Eija Mustonen
Eija Mustonen is a contemporary jewellery artist living and working in Finland. Her work, while rooted in her native Finnish cultural heritage, emphasizes craftsmanship and challenges ornamentation.
If you had access to all the powers, how would you improve the world?
Just a few commandments: peace, food and patience for all and temperance for change.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges in your work and how are you addressing them?
I mostly use metal in my work. I develop the idea by drawing and making paperwork models before making the final work out of metal. I use metal accurately and recycle.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making? And are you considering any new ones?
In my daily life I recycle papers, metals, glass, batteries, cardboard, plastics. I compost food scraps and take the compost soil to my vegetable garden. We just got solar panels for our house. I strive to be even more specific in my purchases.
What have you rebelled against in the past, and what are you rebelling against now?
I rebel against unnecessary consumption.
Do you need to be a rebel to enjoy your work?
The author must be aware of what they are doing. Through making, I perceive and try to understand the world around me.
Do you think cutlery can still be improved? If yes, in what way?
As long as we eat real food and not pills, I do believe that new cutlery will be developed. What I can’t say though is if there is a need to invent new cutlery.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
I have made metal mittens in the past. For this purpose I made the mitten bigger and to be more useful for culinary purposes.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Experiment and experience.
What kind of materials do you use and where do you get them from?
In these works I have used silversmith skills and I used metals such as copper, alpaca, pewter and silver. I purchase materials from wholesalers in the metal trade.
What has been your favorite dinner experience?
The best food experience is to get fresh ingredients directly from nature and make a meal with loved ones and then eat under the open sky.
What excites you about tomorrow?
New day, new experiences.
What are you 3 favorite pieces on Jouw…?
I like the works of many artists, and especially the works by Sophie Hanagarth, Luke Shalan and Nils Hint.