Maidens from the moors or windswept shores? Explore Tarja and Seppo’s atmospheric ruin garden
In Finnish-based Tarja and Seppo's yard stands a ruin inhabited by four maidens, each with her own personality. The idea took shape when Tarja found two doll makeup heads at a flea market.
Tarja, where did you get the idea for the ruin garden?
I’m part of several craft, gardening, and DIY social media groups, and for a while now, I’ve been seeing ruin gardens built from bricks. Usually, these structures might host a garden table, flowers, and perhaps a chair. We have plenty of space in our yard, so I suggested to my husband, Seppo, that we build a ruin garden a while back.
This summer, I was strolling through flea markets when I stumbled upon a doll makeup head for fifty cents. I walked past it, but then I found another one. I thought, “This must be a sign!” I brought them home and started imagining what they could become. I collected a few more from friends, and the idea of four maidens began to form in my mind.
How did you actually bring the maidens to life?
I coated the makeup heads’ faces with polymer glue and sifted sand, shaping their noses, eyebrows, and ears. I dipped their hair in concrete and let it dry in different positions. I formed the cloaks over frames made from old towels, then immersed them in concrete. The mixture ended up a bit loose, so their dresses flutter—I think it suits the theme perfectly.
What about the ruin garden around the maidens? How did that come together?
I felt our four maidens needed a home. We got demolition bricks from a local group that rescues things from dumpsters. Seppo prepared the ground using a tractor and laid the bricks. We ended up with about 300 bricks. Luckily, we ran out, or we might have gone on building forever! Mortar was the only thing we actually purchased.
So who exactly are these maidens?
All the spirits—the maidens left in the ruins—are different, each with its own personality. I don’t want to explain the story too much, because the best part is letting each viewer imagine it on their own. One person saw a photo and pictured them on Scotland’s moors; another on a windy shore. I see them as kind, not scary. Sometimes, when I’m out in the yard, I pause and wonder what fate landed them here!
You seem to be quite a craftsperson?
On the contrary! I admire others’ skills, and I feel I have very little myself. All you need is a good idea and a partner who’s excited about it! I hadn’t done any concrete work before, but I’d encourage anyone to just give it a try.
Can passersby see the ruin garden from your yard?
By late summer, there was a sunflower field next to our house where anyone could pick flowers. From there, you could see the ruin garden. We also hosted a yard event at the end of August, so people could come explore these figures and our entire property.
What project are you going to tackle next?
We have bits of scrap metal set aside for new projects. I’ve decided to learn welding this coming winter, so we’ll see what becomes of the scrap!
