Interview with a designer: Thelma Björk

At a very young age, Thelma took an interest in needlework. She became fascinated with traditions, and under the guidance and influence of her grandmother, Thelma practised and perfected her mentor’s techniques. We asked her few questions to get to know a little bit more about her.

Thelma’s profile on Birkiland, click here.

1.  What is your favorite moment of the day?
Mornings are my favorite,  as well as walking after midnight.

2.  Favorite bus route in Reykjavik and why?
Each one is special,  when younger I used to take the bus every where, just to enjoy
my view and daydream about the future.

3.  What did you want to be when you were a child?

I  wanted to be a farmer’s wife at day and a stewardess at night.

4.  Describe your own style?
Mademoiselle in boots wearing a hat. A hat is of course a constant in my style vocabulary and I never leave the house with out one.

5.  What kind of clothes do you avoid wearing?
Fake

6.  Describe your work?
I specialize in creating original, contemporary designs employing my  expertise in embroidery, knitting and crochet.
I rely in every collecting on those traditions, that my grandmother though me while I was growing up.

7.  How is your work influenced by where you live?
In every way I have to say; nature, people and the weather.
For example in Paris it is the romantic Sunday walks and all the love in my life, in Iceland it is the air in my every day.

9.  Where do you work on your design?
At home and at my workshop, but you never know when that great idea hits you,  so I always have my sketchbook with me.

10. When you are designing, do you discuss what you are desining with other desingners?
Yes sometimes I do.

11. In which way do you think design is important for Iceland?
Like they say on the website natura.info “Icelandic design is a creative force that can strengthen Icelandic society and promote a diverse economy” And that is what I believe in.

12. How would you describe Iceland in few sentences?
Iceland is the land of the midnight sun, it is the land of bright summer nights and the land of fire and ice. 

13. What do you think is most beautiful place in Iceland?
There are so many beautiful places in Iceland! But if I have to pick one it would be Breiðafjörður because of its secrets

14. What frightens you most regarding the future?
Death