Kikoi banana tree products - ihanuudet banaanipuun lehdistä

Kikoi banana tree oval bread basket

Well, it's been some time I've been here the last time :)! When the flu catches me every 15 years or so, it REALLY does. Not more about that subject.

Most of you know (perhaps) by now my love for natural fibers and materials. They just intrigue me for some reason.  The THING for me this season? The fallen banana tree leaves. You see them there on the ground, big and chunky and then you bump into these bread baskets and laundry baskets on the side of the road, and you get a big smile on your face - HE saw them too and had an idea! Wow!!

Don't you just love these new products made by Robert? One of our best sellers this past season, and we keep on going, now with a few new alternatives, as well.

Kikoi square banana tree bread basket

I simple adore the square and the oval bread baskets for your morning rolls. And for the kitchen spoons and this and that (made of wild olive tree, of course!) the perfect one is the small high basket.

Banana tree products - plenty to choose from :)

Kikoi banana tree oval basket, S - coming soon!

We are also looking forward to receiving a wonderful, wonderful Rose selection for the spring/summer 2014. Made on combined sisal and banana tree, it is stunning, and it lasts and…what can I say. I'll be sure to make THAT post when we get the items from our stock in Nairobi to here.

And - meet Robert :)

The smily, wonderful artisan we can always trust with the quality and the deliveries. We <3!

***

Hui, onpas aikaa taas kulunut! Kun flunssa iskee 15 vuoden välein tai jotain semmoista, se näköjään todella ISKEE. Yöks. Ei enempää tästä masentavasta puheenaiheesta.

KOHTA ON KEVÄT!!!! Vaikka just tuli talvi, mikä sekin on ihqua, pääsee möksälle tekemään ei-mitään.

Mutta mutta - näitte tuossa yllä vähän kuvia uusista banaanipuutuotteistamme. Mitäs tykkäätte? Olen tällainen materiaalifriikki, ja nyt tämä banaani todella puhuttelee. Näin mm. USAssa Crate&Barrelilla banaanipuusta tehtyjä tuotteita tuossa jokin aika sitten, ja oli nekin kyllä tosi tosi kauniita.

Niihin pudonneihin, isoihin lehtiin kun törmää tuolla (ei täällä ;)), ja sitten kun näkee tienvarrella upeita leipäkoreja ja pyykkikoreja ym.ym., tulee kyllä iso hymy kasvoille - HÄN näki kanssa nuo banaaninlehdet vähän eri tavalla! Vautsi! Eikö olekin aika ihania nämä Robertin tuotteet? Nämä on niin jykeviä ja ihania, ettei ole toisia samanlaisia oikeasti. Me rakennetaan näistä niin upea koti kesäjulkaisuun, että olen nyt jo ihan pomppeissani koko projektista!

Kikoilta on myös tulossa kokonaan uusi Rose-sarja, jossa yhdistellään lunnonväreillä värjättyä sisalia ja banaaninlehtiä - todellista luksusta, sekä laadultaan että ulkonäöltään.  Siitä sitten enemmän, kun saamme tuotteet tänne pohjolaan tuolta Nairobin varastolta :).

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Pastel Christmas - Avotakan joulukuun numero

Pastel Christmas

I gathered in the above collage some of the items Avotakka had included from Weranna's for their Christmas photoshoot at our showroom: we could've had it all pastel, but I was afraid of the red….it always comes to me just before Christmas, and well…would be hard to be completely without it.

But in any case - Pastel Christmas is beautiful. Just beautiful. The items in the collage are Peter Priess hand-made glass balls, En Gry og Sif snowflake set of 5, Petra Lunds Lera Flower plate, Himla white linen napkins, Oninterior Tindra napkin rings, Petra Lunds Lera candle plate and Cottonhut lavender linen napkins.

Avotakka joulukuu numero

Well, they REALLY made it pretty. I wasn't here, when the photoshoot for Avotakka's Christmas number was done, just showed up a little later and could see that these ladies had accomplished something very very pretty :).

Joulukuun Avotakka

Joulukuun Avotakka

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The perfect Christmas stocking - Täydellinen joulusukka

Cottonhut Christmas stocking - Cottonhut joulusukka

Well, can a Christmas stocking get any prettier than this…Cottonhut Christmas stocking is hand-knitted in Nepal with a felt pom-pom detail in front.

