trendey » Sami handicrafts

Super-Trendy ‘Aunt-Fur’ Cushions

Mia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:26:27 +0000

Some time ago, I told you about the lovely collection Bracelets of Uttran by Swedish designer and blogger Ida Överby. Since then, she has expended the range in her web-shop Creme de la creme with lovely leveled cake dishes of old china, nice bibs, rag rug-pillows and – what took my breath away – a new collection of ‘aunt fur’-pillows. I bought the prime edition, it’s called Naijma.

The style is the very definition of trendy today: structures and surfaces in new combinations, unexpected colour matches and old classics that meet the very latest. ‘Aunt fur’ (Sw. tantpäls) refers to the old fur your aunt (or aunt’s aunt) used to wear, extremely soft and cozy but hopelessly outdated. Secluded at the back corner of the attic – it may be a controversial piece of fabric – but once there, it’s an asset to use and reuse.

In Naijma, the softest mink is intermingled with white cotton velvet. Piping and corner flaps are of lime-coloured Chinese silk and the fur-area is lined with a nice flowery patterned fabric. The opening is fastened with Velcro and at the back of the cushion sits a brass eyelet, which holds an old Sami leather cord. The present meets the traditional in an utterly (Uttran-ly! :)) well-composed and well-sewn cushion.

Slightly forked – I want them myself! – I urge you to look out for upcoming pillows in this collection. They are made from time to time, and sold through Creme de la creme. (Don’t look! ;))

Sami Bracelets in Innovative & Lovely Design

Mia — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:05:31 +0000

By way of Familjen i Uttran (who makes the beautiful Bracelets of Uttran) I just found a treasure chest of unique handmade pewter bracelets. Ann-Helen Rönnberg uses spun pewter wire and reindeer or lamb leather. The patterns are sprung from the Swedish Sami tradition and taken into a new colourful and – may I add – innovative and absolutely lovely design! All bracelets are handmade with great delicacy and for sale at reasonable prices in her blogshop. Below are some examples, have a look yourself and enjoy this excellent and very much alive example of Northern Swedish handicraft culture. Cravings! ;)

I Heart Bracelets of Uttran

Mia — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:58:06 +0000

This, my dear readers, is my new darling in the jewelry compartment! The bracelet bears the name Katarina and is part of a series of bracelets called Bracelets of Uttran. The designer of this beautiful and very creative re-use of old lace and scraps of silk is Ida, who is also the author of the Swedish blog Familjen i Uttran.

Inspiration to Bracelets of Uttran is derived from the tin works in traditional Sami handicrafts. In the bottom layer of the bracelet is a strip of Kevlar-canvas, that provides charter and extra power to the bracelet. Light is reflected in the sail cloth, which also highlights the gold Kevlar fibers. Bracelets are all unique, and price varies depending on the material and width. Katarina has a layer of purple Thai silk and a Designers Guild-button in patterned pale pink. It measures 17,5 x 3 cm. It arrived to me immediately upon order, beautifully wrapped!, for a price of approx. £20 including postage. The bracelets are made one by one and displayed in the Creme de la Creme- shop. I just love this design idea – I can’t think of a better use of old lace or, for that matter, a nicer way to wear it!