Inspired by Home

The one accessory that makes everyone stare

The pictures rocketed around the internet and around our office. Where did that handbag come from? The answer shocked us: Scandanavia, by way of the Bayou. At Akkika, designer Annika Miller launched her business with a stunning hardwood living-hinge clutch that has captured everyone's imagination.

How did it come to be? How was it made? What other amazing creations has Annika dreamed up? We sat down with her to learn how this Glowforge owner, mother, and entrepreneur brought a laser into her home and used it to launch her company.

Q. How did your business come to life?

I didn’t officially start my business until a little less than a year ago, but it was long coming. The culture and history around here is what serves as the inspiration for all of my art. Being a transplant here from Finland, every aspect of this culture to me is very fascinating. Having been here now for exactly half my life I can honestly say I am a true cajun.

The project that started this business for me was an idea for Cajun Alphabet illustration for our daughter, which is still underworks, but has given birth to most of the drawings for sale at the moment. The alligator figure for A is forever instilled in my heart as that is the first one I drew for our baby girl. It has since evolved into shirts, wooden figurines, paper dolls and other new graphics and twists about the cajun culture.

Being able to bring the Scandinavian style and mix it with the Cajun culture has been one of the greatest things for me. I finally had the chance after we had our daughter and I had quit my day job to stay home with her.

My business is based from Lafayette Louisiana, essentially in the heart of Cajun country. I draw and create each and every graphic by myself, further editing them in illustrator and now using the Glowforge I can truly bring them to life.

Q. What was your making process before you got your Glowforge? After?

Oh my. I have ALWAYS loved making.

Coming from Finland I definitely have a love for the simple and straight forward type design. Since I had the opportunity to use laser-cutters while in graduate school I became obsessed with the precision it was able to give to any design. Once I learned about the Glowforge I knew my prayers had been answered and was lucky to get it last winter.

My graphics are very precise ink drawings with very intricate details, so the Glowforge has been able to give me the same precision in creating new typologies of graphics, while being able to expand and explore new levels of design not been possible before with my art.

Paper is definitely one of my favorite mediums and the possibilities are truly endless with Glowforge.

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Q. How has the Glowforge fit in to your day and home? Where does it live?

It fits perfectly into our daily routines as I am able to teach our daughter about design and we can create toys and projects as a family whenever we want.

My Glowforge lives in our living room currently but will move into my upstairs office as soon as I get the filter.

Q. How has Glowforge elevated your artistry and business?

Since getting my Glowforge I am able to create high quality products with variety of materials without having to use a third party.

It makes the design process much more fluid as I am able to test ideas on a whim, adjusting as I need, and not worry about wasting material, money or time.

Now with my very own Glowforge I am able to invent, play and design beyond limits while finding ways to mass produce projects in a way that would had been impossible for me to do before.

Q. Final question, if you could gift a Glowforge to someone in your life, who would it be?

Without a doubt I would gift a Glowforge to my best friend and her husband.

They are absolutely the most creative and inspirational people I know. Cat is a wedding photographer and entrepreneur in New Orleans and Brad is an Architect.

They are currently working on restoring a house in New Orleans of which half will become the most amazing AirBNB you have seen. They have designed their home from top to bottom never leaving a detail ignored. They would definitely make magic with this machine with the many ideas and inspirations they come up with each day. I have already made a few projects come to life for them and have a few more underway.

See more of Annika's work

To find more of Annika's incredible laser cut Cajun Art, visit Akkika or follow her on instagram @Akkika

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