If I got this under a Christmas tree filled with something tiny…I guess I would fall in love all over again.

Cottonhut Christmas stocking - Cottonhut joulusukka

Cottonhut Christmas stocking - Cottonhut joulusukka

Here you see another use for my DIY cone garland I wrote about before…feeling very very Christmassy today. Listening to Three Tenors and having my morning coffee, actually surrounded by Petra Lunds Lera products (no kidding, her coffee mug, her candle holder and Ingrid plate under the mandarins on the table) while the kids are watching Disney Christmas cartoons. Peace on earth before we start making the Christmas cards with the kids ;).

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Joulusukka ei ehkä voi olla tämän kauniimpi…Cottonhutin joulusukka on käsinneulottu Nepalissa. Ihanat huopapompulat koristavat sen vartta. Aivan mieletön.

Jospa tällaisen saisi joulukuusen alla, ja sisällä olisi jotain ihan pientä…voisipa olla, että sitä rakastuisi ihan uudelleen.

Tässä näette tuon meidän käpygarlandin (mikä ihme tuo on muuten suomeksi?) takan koristeena nyt jouluksi…tänä aamuna on jostain syystä tosi joulunen olo. Kuuntelen kolmea tenoria, aikamme mestareita ja juon aamukahvia…ja tajusin juuri, että olen ympäröinyt itseni Petra Lunds Lera -tuotteilla. Juon kahvia hänen mukistaan, kynttilät pöydällä nököttävät hänen upeassa kynttilänjalassaan (sain siitä juuri eilen positiivista palautetta mieheltäni. Onpas nuo Petran tuotteet kyllä hienoja, tajuaakohan ihmiset, miten hienoja ne oikeastaan onkaan :)! Sanoin, että yritän ottaa kovasti kuvia, mutta ehkä juuri niitä tuotteita, joita pitää käyttää ennenkuin ymmärtää, miten upeita ne ovat.) ja mandariinit ovat pöydällä Ingrid vadilla.

Rauha maanpäällä. Lapset lukevat ja Disneyn joulu-DVD pyörii. Ihana status quo kunnes alamme tämän vuoden joulukorttiprojektin ;). Eilen saatiin jo esimakua….'äiti, miksi sä olet ostanut harmaita kortteja?? Miltä susta olisi tuntunut pikkutyttönä, jos sun äiti olisi ostanut harmaita joulukortteja???' Niin.

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Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus II

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Today we are at a handicraft fair, and as usual, I thought I would have more time in the morning than I actually did (waking up at 02:30 am to fix stuff wasn't a very good idea after all).

Wanted to post these black and white Christmas table setting photos anyway - didn't it turn out nice?

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

Black and white Christmas table - Mustavalkoinen joulukattaus

You find all the items - the Himla linen napkins, Cottonhut white table cloth, the Kikoi Raffia place mats, the Petra Lunds Lera Inga plate, the Kikoi candle plate, the Kikoi bread basket (available in beautiful silver grey and black) and the Kikoi salad servers (with bone detail or plain) In Weranna's Kitchen Section HERE (Click for more ;).

Have a beautiful one!

***

Tänään ja viikonloppuna olemme mukana Kädentaito -messuilla Helsingin messukeskuksessa, ja kuten yleensä, kuvittelin, että olisin tämän ehtinyt kirjoitella aamuyöllä ennen tänne lähtöä. No en ehtinyt ;). Täällä on niin hyvä fiilis - kukko kiekuu, lehmä ammuu, koirat haukkuu - ihana idea järjestää koko perheelle messut samaan aikaan.

Halusin kuitenkin nämä kuvat mustavalkoisesta joulukattauksesta laittaa tänne  - eikö tullutkin aika kivan näköistä?

Kaikki tuotteet löytyvät Weranna'sin Keittiöpuolelta TÄÄLTÄ (ja paljon muuta kanssa ;))

Kaunista päivää sinulle!

