Anu Halmeniemi moved back to Hämeenlinna as an adult, learned a new profession and became an entrepreneur in the art industry. Now she is fighting with the same determination against the loss of customers caused by the pandemic.
Anu Halmeniemi still works every day at her framing shop located at Verkatehta, even though customers have almost disappeared due to the coronavirus.
Anu Halmeniemi from Hämeenlinna is a pamu, or return migrant. When she was four years old, her family moved to Sweden in search of a better life, like so many other Finns in the early 1970s.
Little sister Jenni Tokpanou was born during the Västerås years. The family returned to Finland when Anu Halmeniemi was a 14-year-old teenager.
– We initially settled in the Turku region, in Parainen. I only returned to Hämeenlinna in 2003 when I became pregnant and wanted to be closer to my relatives, Halmeniemi says.
The artistic siblings worked in the props and sewing room of the Hämeenlinna City Theatre until they began dreaming of their own frame shop.
– We bought used framing equipment, took several weekend courses and practiced in our sister's basement for a couple of years until we felt ready. RaamiDaamit has been in operation for 7 years now, says Halmeniemi.
Shortly after founding the company, Jenni Tokpanou became a mother. Anu Halmeniemi bought out her sister's share and continued as a sole proprietor.
Wool socks on the wall as a memory of grandma
To this day, Halmeniemi has not regretted his bold choice.
– It's a joy to frame when you know that your work will end up in people's living rooms. Many people have a very personal emotional connection to the work or object they frame.
Halmeniemi tells a moving example.
– Recently, a young man brought me a pair of ragged wool socks to frame. They had been darned many times until they were completely worn out. He said the socks were a fond memory of his grandmother, Halmeniemi says.
Many treasures may have been waiting to be put on the wall for years. Halmeniemi advises that paper works should not be kept on a roll for long periods of time.
– The paper fibers stretch, and they may not be able to be restored to their original state.
So what does it look like in the framer's own home? Are the walls full of tastefully framed art?
– Oh, don't come and see us! The shoemaker's children don't have shoes. I have all the pictures hung crooked and way too high. It's a common mistake in many other homes, Halmeniemi laughs.
“You have to feel comfortable here”
Now Halmeniemi sits in his business, located by the Verkatehtaankuja gate, which is a cheerfully colorful mix of café, gallery, frame shop, and art shop.
– You have to feel comfortable here, since you spend so much of your time here. Fortunately, during normal times, friends, acquaintances and relatives often come here to say hello to the sole proprietor, Halmeniemi smiles.
RaamiDaami's core business is framing, but they also offer vintage furniture and interior design items from Korentotori, as well as small, cheerful works by artist Ulla Kauhanen.
– The gallery side is now closed, but there are reservations for new exhibitions well into next year. Hopefully they can be held, Halmeniemi says with concern in his voice.
Framer Anu Halmeniemi is inspired by knowing that her handprints are visible in the living rooms of many families.
7.4.2020 Hämeen Sanomat Riikka Happonen. Photo: Pekka Rautiainen
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