Kaija Aarikka grew up in Southwest Finland in Somero. Post-high school, she began teaching in Hämeenlinna. She then studied textile design at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki. In the early 1950s she married her fellow student Erkki Ruokonen. Erkki looked at the craftsmanship of metal.
1954, they founded their company Aarikka Helsinki. First, the company produced high-quality wooden buttons. But Kaija expanded the collection quickly with suitable designs such as wood beaded jewelry and home accessories. Today's classic in the Aarikka collection of jewelry around the neklace Suomi. In the living area are popular until today the bunnies and eggs of Kaija.