Hello and Happy New Year from saamisupplies.com!
Woohoo for ’22!
Here we are at the beginning of a new year and we are ready to rock out returning to the classroom as well as maintaining our online classes.
The last time I was in a physical classroom was March of 2019 and we were hosting a “try it” workshop for the Vesterheim Folk School where students could make a pair of sølje dish drop earrings. This was a short teaser class to excite and inspire students to sign up for jewelry classes but alas….Covid.
Fast forward to what I like to call the ‘great creative shift’ to online course in 2020 and 2021. A good majority of my teaching venues created quick yet graceful dance steps to assist instructors like myself getting comfortable teaching and presenting online. Besides creating a class structure for the internet I was also awarded some great opportunities to help raise awareness for hand craft in general.
One such opportunity was the chance to be part of Vesterheim’s “Folk Art Forward “project where folk art instructors were awarded an iPad and equipment to enhance online skills and video proficiency. We were also required to produce a video about ourselves, our craft and our classes. If I was ever intimidated by technology these past two years I am completely over it! I was also honored to be invited to present for the Vesterheim’s “Collection Connection” series and it’s been a blast to work with such a talented group of staff. Vesterheim’s exhibition “Socially Distanced- Creatively Connected” closed the first week in January and I was honored to have my ‘Fountainhead Bridal Tiara’ featured in the show alongside a ton of other talented artists.
So, what’s on the horizon for 2022?
My first in person class is being offered at the North House Folk School and we are already scheduling into summer and next fall! I’ll also be back in the classroom at the Vesterheim Folk School and the American Swedish Institute. All of these venues are getting ready to drop their 2022 coursework schedules so follow the links and set a reminder for yourself. My first three online classes are full so register early. I’m sensing a little cabin fever ….! Check out this beautiful choker by Tara Austin using the Viking Posament “Josephine” knotting technique. Tara is also an award winning rosmaling artist and you must check out her work.
Of course, I am busy planning for my trip to research Sámi silver during the Easter festival in northern Norway in April. I’m particularly excited to visit the Sámi Parliament building in Karasjok which houses an incredible library. I’ll also be speaking with artists like Anita Schmid and Peter Rust and Ann-Sofie Kristina Kallok at Juhls Silver Gallery in Kautokeino. Museums like the Ridddo Duottar Museat in Karasjok are on the menu as well. Stay tuned!
FYI -If you are looking to start some new projects or need kits please plan ahead as we will be unable to fill orders placed between April 5 – 30th 2022. If you have questions please feel free to email me.
Stay warm and keep crafting!