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Cottonhut felt pot holders - cutest of all - Söpöläiset Cottonhutin huopaiset pannunaluset

Cottonhut felt potholders - Cottonhut huopaiset pannunaluset

This week has been all administration - sometimes I feel it is a complete waste of time, but I know it needs to be done. Still today bookkeeping, probably for HOURS, but then I should be done for a couple of weeks.

Cottonhut felt potholders - Cottonhut huopaiset pannunaluset

Cottonhut felt potholders - Cottonhut huopaiset pannunaluset

Cottonhut felt potholders - Cottonhut huopaiset pannunaluset

I am a bit worried about the situation in Nepal - there should be an order on the way as I already sold out some of the Xmas items in the shop, but I haven't heard anything from there. Hopefully they are all okay <3.

These felt potholders I do have - not many, so if you want to have yours for a present, or to your own table, be fast :)! I've been using my charcoal one's now for 1,5 years (we can call that a proper test, can't we?) and they are intact. I love them. Love Love Love.

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Tämä viikko on ollut pelkkää hallinnointia, ja silti kaupassa on vähän kaaos ja sieltä puuttuu varastolle saapuneita tuotteita. Yritetään painaa pitkää päivää….joskus tuntuu, että ei noilla paperihommilla ole kauheesti merkitystä, mutta kyllä ne on pakko hoitaa. Tänäänkin menee varmaan TUNTEJA, että saan kirjanpitomatskut lähtemään taas kirjanpitäjälle. Plääh.

Tilanne Nepalissa vähän huolestuttaa - en ole kuullut sieltä mitään, ja yksi tilaus pitäisi lähteä sieltä tänään suomeenpäin. Toivotaan, että siellä on kaikki hyvin <3!

Näitä huopaisia pannunalusia kyllä on joitakin - ei monia, joten jos haluat lahjaksi, tai ihan vaan omaan pöytään, olethan nopea :)! Omiani olen käyttänyt nyt 1,5 vuotta (sitä voi jo sanoa tuotetestaukseksi, eikö?) ja ne ovat moitteettomassa kunnossa. Ihanat ihanat ihanat.

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Christmas balcony make-over in 15 minutes - Jouluparveke 15 minuutissa

Christmas balcony make-over - BEFORE

Look familiar? To me at least it does. Our terrace looks so sad currently, that I don't even want to look outside. In the spring time you decorate with all possible enthusiasm with flowers and herbs and textiles, and now they are all dead or inside safe and sound from the rain and humidity.

Christmas balcony make-over - Start with the floor

In this little project we dressed up a small balcony for the coming season and took some photos for our XMAS PRESENT TIPS CATALOGUE. Put even some new tiles on the floor (learned from Paulina Arcklin - you can always carry a nice floor with you ;) ). Some Kenana blankets, Cottonhut knitted cushion, Himla Sunshine cushion, Balmuir lantern and some wood for the fireplace make all the difference.

If you want to do a quick balcony make-over, make sure the floor is what you like. Something I've learned - if the large surfaces are good for your eyes, the other details will sort of take care of themselves. A carpet, or even new tiles - just remember a layer of plastic or cardboard under it so the tiles don't crack and make noises when you walk on them.

Christmas balcony make-over - AFTER

Christmas balcony make-over - AFTER

Christmas balcony make-over - AFTER

Need a heater? There are nice ones in the market  - of course the price range is somewhere 300-500 eur, but if that brings you many square meters more indoors when needed, why not? Some of my favorites can be found here: http://www.flamex.fi. 

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Näyttääkö tutulta tuo eka kuva? Minulle ainakin. Terassi näyttää niin surulliselta tuolla ulkona, ettei sinne tee pahemmin mieli kurkistella. Keväällä innokkaasti somistetaan kukilla ja yrteillä ja tekstiileillä, ja kun sateet syksyllä alkavat, on kukat ja yrtit mustuneita ja tekstiilit siirretty sisään kosteudelta ja sateelta. Ja lopputulos on varmasti aika monen luona tämä.

Tässä pikkuprojektissa puimme parvekkeen jouluun joulukuvia varten JOULULAHJAIDEOITA - kuvastoa varten. Se tärkein, mitä tässä kuvauksia tehdessä on oppinut, ja mikä kyllä kantaa kaikkeen sisustukseen: Isot pinnat on tärkeimmät. Oikeasti. Kannattaa miettiä pitkään ja hartaasti, minkälaisia pysyviä ratkaisuja tekee. Lattiat, seinät, katot ja keittiön kaapit. 

