Embroidery of authentic Swedish materials: reindeer leather&horn, pewter, beads, and copper.
Pewter embroidery is an ancient "sami" home-craft of northern Swedish Lapland. This special embroidery is used on various parts of costumes, or interwoven with reindeer "leather" to make "sami" or Lapp jewelry-- which is very popular in Sweden and around the world.
Many designs, materials, and natural colors are possible using only natural Swedish materials. Pewter & copper thread is woven, beaded, sheathed, and rolled. Imagination is rewarded as beautiful artwork is made into jewelry- to be worn and admired. Silver "pearl-like" beads accent the design and add drama. From the basic to the complex, and selected separately or in artful combination- this jewelry is always appropriate. Men, women, and children wear this jewelry. Near endless customization of sizing, colors, and metal weavings are possible.
"Sami" technique jewelry takes the form of : necklaces, bracelets, eyeglass ropes, ankle- bracelets, hair barrettes, eyeglass holders, rings, horse bridle dress/edging, etc . Select reindeer hide is specially cured, tanned into leather, and colored using natural dyes. The necklace and bracelet clasps are buttons fashioned from the horn of the reindeer. A special natural "sen-tråd" thread is used for binding. All materials used are authentic and come from the northern Swedish town of Luleå. A recent variation of the jewelry making technique adds native copper thread- either used alone or in combination with the pewter. The pewter thread has a 4% silver content for strength. The materials are natural, durable, and available in various colors. The intricately woven patterns are traditional or can be of custom-design.
Here are some examples of bracelets, necklaces, and rings that Kerstin has created.
