Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Norway
Unique design for kids, handmade with love Unik Design Barn was a fairy tale that started at the kitchen table. Viola was expecting her third child and decided to get the sewing machine out to create her own clothes for the little one. Now, her girl is three years old and Viola is busier than ever selling handmade creations alongside husband Tor Kristian from their home in Mjøsa, Norway. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Unik Design Barn
The family business has become a go-to brand for anyone looking for something special for themselves or those who matter most. With a variety of design items and products for kids, you can find everything from baby and children’s clothes to matching mummy-and-me outfits, toys and accessories. New from this year is also a selection of colourful, soft fabrics with great quality for children’s wear and other sewing projects. Today, Unik Design Barn is Norway’s largest manufacturer and supplier of tied hairbands and ribbons, all handmade and available in 74 colours. “These popular hairbands have become our bestseller and
main focus. They are functional and decorative for both grown-ups and kids. We are excited to be present at the Norwegian Fashion Week in Oslo next year, showcasing our designs to the fashion industry,” says Viola. “All our products are designed and handmade with plenty of love, care, and
A cultural Christmas gift shop After retiring from her job five years ago, Christmas enthusiast Wenche Hvitstein Girlando set up Julehuset (‘the Christmas house’) in Sandefjord, Norway, where she aims to sell interesting and well-made Christmas decorations. “We sell great-quality gnomes, elves and dolls – anything from angels to demons,” explains Girlando. “We try to stock all the gnomes and elves that are currently on the market, as well as those that have gone out of production, which means that we sell both new and old decorations.” Julehuset, which has been running for five years now, is open for four months a year. For the remainder of the year, it fea-
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tures an online shop where customers can browse the Christmas range to get ready for the festive season. With ceramics from Poland and Danish gnomes, the shop draws inspiration from around the world – although most of their stock is Norwegian. Every year, there is an arts exhibition and, this year, the work of five of Sandefjord’s great artists are displayed on the walls.
joy. We take great pride in making sure that everything is of high quality. All fabrics used are organic 100 per cent cotton, certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100, meaning that they are tested for harmful substances and safe for your little ones to use,” she explains. Their unique and creative hair accessories are distributed to 25 stores around Norway and can be bought worldwide from their online store. Web: www.unikdesignbarn.no Facebook: unikdesignbarn Instagram: @unikdesignbarn
By Line Elise Svanevik
In the build-up to Christmas, the shop will also feature pop-up art with the artist dropping by, sitting down in the shop and working his or her magic. There will also be a doll maker to show how she creates dolls, in addition to flower and ornaments workshops, and gnomes and elves made out of pine needles. “People who love Christmas will find most of what they need here,” Girlando smiles. Web: www.julehuset-sandefjord.no Facebook: julehusetsandefjord