On June 7, Åland Post releases this year's stamp booklet, which is a tribute to the art of jewellery from two prominent jewellery artists on Åland: Annika Åkerfelt and Maria Karlström. Tiina Tahvanainen photographed the issue. “Among Åland's many talented artisans, it is now time to pay attention to those who have chosen jewellery as a means of expression. The edition highlights four pieces of silver jewellery, selected in consultation with the respective jewellery artist. What unites jewellery and stamps is the shared focus on quality and elaborate design in the small format,” says Johanna Finne, Marketing Design Manager at Åland Post Stamps.
Maria Karlström has worked as a goldsmith on Åland for over 30 years and displays a pendant and a ring on her stamps. The Blomman™ pendant is the piece of jewellery most strongly associated with Maria and her company Guldviva, located in the Maritime Quarter of Mariehamn. Inspired by Swedish chemist Eva Ekeblad-De la Gardie and the potato plant, Maria created the Eva ring for a competition to design the most beautiful Finnish ring in 2022, a competition she later won.
“The Blomman™ pendant was born already in 1992, and each flower piece is 100 % unique, made from silver wire, pliers, and a hand. In the end, of course, the wearers and the Ålanders are the ones who have attributed a special meaning and sense of belonging to this piece of jewellery,” Maria says.
Goldsmith Annika Åkerfelt creates her jewellery in her studio at home and sells it in the arts and crafts shop Viktor Crafts & Design in Mariehamn, of which she is also a co-owner. Her stamps present a brooch and a pair of silver earrings.
“I enjoy building worlds, sculptures, and shapes in miniature format. The desire to experiment is my driving force, and I like the combination of “man-made” design language and forms inspired by nature. Through my thoughts and feelings, nature’s vegetation is filtered and created from the inside out,” Annika explains.
Facts about the issue
Name: Jewellery art
Date of issue: 7 June 2024
Photographer: Tiina Tahvanainen
Design: Johanna Finne
Edition: 20 000 booklets
Denomination: 8 × Lokalpost (€2.80)
Price: FDC €12.20
Stamp size: 26.25 × 35 mm
Booklet size (unfolded): 62 × 180 mm
Paper: 110 g/m2
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset + embossing + silver foiling
Printer: Royal Joh. Enschedé
Order the stamp booklet and first day cover at alandstamps.com, by post to Åland Post Stamps, P.O. box 1100, AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, e-mail stamps@alandpost.com or telephone: +358 18636639.