Himmeli is a traditional Finnish holiday decoration. It is a mobile made from natural straw that is kept together with thread. It has been also modernized and now days Himmeli can be also made from plastic drinking straws or glass pipes and other decorations can be added to it.
I had wanted to make a himmeli for years and I even had bought a packet of straw long long time ago. This year I finally did it. It was not difficult to make the himmeli. I had assumed it would be more difficult since here those are thought highly of. This particular one took me only two evenings to make. In this site is a good picture set showing how to make the basic octahedron shape of the himmeli.
I needed to get more straw in the middle of my project, but the new straw I bought was a lot more thick than the older one. I'm a bit disappointed by the quality of the straw I got. The old one I had was beautiful and slim and the himmeli in those parts is light and airy. But the parts made with the newer straw are thick and heavy looking, nothing as nice as the slim parts. Next time I make a himmeli I need to be more aware of the quality of the straw when I buy it. Still I'm really happy I made one, I think it's beautiful.
Beautiful! I have seen these before somewhere, but i never knew what they were. Wow x
ReplyDeleteThanks, if you google himmeli there can be found amazing pictures of these. Some are really huge and made from really thin straws.
DeleteThis looks so cool! Well done Leena! I would have thought it might take longer than two evenings because it looks so intricate...
ReplyDeleteThank you Nina. I was surprised it was so quick, next year I can make a bigger and more detailed one :)
DeleteThat looks so beautiful! I would have it hanging year-round. Now have to make one for my house! I never would have known these existed had I not seen it here :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSome do have one hanging all year round, since these are quite impossible to store. Some on the other hand consider it to be tacky to have these hanging on summer, but those people just cannot see it as a beautiful object but only as a Christmas decoration. I would not mind having one outside of holiday season, but most likely I will trash this and make a more beautiful one next year.
DeleteI don't know how easy it is for you to get hold of natural straw but plastic drinking straws make a pretty himmeli too.
I've never seen these before either. It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm happy to show you guys something new, that rarely happens.
DeleteI think I would leave this up all year round. It's so sculptural and modern.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should have a give away after the holidays to ask who would like to have this himmeli :D
DeleteIt's quite difficult to ship though...
WOW! That is fabulous and looks great next to that house you built a few years back. Amazing. L would love to get a live look around your place. You do so much by hand.
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan. You can visit anytime! Just book a flight :)
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