Ask IT: Finding Finland's Design

We recently got a letter from a subscriber looking to find an item from the "Goods to Go" section of our City Life department. He writes:

In a recent National Geographic Traveler there was an item about a Finnish artist who made ceramic vases that looked like a piece of birch. Sadly I recycled the magazine but would now like to purchase that item. Any help in finding out who the artist/company was?

Absolutely! The artist is Maarit Mattanen, who specializes in creating authentic Finnish handicrafts, including the raku ceramic vase which appeared in our September issue. Her work can be found at www.keramiikkapaja.fi.

Photo editor Carol Enquist, who wrote the piece, first spotted the vase while on a recent trip. "When I saw it it was on display in shop the vase was holding fresh birch leaf cuttings," she says. "I just thought it was so beautiful."

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Photo: Via the Maarit Mattanen website