a picture of the slide closure bracelet. This is similar to the bracelet students learn how to make in classes at North House Folk School and American Swedish Institute
WORKSHOP DATES:
• November 9-12, 2023
LOCATION:
• American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN
Table-Made Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop
This class runs Thursday, November 9 from 4–6 pm, Friday and Saturday, November 10–11 from 9 am–4 pm, and Sunday, November 12 from 9 am–3 pm.
Join Minnesota artist Karen Keenan to explore the Scandinavian art of hairwork jewelry. This unique and almost extinct weaving and needle art sprung from the Victorian era urge to preserve personal connections and memories of loved ones. Students in this course will use provided hair to practice making a bracelet based on 19th century hairwork patterns while learning more about the fascinating history of this craft.
Few know that a center of hairwork training in Europe was Våmhus, Sweden, where both men and women learned this intricate and highly skilled art. While learning to work on a custom made hairwork table, students will discover the story of this community and particularly the women who journeyed far from home to support their families through their craft. Karen will also share her own family’s Våmhus story, her experience of returning there for training, and her study of the American Swedish Institute’s own hairwork collections. This immersive weekend course is perfect for both novice and intermediate hairworkers to dive deeply into this craft.
A $15 materials fee covers all necessary tools and materials for making one bracelet during class. Suitable for ages 18+.
A braid being woven on a hair table.
a book describing Swedish hairworkers of the 1800s. Students in the bracelet class learn about the history of hairwork through multiple ways: story, print, video and hands on experience.
A braid being woven on a hair table.
Examples of Karen's work, including pottery.
