I made this set of turquoise/sand/green jewellery during my summer holiday. Easy, carefree summer jewellery that goes best with light, Indian cotton and a slight tan.

Seafoam earrings

This summer went by so quickly and at some point actually felt like a summer that never truly arrived. By the time I got back from the country, it almost felt like Autumn already, so I wasn’t sure if I would feel like introducing “Seafoam” here at all…

Seafoam necklace

Then again, why hide the summer jewellery, since at many parts of the world it’s still summer?! And next Sunday I’m leaving for one of those places as my mother and I are taking off to the island of Crete in Greece! We’re going to the region of Chania, of which I’ve heard nothing but nice things. I haven’t travelled in Greece since my early teens, so I’m really looking forward to this trip. Hooray!

Seafoam bracelet

Mika Waltari, my favourite author to whom I owe the name of this blog among so many other things, was born one hundred years ago today. My beautiful plan for today was to celebrate this joyous occasion by going to an art exhibition opened in his honour and afterwards to dine in some classic, cultural Helsinki restaurant (perhaps this one)in the company of dear friends. Given the amount of inspiration, beauty, love, laughter and tears, not to mention the huge respect I have for the Finnish language greatly caused by the man’s literature, it would have been very lovely indeed to raise a glass or two and have a delightful evening in celebration of his life’s work.

“Fine van Brooklyn” in a gorgeous, first edition paperback from 1943.

But, since I’ve been struggling with fever and all over pain since yesterday, tonight’s events have been nothing like depicted above. I’ve shed enough tears over the matter and managed to pick myself up from the sofa before the end of the day at least to publish this post. And I really hope to have that dinner rescheduled!

This vintage pendant, perhaps from the 1920’s or 30’s, was a recent gift from my boyfriend.

When people talk about Mika Waltari they almost always mention The Egyptian, his most famous novel. Out of all Waltari’s novels it’s not the most important one to me personally, but it’s undoubtably an absolutely fantastic book. My forever sweet and thoughtful boyfriend recently gave me this vintage pendant as a symbolic gesture, since the woman portrayed in it plays an important role in “The Egyptian”. I love it!

I’ve always wondered what Waltari would think about me writing this jewellery blog under the name Fine van Brooklyn. My guess is that he wouldn’t have minded terribly, since he was widely known for having a soft spot for, as he called them “the beautiful vanities” of life, like art and other lovely things. Anyway, Thank You, Mika! Wherever you are…

Many of the necklaces I made made during my holiday feature the chunky, faceted amethysts that had been haunting me since I bought just a few of them from Barcelona last year. Recently a sweet friend of mine brought me a small handful of them along with some dazzling black agates, aquamarines and exquisite, natural red cinnabar beads. What a joy it is to have friends who travel!

I don’t know what I’ve been waiting for since I’ve been a slow starter in using these treasures. However, the relaxing mood of my summer studio inspired a series of necklaces. Here are the first of them.

Ametista in turquoise

The necklaces are created in my usual style as it’s tiresome to pretend to “invent the wheel” over and over again. It gives me equal, sometimes even more joy to make several versions of the same design that has already proved to work, since making different colour and material combinations is probably my favourite part of the creative process. I’m also hopeless at making decisions, so I hardly ever imagine a piece in just one colour combo, not to mention a single colour!

Ametista in goldstone

I’ve noticed that if I try to over-analyse my creations I can’t get anything done. The same happens if I think about how other people might see my work. When I manage to shake off those distracting thoughts, I usually produce pieces that I’m personally content with.

Jewellery making has always been about freedom to me. I call it my “creative breathing-hole”. After a working day of tedious chores and having to get along with the masses, I finally sit in front of my tiny working table, even if it’s only for a few moments. And it’s quite true: the air suddenly seems fresh again.