Even though today is already the 20^th of January, I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2017! I have been told it’s ok to wish people a happy new year until the end of January. So here you go!

I have been really looking forward to 2017. 2016 was a pretty tough year for me (and apparently many others, as well) with lots of ups and downs. But that’s all in the past now, and I am ready for a fresh start.

My first blog post of the year will be about SCAN Magazine. The Magazine is distributed at many airports around in the Nordic countries, in a few airlines, and even through some cultural centres and chambers of commerce, too.

Here’s how I ended up in the magazine:

November last year I received an E-mail from their office in London, asking me if I was interested in having an article about my pillows in the December issue. It was to have a whole section dedicated to Norwegian designers and skilled craftspeople.

I must admit I was quite a bit surprised to be contacted like that. How did they know about me? … Still very cool, though!

My handmade textile patterns and pillows business is not even a year old; I really got started only in the last part of winter, early spring last year. But you can imagine how excited I was about this opportunity. My story and products published in a magazine side by side with other talented, and often more established, designers!

Of course I wanted that!

But the deadline was very short, and I had to help them out finding material for the article. Did I have any photos of my creative process and myself, they asked. When would it be a good time for an interview, did I have any thoughts on how I could best be presented, anything unique about my business that they hadn’t already found on my website etc etc etc.

This was a new world to me. And I was so busy planning Christmas markets. Where would I find the time for this? An interview with me? Potentially terrifying! And exciting! What to say? What to do? And photos of myself??? Eh…

I asked my boyfriend who has many years of experience as a journalist and text editor. He’s even quite a good photographer, too.

Then things happened fast. I agreed with SCAN Magazine that I would find someone who could write the article. Just a couple of days later, the interview was done. It was a new challenge to talk about myself in such a way. I’m definitely not used to doing that.

A few days later the article was finished. Then it was on to the photos. Yet another experience where I felt like a total noobie. So, it was dress up right, put on makeup and show my creative process. It was actually great fun!

Text and pictures were sent off to Dublin, where the magazine was put together.

Then some long time waiting…

In the beginning of December I received a copy of the magazine in the mail. And I can tell you, having your first feature in a magazine is a pretty big deal. I felt proud of myself. So, later I had to post a selfie on my Instagram account with the magazine in my hand. I got really nice comments from my followers. They asked me to please publish the article on my website.

So without further ado, here’s the article. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy! And let me know what you think!

Xoxo-Alexia

Here’s the PDF-file:

Alexia_Lundgreen_SCAN_Magazine_December_2016