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.

Introducing handmade home décor and housewares made in Finland - pt 2

In continuation of Part 1, here is another 4 wonderful shops featuring handmade home décor and housewares.

Aika Felt Works
If you are looking for amazing felt work for your home, you should have a look at some of the wonderful items from this shop. Felt gives an amazing warm and cozy feeling to your home.

Beanie On Helena
Wonderfully simple yet up-lifitng items are on sale in this shop which is great to keep with the minimalist look while adding a bit of casual home loving fun!

Namia Design 

If you are looking for bright and vibrant lovely things for your home, Namia Design won't disappoint! Here there are also items for children.

Valona Design

Beautiful light and airy, hung decor is the speciality at this shop. Some are made with wire and crystals and some with birch wood. Excellent for festive decor.

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!.