Scan Magazine – August 2018

Issue 115 | August 2018 | 27

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Finnish Jewellery Design

Web: http://www.elvari.fi

Facebook: elvari

Instagram: @elvarikorut

moment to look at my pieces — and they
always smile. That smile is what I want
to capture. It’s a big reason behind why I
keep doing what I do.” She adds: “Some-
thing draws people in when they see my
jewellery. Maybe they see their favourite
sweet from their childhood, or remem-
ber how their grandparents used to offer
a particular sweet.

Leinonen is the kind of person who de-
cides to do something and will do what-
ever it takes to achieve it. “I’ve always
been determined, but also incredibly
stubborn. If you tell me to go left, I will
most likely turn right,” she laughs. Her
strong-mindedness is clearly paying off:
Elvari jewellery is currently sold online,
as well as by over 70 retailers in Finland,
and business is booming.

Handmade pieces
All of Elvari’s pieces contain Leinonen’s
fingerprint because all the jewellery is

made by hand. “I want all my jewellery

pieces to have been held in my hands and

moulded by me,” Leinonen says. Work-

ing with polymer clay means that she can

mix any colour and turn the jewellery into

any sweet-like piece imaginable. “I find

my work very therapeutic. It’s precise

work, and some pieces are painted by

hand. On a pair of popcorn earrings, for

example, the kernels are hand-painted to

mimic melted butter and unpopped ker-

nels,” she notes.

And where does the company name,

Elvari, come from? “Elvari was my cat, and

my companion while I was moulding the

very first pieces of jewellery on my kitchen

table. He would always jump on the ta-

ble, and sleep next to me for as long as

I worked, so I thought it was only appro-

priate to honour him,” Leinonen explains.

Leinonen is now planning to take her

jewellery to the rest of Europe. “I was

very ill and lying on my couch, and in my

feverish hallucination, I had a dream of

buying a caravan, painting it pink, and go-

ing on a European tour to see if I can sell

my jewellery at craft fairs and markets,”

Leinonen says. She lives and breathes a

determination to not waste time, and to

take chances — something which be-

comes obvious to anyone who listens to

her story. “My cancer diagnosis forced

me to look at life and to decide what is

important. I’m acutely aware of the finite-

ness of life, and how we have to be brave

and take a leap of faith. That’s what I did,

and my story is one of survival, healing,

and thriving. I hope I can inspire others,

and spread happiness with my jewellery.”

She adds: “You can never have too many

smiles in life.”

Liquorice allsorts necklace and earrings.

Mini marshmallows.

Liquorice allsorts necklaces.

Leinonen on her pink balcony.