Fiskars, Classic Sewing Scissors
Finland`s Fiskars Has Also Made Farm Tools In Its 350-Year History
Apr 22, 2008
We, as crafters, own their scissors and rotary cutters. Mom had Fiskars scissors and grandma before her. What you didn't know might surprise you. Did you know that Fiskars began in 1649? That is more than 350 years of history. Part of the reason that they do what they do so well is that they have literally hundreds of years of experience behind them.
When we think of Fiskars, we tend to think first and foremost of scissors. What you might not know is that Fiskars actually has had a hand in a wide range of iron engineering from steam engines to cutlery. They even have a line of top quality gardening tools.
Did you know that when Fiskars began they actually created a town in Finland called "Fiskars". The company developed iron blast furnaces and created the town of Fiskars to accomodate all of it's employees. This town only existed because of the company. So what happened in 1980 when the operations were moved to more modern facilities?
That left this beautiful little village as a ghost town. But only for a short time. In 1992 Fiskars began helping artists move to Fiskars. They began attracting creative people from all over the world who came together in this little town to create an artist's cooperative. In short order Fiskars became the center of the creative experience in Finland.
This restored little town has received some of the highest honors including the Royal Destination Award for Sustainable Tourism in 2007. This is due to the galleries and the 17th century village itself attracting thousand of tourists annually.
Fiskars has metal smiths, furniture makers, graphic and industrial designers, ceramicists, glass blowers and folk artists. The history of Fiskars and the little towns own rebirth is a great story. So much so that the company has taken it a step farther. They have created two movies about the development of the new Fiskars community-"From Iron to Art-The Rebirth of a Company Town" and "Passion and the Power of Self Expression- The Artisans of Fiskars, Finland.
You can view these movies by going to www.FiskarsCinemaSeries.com or simply
The series is incredibly well done; the only thing missing is a movie about the first 350 years. When you arrive at the site you will find a third movie, about the artist Olavi Linden who "embodies the spirit of creativity innate to the company of Fiskars.``
