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Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop
May
9
to May 12
WORKSHOP

Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop

  • North House Folk School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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:
• May 9-12, 2024 (Open)

LOCATION:
• North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN

Overview

Beautiful objects can be made with common and unusual renewable resources. Hairwork, an almost forgotten form and a unique jewelry making folk art, uses one of these resources: human hair. This type of art form is loaded with Scandinavian history and culture. Imagine traveling in the mid-1800s from a Swedish county village to St. Petersburg or London during the winter to make hair jewelry for urban citizens.

In this course, students will learn how to set up and make four patterns on a traditional hairwork table. They will discover the cultural impact of this popular 1800’s adornment practice through artifacts, literature, and story. Careful work will result in lovely and intricate braids to assemble a handmade human hair bracelet. This was a common and highly valued practice for many skilled women from Sweden, especially those from Våmhus, Sweden, the only village that, to this day, has kept this art form alive for over 200 years. Learn more about this unique art form and fascinating cultural history in this Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon course. This course is open to those ages 15+. 

Note to returning students - new braid patterns and a new process to finish bracelets will be offered in this course. $15-$30, depending on materials used, will be payable directly to the instructor during class. 

Registration and more information.

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.

View Event →
Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop
Nov
9
to Nov 12
WORKSHOP

Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop

  • American Swedish Institute (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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+.

Registration and more information.

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.

View Event →
Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop
Oct
26
to Oct 29
WORKSHOP

Woven: Swedish Traditional Hair Jewelry Bracelet Workshop

  • North House Folk School (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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:
• October 26-29, 2023 (Closed)
• May 9-12, 2024 (Open)

LOCATION:
• North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN

Overview

Beautiful objects can be made with common and unusual renewable resources. Hairwork, an almost forgotten form and a unique jewelry making folk art, uses one of these resources: human hair. This type of art form is loaded with Scandinavian history and culture. Imagine traveling in the mid-1800s from a Swedish county village to St. Petersburg or London during the winter to make hair jewelry for urban citizens.

In this course, students will learn how to set up and make four patterns on a traditional hairwork table. They will discover the cultural impact of this popular 1800’s adornment practice through artifacts, literature, and story. Careful work will result in lovely and intricate braids to assemble a handmade human hair bracelet. This was a common and highly valued practice for many skilled women from Sweden, especially those from Våmhus, Sweden, the only village that, to this day, has kept this art form alive for over 200 years. Learn more about this unique art form and fascinating cultural history in this Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon course. This course is open to those ages 15+. 

Note to returning students - new braid patterns and a new process to finish bracelets will be offered in this course. $15-$30, depending on materials used, will be payable directly to the instructor during class. 

Registration and more information.

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.

View Event →

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