Our Story
My name is Alma Björk and I am the owner of Monstri ehf, the company established around the IP Skrimsli. I am a mother of three, an entrepreneur at heart, with diploma in finance and masters in business.
I began my career in the financial industry, however quickly found my passion for creativity. After a road trip around Iceland in 2009, I stopped in Vik, a small country town on the south of Iceland to stay with a friend. In an act of craziness, we went to a wool manufacturer in town to buy wool as we wanted to make some sweaters for us and our children. Neither of us had ever done any kind of sewing before!
This was the beginning of my adventure. I began selling my products in local stores. As leftover fabrics piled up I found it a waste to throw them out. I wanted to make something useful with them. It was then the first Skrimslis were sewn. The demand for the Skrimslis increased and soon I was buying leftover fabrics from our local wool manufacturer. I wanted to keep my production integrated in environmental protection and recycle as much as I could. Soon they were sold in over 10 stores across Iceland and today you will find the monsters in over 20 stores around the country or you can visit our popular workshop and design your very own!
The Team
It seems that the stars have aligned in my favor, and I'm not just talking about the ones twinkling over Iceland (though they are quite the sight!). You see, most of my family has decided to hop on the family business train, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride filled with creativity and laughter.
Within the warm embrace of our family business, we embark on a journey that is as much about the heart as it is about the hands, where each handcrafted wool monster emerges not merely as a product, but as a manifestation of love, artistry, and shared dreams.
More about the Skrimsli Team...
Einar
Einar is Alma's husband. He is our handyman! Although serving full time job elsewhere, he is a very important link in the monster family when it comes to any kind of construction work and fixes for the workspace"
Ragnheiður
Ragnheiður (we call her "Lilla") is Alma´s mother-in-law. She sews together all of the Skrimslis that are sent off to the stores! Apart from that she is also knitting sweaters for the handknitting association AND she has 40 sheep!
Þurý
Þurý is Alma's mother. A former business owner she now works for the Skrimslis, cutting and turning all of the little hands and feet of the monsters as well as cutting down fabrics for the bodies and hair
Jóel
Jóel is Alma's father. A former upholsterer and now works for the Skrimslis doing most of the cutting and turning of hands and feet along with his wife Þurý, but he also sews all of the hair
Pétur
Pétur is Alma's father-in-law. He is our driver and go to guy when ever we need something picked up or delivered!
Gróa Sif
Gróa sif is Alma's sister. She is an educated tour guide and flight attendant. She works full time as a flight attendant but in her spare time she hosts workshops and sews hands and feet. She is also the illustrator of the book about the monsters "The Skrimslis of Lavaland".
Sólveig
Although not in the family ...she almost is, because we just love her! Sólveig works full time as a preschool teacher, but in her spare time she hosts workshops and sews hands and feet for our woollie friends.
Anna Lena
Anna Lena is Alma's daughter-in-law. She is currently studying graphic design in Berlin, so she has done a lot of the Skrimslis marketing material
Mollý
Mollý - a very important employee - when it comes to keeping us company! Although she would love to sew...Let us know if you want to meet her in our workshop! She loves to meet new friends!
The rest of the family
In almost every workshop I host I am asked if I have kids! I sure do! My oldest is Pétur Þór . He is 25, and a tattoo artist living with his fiancé in Berlin. (pt.inks on Instagram). My middle is Gabriela, 23, a very talented climber and studying nutrition. My youngest is Jón Emil 12 years old, keeping us busy every day!
Of course being my kids they have worked for the Skrimslis on and off for many years on every school holiday and whenever I need any extra help, either with the production or in big workshops!
The Skrimslis of Lavaland
The launch of our first book
2017 we published our first book about the Skrimsli which was co-writtenby Alma and an Icelandic writer "Eyrún Ósk Jónsdóttir". The book tells the story of how the Skrimslis came to be, and how due to technology they were suddenly forced to leave their homes, and for the first time in their lives prepare for the cold, harsh winter of the north on their own.
The book was illustrated by Alma's sister "Gróa Sif Jóelsdóttir". 2025 the second book of the Skrimslis will be launched.
Documentation about the Skrimslis
Here you can see a short documentation about the production of the Skrimslis and the Skrimslis workshop. The documentation is made by the National Icelandic Television Channel; RUV
Exhibitions
2011 we participated in our first exhibition “Crafts and Design Fair” in Reykjavik City Hall. Participating was a great exposure for the Skrimslis and we have since participated in several different shows and exhibitions in Iceland, France and Japan.