On my summer vacation, while visiting my grandmother’s house in the Tornio Valley, I was looking for something when I stumbled upon boxes my mother had filled with old handicrafts found in the old house. Inside were woven rugs and cloths, as well as beautifully crocheted lace pieces. Some of them were very old, showcasing the creativity, diligence, and unique craftsmanship of women from different generations of my family.

I’ve always enjoyed crocheting and knitting, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve made gifts for my family, friends, and their children. I suddenly felt a strong urge to create something—but during the summer, knitting or working on larger crochet projects didn’t appeal to me. I started thinking about something I had seen on social media that might be doable even as a mother of small children. Earrings! I’m definitely an earring person—and so are many of my friends. So, that’s what I started with.

I began making earrings for myself and as gifts for others. I got really into it and found joy in the entire process of making jewelry, so I expanded my product range. I wanted to capture the beauty of summer nature, so I began collecting and drying plants. This gradually developed into the "Pohjoisen kasvit" -collection, in which dried flowers and plants are preserved under glass, bringing the beauty of summer and autumn into the heart of the cold winter season.

When I told my brother Markus about what I was doing, he got excited and encouraged me to take things further. With his strong support and professional skills, I launched an online shop to share my jewelry with others. I hope you get as much joy from them as I’ve had in making them.

During the autumn and winter, while crafting jewelry, I combined—somewhat accidentally—my originally crocheted AinoAlina -piece with a botanical earring. It looked so beautiful that I immediately got inspired to make more. This is how the newest collection, "Yhdessä – Virkatut ja Pohjoisen kasvit", was born—a name that means togetherness and beautifully unites the entire story and spirit of Signefia.

The name Signefia is a tribute to the women in my family who have worked with their hands, and it’s a combination of my grandmother’s name, Signe Sofia. The jewelry pieces are also named after my grandmothers, Aino Alina and Rauha Helena, and after my great- and great-great-aunts and grandmothers.

The natural surroundings of Muonio and Fell Lapland, along with the eight distinct seasons, constantly offer new ideas for my designs. Late autumn jewelry reflected the contrast between the darkness of fall and the brightness of snowy winter, while the colors of the Christmas kaamos inspired entirely new shapes and styles. Now, as the ice melts and nature begins to awaken in preparation for summer, the colors of my jewelry have become lighter—clearly shifting toward the greens and bright floral shades of summer.

Each season brings something new and inspired by that particular moment.

Sustainability and durability are important values for me, so I source my materials as locally as possible. Many of the materials I use are recycled in some way. Some of the threads come from lace yarns left behind by my great- and great-great-grandmothers. All metal parts are hypoallergenic, stainless surgical steel, sourced from Finnish suppliers.

Every piece of jewelry is handmade by me and completely unique in its final form. I’ve crafted them with care to last through time and use.