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©Sandra Urvak
©Sandra Urvak
©Sandra Urvak
©Sandra Urvak

Urmas Veersalu

Urmas Veersalu Straw worker
Contact
Estonian, English, Finnish
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+372 5141416
©Sandra Urvak

The himmeli maker

  • • Urmas creates geometric reed himmeli
  • • He helped build the largest reed crown on record
  • • He makes DIY handicraft boxes for enthusiasts

From miniature reed himmelis to massive geometrical ones hanging from high ceilings, Urmas Veersalu keeps alive this peculiar forgotten tradition and spreads the joy to others through his DIY handicraft boxes. Urmas has always been fascinated with handicraft and wooden objects; since the age of 11 he has been playing around with reeds that look similar to wood. The way himmels spin around in an airy space is mesmerising to him, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he gradually started his work and built up his studio. The largest reed crown in the world that now has a place even among the World Guinness Records was built under Urmas' guidance! His large works hang in spaces across the world, inside private homes, museums and even the Estonian President's palace.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Urmas Veersalu
  • Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
  • Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
  • Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
Photo: ©Urmas Veersalu
Himmeli Ornament

This himmeli was made by a group of people who tied together 200 tetrahedrons (1200 reed pieces) in Tartu Lodjakoda. To achieve a round shape, 20 triple tetrahedrons were made by tying together 10 smaller tetrahedrons.

Photo: Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
Himmeli Ornament

Himmeli sculpture consisting of 270 reed pieces and is formed from pentagons and hexagons.

Photo: Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
Himmeli Ornament

Himmeli sculpture consisting of 80 tetrahedrons. All the tetrahedrons were made one by one and 20 double tetrahedrons were made by tying together four tetrahedrons. The round shape was formed by principles of icosahedron – 20 tetrahedrons were tied together using linen thread.

Diameter 105 cm

Photo: Sandra Urvak©Urmas Veersalu
Himmeli Ornament

12 five-pointed stars were tied together from their peaks using the principle of dodecahedron.

Diameter 70 cm

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