I have had a GREAT day!

I wasn't really looking that forward today, after losing my lie in and having to go into uni for 8am again!  However, dispite this, I have had one of the best days! 

It started with two hours with Jari continuing some handbuilding ceramic work I started yesterday, and so far everything is going to plan!

Then we had a class with Merja on the pottery wheel, and although after 3 hours of work I still have no samples, it was a lot of fun!

Then this evening we went to the KalPa Vs Jokerit ice hockey game.  I HATE sports but ice hockey is actually SO good!  It was very intense and the players were so manly!  Inbetween goals there were a few injuries and fights which added to the greatness!  Plus to top it off, KalPa won! 2-1!

Maarits Cabin

This weekend a group of us (Maarit, Eleonora, Jacopo, Stef, Peet, Gerben, Kaisa, Ville, Helen and I) went to Keuruu, Maarits hometown, and stayed for 3 days in her parents cabin by the lake.  It was so much fun!  I feel like I experienced the true Finnish lifestyle for the first time since getting here.

After arrival and food shopping, we all had a sauna, boys first then girls.  It was a welcoming warmth from the snow, but after working up a serious sweat, a roll in the snow was the perfect, and most Finnish, way to cool down before heading back in for round 2!  On the second day, we swapped snow rolling for running into (and running very quickly back out of) the frozen lake!

On an evening we played games including one I've not came across called Bandu.  The aim of the game is to build the highest tower with mishapen pieces without it falling over - It's harder and more competitive than it looks!

On our second day we all took a stroll whilst the sauna heated up!  It inevitably turned into a snow ball fight...

Before leaving on Sunday we headed over to Maarit's home and horse ranch were everyone had a quick ride on some of the horses.  Even I had a go!!

I had a great weekend and feel like I really got to know some of the people in our group better and got to experience a true Finnish weekend! Thank You Maarit :)

"There's E-ston-ia shoe?"

For my birthday Helen and I took a trip to Tallinn, Estonia.  We booked in advance a train to Helsinki, then the Ferry to Tallinn and a hostel.  The train we got from Kuopio was a double decker and waaay better than British trains! I could've had a party in the leg room alone!

After a 5 hour train journey we arrived in Helsinki and made our way to the port, where we got onto our Ferry.  This was the first time I'd ever been on a real boat! It was pretty cool and we even had our own little cabin.  It was all very pleasant until the sea sickness kicked in!  Cue Titanic pose...

Once in Tallinn we got to our hostel, which turned out to be closed!  We got redirected to Tallinn Backpackers who in turn sent us on to Viru Backpackers.  The Viru hostel was literall smack bang in the centre of Tallinn Old Town and for the price we paid was more than reasonable.  It was clean, quiet and very friendly!  After checking in we headed back over to Tallinn Backpackers, ran by the same people, which has a more party atomosphere.  Here we met a lot of new people who had been travelling all over the world.  The hostel workers themselves consisted mainly of Aussies.  We also met a few Americans and a French guy (who at first we thought was Russian - Traveller rookie mistake number 1).  It turned out that Julienne's birthday was also the same as mine, which called for a beer bong and a trip to a few bars and lots of Vodka shots all round (I even managed 2..which for a none drinker is a big deal).

The next day we began to explore the city, sticking with the old town, which was much more interesting than the modern part.  Unfortunately, most of the museums are closed on a Monday and Tuesday.  However, we did get to visit a few sites, including Town Prison Museum of Photography, Tallinn City Museum, the Marzipan Museum and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a Russian Cathedral.

After a day of wandering we went back to the hostel for a scheduled old lady nap and then headed back to the Tallinn Backpackers hostel.  Another night out ensued...with KAREOKE!  After murdering a few songs we headed back and got an early night.  On day three we found out what was open and headed to Kiek in de Kök, which houses the entrance to the underground tunnels of Tallinn.  Once again though, the tours were full so we were unable to go down.  Bummer!  The museum itself was good though and had some very nice views of Tallinn.  We especially liked the selection of hats...

