Paper Collective:
Hi Mette. Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you started Karmameju?
Mette Skjærbæk:
I am from the south of Denmark, but left for “the big world” already at 16 years old, to work internationally as a model. My base was New York City, and my company today, Karmameju, is very much a reflection of how I spent my spare time during the 10 years I was traveling. With a big passion for Natural Health, Holistic living and a love for nature and stimulating the senses.
PC:
For people who don't know Karmameju, what are some of your core values, and what makes your products unique?
Mette:
I like to say that I put nature into bottles. I have such an immense trust in nature: we need it, and it needs us. Everything carries energy, skincare as well - and as we apply skincare to our largest organ, the skin, it is so important what ingredients are used. What makes Karmameju Bioactive Skincare unique is our hybrid of nature based products ustilizing a broad number of clinically proven actives. The use of aromatherapy in our products - 100% natural fragrances is also rare in our industry as most brands opt for synthetically manufactured copies of fragrances. As a brand our core values is honesty, responsibility and a desire to inspire.
It is like a dance with nature, and I love the process.
- Mette Skjærbæk on her art
PC:
Can you tell me about your lovely live floral collage pieces you have created?
Mette:
I have made Herbarium Artworks for years, and have dried flowers for even longer. It is a very slow and delicate process, and it has really helped me get back to my "non-Karmameju creativity” after many busy years as a mother of small kids + a business woman. I have not really had so much time to be creative at home, and it has been helpful for me to just dissapear into the world of plants, composition and beautiful paper for hours, without really having a purpose with it. The artworks make me connect with nature even better, I see all that is around me when I go for a walk, as my eyes are always scanning for plants to dry. It is like a dance with nature, and I love the process.
PC:
We were lucky enough to visit your lovely home. What are some tips for making the home extra cozy this time of year?
Mette:
- Good lighting is essential in Denmark, you can always add an extra lamp! Good lighting, bright and awakening, and cozy lighting, low and mysterious, depending on the activities of the day.
- Fragrances (essential oils is a diffuser, cooking lovely meals, using aromatherapy skincare etc.)
- Cozy blankets and enough heat on the radiator - living in a cold home just does not do it for me.
- Beautiful things around you to stimulate the senses.
PC:
Can you tell me about the Paper Collective pieces you choose for your home, what drew you to these artworks in particular?
Mette:
I am always drawn towards pieces with a certain peace and calmness, a feeling of natures lines, even if it is not.. I don’t like if there are people looking at me with their eyes within the artwork, I feel like I am being watched :) I like my home to feel like a hotel suite, and it is quite nice to swap the artwork from time to time - it gives new visuals for the eyes to wander.