Why I Created the Muhu Collection for Estonian Designs AU

Muhu has always been a place of passing-through for me, just a quick stop on the way to Saaremaa, with just one stop in Liiva, the main village, for the handicraft store and bakery. But this time was different. This time, I had the chance to immerse myself in some of the stories and culture as mum and I were invited to Kadri's summer house, and wow was I impressed! That experience was the inspiration behind the Muhu Collection for Estonian Designs AU.

It all started with a stop as soon as we got off the ferry. Mum claims she knew about his käsitöö shop and that I had been there before, however I couldn't remember. The shelves were lined with the most incredible Muhu designs, bold yellow and orange patterns, deep black backgrounds with stunning embroidered flowers. I couldn't stop myself (or mum) from buying a few little pieces, however it was just the start of our Muhu käsitöö day!

As we ventured deeper into Muhu, we visited another käsitöö shop filled with traditional items, this one I had been to before and knew I wanted to go there again! It was filled with embroidered vests, wooden crafts, and the most stunning fabric in the distinctive Muhu Rahvariide orange, as well as yellow It was here I purchased some traditionally woven Muhu material in the orange colour. The store smelled like that traditional Estonian wood, really flooding my head with amazing memories from each time I have visited Estonia. It was some of the photos and videos I took in this store that helped inspire this collection.

From there, we made our way to the heart of Muhu, a stunning little talu (farm house) that felt like something out of a fairytale. The first thing I noticed was moss-covered stone walls, they were like something out of a fairy tale, or a place I imagine fairies would live! I noticed the straw roofs, also with some moss, twinkling fairy lights inside Kadri's house, and rustic wooden structures made it feel like stepping into another world. It was here that I started to understand the culture of Muhu, through conversation with Kadri and learned some incredible insights and secrets.

We met with Masters who poured their passion into everything they do. I asked the lady at Manniku Käsitöö store how does she decide what to make, she told me she makes what she feels like, what incredible freedom! She shared her embroidery kits, which I thought was a great idea! This helps carry on their traditions by helping people to create their own pieces inspired by Muhu’s designs. She showed us hand-sewn slippers, including beautiful white pairs traditionally worn at weddings. I told her when I get married again, I will be asking for a pair of these! Who knew they came in a range of colours! Each piece of käsitöö she creates hold some kind of story, some joyful, some heartbreaking She was creating a tribute blanket for Ukraine, filled with sunflowers and daisies, symbolising loss and resilience. Her emotions were raw, her dedication was incredible, as there had been so much work gone into this blanket, mum and I were so impressed. It was a reminder that käsitöö isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling, culture, and identity, one of the many reasons why I started Estonian Designs AU, to help people feel that, every day.

Our last stop before heading to Saaremaa was at a preserved Muhu village, in the form of an open air museum. There, in a small käsitöö shop, I saw an artwork by Kadri’s mother with what I think is one of the traditional patterns worn on the girls apron in the traditional folk costume. It wasn’t for sale, but it was incredible to look at.

When remembering my time in Muhu, I knew I had to bring this experience home not just as a memory, but as something tangible. That’s why I created the Muhu Collection for Estonian Designs AU. Each item in this collection, whether it’s a notebook, a mug, a pen, or a leather coaster, carries the connection of Muhu's vibrant design and reminds me of the stories and experiences I had there. It is one of the most iconic Estonian traditional patterns and I wanted to bring it to you. My hope is that through these designs, you too can carry a piece of Muhu with you, where ever you are.

Want to read more about my Muhu journey? Check out the full blog posts and incredible photos here