About IONA Art & Jewellery
Iona Art & Jewelry saw the light of day in Ringsaker in 2024. After working as a nurse for 20 years, and dreaming of doing something more with arts and hobbies, you now see this small shop. The goal is to create inspiring and unique handmade things that bring joy and warm Scandinavian summer winds into everyday life, especially on a cold winter day.
The origin of the shop's name comes from my mother who always thought Iona was such a nice name. That's why it became the shop's name.
My interest in clay began when our class was introduced to it in elementary school. My interest in jewelry design was sparked when a creative colleague started making bracelets. After a while, this little shop you now see was born.
My desire is to create clay figures that convey hope, peace and much joy. Clichéd words, but yet so true. I want to create expressions that convey peace and give the eyes a place to rest. Expressions that make the mind wander.
My desire for jewelry design is to create jewelry with a new and unique look that is elegant, and sophisticated, inspired by the fresh Scandinavian summer mood, or "sommervibe" as I like to say. Winter is gorgeously beautiful, but I love to surround myself with spring and summer memories, even on the coldest days.
Lamininas - the clay figurine series
Laminins have a story all their own. Ever since I heard about laminin, the protein, I've been fascinated. It has a cross-shaped shape and is found in every cell in the human body, which ensures that the cell doesn't lose its shape, like melting ice cream. Laminin prevents the cell from collapsing. It's the framework of every cell. This laminin protein, with its cross-shaped shape, makes me think of the evangelist John when he says, "In Christ all things are." Christ is the framework in and for all things. Without Christ, nothing can stand.
The idea for the figurines' name, Lamininas, came when I accidentally dropped one of my first clay figurine projects on the floor. Even after falling to the ground, something held her together. Yes - she got scratches and breaks, but she made it. It was the steel string inside, which became a symbol of laminin - and again, a symbol of Christ for me.
The steel wire inside the clay figures is the framework, just like the link in bracelets or necklaces. It holds things together so they don't fall apart.
But if something in our lives breaks down—and it sometimes does—we can go to the Creator. Maybe we got sick or lost someone. Maybe we got hurt—or we hurt someone. Maybe everything around us has been torn apart. Or fallen apart. The result is the same: something breaks inside us. Whatever the reason, it’s best to go to the Creator. We need something in our lives to hold us together when we fall. And to help us get back up and move on.
And so does Christ. He saves us, supports us, helps us rise again, and holds us together. He knows how we are made. He has the amazing power to turn bad things into good. It may take some time and patience, but in the end it will be okay—in God’s timing. Maybe that’s something we need to learn during the process of reconciliation and waiting.
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Dig up your talents!
Did you know that the weight of one talent is about 30 kg? A story in the Bible tells of a man who buried his talent. In this context, a single talent is incredibly valuable. Think about it – whether we have one or many talents, each one is very valuable. But sometimes we may not know what talents we have. Maybe there is something out there that we just haven’t tried.
Are there things you really appreciate or something you enjoy doing? Maybe it's time to do more of it - use your talents. If it's hard to find time, try doing it in small portions. Maybe this will awaken some old treasures of talents.
And find something to thank your Father in Heaven for every day, especially when you face difficult situations. It’s not always easy, but it will give you a peace that passes understanding. Could it be more important than ever to count our blessings? Taste and see that the Lord is good!
I would be so happy if some of my handmade items could be a small contribution to a little joy and a little beauty in your life.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the products. I'm here to help!
Kind regards Mali
