Hello everyone!
Summer is winding down and there’s a little coolness in the air reminding me that the fall and winter holidays are not far off.
September is a big month for planning 2023 classes so while I’m in negotiations with several of my usual venues I wanted to make you aware of the great classes going on for the remainder of this year.
The Vesterheim Folk Art School in Decorah, Iowa is hosting both online and in person offerings in October.
If you are looking ahead to Christmas, these classes are a wonderful opportunity to get a jump on your gift giving!
Sølje Inspired Earring Class (ONLINE)
October 11, 2022 6-7:30pm
Ever wonder why sølje pins have those shiny dangles with silver disc drops? These discs are called “spoons” or “shells” in Norwegian. Silver has long been a protective element against evil and abduction by the hulder folk in Scandinavia. Legend has it that should you run into the devil wearing your sparkling sølje, he would see his own reflection and run away! Don’t run away from a chance to create your own silver- and gold-washed earrings in this short class designed to introduce you to the beauty of Scandinavian silverwork. Register
Viking Knit Chain Bracelet (IN PERSON)
October 29, 2022 9am-5pm
Come explore the ancient tradition of chain making! You’ll use “Viking Knitting,” a centuries-old looping technique, to create a beautiful silver bracelet with a variety of unusual clasps. Historically, this unique method of looping resembles nålbinding, which pre-dates knitting and was used to fabricate everything from articles of clothing to netting for catching fish! You’ll have the opportunity to complete a bracelet in a single day—no previous experience required. Register
Have you missed a chance to take the Viking Posament Bracelet Class? Here’s your opportunity to catch the North House Folk School online offering and the official last class of 2022. This class is hosted over two days for a relaxed pace.
Viking Posament Bracelet Class
October 21, 2022 4-6pm
October 22, 2022 10-2pm
Some of the most fascinating objects demonstrating medieval craftsmanship have come from Viking burials of the 9th and 10th centuries in Sweden. The term “posament” refers to a method of knotting and braiding wire into ornaments used to decorate textiles. In this online class students will practice the art of posament using nylon cords to perfect either a “Josephine” or a triangular series of braided knots. We will then construct a length of knots using pewter coiled thread (96% tin + 4% silver) and sew the finished braid to a softened leather strip to create a bracelet. A pewter button finishes off the bracelet. We’ll decide as a class when to take breaks and turn the video screens off to work on our projects individually, coming back together at key moments throughout.
*Note: Students will receive kits with all the necessary materials included by mail in advance and are welcome to practice posament knots using the enclosed nylon cord and printed visual directions before the class date. Register
We’ll also be announcing some new kit offerings (just in time for Xmas) in the next two weeks so stay tuned and thank you again for your support!