For a number of years, my husband and I made a living as musicians in a symphony orchestra in northern Ontario. The city of Thunder Bay has a large Finnish population and there were several gift shops selling Marimekko and Iittala goods, among other brands. I got hooked on Finnish glass, with my favourite piece being this Iittala vase.
When we visited Helsinki a few years ago I had way too much fun shopping in the stores! The boys were most patient waiting outside the Marimekko store. I love their vibrant fabrics.
As well as the Iittala store there was also the Aarikka store. I love their wooden bracelets and I have quite a few of their red elf Christmas decorations.
We took a boat over to see the Suomenlinna Fortress.
The Sibelius Monument was a must do for a couple of musicians!
So, when I think of Finland I think of bright colours and glass-which then makes me think of the Ohm Beads barrel shaped glass beads, like Get in Shape.
It looks really neat from the side, on the Iittala vase. I think that’s what my Instagram profile photo is, but in black and white. I took it a while ago, so can’t exactly remember.
But ultimately I made a mini bracelet using my new Blue Holes and some character beads. All beads are by Ohm Beads. Left to right below are Live Your Fantasy, Trombone Player, Blue Hole, L’il Devil, Ganges, Mr. Gnome, Blue Hole, Circus Tent and Get in Shape.
This concludes Travel Week! Thanks for reading! I enjoyed hearing about your travels, too! I’ll do it again sometime with different countries.
And now for a little contest! The prize is an OHM Gnome, or more properly, Mr. Gnome, as seen below. The contest will close Saturday at midnight, EST.
To enter, just leave a comment with a caption for the photo below. A winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday. Even if you have an Ohm Gnome already but have a great idea for a caption, please feel free to leave a comment but then just say you’re not entering the contest. This is to celebrate the Annual OHM Gnome Festival that starts today at 1:00, EST. Check out the festivities at https://www.facebook.com/events/147846872295437/
“No Johan, I said let’s all see a movie”
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OK Guys.
It’s time to gnome home to ohm.
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“Oh please choir, we’ll try it one more time” *sigh*
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Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario are definitely on my list, and closer than Finland. I didn’t know about the Sibelius Monument and although I am very familiar with Iittala and Marimekko, I do not know anything about Aarikka jewelry.and I will look them up later! I have learned so much from your blogs this week and loved every one of them. I do hope you will do more in the future.
Am I not large, and fearful, and hefty in girth? Wear I not the colourful garb and wield yon mighty stick? Whom amongst you can boast such round and pleasing plumpness?
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Sarah, I’m so happy you enjoyed the travel/bead blogs. Thanks for being such a faithful reader!
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Music & Gnomes will save the world!
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OG: Look, guys, here is a statue of ME! Me me me me me. It could be bigger. Yeah, they should have made it bigger. I mean- why didn’t they. Bigger statue = more love. Everyone knows that! 😂
(Not entering, already got the gnome 😉)
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“I swear this belt is shrinking”
😉 😉
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“Now listen…You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill—you stay in Wonderland”
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Now, let’s try this again, Gnome says raise your hands! Put them down! Ok… maybe just try opening your mouths, those that have no hands. Ok, Gnome says, open your mouth! Close it! Wait.. some of you are out! Moon! That’s NOT your mouth!
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Lol!!!!
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“what??? we will all travel to Brazil? are you sure we won´t melt?”
I´m sure Mr. Gnome! Please come to mama 😀
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Now listen up my Ohmily….
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All together now! 🙂
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“Now class settle down. Moon me!!! pull your pants up this instant”
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Just chilling, wooden it be nice if a friend joined me?
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Leaving for Helsinki in 2 weeks!
“may I have your attention please! it is nice to see your smiling faces in the moonlight.”
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Have a great trip!
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“Oh my!!! Did you guys shrink or did I get bigger?”
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Have you ever seen one this big???
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Ok, so who needs the Ambulance this time?
Oh let me guess it’s you ‘moon me’ 🚑
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Come closer minions! Now let’s discuss our plan for world dominance … It starts with our infiltration of their yards and gardens and ends with our dominance on their wrists.
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“Watch out Moon Me! The Hippo has his mouth open and is checking you out. But wait, the ambulance is going to save the day. Everyone else, remain calm”.
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“Hey! Keep it down in the back!”
