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My books, which are written in finnish, aren´t translated - yet.
Some examples in english:

Tarja Heikkilä
LINTUJA KOIVURISUISTA
(Birch Twig Birds)
ISBN 978-952-68974-0-0

246 mm x 175 mm
Pages 224, Hardcover
Publisher: Kuva ja Mieli Oy, 2018 >>

Birch Twig Birds is a joyful and aesthetic journey into the world of twig birds. The modest birch twig is a wonderfully versatile material, molding remarkably well into the various forms of birds.

The detailed and clearly illustrated instructions in this book guide the beginner to a safe start. For the more experienced, the book offers a wealth of inspiration and encourages the reader to experiment with new shapes and forms.

For Tarja Heikkilä, birch twigs are not only raw material, but a source of inspiration and a way to connect personally with nature. This connection has also inspired her earlier work, Twigs and Wire (2009) and Beauty with Birch Twigs (2014).

COVER >>

Birch Twig Birds is a joyful and aesthetic journey into the world of twig birds. The modest birch twig is a wonderfully versatile material, molding remarkably well into the various forms of birds... Read more >>>

THOUGHTS >>

I must confess that making a birch twig bird still doesn’t feel easy. When I start a new project, I often find myself working with an unformed mass of twigs and have difficulty picturing the end result. But that is how it’s meant to be. Making a twig bird is giving yourself up to the process, giving in to the uncertainty and cooperating with the material. In the end, often quite surprisingly, the twigs mold into the shape of a bird... Read more >>

PAGE 224 / EXPLORE WITH CONFIDENCE >>

I was already almost finished with my book when I met Reino, a broom craftsman. As I was marveling at the skill he had developed over the years, he suddenly mentioned having also made some crane-like twig birds. I got excited... Read more >>

Tarja Heikkilä
KAUNISTA KOIVURISUISTA
(Beauty with birch twigs)
ISBN 978-952-99485-7-4

246 mm x 175 mm
Pages 192
Pages 224, Hardcover
Publisher: Kuva ja Mieli Oy, 2014 >>

Humble twigs metamorphose in skilful hands into plant pot covers, wreaths, garlands, bowls, words, festive decorations…

The book is full of pictures and ideas and has easy and more challenging instructions for them. It invites you to combine techniques and even lark around. The book inspires experimentation and encourages creativity. Clear instructions help you to achieve the techniques twig by twig.

And best of all, twig work is inexpensive. Birch twigs are collected during their leafless cycle and they are ready to use straight after collection. In addition to twigs, you will need iron wire and some basic tools.

Tarja Heikkila has previously published a successful  book, ‘Twigs and iron wire’, and has held many birch twig work exhibitions and tutored twig work for several years.

COVER >>

Humble twigs metamorphose in skilful hands into plant pot covers, wreaths, garlands, bowls, words, festive decorations… The book is full of pictures and ideas... Read more >>

BIRCH TWIGS AND ME >>

I have always expressed myself through my handicrafts...
I qualified as a weaver and a craft tutor and then I carried on my studies for traditional arts and crafts and graphic design. When I lived in suburbia, I worked as a craft tutor, until I moved back to the country, to live in the middle of a forest. For many years, I stayed at home with my young children, dressmaking and creating the garden... Read more >>

Feedback:

Anna Airaksinen / The Old Blacksmith's Shop, UK >>

After teaching Design and Technology in England at secondary schools for 12 years,  I felt it was time for a change.

But I needed something else to do. I am a dedicated crafter.  I believe that making products with my hands has many positive effects on my life. I am not happy unless I have a fire in my belly about something I’m going to make. I love having my hands active, I adore different traditional and new materials and equipment and I get a huge sense of satisfaction from the products I make. The difficulties in making process keep my mind thinking and searching.

My thinking and searching lead me to Tarja.

When I saw Tarja’s book ‘Twigs and iron wire’ on the internet, I knew I had found focus for what I was going to do next. I was amazed by the quality, versatility and beauty of Tarja’s book. Birch twigs felt the right thing to explore and I had found a very qualified tutor. I wanted to be a tutor myself and bring in other people to convince them of the birch twig craft. As you can already tell, I wanted to run before I learned to walk.

I live in East Yorkshire and even though we have an abundance of birch trees it is not considered polite behaviour to go and snip branches of any birch tree one passes by. I needed a supplier.  I found two reliable, kind souls who have been my saviours for the supply of workshop twigs ever since.

I started running workshops based on Tarja’s book in December 2012. I had asked her permission as I felt very cheeky for using her ideas so blatantly. Her generous permission was received with relief.

Every time when I take a workshop I think of Tarja with huge gratitude. Not just because she has offered me a lovely craft but because I can share it with so many other enthusiastic people.

I went to Illola, near Porvoo to Tarja’s house to learn from the master during the summer 2014. I was able to see all her work in the house and garden. All of Tarja’s work emits careful consideration for the material, environment and aesthetics. I found her instruction encouraging and skilful. Tarja’s work fits in the nature and contemporary surroundings equally well. I loved seeing the attention Tarja pays to detail without losing the bigger picture.

Working with Tarja and birch twigs has enriched my life.
Thank you, Tarja.

some twig craft instructions on videos (only in finnish) >>

More pictures in instagram

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