We then stumbled upon the entrance to one part of the walls, which you could walk along the top of, which again had an impressive perspective of the Old Town.

On our last night we decided to stay in at the hostel because it was freezing!!  I indulged myself in TV and got slightly addicted to Investigation Discovery (it's the best channel ever!!).  Although it was not the most eventful trip and I was disappointed that most the sights were closed, I still had a really good time.  It was so nice to meet new people who were so friendly and relaxed.  I'd definately recommend the Tallinn Backpackers/Viru Backpackers to anyone visiting Tallinn!

Helsinki Round 2

Sorry Textile Design, but the trip to Helsinki with the Glass and Ceramics course tickled my fancy a little bit more!  The bus left Kuopio early on Thursday morning (after very kindly being picked up at 5.40am by Eveliina and her boyfriend) and made a few stops on the way before arriving in the late afternoon. 

The first was stop was Nuutajärvi Glass Village, which houses a glass school and place for glass artists to use glass facilities, such as the kilns.  Some of the artists also had studio spaces and places to display their work.

Timoria

Lasi Sirkus

In another building, was a factory area, which produced glassware for the likes of Marimeko and Ittala.  It was interesting to see glass being produced on a commercial scale, both by hand and machinery.  You don't think about how the simpilest household items are made!

After hopping back onto the bus again, we went off to our second stop, The Finnish Glass Museum.  This was a museum that showed the history of glass in Finland and had an impressive display of different glass pieces.

Then we got back on the bus, which drove across the street (not kidding) to a small glass shop and glass studio.  It was only a small building and we ddin't get to see much other than the store and the studio space

A while later we checked in at our hotel, the rather swish Radisson Blu (check the fancy seat in the foyer!).  It was the fanciest room I've ever stayed in (mini bar) with the comfiest beds ever! Yes, we did jump on them!  We even got to have a free sauna and breakfast! And all for only 35€ each!

Day two took us to a ceramics factory at the Arabia Centre, a ceramics company who make the infamous Finnish Muumi ceramicwares.  Unfortunately, the factory was a no-photo zone.  We got to see how the clay was made up, then turned into bowls, mugs and plates, before being fired and glazed.  It was suprising how much of the process was still done by hand and it was nice to see that machines did not to ALL the work!  After buying the most expensive mug my coffee will ever go into (but worth it), we headed back to Kuopio.

Stitchgasm! backlash

Since my work was featured on Mr X Stitch I've had it posted to a few other craft sites including Cuteable and Make and Do with Perri.  I've also got interest from a side show themed site called Hey Rube Circus.  Someone even asked if my stamp tattooed woman was for sale.  Crazy!! Hope my incredibly large head can fit through the door :D

Glass Work

So now we have switched from textile Design to Glass and Ceramics the work has became very exciting, as everything is new. I really enjoy glass, even if I'm a little bit scared of the machinary/being cut! The tutors in all the areas are SO nice!

Heat cutting a bottle in half, grinding it and engraving it

Sandblasting and grinding

Shaping hot glass (or trying to!!)

Glass Cutting

Drilling (yes..you heard me!)

Preparing glass slides for fusing

France - Nil Point

"For a while now both Helen and I have considered staying on in Finland instead of going to France.  At the moment, I feel staying in Finland might be more beneficial.  Starting glass and ceramics is really exciting for me and I'm not sure when I will get the opportunity to do it again.  Although France is a new place with new experiences, from what I know of the course I don't know if I would learn anything new, which is my main reason for coming on exchange in the first place.  I really need to weigh up the pros and cons of staying here or going to Besancon and decide which programme I will get the most out of."

Since posting this entry (which I have now merged with this one), we have convinced ourselves our best option is to remain in Finland.  We checked out course options for next term and we can begin a course in metal work and jewellery!  Going to mull it over for a few more days then we will probably sort out the formalities.