Finn Grand Fest kicks off tomorrow, July 28th – August 1st, in Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario, Canada). Finn Grand Fest is a North American Finnish Cultural Festival that is held every 5 years between the United States and Canada. The festival will celebrate and promote Finnish culture. The 5 day festival is filled with everything Finland: Over 100 musical and dance performances, well-known guest speakers, workshops, sporting events, a language camp, the Tori marketplace, film festival, spiritual programs, children’s events and more. To keep up with what is going on at Finn Grand Fest this year, be sure to check out the official Finn Grand Fest website for video clips, photos and other information.

Today is the final day of the Marimekko Semi-Annual Clearance Sale going on now at FinnishGifts.com. A great selection of Marimekko items are still available but are selling out fast! Supplies are limited to quantity on hand so don’t delay as this sale officially ends tonight.

I found this courtesy of the Marimekko Blog by AlwaysMod.com and thought I would pass along. The phones are from NTT DOCOMO’s summer “Style Series” and include three Marimekko Unikko designs. It appears these are only available in Japan. More information here.

Shop Marimekko now and reminder that the Marimekko Clearance Sale runs through tomorrow (7/15/10).

Design Forum Finland recently published the Finnish Design Yearbook 2010 – 2011 and it is now available at FinnishGifts.com. The 121 page publication contains colorful photos and illustrations referencing a broad overview of both products, concepts, designers and manufacturers involved in contemporary Finnish design. In addition to presenting hundreds of products, it also discusses topical issues in design with articles by experts and interviews with leading actors in the field. The yearbook also reflects coming events such as Expo 2010 in Shanghai and Helsinki’s role as World Design Capital in 2012.

The recipient of the Young Designer of the Year 2010 are two designer groups, Imu and Aivan!. The Young Designer of the Year prize is given to a young designer of exceptionally original and high-standard skills and ability in the fields of crafts, applied art, industrial design, graphic design or interior architecture. The purpose of the prize is to encourage young designers to carry on uncompromising and original work in design. Read More at Design Forum Finland.

Previous recipients of the prize are designers Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen (2000), interior architect Karola Sahi and architect Eeva Lithovius (2001), designer and cabinetmaker Tuuli Autio and designer and silversmith Pyry Tamminen (2002), graphic designers Antti Hinkula and Teemu Suviala (2005), industrial designer Jukka Korpihete and furniture designer Mikko Paakkanen (2006), shoe designer Julia Lundsten and designer Janne Kyttänen (2007), designers Nathalie Lahdenmäki and Naoto Niidome (2008) and designers Terhi Tuominen and Mikko Laakkonen (2009).

It’s almost time for Finn Grand Fest 2010; and as he does every year, Oiva Toikka has created another glass masterpiece to honor this year’s event that is being held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, on July 28th through August 1st. The Iittala Toikka Gray Jay is this year’s Finn Grand Fest bird. Only 500 of these limited edition Iittala glass birds were produced so be sure to hurry and get yours now before they’re gone forever.

Just a reminder that you have one more week to take advantage of the great prices during the semi-annual Marimekko Sale going on now at FinnishGifts.com. Over 200 Marimekko items are on sale, some at up to 40% off! In addition to those great deals, we have recently added additional items to the sale and have marked down many items even more! Don’t delay as this sale run through July 15th or while supplies last.

The 2010 seasonal mug has been released by Arabia. The mug is titled, “Rose Garden”, and is perfect for summer as it features Moomin Mama watering her yellow rose bush. The Moomin Rose Garden Mug is limited to production in 2010, so be sure to get yours now before it sells out.

Hurry and take advantage of the huge Marimekko Clearance Sale at FinnishGifts.com. Now offering over 200 Marimekko items priced at up to 40% off! This Marimekko clearance sale runs now through July 15th, 2010. Items in all categories are heavily discounted, including popular Marimekko products in home accents, fabrics and handbags. Most items are only on sale through July 15th or while supplies last so you’ll want to act fast. Shop the Marimekko Mega Sale now.

Profits to benefit four global environmental projects

(Media Release: Louisville, KY, April 22, 2010) In honor of the 40th anniversaries of both Earth Day and Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia is releasing limited edition charity water bottles featuring designs by Klaus Haapaniemi, a world-renowned Finnish graphic artist dubbed as one of the most important rising stars in illustration and design.

“As a Finnish artist and proud of my heritage, it was a pleasure to partner with Finlandia on this project to benefit so many great environmental charities,” said Haapaniemi. “I hope my designs bring color and fantasy to Finlandia and glamorize the nature and the wildlife of Finland.”

Each design represents one of Finlandia Vodka’s core elements: the Midnight Sun, untouched nature, six-row barley and pure glacial spring water. These one-liter SIGG® water bottles will sell for $28 U.S. and Finlandia will divide all profits among four global environmental projects selected to promote sustainability beyond the brand’s distillation footprint. This cause-marketing program is an early step in a new, concerted effort to explore sustainability and the brand’s harmony with nature.

From left to right: “The Very Tired Rooster” representing the Midnight Sun, which shines for 73 days straight in the north of Finland; Untouched Nature represented by a Norse mythological character, “Ratatosk”, the red squirrel; Six-row barley featuring “The Cranes” walking in the barley field; Representing Pure Glacial Spring Water, “Thiaridae” freshwater snail.

“The Finlandia brand is honored to offer these unique water bottles with designs from Klaus Haapaniemi, a truly brilliant artist,” said Jennie Meador, global associate creative director for Finlandia Vodka. “His designs have brought our brand stories to life. And, with proceeds going to such great charities, this program really respects the nature of the Finnish spirit of sustainable living. As a Finnish brand, we strive to be in harmony with nature and the money raised will help provide for some tremendous projects around the globe.”

These limited edition Finlandia water bottles will be available on May 3 for purchase at www.finlandiawaterbottle.com.