tallinn at 10 am, the snow reflects the minimal light making it almost bright out! almost. 

Bbbbrrrrrrrr!

the most commonly asked question of foreigners in estonia has to be "are you cold?" until today i thought it was funny. after living in philly for four years and surviving a few major snow storms i was pretty sure that i could handle it. so confident in fact that i vowed to put off wearing long underwear until late january or even february if possible. my reasoning being that if it did become as cold as everyone warned me it soon would, i would be prepared. nothing could have prepared me for today. the temperature gauge in my window informed me that it was a mere -15 degrees C (4 degrees F) at 11 am. i immediately realized that it was currently the coldest day i had yet to personally experience. this information, combined with the fact that my curtains were frozen to my double-paned windows, led to no amount of hesitation when breaking my vow and reaching for the long underwear. plus a few more layers and ear-muffs under my hat while i was at it. i'm glad that i did. even taking a train as close to the gallery as i possibly could, i still had an excruciating ten minute walk. when i left the gallery and returned home i found that the temperature was -18 degrees C (0 degrees F) and dropping! i'm told that it may even reach -26 degrees C (-12 degrees F) tonight. what? what did you ask? am i cold? yes. yes i am.


ps - don't worry! even though my curtains were literally frozen to my bedroom window, my apartment is not cold. it's actually quite toasty. you just can't touch the windows for an extended period of time.....

Online Exhibition

i've finally gotten around to posting my jewelry, past and present, online in a new blog.

that address is www.trudeehilljewelry.blogspot.com

(i know, what a creative title) it will only be updated when i have new work but be sure to check in from time to time. thanks!

i got fun new glasses. yay! 

Stiil ja Anne

after locking up the gallery today, mikko and i went to the nearest book shop to look for a few articles that were due to come out about the collection and exhibition.

in the estonian magazine stiil there is an article about four "noor (moe)kunst", meaning up-and-coming fashion artists. there is a short interview and mikko is featured along with three models wearing designs from the fallen nature collection, including the hood and jewelry.

then in the magazine anne, uus & huvitav (news & entertainment) section, there is a short description of the exhibition and collection which is accompanied by an image of the model wearing the "mother nature" design (which includes the hood). this blurb mentions some background information on mikko, where he's studied, etc. and on me as well! even noting that i am living and researching in estonia through the us fulbright program.

how exciting!

*magazines are linked to their respective websites

the permanent smile i had at the opening, with anna 

beautiful mannequins provided by Stockmann,
a finnish department store

even the hair was recreated by Impuls team,
Nina Bjorkman and Piatu Puhakka

monday's project 

the view 

it's official 

extravaganza

the few days i had to set up the exhibition were taxing. there was still a lot to be done, framing the prints, picking up the flyers, mannequins, refreshments, projection equipment.... and taking down the previous exhibition. these are unusual circumstances. the artists whose exhibition ended a week before mine were out of the country, wouldn't be returning any time soon, and happened to be friends so i agreed to pack everything up and remove the acrylic paint covering the front window. not the most enjoyable task, but i was able to finish the take down by monday afternoon and immediately begin setting up our show. with the help of friends the exhibition was ready by wednesday night, leaving thursday free for all the last minute things that inevitably come up. which included warm tights, fake eyelashes for one of the mannequins, and forcing myself to eat two meals even though i felt like i was going to vomit.

i arrived at the gallery by 5 pm, one hour before the opening, to set up the projection equipment, attempt to apply the false eyelashes on the mannequin but eventually give up, and prepare the gallery. by six pm sharp we were ready, people were arriving, and drinks were being poured. the only thing left being my opening speech. without mikko there to take at least half the attention if not more, i was forced to stand on my own and address a crowd of about twenty. i've never been comfortable speaking publicly so i prepared a short but informative speech and had notes on hand, without them i probably would have forgotten the name of the collection or at least how to pronounce the names of the photographer, tanja muravskaja, and videographer, joonas kolehmainen. even with the notes i was nervous, though at least feeling less nauseous at this point, my hands were shaking and my voice cracked a few times but i said what i needed to say, thanked everyone that needed to be thanked and was even complimented on my sweet and sincere delivery later in the evening.

after my speech i was ready for a drink, fearing that had i had one before i would have inevitably spilled wine on my blouse or at least had some nice red teeth for the photographer. i was then able to relax and enjoy the evening. in all about thirty came and i loved talking to people about my work and the collection, one on one anyway. the feedback was positive, people were having a great time, and i was getting tipsy. by 830 there were just 10 of us left so i locked up the gallery and we headed out to a nearby poshy bar/restaurant named moskva for some pricey but delicious appetizers, dessert, and mojitos. yum. in all a great night.

now that the excitement of the opening is over, three and a half weeks lay ahead of gallery sitting. a-gallery is open wednesday through sunday 11-6. after three days i'm already looking forward to mikko's return from new york on tuesday so that i'll get at least half the hours from now on. we can opt to pay for a gallery sitter, it isn't very expensive, but i like being able to speak to the people who come in and answer their questions or at least say "tere" (hello) and motion that they are welcome to come in and take postcards with them when they leave (since my grasp of the estonian language is still questionable).

not to jinx anything but we've had a few visitors to the gallery that are interested in the work. one couple owns a gallery outside of tallinn and might like to have the exhibition in the spring. another gallery in helsinki is considering our exhibition as well. and my favorite yet, an estonian dancer who wants costumes and wearable art made for her that will inspire and inform her work. we'll see over the next few weeks where this takes us and i'll be sure to keep you all informed.

"aitah ja head aega" (thank you and good-bye)

head uut aastat! 

estonian 80's dance party 

Haid joulupuhi ja Head uut aastat!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

i had a great holiday, nine days in seattle with my family. just enough to enjoy their company and remember why i like living alone. having spent four years in philadelphia for university, going back for christmas felt normal. something i've been doing for a long time. but knowing that i won't be "home" again until july is strange. never have i been away from my family for such an extended period of time. at least my sister chrystie is planning a visit in may, that i'm really looking forward to.

new years in tallinn was nice. i spent the evening with friends of a friend, a small party just outside the city. we ate, drank, listened to music, and watched fireworks from a parking garage that offered a complete view of the city. a great night, complete with dance party to really aweful estonian covers from the 80's.

these past few days have been hectic. getting everything organized for the opening has been madness. i spent all day yesterday making the frames for ten large prints that will be hung in the gallery and today was spent mounting, framing, and hanging them. thanks so much to andrew for helping me today, i would have been there all night if not for his assistance. tomorrow i'll be rounding up mannequins, the collection, projection equipment, drinks for the opening..... but i'll have some help in the afternoon from more friends willing to spend their day with me on the verge of a panic attack. i'll let ya'll know how it goes, cross your fingers for me.