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Gnome rave, OK who’s ready to party???
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Caption: Didn’t think gnomes could get any smaller did you? It’s from OHM if you want them home.
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“On the fence. Should I stay or should I go?”
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are you ready?! Show me your mo….Money! not this!!!!!
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Sing with me…”We are the world…🎤 we are the children. 🎶 We are one Ohm…” 🎶🎶
What’s wrong, Moon Me? What? You have gas? Tummy issues? No worries, the ambulance is ready to bring you to the clinic.” Mama Terra will take care of you.
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It figures, the parade is almost over but Mr. smarty pants Moon Me just had to go and get us kicked out by making a spectator faint. Good thing the ambulance crew was in the parade behind us!
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Put it away Ohmer…
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Soon my dears will start the party!!!
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Gnome more mister nice guy…
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I already have an #ohmgnome, but I just keep thinking that he looks like a rock star with his adoring fans, and the ambulance to care for anyone who faints over the excitement 😀
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bring me to the ocean
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Listen up, hunks of silver! It is my job to turn you into BEADS! When I give an order, you say YES GNOME SERGEANT, when I tell you to do pushups, you do push ups!! This will be the hardest 16 weeks of your life, but if and when you finish, you will be among the few that can call yourself OHMS.
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Friends, Ohmies, countrymen, lend me your ears
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“I want everybody to do me proud during the parade… Wait!!! What are you doing?!! That’s NOT what I want to see! Put your pants back on!”
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Hello Martha! I see a caption to this picture as a kind of ad moto for a comercial company.
“”Be yourself. Be different. We will show you how!””
So sad the travel week is over! It’s been enjoyable ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks Svetlana! I’ll do it again sometime!
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Here’s Ohm Gnome’s adventure that few Ohmies knows about. Just wanted to share from my IG:
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Look here guys. The whole world will be watching our parade at the Ohm Gnome Festival. Please watch each other’s back. Um…. no… (shaking his head) that’s not what I meant.
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“Namaste”
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Ok everyone. There will be an Gnome event. Ready to go?
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I am OHM Gnome….an overnight sensation on social media! I am a rock star, 🎸but the fame hasn’t gone to my head! (Not yet anyway…..)😳
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I love #Ohm
#Ohmilylove
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Poke poke 🙂
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Love, love them all!
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I need a gnome ohm
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Great caption comments everyone! Thanks for participating! #iamohmily
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Ohm-y gnome!
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I ‘ve been following the gnome in the Annual OHM Gnome Festival. What a great event. Love the beads. Love the Ohmbassadors. I’ll be buying more Ohm for sure!
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I SO love OHM Beads!!!! #poke
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I love the story you shared and this FABULOUS CREATION!!! I follow you on Instagram, I love all your photos!! You may be my new blog obsession!! #pokepokepoke
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Thanks Ashley! What’s your IG name-I’ll make sure to follow you if I’m not already!
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Thanks for all the info on your wonderful blog. I’ve really enjoyed the Ohm festival!
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Thanks very much!
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From my hOHM to yours. Thank you so much for this amazing on-line event!!! Xoxo
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#pokepokepoke Can I just say that this is OHMazing?? 🙂
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I want you to know how amazing you are. Your photos and blog always put a smile on my face, and I dream of going to the locations you visit. You are a great source of info for me, especially for Ohm beads. Thank you!!! #pokepokepoke
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Thanks so much!
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#pokepokepoke
See you at coffee tomorrow
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Whilst following the fabulous OHM Beads festival, I was delighted to be sent on a mission to s#poke you 😉 I love reading your blogs, & often look up your bracelet designs for inspiration. Thank-you for posting them, so many of them are just so very beautiful!
#pokepokepoke 😉
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Thanks so much!
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I love Ohm Gnome Festival!
#pokepokepoke
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“Final instructions before dispatching the team of representative throughout the world.”
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Love the photo of the Sibelius Monument — super cool looking!
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Until the OHM Gnome Festival, I had not found your blog… I sure am glad that I finally did! Love your photos and content. I will definitely be visiting your site again in the future.
#pokepokepoke
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Thanks Marie!
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Ambulance chaser. Who will get the ride?
#poke
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#pokepokepoke
Love OhmGnome Festival ❤️
Love your blog Martha 👍🏼❤️
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Thanks Dian!
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