The birth of Uurnia
Birch has strong roots in Finnish culture. It is believed to represent goodness, purity and the continuity of life.
Birch has been used to make cradles, sleigh skis and tableware. The tree continues to live even after it has fallen. It lives on in the hands of the craftsman and in a finished item until it settles into its final form.
Finally, when it returns to nature, it becomes part of the eternal cycle once again.
From this idea, Uurnia was born. An unique and ecological urn, handmade from Finnish birch. The urn combines the beauty of the nature and the dignity of life – it is a tribute to both of them.
Mervi Martiskin
Uurnia was developed by North Karelian wood artisan Mervi Martiskin. She is also a educated forester and a tourism expert. Uurnia is based on a love for the Finnish forest that was kindled as a child.
The dream of Uurnia was born while Martiskin was roaming in her own forest. Behind it all was a strong respect for nature and the idea of wood as a valuable and sustainable material.
Martiskin spent four years developing Uurnia. There was no similar urn made of wood on the Finnish market yet, so the entire design process was done by her - from start to finish. Finally, the urn found its final shape. It combines a timeless but unique design language with beautiful symbolism.
- The oval egg shape symbolises the continuity of life. On the other hand, wood is a stubborn material and always determines the final result. Each urn is unique, just like us humans, she says.
Sustainable design with an ancient method
One of Uurnia's core value is ecology. The urns are manufactured in a sustainable way from the point of view of both the author and nature. Martiskin makes urns by lathe, carving and using modern technology.
- Turning with a lathe is a fine, ancient craft that I hope to highlight. The handprint of the creator makes the work valuable.
Since the urn often ends up back in the ground, she wants to make them ecologically. The urns are made of solid wood, the glue is water-soluble and the wax contains renewable plant-based raw materials and it does not release harmful compounds into the environment.
Martiskin hopes that in the future the urns will be made even more sustainably and that the wood she uses will come from the local forest. This would also close a kind of circle in her life.
