2_1_ScanMag_79_August_2015_Text.qxp_Scan Magazine 1 06/08/2015 16:01 Page 50
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Reawaken your childlike wonder Gepetto was born when architect and artist Anu Pellinen and her husband, carpenter Jari Hämäläinen, combined their individual efforts into one family business. Since 2001, they have together produced a range of thoughtful gift items and craft supplies designed to delight and awaken creativity. By Uniqua Hardy | Photos: Gepetto
Do you remember the warmth and dreaminess held in the timeless illustrations and encouraging words of your favourite childhood books? That’s the sense of comfort you’ll find in Gepetto's bookmarks, pillowcases and postcards. Anu Pellinen finds inspiration in the wonders of everyday life and explains the design process as stemming from lessons learned as a child. "Freedom and drive come from a thought that things must be approached from many angles, it’s okay to get physical and sometimes it’s good to climb into a tree to dream; structure from the self-set aims of staying true to Finnish nationality and using authentic materials; and strength from thinking of Gepetto as
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a small healer of the world,” she says. The company’s philosophy shines best through the little daily reminders and feelgood messages printed onto their products. One of the illustrations on pillowcases and postcards features a humble cow who reveals her family secret, "we are quite satisfied, we don’t do more than our best, and sometimes less is enough”. Another is a cat who realises that age is just a number and happily climbs on to a branch to sit and look at life. Adding to the bundle of joy, the couple makes dollhouses and dollhouse furniture out of birch plywood in their workshop in Kangasala, Finland. "All of the
dollhouses are sold to be self-assembled. They aren’t ready-made things, instead the main point of them is in the joy of creation,” Pellinen explains. The simplified wooden platforms provide arts and crafts enthusiasts of all age an opportunity to use their hands and build either a whole house or just a small rocking chair with creative freedom to influence the outcome. At Gepetto, Pellinen is responsible for the texts and illustrations, while Hämäläinen manages the manufacturing of the plywood products. All of the products are made in Finland, either in their own workshop or by Finnish partners, and they strive to use the most sustainable solutions, both quality-wise as well as for the environment. For more information, please visit: www.gepetto.fi