Story of Tonttus:
Tonttus are Santa’s helpers, elf or brownies are called Tonttus in Finnish. The legend of the story is that Tonttus live at Mt. Korvatunturi located in Lapland, the northern part of Finland. Tonttus help Santa Claus make presents for good girls and boys. Tonttus live in farms and are named after the places they are assigned to take care of: Stable Tonttus, cow shed Tonttus, Sauna Tonttus etc. The Tonttus who ventured out to the cities are called Home Tonttus. They also take care of animals and speak their languages.
Tonttu come at night while you are asleep and leave presents for good girls and boys. As a kind gesture and good manners, don’t forget to put a bowl of rice porridge with milk out on your window ledge with your wish list.
If you forget, they can play tricks on you. It has happened to me. One time I forgot and my ceramic tools disappeared. Another time, my fingers got glued together and couldn’t do my arts work. And one day when cutting the Tonttu boy’s pants, I realized that one leg was shorter than the other! These are common silly mishaps that can happen if you forget to appreciate a Tonttu!
I designed and hand-made my one-of the kind Tonttu girls and boys. The work process includes 45 individual stages. Each Tonttu is signed, dated and given a “name day”, a Finnish tradition. I celebrate my name, Pirjo, day October 7th, with Pirkko, Birgitta and Piritta.
Tonttus can be on display throughout the year. Although they are made for decoration. Gentle play by responsible children is very much appreciated.
Merry Christmas, hyvää joulua!
I have designed and handmade my one of-a-kind Tonttu boys and girls to be part of Christmas tradition hoping they will be loved and passed as an heirloom from one generation to the next.
Tonttus require painstaking detailed work involving more than items. Only a very limited number is made annually. Every Tonttu is signed, dated, numbered and given a name with the name day. In Finland we have a long tradition of celebrating name days. For example, my name day, which I share with Pirkko, Birgit and Piritta, falls on October 7th.
Due to the fragile nature of the ceramic head and hands and clothes that they don’t take off please handle Tonttus gently
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