Tässä laitettiin vähän laattaa lattiaan, tekstiilejä, kynttilälyhty ja sisätiloissa olevan takan puut nätistä pinoon penkin alle. Jos haluatte laittaa laattaa lattiaan, se on kyllä maailman yksinkertaisin asia - kunhan laittaa alle solumuovin tms., että laatat ei halkeile ja kolise, kun niiden päällä kävelee. Muuten ei tarvitse tehdä kyllä muuta kuin asetella ne laatat siihen lattiaan. Toimii!

Lämmityksellekin on todella tarvetta, ja kivoja terassilämmittimiä alkaa olemaan Suomestakin saatavilla. Onhan ne hintavia, mutta ajattelen, että kun saan tuon meidän aurinkoterassin talvikäyttöön, niin siinähän on monia neliöitä lisää sisätiloihin tarvittaessa. Oma lämmittimeni löytyy täältä: http://www.flamex.fi/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=58

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Kikoi Iroko oval bowl - just beautiful

Kikoi Iroko oval bowl

Today is pure administration, but thought to post some pretty images for you first ;)

This Kikoi oval bowl made of Iroko tree is so pretty. It was sitting there on the table, and instead of reading the newspaper on Sunday morning, had to take some photos.

I love oval bowls - they are pretty and handy on a table.  Especially this oval bowl - just perfect. Hand-carved from wood, it is hard with soft forms. And it is large, just the way I LOVE it.

A true luxury product.

Kikoi Iroko oval bowl and Cottonhut linen napkin

Kikoi Iroko oval bowl and Cottonhut linen napkin

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Kenana Knitters - changing lives stitch by stitch

Kenana Knitters

Ms. Patricia Nightingale, a beautiful, kind and talented lady - the founder of Kenana Knitters which is a grassroots business that was founded by local Kenyan, Patricia Nightingale, who wanted to assist a group of individuals, as they were lacking a market for their homespun yarn. 

With clever consideration, she helped transform their yarn into unique creations with her distinctive designs, including plush toys, home décor, clothing and accessories. With a vision to further impact the community, the group taught women in the area to knit beautiful, organic products using local, sustainable resources. By providing a safe, family-friendly working environment, Kenana Knitters empowers women, offering them a chance to work and take charge of their lives, with dignity.

Patricia Nightingale - founder of Kenana Knitters

The women are allowed to work from home, or they gather at the Kenana Knitters workshop and do the needed spinning, knitting or weaving there. They may even bring their children with them.

Kenana Knitters - perfect snacks on their way

Kenana Knitters - the workshop

Kenana Knitters - spinning wheel

Kenana also supports women and girls, who might be disabled, for finding less demanding tasks for them to do.

Kenana Knitters - home spun and dyed natural wool

We visited Kenana farm last week, arrived a bit late Friday afternoon due to some problems with the traffic in Nairobi (this doesn't tell anything about it really ;)), and didn't have a chance to see the women at work. But we saw the garden (the board meeting room, that is), we saw the container (the office, that is) and we saw the warehouse (some more containers, that is). We talked for hours with Patricia, learning about the project, and their way of life in rural Kenya. We stayed in one of their beautiful, unique guesthouses (you can learn more about the guest houses at www.kembu.com) built and designed by Andrew, Patricia's son. Had a wonderful dinner prepared by Isaac (we even asked for the Ginger-Carrot soup recipe, will be in the blog during the weekend). The nights are cool, as the farm is around 2000 m above the sea level, and they are also DARK. No difference whether you have your eyes closed or shut ;).

Everything is so wonderfully, peacefully down to earth, and yet they have everything they need.  This project is 100% what I believe in - women helping themselves with their own hands, learning a new skill, becoming good at it and supporting their family locally, with locally purchased materials. And passing the talent forward to others around them. And this project, in turn, is already able to support the local orphanage.

If you wish to purchase any Kenana products to show your support, please visit our shop at www.werannas.com. Please contact us at info(@)werannas.com, if you wish to become a reseller for the products.

