I´m Lina Åhman, and this is my page. I have always admired all kinds of craft, and since I was 10 years old, I have been making my own stuff, some of it shown here. I will try to tell you about the path that took me here; When I was a little girl, I used to spend my summer in Colombia, since my mom is from Latin America, we went to visit the family. Walking the streets there, I saw hippies, sitting on their blankets and making crafts to sell. Not knowing more about a hippie then what I saw there, I told my parents that I wanted to grow up to be a hippie... Then when a was 10, one of my class mates, Boris, and his family was moving abroad. Boris had a cute little sister. She liked me, since I was kind to her unlike her brother, and wanted to give me something to remember her by. She gave me some plastic beads that she had saved. I liked them and started to collect beads and trade with friends. Trading up to even nicer beads and in other materials my interest of them grew. And wanting to show my beads I started to make simple necklaces of my favorites. And that´s when I started making jewellery.

This is more than just a hobby, it´s a lifestyle. But I do have a full time job, how else could I afford it ;) With me all these years I´ve had two lojal companions, Sandra and Mari. Love them to death! They have been right by my side, as willing as I have to try out new stuff and ideas. It would not have been the same without them! We have evolved together in our craft making, and each has our own and unique style. Also I´ve had a lot of support from friends, family and co workers. All off them encouraged me to continue, and sell my creations. And this page would not have been made without the help of my loving (and very patient) partner, Claes. He is a computer Guru! I give my thanks to all of you. And to those of you who buy from me, this making it possible for me to make my hobby a bit self-supporing, so that I can continue my work.

I have always been self taught in everything I´ve tried. But as of the beginning of 2006 I took my first course, for PMC. Then later that year I took a course of Lampworking.

Tortuga Craft is an extension of Konst & Ql (translates to "Art & Fun) which started as a school exersice. The task was to hypothetical start a business and account for all the expenses and earnings. I thought it would be fun to use my hobby. And that was the beginning to market my stuff. I see Sandra and Mari as a part of it as well, even though they can limit their work and focus and making stuff for themselves.

I belive in trying, otherwise you won´t know if you can. I follow my impuls, and have a lot of fun. My inspiration comes from everything and anything. Custom Orders: Sorry, but I don´t make them anymore. Just of the simple fact that I need to let my inspiration run free.

Tips: If you are wondering of a new hobby, get as much info you can! I read books, search the internet, buy dvd:s, subscribe magazines but also buy some of the stuff I plan to start making, just to see the technique used and to be able to feel it and get an idea of how my stuff should look when I´m done. I invest probably twice as much time in researching as I do in creating. And a LOT of money is invested, more than I get back. But I´m doing this because I love it, it´s a passion!