After working intensely on some slower creative projects nowhere near finished for the past few weeks, this mixed media necklace was a rewarding piece to make. To finish something is always nice, and to finish something beautiful is obviously better.

(vintage photo, vintage watch case, vintage velvet ribbon, freshwater pearl, thread, hand dyed silk cord)

pendant 3,3x7,3cm / 1.3"x2.9"cord length 100cm / 39.4"

for sale here

And thanks once more for the nice response to the heart matchbook tutorial! There are now a couple of matchbooks available in the shop, too, if you're not feeling crafty yourself. And a little reminder to my readers not yet following me on Instagram: I'm hosting a giveaway on Instagram - just share your Valentine's Day story in the photo comments and you're in for a chance to win a heart matchbook for you and another one for your friend! You have until the end of Feb 7th (GMT+2) to enter.

Want to win one of my anatomical heart matchbooks? Another one for your friend? Anywhere in the world? Read on! In Finland Valentine's Day is a day for celebrating friendship, so I wanted to treat my growing flock of wonderful, friendly followers to a little surprise. Tell me your best, or worst, Valentine's Day story in the comments below, and you'll have a chance to win a heart matchbook for you and your friend. As long as you have a mailing address for your friend, I'll even mail their surprise directly to them! No jumping through hoops: simply tell me your story by the end of Feb 7th (GMT+2), no sharing or tagging required (but of course it always warms my ❤), but please no giveaway accounts, just you as you are. I will pick and announce the winner on Feb 8th! This giveaway isn't sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram or Facebook. (No story? Check out the tutorial I shared for these books a few posts ago, or shop in the Paperiaarre Etsy shop!)

Photo by Kaija Rantakari (@paperiaarre) published on Feb 4th 2017 at 5.35 PST

Also happening on Instagram later this week: all day Instagram office hours on Thursday! What that means is that I'm going to answer your questions about bookbinding, mixed media, or even myself, throughout the day. I'll post a reminder here on the day of, but until then, feel free to already start jotting down a list of questions you'd like me to answer when the opportunity rises. I'll also be offering two bookbinders the opportunity to get some one-on-one coaching and feedback on bookbinding, but more about that on Thursday!