Kenana Knitters - home spun spider monkeys

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Kikoi trading - we take care of the faces behind the products

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

First of all: I want to thank Maijakaisa, the owner of Kikoi Trading, from the bottom of my heart, for joining me on my first trip to Kenya. First to Africa actually. I saw HER Kenya, and I’ve fallen in love already.

We spent hours on Thursday in Triangle market, a small handicraft market in Nairobi, where the artisans sell their work. Some of them were making the products right there, some of them make them during the evenings, some of them gather a group of women and make them together (I even met the Picasso of Africa ;), or at least he introduced himself as such. And I mean - who wouldn’t support Picasso by buying some of his work, if he comes to you in a market in Nairobi??).

This place is where some of Kikoi’s products are originally from, and I truly can sign Kikoi’s statement – we take care of the faces (and hands, one could add) behind our products. Wonderful, just beautiful women. Funny, smily….and when I ask to take a photo, they get all serious J!! When the others see Maija making orders in number of stalls she has made business with also before, they wait patiently, and then call ‘Sista, please come inside and take a look at my products, as well!’

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

We passed by Westgate shopping mall a couple of times, where the terrible things took place just couple of weeks back. The roads were blocked and there is the army and the police everywhere in the city center, their machine guns visible. You wouldn't want to mess with these people.

On our way back to Maija’s friend’s house, where we were staying before hitting the road for Kenana Knitter Critters in Njoro, we stopped to buy some flowers and to meet Robert, the talented man behind Kikoi’s banana tree products. We ordered some of new products, let’s see what he comes up with J.

After having a quick dinner we were back at the house – and met the most hilarious people on earth – the owners of Simbaexperience.fi, a Finnish travel agency organizing tailored trips to Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. I don’t remember laughing out loud like that for a long, long time! And and and – we were offered some dinner company AND a Night Safari in the Nairobi national park on Saturday evening before my flight back home (more about this later).  What all you can fit into 3 days when you happen to be in right places at right times…Below what I thought would be my Safari experience ;).

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya

Triangle market, Nairobi, Kenya - I was told by the seller this is Kenyan technology ;)

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Apple rings and Antti Karppinen, 2013 IPA winning photographer

Just to clarify - THESE PHOTOS ARE NOT TAKEN BY ANTTI KARPPINEN :)! Some of Antti's work you can see HERE (there's a slight difference ;)).

Apple rings - Omenachipsit

After receiving only a 2 hr Skype training from Antti Karppinen, 2013 International Portrait Award winning photographer, last Thursday, I think I've accomplished best shots I've ever taken. And I want to thank Antti. Seriously, humbly thank him. Take it from me - he really knows his thing! We were planning to organize a workshop in one of the major cities in Europe during the fall, but that just didn't work out. And everyone being so busy, this was now the best alternative we had at hand before my trip to Kenya on Wednesday (Yes, I am going to see where the Kenana owls are actually being made :)))) !!) 

Apple rings - omenachipsit

Kikoi banana tree plate

Antti knows I am a visual person, and being that, sometimes forms, textures and colors just jump at you. The exceptions from the rule, they somehow glow. Afterwards you look at the photo taken with your phone or  Ixus, and feel disappointed. With me - almost never I capture the object the way I see it.  I know the camera doesn't take the photos, but perhaps it will help at least a little to have a better one to carry around.

And- you know the feeling when you have a new camera in your hand? Okay, here is the on/off and here I shoot...Antti agreed he will show me 5 things to do with the camera. I can say I have a clue of perhaps 1 so far, after 600 kind of serious shots taken during the past 3 days, but it is a start. I am not allowed to use zoom, which was bit of a challenge when there was 4 walls, a huge pile of wood and all kinds of equipment around, but I thought at least this time the best shots are of the intended objects :).

Antti - one more time, thank you! We continue...

Apple rings - Omenachipsit

And oh - about the apple rings! These are just plain. I took out the core, and cut the apples into 1-2 mm thick slices, and had them in 75 C oven for 8 hours. The scent in the house is delicious, but at least my apples sweat, so wipe the oven from inside every hour or so. If the moist is dripping on top of the apples again, the drying is kinda pointless ;).

Oat - Kauralyhde

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