The History Of Pomenia
Childhood Play
The magical world began in the childhood of fairy artist Petronella Grahn.
“It is a blessing to live and grow up in an artistic home full of siblings, imagination, joy, and a beautiful array of colors. Throughout my childhood, I lived in my own worlds. I played, invented my own stories, sang, composed, played the violin and piano, and listened to the fairy tales my grandmother read. Imagination made the impossible possible—creativity played in stories, dance, and music. My childhood was full of magic, with adventures always waiting for me in the nearby forest, where the Whispering Pines beckoned.”
1997: The First Dragon Hat
The magical world of Pomenia became visible when fairy artist Petronella Grahn sewed the first dragon hat for her eldest son. The pattern was sketched freehand onto a Helsinki newspaper on the kitchen table and then cut into shape with scissors. The hat was completed using a sewing machine gifted by her grandmother. Hip-hip-hooray! The adventure towards her own whimsical and playful children’s clothing line had begun!
1999: Children's Playground
In 1999, Pomenia’s founder, Petronella Grahn, opened the family playground “Children’s Playground Nelli” in Vantaa, where children played wild and incredibly fun outdoor games. In the playground, parents met one another and shared the joys, sorrows, and best tips of everyday life. The fairy-tale paintings adorning Petronella’s play structures, fabric forts, climbing ropes, real pots and jugs for water and mud games brought the children’s imaginations to life. The park created wonderful memories, provided essential parenting support, and fostered deep friendships. Petronella’s first whimsical sewn creations were also tested and sold there.
2000-2018: The Enchanted Tinttu.com
In the land of enchantment, Tinttu.com emerged. Suddenly, playfulness took flight in clothing, as EVERYONE wanted to be dragons, fairies, foxes, bunnies, and… trolls! Thus, Petronella established the Tinttu.com children’s clothing workshop and online store. Fantasy garments brought adventure and play into the daily lives of families across Finland and Europe. The magical world of Pomenia, with its tales and fairy-tale characters, saw its first light through the Tinttu.com children’s clothing collection.
2001: "Like a Storybook on the Wall"
The door to Pomenia also opened in grand mural paintings. The first magical landscape of Pomenia was conjured at the Vekkuli daycare center in Kotka in 2001. Following this, Petronella painted large murals across Finland, including at Mehiläinen in Tikkurila, wards L1 and L3 at Jorvi Children’s Hospital, and a 250 m2 mural at Kotka Children’s Hospital. Additionally, several private homes and daycares have been enchanted with the ambiance of the magical world. Wow!
2013: The Fairy Artist's First Art Exhibition
Walls couldn’t be moved for others to see, nor could the created fairy-tale characters journey into Tinttu.com’s prints and decor stickers without acquiring new skills. Thus, large wall murals transformed into paper drawings and then into sparkling canvas paintings. The first art exhibition was held for the created artworks, and original images were made into prints for clothing, posters, and cards. Additionally, the first mural wallpaper and decor sticker collection was created.
The enchanted fairy-tale illustrations narrated the story of Pomenia, opening the door to the magical world for everyone. Enchantment dust!
2015: Pomenia's First Fairy Tale Book
Petronella bestowed the name “Pomenia” upon the dreamy realm of Unien satumaa and penned down, as well as sketched, the fairy-tale illustrations from the magical world into storybooks.
It was decided to publish Pomenia’s first fairy tale book, “The Fairy’s Magic Dust,” on Tinttu.com. When the book sold out, an enchanting audiobook was created for all the magnificent adventurers! Oh!
2016-2019: Dreams Come True!
Petronella yearned to turn her dreams into reality and showcase the tales and characters of Pomenia from behind the scenes of design. She put Tinttu.com on hold and transformed the bedtime stories she had told to children for over twenty years into actual storybooks. Additionally, she learned digital drawing skills. The fairy-tale world of Pomenia was digitalized, and 2D characters were animated. Over the years, the magical places and fairy-tale characters of Pomenia came to life.
2020: Wuhuu! Pomenian Fairy Tale Books!
The first part of the Pomenia book trilogy, “Pomenia – The Great Adventure of the Magic World,” a picture book aimed at younger children titled “The Secret of Magic Dust,” launched the extensive Pomenia series in Finland in autumn 2020 (https://www.kummakustannus.fi/tuotesarjat/Pomenia-sarja.html).
In November 2020, both Pomenia books were on the bestseller list for children’s books in Finland, and in November 2021, so was the final part of the trilogy (https://kirjakauppaliitto.fi/kirja-ala-suomessa/mita-suomi-lukee/).
2020-2021: Fairy Tales, Adventures, Magic Dust, and Magic!
Simultaneously, participatory and educational Pomenia activity cards and the Fairy Tale Adventure board game were released.
In 2021, the second and third parts of the book trilogy were published, along with a smaller fairy tale book titled “Sisu the Hero” and Dragon Sisu’s Courage Cards. Additionally, the main story of Pomenia was planned for global distribution as an animated series and film developed by a European production company.
Indeed! The magical world of Pomenia is more than just a dragon’s hat!
2021-2024: Fabrics, Clothing Collections, and the Pomenia Shop!
It was time to open our own Pomenia Shop online and conjure up enchanting Fairytale Design by Petronella Grahn Pomenia products. The first domestically produced Pomenia indoor clothing collection was released in autumn 2021 in collaboration with Ehta by Dream Circus. Simultaneously, licensing fabrics began selling in over 15 countries.
In 2021, a translation rights agreement for the fairy tale books was also signed with Bonnier Rights literary agency. Pomenia’s fairy tale books for children around the world, hooray!
2025 – The First Fabric Collection of Our Own
2022-2023: Enchanted Interior Design
“Give your child the gift of imagination, play and fun and it will carry them through life!”
Explore the Enchanting World of Petronella Grahn: Fairytale Artist and Visionary Creator
Dive into the creative universe of Petronella Grahn, a visionary artist and storyteller whose fairytale world of Pomenia captivates children and adults alike. As a mother of six, Petronella’s journey began with the enchanting stories she crafted for her children, which blossomed into a richly imaginative world filled with unique characters and magical landscapes. Her artwork not only decorates children’s books and murals but also transcends into the realm of textiles and interior design, bringing a touch of magic to everyday spaces.
Explore more about how Petronella Grahn’s artistic talents and heartfelt narratives continue to enchant and inspire, creating shared moments of wonder that brighten the world one story at a time.