Norwegian Knife Making: Beginning with Jon Roisen
Level: Beginner. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 10, 11 & 12, 2025
Time: Friday & Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: December 21, 2024
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will have the opportunity to make a fine “tollekniv” – a Norwegian work knife. Students will work with “Flame or masur birch” Norwegian birch burl and German leather. At the end of the class, students will have their own knife and sheath.
Tuition: member $145 non-member $160
Supplies: $95. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
For questions, email Jon.
Click here to register.
Read Jon Roisen’s bio.
Norwegian Knife Making: 5-Day with Jon Roisen
Age/Level: Beginner to experienced. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday through Tuesday, January 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2025
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Returning students will have the opportunity to hone their skills, using more advanced techniques that take more time to learn and execute. Students will make either a Telemark- style knife or a knife consisting of multiple traditional materials used in Nordic knives. Possibilities include bone and birch bark stacked handles, Damascus blades, and the use of sterling silver, birch bark, and reindeer horn.
Tuition: member $230 non-member $245
Supplies: $120. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
For questions, email Jon.
Click here to register.
Read Jon Roisen’s bio.
Norwegian Skinnfeller with Karen Aakre
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 12
Date: Saturday & Sunday, April 26 & 27, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 5, 2025
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will have the choice of sewing a pair of beautiful Norwegian mittens, boots or a hat in the size they choose. The project will give the student all the skills necessary to move onto other projects such as boots, wristlets, winter caps and blankets. At least one project will be completed in class. Students can cut additional patterns from their sheepskin and block print the patterns in class. Students will have the skills and enough material to complete several more projects at home.
Skinfeller is a Norwegian craft of sewing sheepskins together and then decorating with birch blocks and natural boiled tree bark to leave a beautiful image. The sheep blankets were passed on as a wedding gift to the daughter of the family.
Please go to www.youtube.com and enter “Karen Aakre skinnfeller” in the search engine to watch a short program on Prairie Public Broadcasting.
Tuition: member $145 non-member $160
Supplies: A $50 Supply Fee is paid to the instructor at the end of the class. Students will choose a full sheepskin which ranges from $100 for a basic sheepskin up to $300 for a full- sized quality Scandinavian sheepskin. Roughly 4 pairs of mittens, or projects of equal size, can be sourced from 1 skin. The cost of the skin is in addition to the $50 Supply Fee. Please contact Karen to discuss the pelts available: 218-731-0072 | kaakre53@icloud.com
Click here to register.
Read Karen Aakre’s bio.
Scandinavian Ale Bowl Carving with Jim Paulson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Friday through Sunday, July 18, 19 & 20, 2025
Registration Deadline: June 28, 2025
Location: Milan Village Arts School
If you have admired wooden ale bowls as wonderful examples of Scandinavian folk art, here is your chance to craft one yourself. Ale bowls have a long history going back to the Vikings, of holding and sharing homemade beer for special occasions like baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They were often elaborately carved and painted. Our goal is to create a personalized ale bowl that celebrates this rich cultural tradition.
Since chickens and other birds were commonly depicted in the design of ale bowls, we’ll begin there in teaching the art. You’ll learn how to shape the outside and inside of a small rooster ale bowl using hand tools like spokeshaves, a sloyd knife and hook knife, and carving chisels. Once the bowl shape is established, we’ll pick a design and add the carving. Finally, there will be the opportunity to finish the ale bowl using acrylic paints or stain.
Tuition: member $180 non-member $195
Supplies: A Supply Fee of $45 is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class. A Supply List will be sent on registration.
Click here to register.
Read Jim Paulson’s bio.
Scandinavian Lintel Carving with Jim Paulson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16.
Class 1: Thursday through Sunday, October 10, 11, 12 & 13, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: September 21, 2024
Class 2: Thursday through Sunday, October 9, 10, 11 & 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: September 20, 2025
Location: Milan Village Arts School
You can make a hand carved Scandinavian style lintel in this four day hands on class. Lintels are architectural elements placed over a doorway and these features were often elaborately carved in Norway. The instructor has done commissioned carving work for church buildings that are being adapted for reuse in North Dakota. Work has included creating carved lentils and creating other carved folk art like those featured in 12th century church buildings. Participants will tackle low relief carving which depicts dragon style designs with intertwined tendrils on a 3’ long panel.
Tuition: member $240 non-member $255
Supplies: $60. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class. A supply list will be supplied. Tool rental will be available from the instructor.
Click here to register.
Read Jim Paulson’s bio.