What is symmetrical, but ever changing? What grows as crops, but turns to gold? What dances without a partner, and visits us at yule?

Well, Himmeli ofcourse!

This traditional ornament brings mystery and marvel to many a home from Scandinavia to Germany. It's name comes of course from the word "himmel", which means heaven in german. And heavenly it is to gaze up to it while it spins silently up at the rafters. Did you spot the star of David there just now?

Himmeli is made from cotton string and simple rye straw, - but I tell you, it's better than gold! Candle light particularly brings the material alive! Wether it is the geometric shapes of himmeli, or the small details in the structure of the straw, but it also catches the lightest breeze and change in temperature. The shift of a himmeli is subtle like an angel's whisper. 

These are not particularly difficult to make, but they take alot of time. The smallest one in my selection takes 2 hours of work alone. You cannot rush the process - else the straws will begin to split. Thus I recommend the making of himmeli as a good way to calm down and let into the quiet and somber mood of the holidays. - Or if you live near Ilomantsi, just order Venla to make you one. ;) 

See Venla's himmeli collection here.

(All money made from this goes to a new laptop. Even Kdenlive keeps crashing on me. :/ That's why my videos are so glumsy these days.)