mixed media monday - watch case necklaces

So far Helsinki has welcomed me with nothing but love - I'm so glad to be here for the summer. Here I can open my windows to the park and listen to birdsong and the shell chandelier that turns into a wind chime with the lightest breeze. Here is full of light. And I am light as well.

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklaces by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

Some of you may have seen on Instagram that I was forced to abandon my fine binding project I blogged about last Thursday. My recurring wrist issues decided to show up after a blissful break of a year and a half. And because of my years of experience in semi-chronic tendonitis in both wrists I also know that pushing through it at the first signs of pain most likely leads to months of serious pain and inability to make stuff. So, no fine binding right now. Maybe I'll bind another light-on-the-wrists version of the same book later this month when my wrists have had a chance to recover a bit.

Before this whole wrist pain episode I finished this trio of collage pendant necklaces created from vintage watch cases hung on silk cords. They won't be listed in my shop as I'm closing it for the summer next week, but you can contact me directly if you're interested in purchasing one (50€ each including worldwide shipping).

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklace by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

not so silly

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklace by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

take the sea with you

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklace by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

ask for spontaneous trouble

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklace by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

Each collage is protected by a layer of mica, and each pendant comes with a long hand-dyed silk cord you can tie to the desired length. And as you see below, these pendants have signs of wear from their previous life as pocket watch cases, but in my opinion the wear only adds to the charm.

mixed media collage watch case pendant necklace by Kaija Rantakari, 2017 / www.paperiaarre.com

Lots of love to you all. I'm honored to have you follow my creative projects.