Exploring Coastal Sámi Handcraft with Hege Nilsen
Check out this conversation with folk artist and culture-bearer Hege Nilsen exploring the traditional handcraft of the Coastal Sámi. From leatherwork, to pewter thread braiding and embroidery, to mica embellishments, Hege shares all about this folk art still made by this group of Scandinavia’s indigenous people.
Hege Nilsen lives and works in Kåfjord, a village in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. In addition to her work as an EMT, Hege celebrates her Coastal Sámi culture by making traditional handcrafts, including leatherwork and jewelry with pewter and mica embroidery and embellishment, and through storytelling. She works with a community of Sámi artists, teaches handcraft classes, and has demonstrated at Høstfest, an annual festival in Minot, North Dakota, several times.
Hege will teach at Vesterheim in 2024! Register at the links below.
Coastal Sámi Jewelry on July 20-24
Coastal Sámi Handbag on July 29-August 2
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