Helsinki Day 2017: Painting Empty Bowls for Unicef

Empty Bowls Helsinki event is an annual HDW event that takes place at the atmospheric Crypt of the Helsinki Dome. The 2017 Empty Bowls Helsinki takes place on Saturday, September 16. Welcome: 

11 & 12 of June at  Helsinki Day celebrations we painted with new Helsinki residents 100 bowls blue and white (they are made from local Kultela clay) to celebrate 100-year-old independent Finland. 

The bowls will be donated for Empty Bowls Helsinki and also used in Helsinki Design weeks gala.

Here are some wonderful photos that Nelli Kivinen took of ready bowls for Unicef Helsinki. Thank you, Nelli. 

Here are some Facebook photos from the actual painting of the bowls at Udumbara in Helsinki Day 2017:

THE IITTALA & ARABIA DESIGN CENTRE , Master Class Workshop

Photo by wonderful Nelli Kivistö. 

The newest addition to Helsinki’s dynamic art and design scene – where you can take a deep dive into two of Finland’s best-known design and lifestyle brands, Iittala and Arabia.

More than a window into the history, present, and future of these legendary brands, the center invites guests to interact with working artists and explore their own creativity through exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, design talks, and events.

I am happy to announce, that among others I  too will give Master Class workshop there, the first ones will be in October and December:

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOP: EVA SPOOF

How to use Udumbara wildclay tea bowls.

UDUMBARA’s pieces are made from wild clay from the small village of Kultela in Somero, southwestern Finland. So, when you get UDUMBARA, you don't just get handmade pottery, you get a piece of Finland too. 

This natural material gives the products a wonderfully rich earthy character and thanks to the porous nature and rich iron and other mineral content of the clay, tea brewed in a wild clay bowl develops a richer flavor.

Udumbara wild clay bowls are made for use. You have to play with them and caress and rub them with your hands often. Wild clay, gains its shine from your touching and rubbing. A well "loved" wild clay bowl has a better glow than a less "loved" bowl.  

Photo courtesy of Nina Skogster

The light milky color, glazes will eventually develop fine crackles. As time passes, with use tea seeps in the crackles gives a patina that is prized and brings pleasure to tea connoisseurs. 

Never use soap or detergent on Udumbara wild clay bowls. Use it only for tea, it will absorb tea, as well as non-tea stuff.  Don't put your bowl near any funny smell, especially when they are wet. Use it only for tea.

After use, extract all tea leaves from your Udumbara bowl. Rinse it with hot water to wash away all tea inside. Wipe it with soft fabric to get rid of all water. Then leave the bowl in an airy place to dry.

UDUMBARAs symbols

Eva Spoof/UDUMBARA mark 

UDUMBARA pottery started in 1994, but ever since I can remember I have marked all my artworks with "zorro" the Sarvela family cross.
This original was signature of my ancestor Hermanni Sarvela (1806 - 1880) but assumedly much older and it has been used as my fathers family's symbol In 2001 graphic artist Eva Louhio (who also made UDUMBARA's logo's) made a mark of mine, this red version of  "zorro".

UDUMBARA´s  Rooster (photo by Nina Skogster). "the Sarvela rooster" 

It is very old and has been watching over the pottery for years. The rooster is from the same farm (Sariola) as my "zorro" mark, from the Sarvijoki village in Jurva South-Ostrobothnia of Finland. 

Rooster as a spirit animal: 

If Rooster is your Animal, you are comfortable and in touch with your fiery side, especially in terms of passion/sexuality. 

As the herald of dawn, Rooster also gives you hope and mental keenness. Those who carry Rooster medicine inside rarely find themselves depressed or lacking energy. Rooster fills your aura with enthusiasm and a renewed sense of wittiness.

Rooster spirit draws good luck, prosperity and overall health to both you and your situation or projects. 

Finally, Rooster as a Totem Animal helps you to be a potent protector who is adept at keeping negative energies and evil away with your the solar light which burns brightly in your aura.

As Rooster arches his neck up to the heavens and lets loose his sacred song, our attention is called to the fact that we are alive to witness the power emanating from such a small and relatively fragile creature. If such a tiny soul believes he is entitled to touch the stars, so can you! 

In meditations, the Rooster teaches you self-protection and vigilance. This Spirit Animal also mingles with your auric field to cleanse negativity.

From:

https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/birds/rooster-symbolism-meaning/

Thank you!