if it's not used to people

it might take fright and fall into the ravine'. But he throws

his lasso even so, trusting to his own skill, and – just like here –

the reindeer doesn't fall into the ravine, though it is a dangerous looking

place. He manages to grab it firmly before it can fall.

This picture illustrates that situation.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T13:35:00.000+03:00

Visiting Hvitträsk

2011-08-21T11:18:00.000+03:00

Yesterday we visited Hvitträsk in Kirkkonummi.

Hvitträsk was built between 1901–1903 by architects

Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen.

The main building, designed in National Romantic style,

built of logs and natural stone, was both a common studio

and a home for Eliel Saarinen and Armas Lindgren

for some years after it was completed.

During that time, Gesellius lived in the

courtyard building and later moved

into the north-wing of the main building after

Lindgren relocated in Helsinki.

This is where the plans were drawn up for

the Helsinki Railway Station and

the National Museum of Finland.

Hvitträsk is also the boyhood home for world famous

architect Eero Saarinen, who made his reputation

primarily in the United States designing buildings

and monuments such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Saarinen home is a museum today,

and within the courtyard building are a restaurant and a café.

The North Wing has been renovated for

seminar and conference use.

Today Hvitträsk is owned by the Finnish State and

the National Board of Antiquities.

Hvitträsk and its lovely English style garden

are surrounded by beautiful nature.

More pics from Hvitträsk here.

Lake Vitträsk.

We had an excellent dinner at Restaurant Hvitträsk to

celebrate Ronja's 12th birthday (yesterday) and

our 13th anniversary (tomorrow).

This is a necklace I made from an old necklace.

A few years ago I bought a necklace made of African acacia beads.

It was strung on plastic cord and had small wooden

beads at the back and in between the bigger beads.

I restrung it on beading wire and replaced the small

beads at the back with brass chain.

The lampwork beads are from Julsbeads.

I like it a lot!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T11:12:00.000+03:00

Silver jewelry

2011-08-15T14:06:00.000+03:00

Growth - sterling silver and brass earrings

Vintage Lace - sterling silver earrings

Both earring pairs from Gemheaven.

Patterns Handcrafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Seahorse pendant in sterling silver

Both earrings and seahorse pendant are

from Silver Lines Jewelry.

Two Hearts Necklace with Garnet

Gorgeous heart pendant from Sabine A Jewelry.